The 12 Best Walks In The Sutherland Shire
Pull on your sneakers and pack a water bottle; these hikes showcase some of the best sites in the shire - on foot.
Pictured: Eagle Rock
Few things can outdo the simplicity of a good walk, and in the Shire, there’s more than you can shake a stick at. Not just your average hikes, ours are some of the best (if we do say so ourselves). Picture the sounds of native birds, a sea breeze and the soundtrack of waves as just some of the accompaniments common to just about any Shire-based stroll.
Whether you’re braving it solo, with a mate, or have a menagerie of kids in tow, there’s a track just waiting to be trodden. We’ve done the research and taken time off the beaten track to pull together 12 of the best walks in the Sutherland Shire of every length and difficulty for all you adventurers out there. Just don’t forget sunscreen and a water bottle!
Forest Path
Forest Path
This magical walk is found in the Royal National Park, beginning at the stone gates on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and continues down Lady Carrington Drive. It’s a loop track (don’t we love that!) following Bola Creek that totals 4.4km worth of beautiful, serene bushland. While that may sound lengthy, rest assured that the gradient is easy and there are only a handful of stairs along the way. The kids will enjoy wandering through cabbage tree palms and swinging on Tarzan vibes - but note that it’s not a pram-friendly track, so use a baby carrier if you have a (really) little one.
Distance: 4.4km
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1.5hrs - 2hrs (with kids)
Image credit: Kieran Moore Photography
Palona ‘Limestone’ Cave
Palona ‘Limestone’ Cave
The Palona Cave follows the same start as the Forest Path Track, but is a further 1km down Lady Carrington Drive. It’s an easy walk surrounded by jungle-like greenery that takes you to a sign for ‘Limestone Cave’ on the left - keep your eye out for it as it’s facing the opposite direction making it an easy one to miss.
From here, the uphill track is narrow with a few logs and rocks to hurdle - but this just adds to the fun! You will reach the cave in approximately 800m. The limestone cave is a unique feature of the area, so allow time to explore the cave with its columns and stalactites. Beyond the cave is Palona Brook Falls - a beautiful spot to rest and cool off before the return hike.
Distance: 5.5km (return)
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 3.5hrs
Image credit: Kieran Moore Photography
Eagle Rock (via Curracurrang Gulley)
Eagle Rock (via Curracurrang Gulley)
If you’re up for an adventure, this walk is for you! The best place to start is from Wattamolla Car Park (P5). One way to Eagle Rock, the track is 3.3km along the coastline. At the halfway point is Curracurrang Gully where you can rest and even have an ocean swim, or, for an extra bush-bashy element, head away from the coast here to check out Curracurrang Falls. The walk continues from there to Eagle Rock, with the adjacent turning slightly more uphill. Make sure you take a selfie with Eagle Rock! It doesn’t matter if you've done it a hundred times, this walking track never gets old.
Distance: 6.6km (return)
Difficulty: Easy (but long)
Time: 4hrs
Image credit: Kieran Moore Photography
Honeymoon Track To Audley
Honeymoon Track To Audley
Honeymoon track starts at the Royal National Park Information Centre Car Park, near the Environmental Education Centre. You will see signage for this walk explaining its history - it’s a lovely walk with cool caves for the kids (and you!) to explore along the way. The walk is an easy one going down, but the incline kicks in on the way up. 1km each way, rest up and enjoy a nice coffee from the Audley Cafe before tackling the returning steps.
Distance: 1km (each way)
Difficulty: Medium (lots of stairs)
Time: 1hr
Image credit: Kieran Moore Photography
Karloo Track
Karloo Track
One for the swimmers, Karloo Track takes you downhill on a sandy path through iconic bushland to Karloo Pool, a huge 15 x 30 metre expanse of clear water. Start up at Heathcote Station (great for those who’d rather leave the car at home), continue past the Rural Fire Service and look for the signage. Although the pool can get busy - especially in warmer months - there’s usually plenty of space to throw out your towel for the day, so pack a picnic and plenty of water.
If you want to extend the walk, follow Kangaroo Creek downstream to discover more natural swimming holes, or continue along the track for about an hour to reach Uloola Falls (you can even turn this into a through-walk, heading on to Waterfall Station).
Distance: 6km (return to and from Karloo Pool)
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 2 hours (return)
Image credit: She Who Hikes
Temptation Creek and the Holy Trail
Temptation Creek and the Holy Trail
An abundance of wildflowers grow along this track, so it’s most beautiful in spring, but gorgeous year-round nonetheless. Start your journey on Greenhaven Road at Grays Point and enter via the fire trail gate. Walk for about ten minutes until you reach a fork in the road, then turn right and head downhill towards Temptation Creek. Once you’re there, cross the creek and turn right to find the Holy Trail - it gets a bit trickier here as it’s not well signposted, so perhaps leave the kids at home (unless you’re super confident). Follow the creek and eventually you’ll start climbing uphill, emerging on the Bungoona Track and finally back onto Greenhaven Road. Keep in mind that this one is very popular with mountain bikers, so watch your six!
Distance: 4km
Difficulty: Medium to hard
Time: 1-1.5 hours
The Esplanade
The Esplanade
Here’s the thing; you can’t really call yourself a Shire local until you’ve walked the Esplanade. With next-level coastal views and plenty of cafes to refuel at along the way, it’s hard to go wrong with this leisurely walk. You can begin wherever you please, depending on how long you want to slog it for (so it’s great for kids) but in its entirety, it begins at Wanda Beach and continues all the way on to Bass and Flinders Point. Stop in at Salmon Haul for a swim - or really anywhere you please, there are beaches the entire way along.
Distance: 4km (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Image credit: Fly Candy
Greenhills to Boat Harbour
Greenhills to Boat Harbour
When it comes to walks, this beach stride is yet another Shire cornerstone. It’s one stretch of sand, so you can leave your sneakers in the car (unless it’s winter - the sand can get chilly) and wander along the Cronulla coastline from Greenhills Beach across to Boat Harbour. The best part about this walk (in our opinion) is that it’s dog friendly - just be sure to check the off-leash times, which change seasonally.
Distance: 8km
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Barden’s Creek Blue Walk
Barden’s Creek Blue Walk
Although fairly easy in terms of its track, Barden’s Creek Blue Walk presents some challenges in navigation - it’s not well signposted, so you’ll need to keep your bearings. The walk itself is actually a collection of tracks, so you can adjust its length to your needs and explore different routes every time. Enter the fire trail directly opposite ANSTO and Rutherford Avenue, then take the first path to your left. Follow Barden’s Creek until you reach the beautiful natural pool - aka an ideal spot to stop and cool off.
Distance: 3.5km
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Cape Baily Track
Cape Baily Track/Cape Solander
Known as one of the best trails to whale watch, the Cape Baily Track sits nestled within the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, near Kurnell. Begin at Cape Solander lookout along Cape Solander Drive and follow the stunning coastline along to the Cape Baily lighthouse. Be sure to look out for breaching humpbacks and check out the information signage along the way.
Distance: 6km (return)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 3 hours
Image credit: Arch Photography
Winifred Falls and South West Arms Pool
Winifred Falls and South West Arms Pool
A waterfall cascading into a natural pool, gorgeous craggy bushland and rope swings - there’s a lot to this connected track that appeals. While the walk itself is outshone by some Shire-based counterparts, it’s the scenery at the end that reaps the rewards. The walk commences on a stone-covered fire track accessed via Warumbal Road, which starts descending steadily for about 1 km. After another 400 metres give or take, you’ll reach Winifred Falls, which can be viewed from above. To find South West Arms Pool, head downstream and into the bush from the base of the fall - it’s unmarked and can be tricky to navigate (not ideal for little kids), but choose the trail that looks trodden and stick to the river - it should be about 500 metres. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch and plenty of water!
Distance: 4.2km (return)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1-2 hours
Woronora Loop
Woronora Loop
We like to start this walk at Thorp Road in Woronora. As you enter Thorp Road and drive uphill, you will notice a carpark just on the left, before you take a right. Leave your car here and proceed to the route! After a few minutes, you will reach a huge water pipe that lines the start of the track. Follow the track until you reach a point where you can veer left - this is about 5 minutes into your journey. The track will take you over a bridge, up a hill and then passed an old scout camp. There’s no signage, but continue on this path, following all routes that take you to the left. After a few km you will reach a creek. Cross the creek and take a left. Continue on this path for about another 1.5km and you will reach Camp Wanawong. Stroll through the camp and follow a trail down hill on your right. The trail opens up to forest-like surrounds and will take you to Loftus Creek. It can be a bit muddy as you reach the creek, but bear with us! Follow the path alongside this creek until you pop back out right near Woronora RSL.
Distance: 5.5km (return)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1-2 hours
Image credit: Dogs allowed