Otford to Helensburgh

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-34.2106378,151.006054)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions	From Bryant Street Turn on to Fairford Road, A6 then drive for 15.1 km Keep left onto New Illawarra Road, A6 and drive for another 55 m Turn left onto Heathcote Road, A6 and drive for another 5.5 km Turn right onto Princes Highway, A1 and drive for another 6.6 km Keep left and drive for another 7.9 km Keep left and drive for another 590 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Princes Highway and drive for another 580 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Parkes Street and drive for another 390 m Turn right onto Cemetery Road and drive for another 520 m Turn left onto Boswell Street and drive for another 65 m Turn right onto McLerie Street and drive for another 190 m Turn right onto Handley Street and drive for another 80 m Turn left onto Walker Street and drive for another 45 m Turn right onto Tabratong Road and drive for another 215 m Turn right onto Otford Road and drive for another 2.3 km Turn sharp left onto Lady Carrington Road and drive for another 420 m Turn slight right and drive for another 150 m
Finish	(-34.1771762,150.9946809)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.) Train

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the top of Otford Station, this walk follows the signs to 'Royal National Park' up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the walk turns left and climbs up the steep concrete path for approximately 50m to the top, where it comes to the intersection marked as 'Station Rd'. This walk turns left and follows the flat dirt road, passing an intersection with another road on the left. The walk continues along to the next intersection, where it turns right onto Fanshawe Rd. This walk follows Fanshawe Rd up the long hill until coming to an intersection with an asphalt road signposted as 'Lady Wakehurst Drive'. At the intersection, this walk turns left and crosses the road, continuing for approximately 25m until coming to a car park and the entry into Royal National Park. There is a large green sign here saying 'Otford Lookout'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 15 m head down the steps (about 70 m long) After another 35 m pass the car park (25 m on your right). Then pass the water tap (25 m on your right).
	From the Ramp turn left, to head along Ramp (a walking track).
	After another 75 m (at the intersection of Beaumont Road & Station Road Fire Trail) turn left, to head along Station Road Fire Trail.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Station Road Fire Trail & Lady Carrington Road) continue straight, to head along Fanshawe Road. After another 220 m (from the Fanshawe Road) continue straight, to head along Fanshawe Road.
	After another 80 m (at the intersection of Lady Wakehurst Drive & Fanshawe Road) turn left, to head along Lady Wakehurst Drive (a road). After another 255 m find the "Otford Lookout" (on your right). Otford Lookout Otford Lookout is on the Lady Wakehurst Dr, Otford. The lookout is in the Southern Tip of Royal National Park. The Lookout is on the side of the road with some parking. There are no facilities, but there is a great view out to see and down south down the coast to Wollongong. There is a small grass clearing on the ocean side of the road. Then pass the park (9 m on your right).
	From the Lady Wakehurst Drive turn right (a service road). After another 50 m pass the sign (on your right).
	After another 250 m (at the intersection of Werrong Beach Track & Cliff Track) veer left, to head along Cliff Track. After another 30 m pass the "Werrong Beach Track" (on your right).
	After another 1.5 km (from the Garawarra Ridge Management Trail) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail. After another 50 m pass the "Garrawarra Ridge" (8 m on your right).
	After another 320 m (at the intersection of Garawarra Ridge Management Trail & Lilyvale Track) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail. After another 1000 m pass the "Bulgo Hill" (45 m on your right). After another 380 m (from the Garawarra Ridge Management Trail) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail.
	After another 1.1 km (from the Garawarra Ridge Management Trail) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail.
	After another 105 m (at the intersection of Burgh Ridge Track & Garawarra Ridge Management Trail) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail. After another 20 m pass the "Garrawarra Farm Carpark" (20 m on your left). After another 20 m head through/around the gate.
	At the intersection of Garrawarra Farm Road & Garawarra Ridge Management Trail turn left (a service road).
	After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 65 m (from the The Burgh Track) turn right, to head along The Burgh Track (a walking track). After another 135 m find the "Garawarra Farm" (25 m on your left). Garawarra Farm Garawarra Farm is a clearing in the southern section of Royal National Park near the intersection of the Squeeze Way and Burgh Ridge track. This area was initially protected in 1934, when it and the surrounding area was turned into the Garawarra Park. This protection occurred after much lobbing from Myles Dunphy and the Mountain trails club, following their concerns of the impact been caused from logging and grazing in the area. This area and much more was re-named to Royal National Park in 1954 following the first visit of Queen Elizabeth II. The old farmhouse is now used by NPWS and is not open to the public. There is a large public carpark that are popular for people walking in the area.
	After another 150 m (at the intersection of Bola Heights Trail & The Burgh Track) veer left, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of The Burgh Track & Lady Wakehurst Drive) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 570 m (from the The Burgh Track) turn right, to head along The Burgh Track (a vehicle track).
	After another 900 m (from the The Burgh Track) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 680 m (from the The Burgh Track) veer left, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 115 m (from the The Burgh Track) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 450 m (from the The Burgh Track) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track. After another 15 m (from the The Burgh Track) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track. After another 120 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 80 m (from the The Burgh Track) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 215 m (from the The Burgh Track) veer right, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 330 m (from the The Burgh Track) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track. After another 50 m (from the The Burgh Track) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 135 m (from the The Burgh Track) continue straight, to head along The Burgh Track.
	After another 75 m (from the The Burgh Track) veer right (a vehicle track).
	After another 30 m (from the Halls Road) turn left, to head along Halls Road (a residential road).
	After another 45 m (at the intersection of Gardiner Place & Halls Road) continue straight, to head along Halls Road. After another 110 m (at the intersection of Halls Road & Nixon Place) continue straight, to head along Halls Road.
	After another 265 m (from the Halls Road) continue straight, to head along Halls Road.
	After another 175 m (at the intersection of Parkes Street & Halls Road) turn right, to head along Parkes Street.
	After another 25 m (at the intersection of Parkes Street & Camp Creek Lane) continue straight, to head along Parkes Street. After another 245 m (at the intersection of Parkes Street & Foster Street) continue straight, to head along Parkes Street.
	After another 135 m (at the intersection of Wilsons Creek Road & Parkes Street) turn right, to head along Wilsons Creek Road. After another 65 m (from the Wilsons Creek Road) continue straight, to head along Wilsons Creek Road. Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
	From the Wilsons Creek Road turn left (a steps). Then head up the steps (about 25 m long) Then pass the water tap (20 m on your right).
	After another 45 m come to the end. About 30 m past the end is a toilet. Mo-Fr daytime

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Otford to Helensburgh

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	12.4 km
Time	4 h 45 min to 5 h 15 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 12.5 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	12.5 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Bulli Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Wednesday 16 July
  
  18°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the evening. Daytime maximum temperatures between 13 and 18.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Thursday 17 July
  
  9°C → 18°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Areas of morning frost about higher ground. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between zero and 6 with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 17.
  
  Friday 18 July
  
  10°C → 16°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Areas of frost and the chance of fog about higher ground in the morning. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming southeast to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between zero and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 16.
  
  Saturday 19 July
  
  9°C → 19°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Areas of frost and the chance of fog inland in the morning. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then tending west to northwesterly during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between minus 1 and 5 above zero with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 19.
  
  Sunday 20 July
  
  8°C → 17°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Monday 21 July
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 22 July
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Garawarra State Conservation Area alerts
  Closed areas: Cawleys Road Trail closed for maintenance
  Closed areas: Cawleys Road Trail closed for maintenance
  Cawleys Road Trail in Garawarra State Conservation Area is closed between Monday 14th and Friday 18th July 2025 due to maintenance works.
  
  Please obey all closure signage and follow instructions from NPWS staff and contractors.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- Royal National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Areas closed for deer control program
  Some areas in Royal National Park are closed to the public between sunset and sunrise from Monday to Thursday (except for school holidays) from 7th July 2025 to 19th December 2025 to enable a deer control operation to be carried out.
  The closed areas include:
  
  All picnic areas in the Audley Precinct
  
  Asset protection zones adjacent to Maianbar, Bundeena and East Heathcote.
  
  Wattamolla and Garie picnic areas
  
  North Era campground and coastal areas between Garie Beach and Figure 8 Pools
  
  Garrawarra Farm
  
  Lady Carrington Drive
  
  Bonnie Vale campground and Bonnie Vale picnic area.
  
  These closures will be signposted at the entry points to the closed areas. If you have a campground booking you can still access campgrounds during these times.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Allambie Flat Picnic Area
  The Allambie Flat picnic area is closed on Wednesday 16 July 2025 due to rock scaling works.
  Audley Boatshed will also be closed to allow works to proceed safely.
  For more information, please call the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0632.
  
  Other planned events: Helicopter operations - Waterfall Oval
  Waterfall Oval and Helipad will be used for periodic helicopter operations on weekends and some weekdays between 26 June and Thursday 24 July 2025 to support a Sydney Trains rail upgrade program. The oval will be used to store equipment and materials and the helipad will be used for slung loads to be flown into the rail corridor south of Waterfall Township.
  Park visitors seeking to use the Uloola Falls fire trail or walking track from Waterfall train station may be asked by crews working on the project to wait for short periods whille slung loads are flown across the tracks. Delays will be minimal.
  For more information please contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0632.
  
  Closed areas: Marley walking track partial closure
  The section of Marley walking track between the carpark and fire trail is closed for repairs until Monday 4 August 2025. The carpark will also be closed for repairs during this time.
  Big Marley and Little Marley fire trails remain open.
  For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: The Coast track - partial closure
  Walking the full length of The Coast track from Otford to Bundeena or Bundeena to Otford is not currently possible due to several track closures along its length. These closures are necessary due to erosion, rockfall risk and ongoing track upgrade works.
  Please note the following closures:
  
  The Garie to Little Garie section of The Coast track is closed due to hazardous rockfalls and erosion
  
  North Era campground is closed until further notice
  
  Garie Road, Garie Beach and the Garie precinct is closed until further notice due to damage and subsidence of the road surface. Walkers approaching from the north (e.g. from Wattamolla or Bundeena) should exit the track via Curra Moors track. Walkers approaching from the south can Exit to Garawarra Farm via the Burgh Ridge Track.
  
  Bushwalker access is available for the following sections of The Coast track:
  
  South bound access - Bundeena to Curra Moors track via Wattamolla and return only. No access to Garie Beach.
  
  North bound access - Otford to Thelma Ridge Via Burning Palms and Era and return only. No access to Garie Beach.
  
  For further information please contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648
  
  Closed areas: Werrong Beach track
  Werrong Beach track in Royal National Park is closed until further notice due to landslides. Signs will be in place around the closed area.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: North Era campground closed
  North Era campground is closed until further notice due to operational activities. For more information please contact the local area office on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Garie Road closed due to damage
  Garie Road is closed until further notice due to damage to the road surface.
  This road may remain closed for some time to allow for extensive repairs. A reopening date is not currently known.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check Live Traffic NSW for updates before driving to Garie Beach.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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