Royal National Park, located in Australia near Sydney, is the world’s second oldest national park and spans over 15,000 hectares. It contains a wide variety of flora and fauna, including littoral rainforest, mangroves, and coastal heathland.
Visitors can explore via bushwalking trails or take a scenic drive to access stunning views of Aboriginal heritage sites and spectacular ocean panoramas.
Pack your bag and come explore this treasured piece of Australia. You won’t regret it! Whether you’re into nature walks or sightseeing, the Royal National Park is sure to have something for you.
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Royal National Park Australia Facts for Kids
- The Park was established in 1879
- Located south of Sydney
- Home to over 1,000 plant species
- It’s home to over 260 bird species
- Provides habitat for wallabies, bandicoots, and possums
- Offers various recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, and swimming
- It covers over 15,000 hectares
- Features coastal and bushland landscapes
- Offers scenic drives and numerous walking tracks
What is Royal National Park?
Royal National Park is the world’s second oldest national park, located in the traditional lands of the Dharawal people on the coast and forests of the state of New South Wales, Australia.
Founded in 1879 by Sir John Robertson, five-time premier of New South Wales, it was originally known as ‘National Park.’ It was later renamed ‘Royal National Park’ in 1955 in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s 1954 Australian tour.
What can you do at Royal National Park?
Secluded beaches, bushwalking and biking trails, picnic grounds, camping grounds, rowboats, swimming holes, and many other activities await visitors to Royal National Park!
There is something for everyone at this stunning location with its various opportunities for exploring and experiencing nature.
What makes Royal National Park unique?
One thing that makes Royal National Park so unique is its incredible history – making it not just the world’s second oldest national park but also one that has held great significance to the local Indigenous people of Dharawal since long before its formation.
Furthermore, its federal title also showcases a rich connection to Britain, with Queen Elizabeth herself visiting in 1954.
Biodiversity of Royal National Park
Inlets and beaches forage upon coastal cliffs, high plateaus descend into river valleys, and bushland is mostly flat.
The heathland near the beach provides a habitat for salt-resistant shrubs like she-oak, grass trees, ground-level forms of coast banksia, and other species like Lewin’s honeyeaters and New Holland honeyeaters.
There is a wide variety of native flora along the river valleys, including eucalyptus trees, redgums, Port Jackson pines, waratahs, wattles, Gymea lilies, and rare hybrid species.
Along the Port Hacking River features mudflats and salt marsh, which are home to mangrove trees where species like yellowfin bream can breed.
Various avian natives make their nests on the river’s edge, including herons, egrets, ibises, kingfishers, and pelicans, while over 250 additional bird species have been accounted for.
Tidal rock shelves along the shoreline allow mollusks to thrive alongside other aquatic lifeforms like Waratah anemones, Biscuit sea stars, and deadly blue-ringed octopuses.
Outdoor Adventures and Stunning Views
Royal National Park is a top attraction for tourists, boasting stunning walking and cycling trails as well as incredible views of the sea.
Bundeena Drive to Marley Walk is an 8km return walk that’s popular for exploring the area. The Coast Track is a two-day adventure with beautiful natural sights along the way.
Curra Moors loop track is a 10km return route, while Forest path offers a 4.4km loop walk, and Karloo walking track takes you on an exciting 10km return circuit.
For longer treks, the Uloola walking track has an 11km one-way terrain, while the Loftus Loop trail features a 10km round trip mountain biking challenge.
For those looking to admire the sea, Governor Game lookout offers the perfect spot during whale migration season in May to November – as well as dreamy beaches like Wattamolla, Garie, and Burning Palms.
Audley Boatshed also rents rowboats and canoes that cross Kangaroo Creek and Hacking river. And if you seek a more active experience, Bundeena Kayaks provide memorable kayak tours into the park!
Ensuring the Protection and Conservation of Royal National Park
Park Management is a continuous process to protect and conserve the natural values of Royal National Park.
The efforts of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to preserve the park’s heritage by engaging with local Aboriginal communities are commendable.
Unfortunately, environmental disasters such as bushfires have been common occurrences in the park because of fire-prone vegetation.
Many agencies and volunteers join forces to save native species and trapped communities from the destruction caused by these fires.
However, we must also remember that while fire is used as an agricultural practice amongst Indigenous Australians, it can become wild at high temperatures.
In 1993–94, devastating bushfires destroyed many homes in Sydney’s eastern seaboard, including Como, and Jannali, along with two schools, a church, and a kindergarten.
Modern measures are now taking control of this situation across the coast and surrounding forest of Royal National Park for better protection against these kinds of devastations.
Important Facts and Overview
The Royal National Park is located in the capital city of Sydney, Australia (within an hour’s drive).
It is home to many rock pools and is popular for swimming.
Hundreds of people flocked to the Royal National Park to see the perfect eight-shaped natural rock pools.
The park is home to the ridged heath-myrtle, a plant species that is unique to the area.
The park has a rich history with the Aboriginal people of Australia, who have lived in the area for thousands of years.
The park is home to many animal species, including wallabies, bandicoots, and possums.
