Located a 25-minute drive north of Batemans Bay, North Durras Beach is a popular spot for surfers. Apart from two surfers, it was deserted when we visited. We parked on North Durras Road, where Google Maps says there is a car park. It’s really just a gravel patch on the side of the road, but does have a path down to the beach.
After an easy five-minute walk along the track, we got to the beach. It was beautiful, with some cliffs off to the right and a headland and rock platform to the left. This headland is Point Upright, with the Burrawang Track which we had walked earlier and looked down on the beach.
The weathered cliffs made an interesting addition to the beach, with lots of interesting patterns in the rocks.
If you are in the area and like surfing or just enjoy relaxing on a beach this is a great one to visit.
Track from the road down to the beachTrack down to North Duras Beach through coastal scrubSteps down to the beachLooking north towards Point UprightLooking south along the beachThe Caves cliff wallThe Caves cliff wallSteps up from the beach
Located in the Royal National Park, near Sydney the Palona Cave Walk is a short and easy bush walk. It takes you through beautiful temperate rainforest to a large limestone cave and a cascading waterfall.
Getting There
We drove to Royal National Park, arriving just after sunrise, so that we could catch the sunrise. Parking at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive was easy as only two other cars were there. On our return though, it was full, and many cars were parked along the road. Access to the National Park is charged per vehicle and you can pay at the entrance gate or main office. If you plan to visit several parks during the year, an annual pass is available from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Entrance near the carpark
The Track
Starting at the car park the historic Lady Carrington Drive trail leads into the forest. This is a wide and well-maintained dirt trail that follows the course of the Hacking River. Originally a road, it was closed and is now a dedicated bike and hiking trail. The trail takes you through temperate rain forest and our early morning start meant that it was quiet and peaceful.
After about 750 m, we reached the junction with the Forest Path, which is another scenic walk in the park. From here we continued along Lady Carrington Drive to Palona Cave track.
Sunrise at the start of the trackToadstools and moss growing in an old tree stumpLady Carrington Drive Trail
Palona Cave
After another 1 km, a sign for Limestone Cave on the left side of the track points off to the right. Unfortunately, a tree now obscures it, so keep a look out as the path to the cave is easy to miss, being very narrow. If you reach the Palona Brook crossing, you have gone too far. From here you leave the main trail and follow a narrow bush track that leads uphill to Palona Cave. The track is rough and rocky in places, so watch your step. When we visited it was also very overgrown and disappeared in several spots.
Palona Cave is a large overhang with stalactites and stalagmites formed by water dripping through the limestone rock. You can explore the cave and see the different shapes and colours of the formations. There is also a small stream that flows next to the cave and forms a waterfall. We were lucky it had rained recently because this creek is often dry.
This was a great walk with the reward of a waterfall and cave at the end. Remember to wear good boots as the second part of the track is rough. At around 5.3km return, it took us around two and a half hours, with plenty of stops for photos and cave exploring.
Sign to the cave track. Hidden behind the tree.A fallen tree on the walkGymea LilyRock overhang on the trackEntrance to the caveCave EntranceThe back wall of Palona CaveWaterfall near the cave
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Born in Grenfell, New South Wales in 1867, Henry Lawson is one of Australia’s most well-known writers. Although his works were published during his lifetime, Lawson suffered from financial and alcohol problems. While living at Market Street in Naremburn, he would often stop at what is now called the Henry Lawson Cave to sleep off his visit to a tavern.
After looking in the cave, we’re not sure why Lawson would sleep here because it certainly does not look comfortable.
Marked with a carved stone block bearing the poet’s likeness, it’s easy to find at the rear of the baseball diamond. To commemorate Lawson, the local council frequently organises poetry readings and performances by the local community.
We visited the cave after walking the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track because it was on our way to the Incinerator, which is now a café. An underpass from the track goes past this location and on to the Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator which now operates as a café and art space.
An interesting place to see for its history, especially if you are a fan of Lawson’s work.
Carved Sign to the CaveThe Henry Lawson CaveEntrance to the Cave
