Destination's Journey

Category: National Park

  • Palona Cave Walk

    Palona Cave Walk

    Palona Cave Walk

    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
    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 track Palona Cave Walk
    Sunrise at the start of the track
    Toadstools and moss growing in an old tree stump
    Toadstools and moss growing in an old tree stump
    Lady Carrington Drive Trail Palona Cave Walk
    Lady 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.
    Sign to the cave track. Hidden behind the tree.
    A fallen tree on the walk Palona Cave Walk
    A fallen tree on the walk
    Gymea Lily
    Gymea Lily
    Rock overhang on the track Palona Cave Walk
    Rock overhang on the track
    Entrance to the cave Palona Cave Walk
    Entrance to the cave
    Cave Entrance Palona Cave Walk
    Cave Entrance
    The back wall of Palona Cave
    The back wall of Palona Cave
    Waterfall near the cave
    Waterfall near the cave

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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  • Headland Park Walking Track

    Headland Park Walking Track

    Headland Park Walking Track

    The Headland Park Walking Track is a scenic and historic trail that runs from Balmoral Beach to Georges Head in Mosman, Sydney, Australia. The walking track is approximately 4.5 kilometers in length and offers stunning views of the harbour and surrounding coastline. The portion we walked was approximately 2 kilometers long.

    Starting at Balmoral Beach the track winds its way along the coast, passing through beautiful parks and natural landscapes. As you make their way along the trail, you pass several historic landmarks as well as outstanding views of Sydney and the Harbour.

    How to Get There

    We parked at Balmoral Beach where we found a long duration park area. This was great because most of the parking there had a 2 hour limit which is not long enough. Sign posts placed along the track give direction to the differing destinations you can get to. Well maintained, the track varies from flat sections to very steep ones. The climb up from Balmoral takes in around 300 steps. Although more spaced out on the other side of the ridge, it descends another 300 steps. Remember you will need to climb them all again on the return walk.

    Sign Post
    Signs on the Track
    Stone steps
    Stone steps on the Walking Track
    Track
    Part of the Track

    Spectacular Views

    If the going starts to get tough, there are many places to stop , relax and take in the spectacular views over Sydney Harbour. If you take some snacks and drinks, it’s a great place to stop and refuel.

    View Over Sydney Harbour from the Headland Park Walking Track
    View Over Sydney Harbour

    Georges Head Battery

    The Georges Head Battery is a historic military installation that dates back to the early 1900s. It was built to protect Sydney Harbour from possible attacks during times of war. The battery features a range of structures, including gun emplacements, ammunition stores, and command posts. Visitors can explore the site and learn about its history through interpretive signs and displays.

    There are more great views from here too, with the main CBD area and Circular Quay in Sydney visible.

    Cannon emplacement overlooking Sydney Harbour at Georges Head
    Cannon emplacement overlooking Sydney Harbour at Georges Head
    View Over Sydney Harbour from Georges Head
    View Over Sydney Harbour from Georges Head

    Gunners’ Barracks

    Another significant feature of the Headland Park Walking Track is the Gunners’ Barracks, which is a historic building built in the early 1800s. The building served as a barracks for soldiers stationed at Georges Head Battery, and later as a residence for military officers. Today, the Gunners’ Barracks has been restored and transformed into a luxury restaurant and event space, offering visitors a unique dining experience with stunning views of the harbor.

    From Georges’ Head you can look down onto the restored buildings before continuing along the track.

    Gunners' Barracks Headland Park Walking Track
    Gunners’ Barracks

    6 Inch Gun Battery

    Georges Heights 6 Inch Gun Battery was constructed in the early 1900s and was designed to protect the entrance to Sydney Harbour from naval attack. Steep sections around the gun emplacement are fenced off, but access available about 20m further along the track. This allows you to enter the emplacement and see the gun up close. If you miss the gun and see the sculpture park, you have gone too far. The gun site is almost directly in front of the Sculpture Park.

    6-Inch guns emplacement Headland Park Walking Track
    6-Inch guns emplacement

    Sculpture Park

    The Headland Park Walking Track also features a sculpture park, which is home to a range of contemporary art installations by Australian and international artists. Scattered around a large grassed area, the sculptures are surrounded by buildings that used to house military personnel who manned the local guns.

    Sculpture
    Wooden Sculpture Headland Park Walking Track
    Wooden Sculpture
    Sculpture Headland Park Walking Track
    Sculpture
    Sculpture Headland Park Walking Track
    Sculpture
    Old Military Buildings
    Old Military Buildings

    Chowder Bay

    We ended our walk at Chowder Bay on Sydney Harbour. Several cafés and restaurants with views of the harbour give you a choice of places to eat. We bought take away coffees and drank them overlooking the small beach before tackling the return walk.

    Overall, the Headland Park Walking Track is a great place to visit for anyone interested in history, nature, and art.

  • Prince Henry Cliff Walk

    Prince Henry Cliff Walk

    Prince Henry Cliff Walk in the Blue Mountains

    One of the best walks to take in the views of the Blue Mountains, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk is accessible at several points and can be undertaken in stages. This is great because at 7kms one-way, it may be seen as a little too long. During our visit several sections were closed because of severe storms over previous months. Fortunately, most of the lookouts were accessible, so we could still see the amazing views of the Blue Mountains.

    Running from Katoomba to Leura, the walk passes Katoomba Falls, Echo Point and the Three Sisters as well as the Leura Cascades. Additionally, there are over 20 lookouts along the way, each providing outstanding views of the Jamison Valley.

    Parking

    Parking is available at Katoomba Cascades, Echo Point lookout, or Gordon Falls near Leura. However, during busy times it is difficult to find a park with most streets also being paid parking. We chose to start early in the morning for the first part of the walk, so parking at Katoomba Cascades was available.

    We accessed the second section from Cliff Drive to Leura Cascades near Kiah Lookout, which was only a short walk from our accommodation.

    During our visit, the section from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls was closed for repairs.

    Katoomba Cascades

    This section also forms part of the Night Walk, with the pathway lit and floodlights illuminating sites along the way. We chose to walk it during the day, because we wanted to see the larger views over the valley.

    Located only a short walk from the carpark, the Cascades were flowing well after recent rain. The well-maintained steps down to the base of the cascade make this an easy walk. At the bottom, you are able to walk close to the falls, there are also several places to sit in the shade and enjoy the view.

    The cascades are very easy to get to because of the well maintained track as long as you can walk up and down the initial steps. The Blue Mountains had lots of rain, prior to us visiting, which made the walk and waterfalls a great experience.

    Katoomba Falls

    From the cascades, the path leads to a series of lookouts, for spectacular views over the valley. One of the best is the view of Katoomba Falls. Created from the flow of the Kedumba River, it flows over the escarpment, this is the same river that creates the Cascades. Several of the lookouts give different perspectives of the falls.

    At one point, the Scenic World Skyway Cale Car made its trip across the valley, which was interesting to see. This is another great way to get a view of the falls. The cable car runs from Scenic World across the gorge, where passengers can disembark and walk to Echo Point (currently closed in 2022).

    The path from the cascades is relatively flat, making the walk to Katoomba Falls lookout not too difficult. There are plenty of places to rest and admire the views along the way, so there is no need to be too energetic. The view of the falls is amazing, which makes the short walk worth the effort.

    The Katoomba Cascades Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    The Katoomba Cascades
    Kedumba River just before it goes over the escarpment
    Kedumba River just before it goes over the escarpment
    Tree Fern on the Walk Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Tree Fern on the Walk
    A gum tree on the walk
    A gum tree on the walk
    Katoomba Falls
    Katoomba Falls
    Katoomba Falls Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Katoomba Falls
    Orphan Rock Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Orphan Rock
    The Skyway Cable Car Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    The Skyway Cable Car
    View over the Blue Mountains
    View over the Blue Mountains
    The escarpment Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    The Escarpment
    The Blue Mountains
    The Blue Mountains

    Leura Cascades on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk

    We chose to walk to the Leura Cascades from our accommodation because it was so close. Access to the Prince Henry Walking Track from Kiah Lookout was only a five-minute walk away. However parking is limited, so if you wish to drive it might be better to start at the Leura Cascades Picnic Area.

    The upper section of the track was easy to walk, with a well-maintained track and a gentle downward grade, however as the track became steeper, the track deteriorated, becoming narrower and damaged by water run-off. There are also a large number of steps, as you descend towards the falls, which all have to be climbed again when returning. We took our time and enjoyed the many great views from the lookouts along the way.

    Keep a lookout for native wildlife as you walk. We saw a lyre bird but were not quick enough to take a photo.

    This section of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk was great fun, taking us around 40 minutes return despite all the steps. This included time for photos, admiring the views and a side track to Copelands Lookout.

    Eroded Rocks on the Walk
    Eroded Rocks on the Walk
    Upper Section of the Track Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Upper Section of the Track
    Well Maintained Section Descending to the Cascades
    Well Maintained Section Descending to the Cascades
    One of the Steep Muddy Sections
    One of the Steep Muddy Sections
    Stepping Stones on the Track Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Stepping Stones on the Track
    One of the Great Views Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    One of the Great Views
    Rainbow Over the Escarpment
    Rainbow Over the Escarpment From Copeland Lookout
    Great View Over the Valley
    Great View Over the Valley
    Great View Over the Valley
    Great View Over the Valley
    Leura Falls Creek
    Leura Falls Creek
    Small Section of the Leura Cascades Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Small Section of the Leura Cascades
    Bridal Veil Falls Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Bridal Veil Falls

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.