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.
Besides plants and trees, the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney contains many varied and interesting statues. Many are from the early days of the garden when statues formed a major part of its display. Unfortunately removed in large numbers as the gardens developed, many still remain adding to the beauty of the area.
Located on Sydney Harbour in the centre of the city, the gardens are a great place to relax, either looking at the wonderful floral surrounds or watching the boat traffic on the water.
Horses of the Desert Mounted Corps
Located on the Botanic Garden’s exterior, this bronze plaque of an Australian light horseman and three horses commemorates the 140,000 horses sent to serve in the desert campaign in World War One. Only one came home to Australia, which is very sad.
Monument To The Horses Of The Desert Mounted Corps
Morshead Fountain
The Morshead Fountain sits outside the Morshead Fountain Gate entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens on Shakespeare Place. Lieutenant-General Sir Lesley Morshead was knighted for his defence of Tobruk in World War II. This fountain honours him and the men who served with him.
Morshead Fountain
Cupid
This small bronze statue of cupid on a marble plinth holding a bow and arrow is the work of sculptor Paul R Montford (1868-1938). Cupid marks the exact spot of where the center dome of the Garden Palace once stood.
Cupid Statue
Governor Phillip Fountain
Commemorating Captain Arthur Phillip (1738-1814) the first Governor of New South Wales from 1788 to 1792, this marble and bronze fountain was first unveiled in 1997. Below the statue are three bas reliefs illustrating education, justice and patriotism. Encircling these are four reclining sculptures representing agriculture, commerce, mining and shipping. Bronze bas reliefs illustrate Aboriginal hunting techniques.
Governor Phillip Fountain
Huntsman and Dogs
Cast by the Val d’Osne Company around 1879 the Huntsman and Dogs statue is a copy of a sculpture by French sculptor Henri Alfred Marie Jacquemart. Located on the path next to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the sculpture of the Huntsman and Dogs is an “imitation” bronze. Created by using electrolysis to deposit copper on a cast iron casting, immitation bronze is a cheap way to crate a bronze statue.
Huntsman and Dogs
The Four Seasons Statues
Located at the top and bottom of a stairway, the four seasons are represented by three young women, while an old man represents winter.
The Four Seasons Statues in the Royal Botanic GardenSpring holds fresh cut roses as a symbol of the beginning of the yearly cycleWinter is an Old Man He is holding a dead bird and pine cones which represent the end of the yearly cycle of lifeAutumn is a young woman holding grapes and a goblet of wineSummer carries a scythe as well as a sheaf of fresh cut lilies
Linda di Chamonix Statues in the Royal Botanic Garden
These two Victorian style marble statues, Linda di Chamonix and the Sweeb Boy are based on a characters from the Donizetti opera ‘Linda di Chamonix’, written in 1842.
Linda da ChamonixStatue of Savoyard Sweeb Boy
The Boxers
Placed in the Botanic gardens in the 1880s these marble statues are copies from the original boxers statues, “Creugas and Damoxenus” by Italian sculptor, Antonio Canova (1757-1822).
Second of the Boxers statuesThe BoxersThe Boxers Statues in the Royal Botanic Garden
Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain
Commemorating Lewis Wolfe Levy (1815–85), a politician and businessman, this fountain has an Art Nouveau bronze statue of a young girl standing amid reeds, a heron and frogs. The fountain was a gift to the people of Sydney in 1889 from the Levy family.
Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain
Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain
Living Floral Sculptures
Scattered throughout the Botanic Garden living sculptures of animals which brighten up the garden beds. There are whales, bees, koalas and echidnas.
BeeGiant Floral BeeEchidna and AntsGiant Floral KoalaWhale Sculpture
The Herb Garden
Sandstone Pavilion above the Herb GardenCompass in the Herb Garden
The Satyr
Sculpted by Guy Lynch in 1924, The Satyr is a bronze casting of the original (by the same artist) commissioned by his wife after is death. The sculpture was modelled on the sculptor’s younger brother and a local goat.
The Satyr 1924 by Frank “Guy” Lynch
Vista Pavilion
Vista Pavilion
Folly For Mrs Macquarie
Folly For Mrs Macquarie
Slit Drum from Vanuatu
Slit Drum from Vanuatu
Sumo Wrestlers
Sumo Wrestlers
Lions’ Gate
This male and female lion guard the entrance to the Lions’ Gate Lodge in the Botanic Gardens.
Lions’ GateLions’ Gate
Venus ‘Italica’
This marble statue is a replica of the Venus ‘Italica’. The naked Venus is clutching a flowing sheet around her body.
Venus Italica
La Ballerina
This copy of a famous statue by the Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova, La Ballarina arrived from Italy in 1883, when the gardens were home to as many sculptures as trees. Following a spell in the sculpture graveyard in the 1970s, La Ballerina underwent restoration and is again on display.
La Ballerina
Magnolia
Magnolia
Boy Extracting Thorn
This marble copy of the famous ‘Fidele’ (faithful) statue was imported into Australia from Italy, in 1883.
Boy Extracting Thorn
Mare and Foal
These bronze statues of a Mare, named La Reyna, and her foal overlook the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On the base are reliefs depicting training and racing scenes. Sculpted by French Sculptor, Arthur Jacques Le Duc, it was purchased in 1891.
Mare and Foal
Choragic Monument
This carved yellowblock sandstone is a copy of the circular Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. The monument features carved scenes depicting episodes from the myth of Dionysus as well as six Corinthian columns. Originally erected at Sir James Martin ( Premier of New South Wales ) home at Macleay Street, Potts Point in 1870, the Choragic Monument was moved to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the 16th November, 1943.
Choragic Monument
Bara
bara by Aboriginal artist Judy Watson
Venus Fountain
Although removed from display in 1990 this bronze statue of Venus was later reinstalled in 1994. However corrosion to the statue meant it needed replacement. Originally the base featured rocks and large clam shells but they were later replaced by a sculpted crocodile. It now features two cherubs riding dolphins.
Venus Fountain with a Cormorant sitting on her head
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
Carved out of a sandstone rock ledge by convicts in 1810 Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is one of the best vantage points to view the sights of Sydney Harbour. Governor Macquarie commissioned it for his wife Elizabeth who was known to love the area.
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
2nd / 30th Infantry Battalion Memorial
This memorial is a tribute to the men of the 2/30 Battalion AIF who departed for the First World War from docks near here.
2nd / 30th Infantry Battalion Memorial
Barrel Roll
Sculpted by Peter Lundberg, Barrel Roll, formed part of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2012. Gifted to the Royal Botanic Gardens by the Balnaves Foundationit it now sits in the median strip of Mrs Macquarie’s Road.
Barrel Roll
Paradiegma Metaphysic
Sculpted by Paul Selwood, paradiegma metaphysic was originally displayed at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2011. Gifted to the Royal Botanic Gardens by the Balnaves Foundation it now sits in the median strip of Mrs Macquarie’s Road.
Paradiegma Metaphysic
Henry Lawson Memorial
Commissioned in February 1860 by the Henry Lawson Memorial And Literary Society, this monument commemorates Australian poet, Henry Lawson. Often called Australia’s greatest writer, Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial period. The bronze bust of Lawson is 1.5 times life size.
In February each year near the statue, a gathering celebrates Henry Lawson’s life with renditions of his works, performances by singers and other poetry and prose.
Henry Lawson Memorial
Memory is Creation Without End
Memory is Creation Without End consists of a massive spiral of sandstone blocks embedded into the earth of the Tarpeian Way, adjacent to Macquarie Street. Artist Kimio Tsuchiya has incorporated these relics from demolished buildings and structures such as the Pyrmont Bridge.
Memory is Creation Without End by Kimio TsuchiyaMemory is Creation Without End by Kimio Tsuchiya
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Only opened in late 2022, the new 230m long Swansea Boardwalk is a great way to experience Lake Macquarie and the mangrove forest. Located near Swansea New South Wales it is easily accessible with a newly upgraded carpark. Access onto the boardwalk is wheelchair friendly, with the boardwalk being flat its entire length.
The Boardwalk
At only 230m, this is a very short walk, however the views are amazing. Being able to walk through the mangroves and not getting you feet wet and muddy is great. You are able to see into mud flats at low tide and see into the forest.
As you walk the views over the lake are great. At the end of the walk, you can see over the Lake to Wangi Wangi and the old decommissioned power station. A small dirt track continues from this point along the Swansea Channel for those who want to extend their walk.
The Boardwalk passing through mangrovesView across Lake Macquarie from the boardwalkMangroves near the boardwalkMangroves and Lake Macquarie from the boardwalkWangi Power Station Across Lake MacquarieWangi Power Station Across Lake MacquarieShore of Lake MacquarieShore of Lake MacquarieEnd of the boardwalkContinuation of the track along the shore of Lake Macquarie
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
