The Forest Way Track

Downloads GPX PDF

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 At the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Sir Bertram Stevens Drive (-34.1488024,151.0301973)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive (500m north of the intersection with McKell Ave), this walk heads between the boulders (on the western edge of the car park) then leads downhill to get around to the back of the locked gate (56cm high) and sandstone wall. From here the walk follows the wide dirt Lady Carrington Drive trail downhill past the 'Forest Path' information sign and continues mostly downhill for just over 600m through the forest to come to a three-way intersection signposted with the 'Walumarra Track'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Sir Bertram Stevens Drive Start heading along Lady Carrington Drive (a vehicle track). Find the car park at the start. After another 15 m (at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Forest Path) continue straight, to head along Lady Carrington Drive. After another 30 m head through/around the gate. After another 610 m (at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Walumarra Track) continue straight, to head along Lady Carrington Drive.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Palona Cave and Waterfall. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 105 m (at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Forest Path) turn left, to head along Forest Path (a walking track). After another 90 m find the "Bola Picnic Area" (10 m on your left). Bola Picnic Area Bola Picnic Area, in the Royal National Park, is at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive and Forest Island Track, beside Bola Creek. You will find a small clearing with a picnic table in a gorgeous rainforest setting, surrounded by tall trees and ferns scattered through the area. There is no car access to the picnic area, making this a lovely quiet area. Then find the "Picnic Table" (10 m on your right). Picnic Table A timber slat picnic table and bench seat. The table is 76cm high, 91cm deep and 2.12m wide. The seats are 44cm high, 30cm deep and 2.12m wide (no backrest).
	After another 2.9 km turn left, to head along Forest Path.
	After another 650 m veer left, to head along Forest Path. After another 35 m pass the car park (on your right).
	After another 30 m (at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Forest Path) turn sharp right, to head along Lady Carrington Drive (a vehicle track).
	After another 25 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Palona Cave and Waterfall.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Forest Path & Lady Carrington Drive Start heading along Lady Carrington Drive (a vehicle track).
	After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Palona Cave (Limestone Caves) Track) turn right, to head along Palona Cave (Limestone Caves) Track (a walking track). After another 50 m find the "Palona Brook Picnic Area" (75 m on your left). Palona Brook Picnic Area Palona Brook Picnic Area is found on the north side of Palona Brook along side the old Lady Carrington Drive. The picnic area is home to a couple of wooden picnic tables and is next to the steep gully and culvert that Palona Brook flows through. A pleasant spot to rest when visiting the nearby sandstone cove or exploring the old road.
	Continue another 670 m to find Palona Cave at the end. About 35 m past the end is "Palona Falls". About 45 m past the end is "Palona Cave". Palona Cave Palona Cave is off Lady Carrington Drive, north of Bola Picnic Area, in the Royal National Park. Palona Cave is a large limestone overhang with a few cave decorations such as columns and stalactites. Being open to the environment, the cave has some green moss and is not reminiscent of other pristine white limestone caves. The cave is a unique feature for the area and is well worth allowing time to explore. About 70 m past the end is "Palona Brook Falls". Palona Brook Falls The waterfalls on Palona Brook are just beyond Palona Cave. The brook is ephemeral (not permanently running), but when it is running, the waterfalls are a cool place to explore on warm days. The waterfall is made of up two main cascades, with a short landing in between. The water falls into a reasonably small rocky pool. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.8 km to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Forest Way Track

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	4.4 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Palona Cave
Palona Cave is off Lady Carrington Drive, north of Bola Picnic Area, in the Royal National Park. Palona Cave is a large limestone overhang with a few cave decorations such as columns and stalactites. Being open to the environment, the cave has some green moss and is not reminiscent of other pristine white limestone caves. The cave is a unique feature for the area and is well worth allowing time to explore.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cronulla Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 25 October
  
  19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, mostly likely this afternoon. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then tending south to southeasterly 25 to 35 km/h in the early afternoon.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:00am to 4:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High]
  
  Saturday 26 October
  
  13°C → 18°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting easterly in the afternoon.
  
  Sunday 27 October
  
  13°C → 22°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 28 October
  
  16°C → 26°C
  Possible shower developing.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Sunny morning. Medium chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the afternoon.
  
  Tuesday 29 October
  
  15°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 30 October
  
  15°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning.
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  16°C → 21°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Royal National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Track and trail delays due to helicopter operations
  NPWS Staff are undertaking helicopter operations at Garawarra Farm in Royal National Park from 8am to 3pm Friday 25 October 2024.
  Some short delays for walkers in the area. Follow the directions of NPWS Staff.
  
  Garawarra Farm carpark is open.
  
  Access to Figure 8 Pools and surrounding tracks are open including The Burgh Track and Garawarra Ridge Trail.
  
  For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Big Marley vehicle trail closed for upgrade
  Big Marley vehicle trail in Royal National Park is closed on weekdays from Tuesday 15 October to Friday 29 November 2024 due to construction 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.
  
  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:
  
  Palm Jungle Loop track between Burning Palms, Werrong lookout is closed for track upgrades and storm impact remediation until December 2024.
  
  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.
  
  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 - is via Garawarra Farm Ridge trail and Burgh Ridge track to North Era and return, during track upgrades.
  
  Figure 8 Pools access - Access via Garawarra Farm only to Garawarra Ridge trail and Burgh Ridge track.
  
  For further information please contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Figtree Flat carpark closed for resurfacing
  The carpark at Figtree Flat picnic area will be closed from Monday 14 October 2024 until Friday 25 October 2024 for resurfacing works. This closure may be extended depending on conditions. There's an alternative carpark nearby at Willow Tree Flat.
  For more information, contact the Royal National Parks Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Areas closed for deer control program
  Some areas in Royal National Park are closed to the public between sunset and sunrise from Wednesday 30 May to Friday 29 December 2024 to enable a deer control operation to be carried out.
  The affected 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 picnic area.
  
  These closures will be signposted at entry points to the closed areas. If you have approved bookings to camp you can still access campsites during these times.
  Ground shooting will not take place during school holidays or on weekends or public holidays.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, 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.
  
  Safety alerts: Curra Moors track in poor condition
  Sections of Curra Moors loop track are in poor condition due to erosion. Please use caution and be aware of unstable edges.
  Planning for repairs is in progress. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre 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

Other Journeys Discover nearby and similar journeys

Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.

Weather Forecast

Alerts