The Palm Jungle Loop Track in Royal National Park is a fascinating 8.5 km walking trail that passes through a variety of landscapes and scenery.
This moderately challenging track takes you through lush rainforest, along scenic coastal views, and over dramatic cliff tops, with a visit to Burning Palms Beach as a refreshing bonus on a warm day.
We enjoyed the Palm Jungle Loop Track so much that we’ve included it on our list of the best hikes in Royal National Park.
| Palm Jungle Loop Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 8.5 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 3 hours (depending on stops) |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
Getting There
The walk begins and ends at the Garawarra Farm Carpark in the southern part of Royal National Park. This is also the starting point for the Garawarra Farm to Thelma Head walking track, another great hike we highly recommend.
To reach the carpark, turn onto Garie Road from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, then take a right onto Garawarra Farm Road. This road can have some potholes, but a 4WD is not necessary.
After a short drive of less than 2 km, you’ll reach a surprisingly large parking area. A $12 parking fee applies for Royal National Park, which can be paid at one of the ticket machines.
Before heading out, we strongly recommend checking the NSW National Parks website for any closures.
Track Notes
The Palm Jungle Loop Track is about 8.5 km long and easy to follow, with a well-maintained path, sections of boardwalk, and clear signage.
It is a moderately challenging walk with a few steep sections, but anyone with a reasonable fitness level and sturdy hiking shoes can do this trail without issues.
Map
In our track notes, we describe the walk in a clockwise direction, passing the following landmarks and highlights:
- Burgh Ridge
- Burning Palms Beach
- Palm Jungle
- Werrong Lookout
- Garawarra Ridge
Here is a map of the walk:
1. Burgh Ridge
After parking at the Garawarra Farm car park, look for the signpost shown in the image above. This is where the loop track starts and finishes.
You can walk the track in either direction, but we recommend going clockwise to avoid the steep climb up Burgh Ridge from Burning Palms Beach back to Garawarra Farm at the end of the hike.
To head clockwise, take the left path at the signpost. The track leads straight into the bush along a well-maintained path with various staircases and sections of metal boardwalk.
The forest scenery on this descent is beautiful, with large gum and Angophora trees creating a pleasant, lush atmosphere.
As the path leaves the forest, you’ll catch the first glimpses of Burning Palms Beach in the distance.
2. Burning Palms Beach
The path continues downhill on a boardwalk and soon reaches the junction with the Coast Track, a 26 km hike that runs between Bundeena in the north and Otford in the south.
At this junction, turn right to stay on the main path, which now continues behind the scenic Burning Palms Beach.
Burning Palms is a 500 m wide stretch of sand with its own surf life saving club. The beach can be hazardous, so it’s best to avoid going too far into the water when it is unpatrolled.
This beach is also the access point to the popular Figure Eight Pools. If you plan to visit the pools, checking the tides beforehand to ensure they are safe and accessible.
3. Palm Jungle
From Burning Palms Beach, the trail heads south through a patch of forest, then opens up to a section of beautiful scenery with the coastline on your left and high cliffs on your right.
The views along this stretch are impressive, and on a clear day you can spot the Sea Cliff Bridge further to the south.
The track soon reaches the start of the Palm Jungle, which is signposted. A small information board provides details about this fascinating part of Royal National Park.
Entering the Palm Jungle feels like stepping into a completely different world, with a striking contrast in scenery.
From the open coastal landscape, the path leads into dense tropical forest, gradually climbing back to the top of the ridge.
The ascent is spread over about 2 km, so it is not as steep as the climb between the car park and Burning Palms Beach.
Because the Palm Jungle is a humid environment, leeches are often present, especially after rain. We certainly saw a few during our walk.
If the track is muddy, take care with your shoes, socks and legs as you make your way through this otherwise beautiful part of the national park.
4. Werrong Lookout
Just before the track reaches the top of the ridge, take a moment to visit the beautiful Werrong Lookout.
This unofficial lookout is not signposted, but it is clearly visible on the left, so keep an eye out for it.
It is only a short detour, and the views of Werrong Beach, the ocean and the surrounding bushland are well worth it.
5. Garawarra Ridge
From the lookout, it is only a few hundred metres to the Garawarra Ridge junction, where you turn right to complete the loop.
The final stretch is about 3 km long and mostly flat. It is an easy walk back to the car park, though less scenic than other parts of the track.
Even so, it is a pleasant forest trail and a nice way to wind down after the climbs through the Palm Jungle section.
