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Royal National Park Drive, Royal National Park, New South Wales
Photo: Alberto Camillo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives New South Wales, Australia Sydney and the Blue Mountains

Royal National Park Drive

Lady Wakehurst Drive, Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, Domville Road · Waterfall → Otford

Twisty10.4 mi25 min1,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 800 ftOne way
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The drive

This short drive crosses Royal National Park from Waterfall to Otford, 17 km (10 mi) on McKell Avenue, Lady Wakehurst Drive, Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and Otford Road. It is a quick run of bends through eucalypt forest and heath on the plateau above the coast, with a climb of about 1,300 feet.

The park covers 16,000 hectares south of Sydney and dates from 1879, which makes it the world's second-oldest national park, as the park's own page puts it. Bushwalking, cycling, surfing and picnicking are what most visitors come for, so there are picnic areas and walking tracks along the way.

The drive ends at Otford, where Lawrence Hargrave Drive begins. It joins naturally to the Grand Pacific Drive down the Illawarra coast to Thirroul.

Along the way

  1. Waterfall (McKell Avenue)
  2. Otford (Otford Road)
Elevation
1,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 800 ft
WaterfallOtford
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
WaterfallOtford
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • A national park vehicle entry fee applies, charged per vehicle per day; NSW National Parks lists it on the park page.
  • The park is open 7am to 8:30pm, and it can close for poor weather or fire danger.
  • Police have run speed operations in the park, so keep to the posted limits.
  • Cyclists ride the park roads, and some park tracks and roads are for cyclists and walkers only.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NSW National Parks: Royal National Park alerts.

Questions about this drive

How long does Royal National Park Drive take?

Waterfall to Otford through Royal National Park is 17 km (10 mi) and takes about 25 minutes.

Do you have to pay to drive through Royal National Park?

Yes. NSW National Parks charges a vehicle entry fee per day for Royal National Park; it is a park fee, not a road toll.

What are the opening hours for Royal National Park?

Royal National Park is open from 7am to 8:30pm, though it can close in poor weather or fire danger.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

All 25 drives in New South Wales, Australia ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Royal National Park Drive, from Waterfall to Otford