Engadine to Audley

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

5.8 km One way

181 m

Hard track

From Engadine Railway Station, this walk ventures into the centre of the Royal National Park, through light scrub. Highlights include Tuckawa Rill Creek, where the cascading water and small rock pools contrast beautifully with the surrounding dry bushland. On from here, there are great views of the Hacking River from the Robertson's Roundabout. The walk then descends into the park lands surrounding the visitor centre at Audley.

Isopgen Anemonifolius (broad leaf drumstick)

Most of this trail is bushtrack so bike riders are discouraged

There are occassional obstacles along the trail

The Hacking River from Robertson's Roundabout

(0km) Engadine Railway Station → Int of Engadine Track and Bushtracks

180 m

3 mins

-6m Moderate track

From the train station, this walk exits via the gate at the bottom of the platform 2 steps, then follows the management trail north, keeping the train tracks to the left. Soon, the walk turns right at the 'Engadine Track' signpost, following the 'Audley 6km' arrow along the narrow management trail. Soon, the walk comes to an intersection with another management trail, at another 'Audley 6km' sign. (Note: Straight ahead is a bush track, closed for rehabilitation.)
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Audley 6km' arrow along the management trail. Very soon, the walk comes to an intersection with a bush track on the left, marked with a 'track closed for regeneration' sign.

(0km) Int of Engadine Bush and Servicetrail → Int of Audley and Engadine bushtracks

80 m

1 mins

-1m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection the track heads south-east along the bushtrack. Approximately 30m along the trail the trail crosses a small creek with steep banks and joins up with the track on the other side. Approximately 30m after this the track comes to an intersection with another bushtrack, coming up from the west.

(0km) Int of Audley and Engadine bushtracks → Int of Engadine Track and The Ave Servicetrail

330 m

6 mins

15m

-1m Moderate track

Continue straight: this track ignores that trail and continues south-east long the bushtrack. After approximately 50m the track changes to being a servicetrail. This continues along the flat for short time before coming to a large intersection with trails going in several directions.

(1km) Int of Engadine Track and The Ave Servicetrail → Int of Engadine and Gnarra Rill Bike Track (south)

240 m

4 mins

-1m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Audley' arrow along the bush track. The walk occasionally passes bicycle track markers as it heads through the bush, coming to the signposted intersection of bush tracks.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south-east along the wide bush track for approximately 25m before coming to an signposted intersection with another bush track.

(1km) Int of Engadine and Gnarra Rill Bike Track (south) → Int of Engadine Track and Jacana Servicetrail

510 m

5 mins

-12m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Audley' arrow along the bush track as it heads through the thick gum tree forest. The track crosses the dried up Gnarra Rill Creek bed then continues along until coming to an intersection with a service trail, at some 'no bicycles' signs.

(1km) Int of Engadine Track and Jacana Servicetrail → Loop Track Servicetrail (south-east)

890 m

18 mins

29m

-26m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading east. The track heads through the thick gum tree forest for a while before it crosses the small Forest Brook and continues up the short rocky hill on the other side. Shortly, the walk passes a small bush track, signposted 'closed for rehabilitation' then soon comes to the signposted intersection of the Loop Trail.

(2km) Int of Engadine and Loop Track (North-west) → Kangaroo Creek

2 km

52 mins

23m

-202m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Audley' arrow along the bush track, winding through the thick gum tree forest for a while before passing a 'no bicycles' signpost and coming to the signposted intersection with the Loop Tail.
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the Audley arrow along the bushtrack, passing another sign to Audley shortly after as it heads along to the top of a long hill. From here the track follows the bushtrack as it heads down the long rocky hill until it flattens out after a set of wooden steps. From here the track follows the bushtrack for a while before it starts to head down another long hill, winding all the way down the rocky bushtrack to the bottom of the valley where it passes a sign pointing back to heathcote and comes to Kangaroo Creek.

Kangaroo Creek Pools

Kangaroo Creek Pools are found on the junction of Engadine Creek and Kangaroo Creek in the Royal National park. This is where Kangaroo creek begins to widen before it joins the Hacking River. The creek is lined with rock and provides a nice place for a splash and cool down. The is some limited shade from the trees in the valley. There are no facilities.

(4km) Kangaroo Creek → Int of Engadine and Robertson Track

840 m

20 mins

94m

-27m Hard track

Continue straight: From the creek the track crosses at the rocks to the base of the large metal staircase which it climbs as it climbs up the side of the valley, all the way to the top of the staircase where it continues along the bushtrack. From here the track follows the bushtrack heading up and around the side of the hill, providing views of the valley down to the left as it heads along to the signposted intersection of the Robertson Roundabout.

(5km) Int of Engadine and Robertson Track (North-West) → Currawong Flats

480 m

11 mins

-74m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Audley' arrow[1] along the bush track, winding down and along the side of the hill. There are views of the river down to the left as the walk steadily descends towards the bottom of the valley, until it comes to an intersection and a sign pointing to 'Robertson Roundabout'[2].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading in the opposite direction to the Heathcote and Engadine arrows, winding down the hill via the rock steps that the track continues down to the banks of the Hacking River at Currawong Flats.

(6km) Currawong Flats → Royal National Park Information Centre

280 m

5 mins

-2m Easy track

Turn right: From the end of the bush track, this walk heads through Currawong Flats, keeping the river on the left, until reaching the bridge. The track turns left and crosses the Hacking River on the bridge, to come to Lady Carrington Drive.
Turn left: From the bridge, this walk heads along the road, keeping the river to the left. Passing the park lands and picnic area, the road the meets Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and a short distance further comes to the Royal National Park Information Centre.

(6km) Visitor Centre → Ironbark Flat Picnic Area

100 m

2 mins

-7m Easy track

Turn sharp left: From the visitor centre, this walk passes between the centre and the toilet block, heading down the stairs and onto the large, grassed clearing of Ironbark Flats. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

Maps for the Engadine to Audley walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Port Hacking	1:25 000 Map Series	91294N PORT HACKING	NSW-91294N
Port Hacking	1:100 000 Map Series	9129 PORT HACKING	9129

Cross sectional view of the Engadine to Audley bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Engadine to Audley

Altitude analysis for Engadine to Audley

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	5.8 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.7km of this walk is very steep and another 1.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 950m is flat with no steps and the remaining 510m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

3.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (420m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 4km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 3.7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.1km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 4.5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Engadine to Audley walk.

Robertson's Roundabout

2.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

From the Royal National Park Centre, this walk crosses the Hacking River before rising steeply up onto the ridge to fantastic views of the Hacking River. If you look into the distance you can see Cronulla on the horizon at the highest points. Towards the end of the circuit, with good views of the su

Total climbing: 146m

Hard track

Heathcote to Audley

10 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

Passing through scrub and heath, this track goes into the Royal National Park along a well managed bush track, passing great pools and sections of creek at Karloo Pools and Uloola Falls. With some lovely rest spots at both of these places (especially with the toilet at Uloola) this walk is very plea

Total climbing: 327m

Hard track

Heathcote to Engadine via Audley

15 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

Covering a large section of central Royal National Park, this walk goes through the heath and scrub along a well managed and signposted track. The walk loops from Heathcote Railway Station around to Engadine Station. With public transport at both ends, toilets and water at both Uloola Falls and Rei

Total climbing: 635m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Engadine to Audley walk.

Uloola Track (Heathcote to Waterfall)

11.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This pleasant walk takes you from Heathcote to Waterfall Station. This walk ventures into central Royal National Park along a well maintained bush track. The walk goes via a beautiful set of waterholes and rock flats at Karloo Pools. The walk continues to the peaceful campsite at Uloola Falls and t

Total climbing: 388m

Hard track

The Karloo Track

5.6 km Return, 3 hrs

A popular trail for those wanting a well-signposted bush track, and a great place to swim. The Karloo Track follows the bush track from Heathcote Railway Station east, into the Royal National Park, to a great set of waterholes on Kangaroo Creek. This walk offers more than just a set of waterholes at

Total climbing: 312m

Moderate track

Heathcote to Waterfall

10.1 km One way, 5 hrs

Spanning between Heathcote and Waterfall Railway Stations, this walk experiences many of the different environments that Heathcote National Park has to offer. From ridge tops to creek walking, this is a great way to enjoy a day, with a perfect spot for a break at the Heathcote Campsite. If the water

Total climbing: 481m

Hard track

Heathcote to Waterfall Overnight Walk

10.8 km One way, 2 Days

Following Heathcote Creek, this walk is a great overnight walk, often used to introduce new walkers to overnight hikes. A well-signposted and defined track leads you to a campsite with a reasonable level of facilities. There are great views of Heathcote Creek along the way, and many of Heathcote's v

Total climbing: 503m

Hard track

The Goanna Track Circuit

11 km Circuit, 4 hrs

The Goanna Track is a short but pleasant bush track with some good views down over Heathcote Creek. Mostly along management trail, this walk follows the pipeline from Heathcote out to the Goanna Track circuit. Be sure to go down to Lake Eckersley as this is arguably the prettiest part of the walk. I

Total climbing: 484m

Hard track

Bungoona Path

918 m Return, 20 mins

This is a smooth and mostly flat walk with a fantastic lookout in the Royal National Park. The concrete path starts at the Area Office car park, passes a pleasant and usually quiet picnic area, then winds gently down through the bush. The path leads to the fenced Bungoona Lookout, where you can en

Total climbing: 30m

Very easy

Audley to Gibraltar Rock

2.2 km Return, 45 mins

This walk starts at the historical and beautiful Audley picnic area and dance hall. Have a picnic or enjoy a coffee from the cafe, before wandering along the quiet public road alongside Hacking River. After heading around the locked gate, you walk along the old Lady Carrington Drive trail for about

Total climbing: 55m

Easy track

Gibraltar Rock

858 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk starts near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley). The walk follows a short section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to a large sandstone overhang called Gibraltar Rock. At the base of the overhang is a rare sandstone cobble section of road. At Gibraltar Rock, there are also

Total climbing: 17m

Easy track

Jersey Spring

5 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley), this walk follows the northern section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to Jersey Spring. Past the sandstone overhang of Gibraltar Rock, this walk follows the old road and the Hacking River, enjoying the palms and tall gums along the way.

Total climbing: 118m

Easy track

Willow Tree to Calala

10.5 km Return, 4 hrs

On this walk you follow the historic Lady Carrington Drive from Willow tree picnic area to Calala before returning the same way. The walk passes two icons on the old road, Gibraltar Rock and Jersey Spring whilst crossing several small brooks. At Calala you will find a large clearing and natural sh

Total climbing: 282m

Moderate track

Loftus to Winifred Falls

11 km One way, 4 hrs

Following well-maintained bush tracks and service trails, this walk descends into the Royal National Park, to a spectacular set of pools and cascading falls on South Western Creek. The Royal National Park Information Centre, on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, is approximately in the middle of this walk a

Total climbing: 400m

Hard track

Winifred Falls

4.4 km One way, 2 hrs

Winifred Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Royal National Park. This walk not only goes to the magnificent falls but has the optional side trip down to the beautiful South West Arm Pools. Anice Falls are not as great as Winifred but worth the visit. The walk then continues through the heath to

Total climbing: 179m

Hard track