Loftus to Winifred Falls

Download & Print Map and Notes

4 hrs

11 km One way

400 m

Hard track

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 and is a great spot to grab a bite to eat before continuing to the falls. Unfortunately, it is necessary to have a car to get from Winifred Falls out of the park.

The servicetrail beside the tramway line

The track at the Warrumbul Rd. Intersection

The bushtrack to Int. of Bundeena Drive and Mt Bass Trail

(0km) Loftus Station → Int of Princes Hwy and Royal National Park Servicetrail

680 m

12 mins

15m

-10m Moderate track

From Loftus Station, this walk turns left at the top of the stairs and leads down to Pitt Street. The track turns right on Pitt St, crossing the tram line and the northbound lane of Rawson Ave when safe. The walk turns right then crosses the southbound lanes at the traffic lights. This now heads across the Princes Hwy, this is a very busy road at times and this crossing can be difficult, wait for a good gap and be safe. The walk then turns right and heads alongside the highway for approximately 400m (road to the right) where the walk comes to a clearing and heads towards the dilapidated brown cottage. (If you cross tram line again, you have gone to far along the Princes Highway.)

(1km) Int of Princes Hwy and Royal National Park Servicetrail → Top of Honeymoon trail

2 km

33 mins

19m

-19m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection of the management trail and the Princes Hwy, this walk proceeds around the wire fencing (around by the brown cottage is the easiest). On the other side of the cottage, the walk joins up with the management trail and continues south-east. Approximately 50m along this section the track passes another trail going off to the east (left). Continuing past this, the walk joins up with the Royal National Park Tramway lines and heads south along the management trail beside them. After quite some time, the walk passes the tram station, which is quite interesting historically, and 50m later, comes to the National Parks Education Centre car park.
Continue straight: From the top of the car park, this walk heads downhill through the car park towards the buildings (the area office). The walk heads down the grassy strip, keeping the area office to the left. At the bottom of the grassy clearing, the walk comes to the top of the 'Honeymoon trail' and information sign.

(3km) Top of Honeymoon track → Reid Park

1 km

23 mins

11m

-123m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the grassy clearing, this walk follows 'Honeymoon Track' sign down the steps into the bush. The track meanders through the bush for a while, until it flattens out slightly before coming into a park. The track turns left and continues to a toilet block.

(4km) Int of Honeymoon Track and Reid Park → Royal National Park Information Centre

320 m

7 mins

15m

-10m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads through the park towards the road and bridge. The walk then follows the road over the bridge to continue up the hill. The road quickly turns right and continues up to the Royal National Park Discovery Centre.

(4km) Int. Winifred Falls Trk and Sir Bertram Stevens Dr → Sir Bertram Stevens Drive Access Int.

990 m

27 mins

120m

-5m Hard track

Turn left: From the visitors' centre, this walk crosses Sir Bertram Stevens Drive to the signposted 'Winifred Falls Track'[1]. The walk heads up the stairs to a flat area above the road. The track then continues past a pipeline valve, then heads north-east up a sandstone block-formed track. The track continues north-east, swinging to the right, up the hillside. The walk passes a rocky outcrop, then continues to wind up the hill for some time. The track then turns sharply left near the top, and soon comes to a three-way intersection.

(5km) Sir Bertram Stevens Drive Access Int. → Warumbul Rd Int.

1.2 km

22 mins

29m

-29m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the dump, keeping it behind on the right, for approximately 100m. The trail then swings right for approximately 500m down to a creek bed, then rises out again. After approximately 500m, the walk comes to a four-way intersection with an unsealed road, after a gate.

(6km) Warumbul Rd → South West Arm Pools Trk

1.4 km

33 mins

-117m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection at the gate, this walk heads down the hill following the 'Winifred Falls Fire Trail' sign. The trail then steeply descends, as the vegetation starts to include more trees. The walk continues to wind down the hill for some time to the flat clearing at the intersection.

(8km) South West Arm Pools Trk → South West Arm Pools

370 m

6 mins

-9m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection the track heads north, down stream, leaving the clearing of the intersection down a steep rocky section of track. The track reaches the pool below Winifred Falls within 15m. The track then leads from the pool along the creek line or above the creek line for approximately 300m down stream to a large pool with three large boulders on the left. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

(8km) South West Arm Pools Trk → Int. Mt Bass Trail and Anice and Winifred Falls Trks

740 m

18 mins

83m

-25m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads out of the clearing and away from the service trail, heading towards the water, and after approximately 10m, comes to a grass plant. From the grass plant, the track continues for approximately 10m upstream, to then cross the river above the small waterfalls.
Continue straight: From the creek and waterfall, this walk heads onto a rockshelf where the track turns right, heading steeply up the hill. The walk continues up the hill for approximately 50m to a creek. The track then traverses a spur to a second creek. The walk then continues for a short time to a sign marked intersection.

(8km) Int. Mt Bass Trail and Anice and Winifred Falls Trks → End Mount Bass Trail

340 m

6 mins

25m

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, keeping relatively straight as the bush track climbs gently for approximately 100m to the end of the management trail.

(9km) End Mount Bass Trail → Int. Bundeena Drive and Mt Bass Trail

2.3 km

39 mins

78m

-2m Moderate track

Veer left: From the end of the management trail, this walk heads up the slight hill, along the defined management trail. The trail leads up through an area of tall trees, then veers left to the ridgeline. Approximately 40m of flat is passed, coming to an area with views of Sydney CBD on the left. The trail then continues along the flat ridge, veering left twice as it continues for a little while to the intersection with Bundeena Dr.

Maps for the Loftus to Winifred Falls 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 Loftus to Winifred Falls bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Loftus to Winifred Falls

Altitude analysis for Loftus to Winifred Falls

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	11 km
		Time	4 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		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 (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 5km has short steep hills. The remaining (170m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

4.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 1.7km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 1.2km follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 4km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.5km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (690m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Loftus to Winifred Falls walk.

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

Mt Bass- Winifred Falls

6.7 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows Mount Bass Fire Trail, then a bush track, to Winifred Falls. Be prepared to get your feet wet crossing upper Winifred Falls. The Winifred Falls are really nice, and can be complemented by the brilliant side trip down to to South West Arm pools. These pools are a great place for a

Total climbing: 213m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Loftus to Winifred Falls walk.

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

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

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

Engadine to Audley

5.8 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

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

Total climbing: 181m

Hard track

Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre

13.1 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This coastal walk starts from Cronulla station and follows the beaches around to the Boat Harbour Aquatic reserve, then continues along the Cape Bailey walk, winding through thick heath and between hanging swamps. The walk finishes at the Botany Bay Discovery Centre. There is an alternate exit to th

Total climbing: 185m

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

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