Robertson's Roundabout

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 15 mins

2.3 km Circuit

146 m

Hard track

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 surrounding bushland, the track descends to the river and back to the visitor centre.

The Robertson Roundabout is very well signposted

The view of Cronulla from the top of the Roundabout

The view of the Hacking River from the top

The track between Audley and the roundabout

(0km) Ironbark Flat Picnic Area → Visitor Centre

100 m

2 mins

0m Easy track

From the Ironbark Flats, this walk heads alongside the visitor centre to turn up the stairs between the Visitor Centre and the toilet block, meeting Sir Bertram Stevens Drive.

(0km) Royal National Park Information Centre → Eastern side of Currawong bridge

150 m

3 mins

-6m Very easy

Turn sharp right: From the Royal National Park Information Centre, this walk heads west off Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and along Lady Carrington Drive, through the gate (open during the day). The walk continues down along this road to come to a white bridge on the right.

(0km) Eastern side of Currawong bridge → Currawong Flats

130 m

2 mins

-2m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk crosses the bridge over to the western bank of the Hacking River. On the other side of the river, the track turns right and goes through the Currawong Flats until coming to an intersection with a bush track going up to the left, signposted with a 'Robertons Roundabout' sign.

(0km) Currawong Flats → Int of Engadine, Audley and Uloola Tracks

140 m

4 mins

34m

0m Hard track

Turn left: From Currawong Flats, this walk follows the steps beside the 'Robertson Roundabout' sign heading up the hill. The track then winds up the hill through the bush for a while until it flattens and comes to the signposted intersection of the Robertson Roundabout a short distance later.

(1km) Int of Engadine, Audley and Uloola Tracks → Int of Engadine and Robertson Track (North-West)

340 m

7 mins

40m

-1m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Heathcote', 'Engadine' and 'Kangaroo Creek' arrows[1] along the bush track, steadily climbing up and along the side of the hill. The track provides views of the river (down to the right) as it heads up to the intersection, and a sign pointing back towards 'Audley'[2].

(1km) Int of Robertson Roundabout (Northwest) and Engadine Bushtrack → Int of Uloola Track and Robertson Roundabout

390 m

9 mins

54m

-1m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads south up the hill. (It is necessary to follow the arrow markers in this area as the track becomes quite faint and overgrown in places.) Once reaching the top of the hill, there are great views as far as Cronulla. From here, the track turns to the south-east and continues through the bush, coming to an intersection, signposting the way to 'Uloola Falls'.

(1km) Int of Uloola Track and Robertson Roundabout → Ironbark Flat Picnic Area

1.1 km

29 mins

-135m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Audley 0.5km' on the 'Robertsons Roundabout' signpost, heading along the bush track. The track steps up onto the short rock shelf and continues up the short hill to the top of the ridge and down the other side, winding steadily down the long rocky hill. The walk then zigzags down a few sets of rock steps before coming down to the signposted intersection of the 'Robertson Roundabout' track.
Turn right: 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.
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.
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.

Maps for the Robertson's Roundabout 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 Robertson's Roundabout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Robertson's Roundabout

Altitude analysis for Robertson's Roundabout

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	2.3 km
		Time	1 hr 15 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

940m of this walk has short steep hills and another 760m is flat with no steps. Whilst another 340m has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 270m is very steep.

Quality of track

1.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 790m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (310m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 1.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.1km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 730m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1km 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 Robertson's Roundabout walk.

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

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 Robertson's Roundabout walk.

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

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

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

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

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