Willow Tree to Calala

Download & Print Map and Notes

4 hrs

10.5 km Return

282 m

Moderate track

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 shade from some large trees, there is also access down to a small beach on the side of the shallow Hacking River.

Looking up the hill beside Lady Carrington Drive

Short track leading to Willow Tree picnic area

Lady Carrington Drive looking to Gibraltar Rock

Lady Carrington Drive next to Jersey Springs Clearing

Lady Carrington Drive above to Jersey Springs Clearing

Looking over the ferns to the Hacking River

Willow Tree

Willow Tree is a picnic area[1] in the Royal National Park. It is found on the south side of Audley, between the old Lady Carrington Drive and the Hacking River. The picnic area has a large shelter[2] with 4 picnic tables

[Picnic Table]

, an open grassy area[3], parking[4], BBQ's, tap water, garbage bins[5], recycling and toilets

[Toilet]

. The picnic area stretches along the river bank and provides a lovely spot to stop and enjoy the park[6] .

Lady Carrington Drive

Opened in 1886 by Lady Carrington, this road was formally named 'Lady Carrington Road' (later changed to 'drive'), and started on the southern side of the then newly constructed Audley weir. The road became popular among people exploring the region. The road follows the Hacking River's east bank and then Bola Creek to Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Much history has been preserved, with several drinking troughs still filling with water and many sandstone retaining walls still standing. The brooks that the old road crosses have been named using the traditional names of birds, the following is a list with the English name in brackets. Mullion (Eagle), Wurrul (Bee Eater), Burowa (Bustard), Karonga (White Crane), Gorra Worra (Laughing Jackass), Buralga (Native Companion), Kobardo (Parrot), Birumba (Plover), Dirijiri (Wagtail), Murrindum (Quail), Dumbal (Crow), Tamur (Bronze winged Pigeon), Burunda (Swan), Karani (Duck), Palona (Hawk) Brooks.

(0km) Lady Carrington Drive gate (Willow Tree) → Gibraltar Rock

430 m

8 mins

-11m Easy track

From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Lady Carrington Drive' sign[7] around the locked gate[8] and along the management trail[9] (keeping the picnic area and river to the right). This walk winds along the trail gently uphill for about 400m to step onto the cobblestone section

[Trip Hazard]

below the overhanging Gibraltar Rocks[10] beside the picnic table

[Picnic Table]

Gibraltar Rock

Gibraltar Rock[11], Royal National Park, is a sandstone overhang found near the northern end of Lady Carrington Drive. The old road passes under the rocks and is home to a small section of sandstone cobblestone[12]. At this point, the old road offers great views of the Hacking River[13] and across to Wattle Forest picnic area. These and many other sandstone formations, together with the history, make this old road quite interesting to explore. There is a picnic table

[Picnic Table]

under the overhang.

(0km) Gibraltar Rock → Jersey Spring

2.1 km

39 mins

54m

-47m Easy track

Continue straight: From Gibraltar Rock[14], this walk follows the old dirt road, keeping the Hacking River to the right. After 100m, the trail passes over Mullion Brook on an old sandstone culvert[15]

[Trip Hazard]

and past a series of palm groves[16]. The walk continues along the trail as it gently undulates and winds along the side of the Hacking River for just shy of 2km to come to the two[17] sandstone 'Jersey Spring'[18] troughs.

Jersey Spring

The Jersey Spring is beside the old Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal National Park. The permanent spring feeds into two sandstone troughs, built in 1892 to provide water for horses and people traveling along the road. The troughs are still fed by the same spring (although it has moved overtime and the water is no longer suitable for drinking). The springs are named after Rt. Hon. Victor George (Earl of Jersey), the 17th governor of NSW. More info.

(2km) Jersey Spring → Jersey Spring clearing

130 m

3 mins

-5m Easy track

Continue straight: From the 'Jersey Spring' troughs[19], this walk follows the old Lady Carrington Drive management trail past the 'Jersey Spring' information sign[20] keeping the river to the right. The trail winds gently downhill for about 100m to come to the large unsignposted Jersey Spring clearing[21][22] and picnic table

[Picnic Table]

[23].

Jersey Spring Clearing

The Jersey Spring Clearing is an open grassy area between the old Lady Carrington Drive and the Hacking River. The clearing is not formally named but is just south of the Jersey Spring. This is a great area to stop, rest

[Picnic Table]

and enjoy the journey along the old road

(3km) Jersey Spring clearing → Calala

2.6 km

51 mins

74m

-80m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the Jersey Spring clearing[24], this walk follows the main wide management trail[25] (old road), keeping the clearing and river to the right. The walk passes some interesting rock formations walls[26][27] (on the left) and heads through some palm groves[28][29]. Over the next 1.5km the trail passes over three main creeks before coming to the signposted Kobardo Brook. (Kobado Brook has an old small sandstone water trough[30]). Over the next 1km, the walk continues along the trail as it crosses three more culverted creeks (Birumba, Dirijiri and Murrindum Brooks)

[Trip Hazard]

before coming to 'Calala'[31], a signposted clearing[32] and picnic table[33]

[Picnic Table]

Calala

The signposted 'Calala'[34] clearing lies between the old Lady Carrington Drive and the Hacking River. The large clearing[35] has a picnic table[36]

[Picnic Table]

and plenty of shade from the surrounding trees. There is an informal steep track[37] that provides access to a small sandy beach[38] on the Hacking River, making this a lovely spot to rest on a warm day.

Maps for the Willow Tree to Calala 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 Willow Tree to Calala bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Willow Tree to Calala

Altitude analysis for Willow Tree to Calala

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	10.5 km
		Time	4 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

2.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (430m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 2.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.6km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 5km 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 Willow Tree to Calala walk.

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

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

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

Lady Carrington Drive

9.7 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

This walk follows the historic Lady Carrington Drive alongside the Hacking River. The old road is closed to traffic and provides a great way for walkers (and mountain bikers) to explore the richness of Royal National Park. You can explore the fantastic natural sandstone rock formations, historical

Total climbing: 266m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Willow Tree to Calala 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

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

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

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

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

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