Recent Posts

Humpback Whale migrations can be seen from the cliffs of the Royal

Every winter the Coast Track of the Royal National Park becomes a wonderful vantage point to view the annual migration of Humpback Whales. Humpbacks leave Antarctic feeding grounds at the end of summer and head north to subtropical breeding grounds (primarily the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea).

From the cliffs of the Royal the whales can be seen individually or in pods travelling northwards from late May until early August. While they are swimming past they sometimes show playful or forceful  behaviours: breaching, raising their tails out of the water then sliding down out if sight. Repeated loud tail slapping is also sometimes seen and heard.

This is a wonder of nature not to be missed and a delight for photographers. Two of the best places in the Royal to view the humpbacks are from the Coast Track just south of Wattamolla or from The Balconies near Bundeena.

But did you know that there is an order to the migration based on based on gender, age, and reproductive status?

To learn more of the migration and get more tips on the best places to view the humpbacks click on the READ MORE tab.

Fascinating Fungi 2026

As we all know springtime is the peak season for wildflowers across the Royal but another little known feast for our eyes occurs all across the park in Autumn, if you know where to look.

The best locations are to be found in the rainforest where deep, damp leaf litter occurs and an incredible diversity and abundance of fabulous fungi explode from the ground.  We have captured some photos of this phenomenon to spark your interest, so on your next bushwalk keep your eyes to the ground and you will see something of this amazing display.

To see the full story and the incredible array of pictures taken by one of our members select the READ  MORE tab.

Rewilding The Royal with Platypuses

The Platypus became locally extinct in the Royal National Park many decades ago…..nobody really knows why, but there are hypotheses including isolation, increased sedimentation and polution that could have been the cause.

Whatever the cause of this local extinction, in 2022 a project was commenced to determine if platypus could be rewilded into the Royal National Park. Australia’s oldest National Park next to Australia’s largest city is a wonder. The Hacking River meanders and sometimes rages right through its heart and it was thought this river might still provide prime habitat for platypuses. The project was led by the University of New South Wales and included the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Taronga Conservation Society, NPWS and volunteers from Friends of Royal (FoR).

Now just 3 years later we can confidently say that the project has far exceeded everyone’s expectations. Introduced platypuses are not just surviving in the Hacking they are also successfully breeding.

To learn more of this great story select the READ MORE tab.

Fascinating Fungi 2025

As we all know springtime is the peak season for wildflowers across the Royal but another little known feast for our eyes occurs all across the park in Autumn, if you know where to look.

The best locations are to be found in the rainforest where deep, damp leaf litter occurs and an incredible diversity and abundance of fabulous fungi explode from the ground.  We have captured some photos of this phenomenon to spark your interest, so on your next bushwalk keep your eyes to the ground and you will see something of this amazing display.

To see the full story and the incredible array of pictures taken by one of our members select the READ  MORE tab.

Heathcote National Park’s Koalas – An update

In 2020 and 2021 during the height of Covid two citizen-scientists, Steve Anyon-Smith and Tom Christensen, discovered a large healthy population of koalas in the Heathcote National Park. The Friends of Royal wrote an article at that time and you can find it here. The plight of koalas has remained in the public consciousness in the last few years and while there has been devastating loss of koala habitat across their range , there are some positives for our local population.

To read and see more about the local koala update click the READ MORE tab.

Fascinating Fungi 2025

As we all know springtime is the peak season for wildflowers across the Royal but another little known feast for our eyes occurs all across the park in Autumn, if you know where to look.

The best locations are to be found in the rainforest where deep, damp leaf litter occurs and an incredible diversity and abundance of fabulous fungi explode from the ground.  We have captured some photos of this phenomenon to spark your interest, so on your next bushwalk keep your eyes to the ground and you will see something of this amazing display.

To see the full story and the incredible array of pictures taken by one of our members select the READ  MORE tab.

Spring bird migrations into the Royal

We are well into spring as I write this and migrant birds have been arriving daily over the last few weeks. First were the shorebirds coming from the Arctic. and eastern Russia…. then within days you could hear the cackle of the Channel-billed Cuckoos…you looked up and there they were  a couple flying fast from New Guinea.

Those early migrants have been followed by Koels, Figbirds, Leaden Flycatchers, Rufous Whistlers, Sacred Kingfishers, Dollarbirds, Black-faced Monarchs, Lathams Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwits and many more. Migrants from across the globe and across Australia.

Click on Read More to see them  and read their stories.

Spring Flowers in the Royal

With the recent warm weather, Spring flowers in the park are providing a beautiful display at the moment. From the heathlands along the Coast Track to the woodlands further west, there is an amazing variety of colourful blooms at this time of year. If you are interested to learn more about our indigenous flora, now is the time to take a walk in the Park. Wherever you go you should not be disappointed.

To see photos and tips on some walks with brilliant displays click on the READ MORE tab.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP OF FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL PARK AWARDED – NEVILLE BETHE

Congratulations to recently retired Royal Bushie volunteer Neville Bethe who was awarded a Life Membership of the Friends of the Royal National Park for his extraordinary and outstanding commitment to the environment.

Spring Flowers in the Royal

With the recent warm weather, Spring flowers in the park are providing a beautiful display at the moment. From the heathlands along the Coast Track to the woodlands further west, there is an amazing variety of colourful blooms at this time of year. If you are interested to learn more about our indigenous flora, now is the time to take a walk in the Park. Wherever you go you should not be disappointed.

To see photos and tips on some walks with brilliant displays click on the READ MORE tab.

Fascinating Fungi

As we all know springtime is the peak season for wildflowers across the Royal but another little known feast for our eyes occurs all across the park in Autumn, if you know where to look.

The best locations are to be found in the rainforest where deep, damp leaf litter occurs and an incredible diversity and abundance of fabulous fungi explode from the ground.  We have captured some photos of this phenomenon to spark your interest, so on your next bushwalk keep your eyes to the ground and you will see something of this amazing display.

To see the full story and the incredible array of pictures taken by one of our members select the READ  MORE tab.

Heathcote National Park – degraded site restoration

Within Heathcote National park at an area called Spion Kop the ground  is heavily degraded. When the power lines were put in, the area was very badly damaged and then illegal bike tracks were constructed making it even worse.

In January a team of volunteers, NPWS staff and contractors under the leadership of ranger Jodie McGill set about the remediation of this site.

Select Read More  to see more photos and read the full story.

Orchids in the Royal

Its springtime in the Royal and bushwalkers are being delighted by the range of wildflowers across the park. The heathlands are a riot of colour  from  some of our favourite local wildflowers.

In the open woodlands the brilliant red flowers of the Waratah can be seen from afar as can the huge Gymea Lily flowers.

But this post is concerned with a group of the more subtle flowers of the Royal….the orchids.

The observant visitor can find wonderful orchids across the  park such as the Caleana major – flying duck orchid shown above. There are no prizes for guessing the origin of its name.

To read more about the large range of orchids to be seen in the park at this time of year and see some wonderful photographs taken by members of Friends of Royal, select the READ MORE tab.

Large, healthy Koala colony discovered in Heathcote National Park

Two local environmentalists Steve Anyon-Smith and Tom Kristensen have spent the last 8 months searching for Koalas in Heathcote National Park with remarkable success.

They have photographed 63 individual koalas in locations across the park. Even better news is that this is a healthy, chlamydia free, breeding population. Lone males, females and mothers with joeys have all been sighted.

To hear more of this great discovery, click the READ MORE button.

Bonnie Vale Campground to reopen on 10th January

In September 2018 the fabulous Bonnie Vale campground was closed due to concern regarding  asbestos fibres lying exposed in the camping areas.

Now after the completion of major remediation and upgrade works the campground is due to reopen on January 10th.

Follow the Read More link to read the full story and see pictures of the gorgeously renovated site.

Spring bird migrations into the Royal

We are well into spring as I write this and migrant birds have been arriving daily over the last few weeks. First were the shorebirds coming from the Arctic….. then within days you could hear the cackle of the Channel-billed Cuckoos…you looked up and there they were  a couple flying fast from New Guinea.

Those early migrants have been followed by Koels, Figbirds, Leaden Flycatchers, Rufous Whistlers, Sacred Kingfishers, Dollarbirds, Lathams Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwits and many more. Migrants from across the globe and across Australia.

Click on Read More to see them  and read their stories.

Spring Flowers in the Royal

With the recent warm weather, Spring flowers in the park are providing a beautiful display at the moment. From the heathlands along the Coast Track to the woodlands further west, there is an amazing variety of colourful blooms at this time of year. If you are interested to learn more about our indigenous flora, now is the time to take a walk in the Park. Wherever you go you should not be disappointed.

Click on the Read More tab for some wonderful photos and tips on the best walks.

Powerful Owls in the Royal

Its September and the first Channel-billed Cuckoos have been seen flying overhead with raucous calls, being pursued by anxious local birds trying to see them off the premises. Bird species all over the park are gathering nesting material for their spring breeding, but some species are already far advanced.

All through winter the Powerful Owls have been raising their young. The female owls have incubated the eggs in large hollows in huge old forest trees, these hollows need to be big enough for a mother and two chicks of Australia’s largest owl.  Now in early September the white owlets are starting to leave the hollows.

Click on Read More for the full story and pictures.

Spring Flowers in the Royal

With the recent warm weather, Spring flowers in the park are providing a beautiful display at the moment. From the heathlands along the Coast Track to the woodlands further west, there is an amazing variety of colourful blooms at this time of year. If you are interested to learn more about our indigenous flora, now is the time to take a walk in the Park. Wherever you go you should not be disappointed.

To see photos and tips on some walks with brilliant displays click on the READ MORE tab.

Protecting “Royal” the Koala

In 2020  a koala named “Royal” was found in Kirrawee close to the Royal National Park. “Royal” was captured then released into the park with a  radio collar attached to allow tracking of his movements.

He was tracked for 3 months by a  team of volunteers before being re-released without his collar, you can read the full story with plenty of pictures and video here.

Then after five months with no knowledge of his whereabouts  “Royal” reappeared. Late at night on 13th April this year he was spotted  in a tree on Bundeena Drive with impenetrable heath on both sides and cars passing below. He was identifiable from his ear tags.

But not only was he in danger from the passing traffic he was also only a few hundred meters from the perimeter of a large hazard reduction burn that was planned to be ignited in a couple of days.

To hear what happened next click on the READ MORE tab.

Draft Plan of Management for Royal National Park, Heathcote National Park, Garawarra State Conservation Area

NPWS have released a draft plan of management for the Royal National Park, Heathcote National Park, Garawarra State Conservation Area. It is available for public review and comment until 2nd August 2021.

It is twenty years since the last plan was published and as we know much has changed in that time, so this document is badly needed.

We encourage you all to read the documents and provide feedback  to NPWS individually or as part of Friends of the Royal’s submission, or of course both.

Friends of the Royal will be discussing the Plan of Management in some detail at our General Meeting on Thursday 24th June, please come along.

More information and links to the documents can be found by selecting READ MORE .

See the Royal by public transport

Its easy to get to the Royal National Park by public transport: trains, a new bus service and a famous old ferry all give access to the park. With a bit of planning you can have a fabulous day out: an epic walk, a gentle stroll or a picnic by a waterfall or beach are all easily achievable by these public transport alternatives.

During the peak of summer and on public holidays the carparks in the Royal can become full early in the day, particularly Wattamolla, Garie and Bonnie Vale. Public transport can get you into these locations when car-bound visitors are turned away.

Select Read More to view our Public Transport page with some wonderful suggested itineraries for a great day out.

A Koala in the Royal

In about mid-winter of this Covid year an uplifting message appeared in our inbox.

Science for Wildlife have an opportunity for a small number of volunteers to participate in Wildlife tracking project within Royal National Park.

To be eligible you must:

• Have a high level of fitness
• Good navigational skills
• Comfortable working long days in remote bush areas
• Have good hearing to hear the beeps in the tracking device
• Have your own 4WD is preferable but not essential

It only took seconds for some to respond with a Please Count Me In

What followed was an amazing, educational and enthralling few months.

Follow the READ MORE tab to read the story, see pictures and videos of the Koala and register HERE for the in-person event.

Spring in the Royal – Falcons and Eagles

We should have known you can’t creep up on falcons and eagles.

A few weeks back we went looking for falcons and eagles: we saw a falcon in flight, rounded a bend to see where it had landed and there it was looking directly at us ….unamused at our attempt at stealth.

But it had more mouths to feed than its own. Follow the Read More tab  to see .

Join us for a Guided Walk

This year Friends of the Royal are leading guided walks to help you get to know your local National Park just that little bit better. The Royal is home to a wonderful diversity of plants and wildlife…….some of our walks will have a botanical theme and on others we will be birding.

Royal Spoonbill

On Friday 23rd October we will be leading two birding walks starting at Bonnie Vale.

Follow the Read More link  for more details and to register.

Join us for a Guided Walk

This year Friends of the Royal are leading guided walks to help you get to know your local National Park just that little bit better. The Royal is home to a wonderful diversity of plants and wildlife…….some of our walks will have a botanical theme we will look closely at all the bush we often walk quickly through….its amazing what you can see.

Styphelia_triflora

Friends have some very knowledgeable people in our group who can readily identify the plants that we come across.

We are leading a walk with a botanical theme on Monday 21st September at 9am  leaving from the NPWS office carpark.

Follow the Read More link  for more details and to register.

Winter Wildlife

Winter can be a wonderful time to be walking in the Royal. Sunny days with light cool breezes….. walk on the coast or the interior of the park, turn a corner and ahead you can see extraordinary spectacles.

Humpback whales have been moving north on their annual migration  from Antarctica to the warm waters of the Coral Sea. On any day from late May to early August from the cliffs of the Royal you can see the  blow of the large breaths that they take,  then their huge backs rise out of the water and slip back down. You may spot the tail flapping and the lucky few will see youngsters launching themselves out of the water. Follow the Read More link to see a breach in slow motion.

But look up and there are astonishing birds …..eagles and falcons ……kites and kestrels . Follow the Read More link to  see them in action.

New channel cut through Deeban Spit

The fierce two day storm of late May  which coincided with king tides swept sand off Deeban Spit into the entrance channel to The Basin completely blocking the channel so no water could escape into Port Hacking.

Water had been building up since a storm earlier in the year and now with the channel fully blocked  the water levels were so high that much of the  Bonnie Vale camping ground was underwater.

But on the 29th May nature restored the balance and the  flood water breached Deeban Spit in a new location close to Bundeena allowing a torrent to pour out into  Port Hacking.

Follow the Read More link to see  a video of the floodwater breaking out  with someone kayaking down the stream and also some  historical  aerial photos from the 40s and 50s.

Bus Service Recommences

Covid 19 has impacted the way we live all across the world. In the Royal the high use areas were closed: Bonnie Vale, Garie, Wattamolla and the bus service was suspended.

But as restrictions lift many services in our community can restart.  Our high use areas have reopened and you can  pursue normal recreational activities in the park, subject of course to the required social distancing and limits on numbers of people.

The Park Connections bus service is to restart from 30th May with a new reduced timetable .

Follow the Read More  link to get the details.

Lyrebirds….building nests and males performing

Its that time of year. We quietly watched a female lyrebird raking up twigs and taking them back to her nest. She was oblivious to our presence, totally absorbed in her task. So we switched on the video.

Then a few days later we stumbled across a male courting two females. He followed them around calling, displaying his fabulous tail , flapping his wings with his crest high. He was so preoccupied  that when a mountain bike came past quickly he scuttered away into the bushes  but two seconds later came out displaying and calling …….follow the Read More link to watch them both.

First Sighting of a Winter Migrant

At sunset recently  we were standing on the Bundeena cliffs when a migrant seldom seen from the coast flew over.  A chocolate brown colour, bigger than a raven with beautiful pointed wings…..this was a  Brown (Great) Skua. A visitor from the Southern Latitudes.

Follow the Read More link to learn about the Skuas migration.

The Royal – Covid 19 Impacts

NPWS in response to the Covid 19 outbreak on March 18th suspended all volunteer activities until further notice. On March 26th the high visitation areas of  the Audley visitor center, Wattamolla, Garie and Bonnie Vale were closed until further notice

But walking tracks and trails remain open for exercise by locals and are being well used. They provide a welcome relief from pressures of lockdown.

Recently the Sydney Morning Herald wrote a piece discussing the benefits of exercise in the Royal National Park and featuring our own Ralph Cartwright.   Follow the Read More link to view.

All Volunteer Activities Cancelled Until Further Notice

ALL VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

If you wish to hear about a recent highly successful volunteer activity then please read on.

On a fine day recently 6 members of friends took to the water to access a beautiful, but remote spot in the park to remove a prickly pear infestation.  Check out the video of our efforts by selecting  Read More .

We plan on another attack later in the year and would welcome extra hands.

Our Next Guided Walk is on Monday 16th March

Our first guided walk for 2020 will be on March 16th starting at 8.30am at Wattle Forest, one of Audley’s picnic grounds.  We will take a walk through some fascinating rainforest looking for birds and other wildlife.  Then after a short while we will transfer across the river to Fig-tree Flat and start a slow walk down Lady Carrington Drive. Participants can walk to where we chose to turn around or if they choose they can turn around earlier or walk further.

This beautiful walk  is renowned for revealing a multitude of wildlife. Check out the Read More tab for details including a great video of a diamond python taken in the park just a few days ago.

See the Royal by Public Transport

Its easy to get to the Royal National Park by public transport: trains, a new bus service and a famous old ferry all give access to the park. With a bit of planning you can have a fabulous day out: an epic walk, a gentle stroll or a picnic by a waterfall or beach are all easily achievable by these public transport alternatives.

During the peak of summer and on public holidays the carparks in the Royal can become full early in the day, particularly Wattamolla, Garie and Bonnie Vale. Public transport can get you into these locations when car-bound visitors are turned away.

Select Read More to view our Public Transport page with some wonderful suggested itineraries for a great day out.

Waterfalls in the Royal

You may have noticed that it has been raining recently. Audley weir is still closed, as are other roads in the park and indeed around the city.

If you ever wondered what the many waterfalls in the Royal look like after heavy rain follow the Read More link to view the Video.

Streams in the Royal are flowing again

Through our long hot summer the streams in the Royal dwindled and some dried completely. Now with the rain they are flowing again and some creatures are celebrating……follow the Read More link to watch the video of a freshwater yabbie climbing the bank of a Royal stream.

Our Streamwatch volunteer program has been testing the water quality of streams in the Royal and Heathcote National Parks since 2004.

Red Bellied Black Snake drags Brown Snake away

Sometimes walking in the Royal you are privileged to see nature in action, this is one of those days. To humans the red bellied black is a beautiful snake but it is timid and disappears quickly when encountered. The Eastern Brown is the opposite: usually smaller, aggressive, not to be messed with.  This day these preconceptions were reversed…….the larger red bellied black has the brown snake  by the head and is taking it off to devour it. Follow the Read More link  to watch the video.

Bus Service is Launched

Bus Fleet has launched a new service within the park connecting many trail heads with public transport options. This allows access to popular sites such as Wattamolla and Garie when the carparks are full and also provides access to wonderful walks throughout the park.

The Royal has thankfully been unaffected by the current fires ravaging much of the East Coast and is only being closed to non residents when the weather conditions are severe.