Otford to Figure Eight Pools Circuit

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-34.2107139,151.0054735)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions	From Turn on to Princes Highway then drive for 580 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Parkes Street and drive for another 390 m Turn right onto Cemetery Road and drive for another 520 m Turn left onto Boswell Street and drive for another 65 m Turn right onto McLerie Street and drive for another 190 m Turn right onto Handley Street and drive for another 80 m Turn left onto Walker Street and drive for another 45 m Turn right onto Tabratong Road and drive for another 215 m Turn right onto Otford Road and drive for another 2.3 km Turn sharp left onto Lady Carrington Road and drive for another 420 m Turn slight right and drive for another 150 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the top of Otford Station, this walk follows the signs to 'Royal National Park' up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the walk turns left and climbs up the steep concrete path for approximately 50m to the top, where it comes to the intersection marked as 'Station Rd'. This walk turns left and follows the flat dirt road, passing an intersection with another road on the left. The walk continues along to the next intersection, where it turns right onto Fanshawe Rd. This walk follows Fanshawe Rd up the long hill until coming to an intersection with an asphalt road signposted as 'Lady Wakehurst Drive'. At the intersection, this walk turns left and crosses the road, continuing for approximately 25m until coming to a car park and the entry into Royal National Park. There is a large green sign here saying 'Otford Lookout'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is water tap (about 15 m back from the start). There is a car park (about 5 m back from the start). After another 40 m head up the steps (about 10 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long) Then head down the steps (about 15 m long) After another 15 m head down the steps (about 70 m long)
	After another 25 m (from the Ramp) turn left, to head along Ramp (a walking track).
	After another 75 m (at the intersection of Beaumont Road & Station Road Fire Trail) turn left, to head along Station Road Fire Trail.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Station Road Fire Trail & Lady Carrington Road) continue straight, to head along Fanshawe Road.
	After another 220 m (from the Fanshawe Road) continue straight, to head along Fanshawe Road.
	After another 80 m (at the intersection of Lady Wakehurst Drive & Fanshawe Road) turn left, to head along Lady Wakehurst Drive (a road). After another 255 m find the "Otford Lookout" (on your right). Otford Lookout Otford Lookout is on the Lady Wakehurst Dr, Otford. The lookout is in the Southern Tip of Royal National Park. The Lookout is on the side of the road with some parking. There are no facilities, but there is a great view out to see and down south down the coast to Wollongong. There is a small grass clearing on the ocean side of the road. Then pass the park (9 m on your right).
	From the Lady Wakehurst Drive turn right (a service road). After another 50 m pass the sign (on your right).
	After another 250 m (at the intersection of Werrong Beach Track & Cliff Track) veer left, to head along Cliff Track. After another 30 m pass the "Werrong Beach Track" (on your right).
	After another 1.5 km (from the Garawarra Ridge Management Trail) turn right (a walking track). After another 40 m pass the "Garrawarra Ridge" (8 m on your right).
	After another 400 m continue straight. After another 30 m come to the "Werrong Lookout" (25 m on your right). After another 1.7 km pass the "Track closed for regeneration" (8 m on your right). After another 610 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
	After another 80 m continue straight.
	After another 160 m turn right.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Figure 8 Pools. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 65 m veer left.
	After another 325 m turn right.
	After another 115 m continue straight. After another 75 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long) After another 75 m head up the earthen steps (about 140 m long)
	After another 25 m (from the Burgh Ridge Track) veer left, to head along Burgh Ridge Track. After another 30 m pass the "Burgh Ridge" (on your right).
	After another 180 m (at the intersection of Coast Walk & Burgh Ridge Track) turn left, to head along Burgh Ridge Track. After another 7 m come to the viewpoint. After another 8 m pass the "Figure 8 Pools" (on your left). After another 265 m come to the viewpoint.
	After another 530 m (from the Burgh Ridge Track) continue straight, to head along Burgh Ridge Track.
	After another 280 m (at the intersection of Garawarra Ridge Management Trail & Burgh Ridge Track) veer left, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 85 m (from the Garawarra Ridge Management Trail) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail. After another 1.2 km (from the Garawarra Ridge Management Trail) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail.
	After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Garawarra Ridge Management Trail & Lilyvale Track) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail.
	After another 370 m (from the Garawarra Ridge Management Trail) continue straight, to head along Garawarra Ridge Management Trail.
	After another 1.5 km (at the intersection of Cliff Track & Werrong Beach Track) veer right, to head along Cliff Track.
	After another 305 m (from the Lady Wakehurst Drive) turn left, to head along Lady Wakehurst Drive (a road).
	After another 145 m (at the intersection of Fanshawe Road & Lady Wakehurst Drive) turn right, to head along Fanshawe Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 80 m (from the Fanshawe Road) continue straight, to head along Fanshawe Road.
	After another 220 m (at the intersection of Station Road Fire Trail & Lady Carrington Road) continue straight, to head along Station Road Fire Trail.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Beaumont Road & Station Road Fire Trail) turn right, to head along Beaumont Road.
	After another 75 m (from the Ramp) turn right (a footpath). After another 25 m head up the steps (about 70 m long) After another 15 m head up the steps (about 15 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long) Then head down the steps (about 10 m long)
	After another 50 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Figure 8 Pools.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	Continue another 950 m to find Figure of Eight Pools at the end. About 30 m past the end is "Figure Eight Pools". Figure Eight Pools The Figure Eight Pools are on the rock shelf, south of Figure Eight Pools gully, near Burning Palms. There are a number of circular sinkholes in the rock, and a few of them have joined over time to form a figure '8' shape. Two sink holes in particular have joined to form a very spectacular figure '8' shape in the rock. The safest time to visit the pools is at low tide when there is only a very low swell in the ocean. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 950 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

Continue another 950 m to find Figure of Eight Pools at the end.

About 30 m past the end is "Figure Eight Pools".

Figure Eight Pools

The Figure Eight Pools are on the rock shelf, south of Figure Eight Pools gully, near Burning Palms. There are a number of circular sinkholes in the rock, and a few of them have joined over time to form a figure '8' shape. Two sink holes in particular have joined to form a very spectacular figure '8' shape in the rock. The safest time to visit the pools is at low tide when there is only a very low swell in the ocean.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 950 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Otford to Figure Eight Pools Circuit

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	13.7 km
Time	5 h 15 min to 6 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Figure Eight Pools
The Figure Eight Pools are on the rock shelf, south of Figure Eight Pools gully, near Burning Palms. There are a number of circular sinkholes in the rock, and a few of them have joined over time to form a figure '8' shape. Two sink holes in particular have joined to form a very spectacular figure '8' shape in the rock. The safest time to visit the pools is at low tide when there is only a very low swell in the ocean.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Bulli Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 17 January
  
  22°C
  Showers. Windy.
  90% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely late this afternoon and evening. Winds southerly 30 to 45 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 19 and 23.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 5:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 13 [Extreme]
  
  Saturday 18 January
  
  19°C → 22°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  3 → 20mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds south to southeasterly 25 to 40 km/h decreasing to 15 to 25 km/h in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 17 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 23.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Sunday 19 January
  
  18°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 17 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Monday 20 January
  
  17°C → 23°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. The chance of morning fog about the Southern Highlands. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 16 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to high 20s.
  
  Tuesday 21 January
  
  17°C → 26°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Wednesday 22 January
  
  20°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Thursday 23 January
  
  19°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Royal National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Toilets closed - Pool Flat picnic area
  The toilets at Pool Flat picnic area will be closed until further notice due to a vandalism event. The nearest alternative toilets can be found at Ironbark Flat near the Visitor's Centre.
  For more information, contact Royal National Park Visitors Centre on (02) 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: The Meadows vehicle trail closed for trail repairs
  The Meadows vehicle trail in the Royal National Park is closed on weekdays from Monday 13 January to Friday 7 February 2025 due to construction works.
  Please obey all closure signage and follow instructions of NPWS staff and contractors.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Mount Bass vehicle trail closed for repairs
  Mount Bass vehicle trail in Royal National Park is closed on weekdays from Monday 13 January to Monday 3 February 2025 due to construction works.
  Please obey all closure signage and follow instructions from NPWS staff and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Royal Coast Track - partial closure
  Walking the full length of The Coast track from Otford to Bundeena or Bundeena to Otford is not currently possible due to several track closures along its length. These closures are necessary due to erosion, rockfall risk and ongoing track upgrade works.
  Please note the following closures:
  
  The Garie to Little Garie section of The Coast track is closed due to hazardous rockfalls and erosion
  
  North Era campground is closed until further notice
  
  Garie Road, Garie Beach and the Garie precinct is closed until further notice due to damage and subsidence of the road surface. Walkers approaching from the north (e.g. from Wattamolla or Bundeena) should exit the track via Curra Moors track.
  
  Bushwalker access is available for the following sections of The Coast track:
  
  South bound access - Bundeena to Curra Moors track via Wattamolla and return only. There's no access to Garie Beach.
  
  North bound access - Is via Garawarra Farm Ridge trail and Burgh Ridge track to North Era and return, during track upgrades.
  
  For further information please contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Werrong Beach track
  Werrong Beach track in Royal National Park is closed until further notice due to landslides. Signs will be in place around the closed area.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: North Era campground closed
  North Era campground is closed until further notice due to operational activities. For more information please contact the local area office on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Safety alerts: Curra Moors track in poor condition
  Sections of Curra Moors loop track are in poor condition due to erosion. Please use caution and be aware of unstable edges.
  Planning for repairs is in progress. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Garie Road closed due to damage
  Garie Road is closed until further notice due to damage to the road surface.
  This road may remain closed for some time to allow for extensive repairs. A reopening date is not currently known.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check Live Traffic NSW for updates before driving to Garie Beach.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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