Monday 19 October 2009

Royal National Park (1/6) - full circle

Behind me, the South Coast walking track from Gairie Beach.

About 30kms south of Sydney, lies the Royal National Park established in 1879, the second NP to be gazetted in the world, after Yellowstone. It covers about 130 square kms (about 32,000 acres).

In front of me, the Pacific Ocean aka Tasman Sea. Above me, the cliff to the National Park.

The Coast Track is a 2 day 27km walk with spectacular views some of which I will show you this week.

Ahead of me, the track to the possessive tenancy settlement of North Era.

North Era, South Era and Burning Palms are accessible only on foot or by small water craft. They were established during the Depression and tenancy within the one family has been allowed to continue ever since, with strict rules on development. Gairie Beach is the only beach with vehicular access.

15 comments:

Brenda's Arizona said...

Did you hike it? I'm looking forward to your upcoming photos!

Martina said...

Hm, I saw your first picture and thought: I got one of these too ... it's a strange feeling seeing this. Totally different continent but our vision seems to be the same. If I find an adequate quote I will post it tonight.
Did I say I like the first photo very much ;-)?
Eerie ...

Joan Elizabeth said...

Crazy as it may seem I have never been to RNP. I look forward to you seeing your photos of it ... Winam did some a while ago and it certainly looks worth the visit.

Ann said...

Beautiful, haven't been down to the RNP for years and have never done the south coast track, doubt I could manage it now. Wattamolla was always my favourite when I was a kid, with the beach and the lagoon, its where I learnt to swim.

brattcat said...

How amazing to travel down to the sea with you.

Lowell said...

Spectacular! I'll look forward to seeing more photos. I like the strict rules on development...we've got enough development where the rich get richer and the people are left with pavement.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I look forward to your upcoming photos to share this part of Australia with us. We saw the beach and ocean at Sydney, but not the remainder of the east coast of Australia.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

excellent photo. great composition!

raf said...

Glad to see and learn this, Julie and good to know we'll see more.

AB said...

The first shot works really well, with the stones leading your eye to the figures in the distance.

VP said...

I can't ever imagine how remote is this place...

Susan Ellis said...

The first shot is stunning -inviting the viewer on the walk. Enjoy yourself for us!

Lois said...

What a beautiful place for a walk. The views are dramatic!

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

I love the first photo with the 'track' alongside the rocks. Looking ahead you wonder what is around the 'corner' or in this case around the curve.

The second one stands out with the white foam? as it lashes against the rocks.

Julie said...

Brenda: I only walked a short section. I am wobbly on my feet at the moment and had a "minder"!

VP: It appears to be remote but is not at all. It is only 30km from the centre of Sydney and Gairie Beach car park was full and the day only got to 20C. From the top of the hill one can watch whales making their northern migration during our early winter, ie May, June, July.