Curra Moors, Curracurrong Falls & Eagle Rock - Royal National Park

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Route: Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, Curra Moors Track, Coast Track, Curracurrong Creek, Eagle Rock, Curra Moors Fire Trail, Curra Brook, Sir Bertram Stevens Drive

Date: 24/02/2024

From: Sir Bertram Stevens Drive

Parking: Curra Moors Trailhead

Start Point: Curra Moors

Finish Point: Curra Moors

Region: Royal National Park

Route length: 11.3km

Average speed: 5.0km/h

Ascent: 248m
Descent: 252m

Points of Interest: Curra Moor, Curracurrong Waterfall, Eagle Rock

The Curra Moors loop is one of the quieter tracks in the Royal National Park but still offers scenic sandstone cliffs, coastal views and secluded bushwalking. In addition to this, the loop will take you to one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the national park - Curracurrong Falls. The track is generally easy with no major ascents or navigational issues. The 10km loop should only take you a few hours.

The Curra Moors Track officially starts from a layby just off Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, the main road through Royal National Park named after a previous NSW Premier. After leaving the car in the only vacant space, we were immediately plunged into the thick heath as the track slowly descends across Curra Moors towards the coast. You'll notice any traffic noise quickly disappears as the vegetation on both sides of the path is so dense.

The track is in a poor state at the moment after successive floods

Curra Moors Track

Along the way are a handful of small streams that cut across the path, requiring some nimble footwork to negotiate but, before long, you will emerge at the Curra Moors Fire Trail, and the open coastal heath. The dominant banksia plants are much smaller than the eucalyptus trees and you'll start to get your first glimpses of the ocean.

Curra Brook

The coastal heath

Curra Moors Fire Trail

The trail leads to the Coast Track, one of the premier hiking routes in the Sydney area, linking the village of Otford to Bundeena, spanning the length of the Royal National Park coastline. The 29km hike is spectacular and a worthy undertaking. So popular is the route that much of it comprises metal walkways to protect the plants after a serious bushfire in 2018. During the winter, you will likely see migrating humpback whales swimming off the coast on their annual migration.

The Coast Track

The track follows the top of the cliffs towards Curracurrong Falls where there are some sweeping views across the national park. Along the way you will encounter a couple of smaller creeks that flow to the cliffs and, on breezy days like today, can get blown backwards onto the path. Finally, there's an interesting crossing over Curra Brook before you eventually reach Curracurrong Creek and the waterfall.

Views of the Pacific Ocean

Cliffs of the Royal National Park

Approaching Curracurrong Falls

Curra Brook

Curracurrong Falls is arguably the best waterfall in Royal National Park thanks to its dramatic location and 82m drop into the ocean. According to Wikipedia, it is one of only three permanent waterfalls in Australia that discharge into an ocean. There are good views of the waterfall from the cliff tops, however, one of the best views of the waterfall is from beneath an overhanging rock, just below the main path. You can get there by scrambling down the rocks towards the creek the heading to the right..

Above Curra Brook

Curracurrong Falls

The overhang with its view of the falls and Eagle Rock

Curracurrong Falls

The view of the waterfall is backed by Eagle Rock, a precarious overhanging rock outcrop which bears a striking resemblance to an eagle's head (or perhaps a turtle?) complete with a mouth and hooked beak. The cascades along the creek are also pretty, making the whole area one of the most interesting places in the national park. 

Eagle Rock

Curracurrong Creek

Upper Curracurrong Falls

After exploring the waterfall and its surroundings, it was time to close the loop by starting the return leg towards Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Returning back to the parking area first involves a hike along the Curra Moors Fire Trail again, gradually ascending the moorland.

Curra Moors Fire Trail

On the Curra Moors Track

The fire trail will branch giving you the option to bear right and continue towards the main road or to bear left and make for the initial Curra Moors Track. We opted for the latter, following the track we'd used earlier in the day to return to the parking area.