Lady Carrington Drive conjures up a tree-lined road leading up to stately mansion. It may have been a carriage route once but now in the Royal National Park it’s little more than a 10 km bush track winding its way along the banks of the Hacking River. It’s an easy track for wider tyred bikes and is sure to blow out the cobwebs as you follow the Hacking River upstream from Audley. The track passes over many creeks, you’ll also see blue gums, turpentines and patches of rainforest. There is usually plenty of wildlife about. Keep your ear out for the mimicking call of the lyrebird. Sightings are common. And keep your eyes peeled for lace monitors and echidnas as well. The track is a bit stoney and rough in places. The picnic areas look neglected. It does need some maintenance.
To enter the park, leave the train at Sutherland, trains to Sutherland from the city are quite frequent, every 15 minutes or so. From the station turn left into President Ave just a hundred metres or so off the street adjacent to the train line in the same direction of travel. After 2.2 km turn right into N W Arm Rd to Grays Point. Turn right at the end after about 2.5km and enter the park at the Grays Point Public school. Follow the trail for 1.2 km to the Bungoona lookout where you can cycle on a concrete path to the visitors centre.
Leaving the visitors centre, cycle downhill to historic Audley. Take time to visit some of the picnic areas with views of the Hacking River. ‘Reads Flat’ on the river bend is well worthwhile. Enter Lady Carrington Drive back at Audley. It is well signed, see the first photo.
After an hour or so on the track, exit and turn left on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. This is the road to Bundeena, our final destination, but there is no signage at the exit. There is a 6 km climb here to gain a height of about 150 metres. The pretty Wattamola beach is well worth a visit, the turn-off is 9 km along and it’s a 7 km return trip.
Back on the road take the right turn at Bundeena Drive. To visit Maianbar keep to the left and cycle into the village then turn right at Pacific Crescent. This is a narrow road with a ‘no through road’ sign. The track to Bundeena is at the end. You will need to carry or bump your bike down steps and rocks to the foreshore; from there it is a short distance to a pedestrian bridge where you enter the camping grounds and then Bundeena village.
The ferry to Cronulla leaves every hour on the hour but there is no 1300 ferry. So if you just miss the midday ferry there is a two hour wait! Concession fare is a very reasonable $3, including the bike!
The Cronulla wharf is only minutes away from the rail station and trains leave at 15 minute intervals.
There are a couple of ‘greasy spoons’ at Bundeena and an endless choice of dining at Cronulla. It is a long day so an early start is advisable.