Australia's oldest national park has just three places to pitch a tent, so picking the right one makes all the difference. Here's the kit we'd pack, how each campground works and what to sort before you go.
Six things we'd pack for a drive-in or walk-in night.
Kit for the Coast Track walk-ins: carry it, light it, cook with it.
Day packs and larger packs for the Coast Track.
Head torches, torches and batteries for late arrivals.
Stoves, cooksets and mugs for meals at camp.
Our full ranges for a comfy night at Bonnie Vale and its calm water.
Tents, tarps and shelters for weekends and walk-in trips.
Air beds, self-inflating mats and foam pads for camp.
Inflatable kayaks for one to three that fit the boot.
Three campgrounds: one you drive to and two you walk to.
The park's largest and easiest campground, beside calm water that suits kayaks, paddle boards and young swimmers.
Good to knowHot showers and drinking water. No campfires. No car? Ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena, then walk about 15 minutes.
View Campground DetailsA campground tucked behind North Era Beach that you can only reach on foot along the Coast Track.
Good to knowAbout 1.5 hours from Garie Beach on a narrow, steep track, or 5 hours from Otford. Toilets, but carry in all your drinking water.
View Campground DetailsA bush campground right beside Uloola Falls, reached on the Karloo or Uloola walking tracks, or by mountain bike from Waterfall.
Good to knowToilets only, so bring drinking water, cooking water and a fuel stove. There's a one-night maximum stay.
View Campground DetailsTwo of the three campgrounds are walk-in, which changes how you pack.
North Era and Uloola Falls have no car access, so keep your setup light enough to carry and leave the big esky at home.
Find a Day PackThere's no drinking water at North Era, so bring enough for drinking and cooking. Creeks along the Coast Track can't be relied on.
Rips are common at North Era Beach. Surf lifesavers patrol South Era Beach on Sundays, public holidays and most Saturday afternoons in the patrol season.
Check BeachsafeWalk-in campgrounds get properly dark after sunset. A head torch keeps both hands free for cooking and the toilet run.
Get a Head TorchEvery campground in the park needs a booking, and a vehicle entry fee applies if you drive in. Walking in is free.
Campgrounds and tracks can close for weather, fire danger or maintenance. Check alerts before you leave home.
View Park AlertsSplit by drive-in and walk-in, so you only carry what you need.
Gear grouped by how you live and move.
Three: Bonnie Vale, North Era and Uloola Falls. They're the only places you can camp in the park, and each one needs to be booked ahead. Bonnie Vale is the only one you can drive to, while North Era and Uloola Falls are walk-in sites where you carry your gear.
No. North Era is walk-in only along the Coast Track. The shortest route is about 1.5 hours from Garie Beach on a narrow, steep track, while Otford is around 5 hours away and Bundeena about 7. Pack light and carry all your drinking water.
Bonnie Vale has drinking water and hot showers. North Era has toilets but no drinking water, so bring enough for drinking and cooking. Uloola Falls also has toilets only, so pack drinking water, cooking water and a fuel stove.
If you drive in, a vehicle entry fee applies, separate from your camping fee. Walking in is free. Fees can change, so check the NSW National Parks website before you go.
No. Pets aren't allowed in NSW national parks, and that includes Royal. If the dog is coming along, look for a pet-friendly holiday park or campground outside the park instead.
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