Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 6355 2955;
www.zigzagrailway.com.au
;
Clarence Station, Bells Line of Road; adult/child/family $30/15/74;
11am, 1pm & 3pm daily)
One for the trainspotters, the Zig Zag Railway was designed to bring
the Great Western Railway tracks down from the mountains to Lithgow, gently zigzagging
down the precipice. It's a 1½-hour return train ride.
Royal National Park
Explore
The traditional lands of the Dharawal people, the 165-sq-km
Royal National Park
(
02
9542 0648;
www.environment.nsw.gov.au
;
cars $11, pedestrians & cyclists free; gates to park areas locked at
8.30pm daily)
was established in 1879, making it the second-oldest national park in the world
(behind the USA's Yellowstone). It stretches for 20km south from Port Hacking, forming
Sydney's southern border.
The sandstone plateau at the northern end of the park is an ocean of low scrub, the fuel
for regular bushfires. One in 1994 destroyed 95% of the park; stricter fire prevention
measures have been implemented since. You'll find taller forest in the Hacking River val-
ley and at the park's southern boundary on the edge of the Illawarra Escarpment. In late
winter and early spring the park is carpeted with wildflowers.
The park visitors centre can assist with camping permits, maps and bushwalking.
The Best...
»
Swimming BeachJibbon Beach
Top Tip
If you're driving, consider continuing south to the amazing Sea Cliff Bridge, a magnifi-
cent 665m stretch of elevated road hugging the coast between Coalcliff and Clifton.
