Parking
Begin at the public Brighton Street carpark near Loftus Street. The Cronulla ferry reaches Bundeena as an alternate village approach.
Overview
About Bundeena to Jibbon Head Circuit
Why go
- A single loop links Jibbon Beach, the headland and the engraving platform.
- The inland return makes a fuller circuit than the shorter Jibbon Loop.
Heads up
- The sandy return is exposed, and the loop includes Bundeena streets.
Map & elevation
The route
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
4 active Royal alerts
- ClosureOvernight closures for deer-control operationsSpecified areas of Royal National Park are closed between sunset and sunrise from Monday to Thursday, excluding school holidays, through 18 December 2026 so NPWS can carry out deer-control operations.Official details
- ClosureUnauthorised trail between East Heathcote and Waterfall closedThe unauthorised trail between East Heathcote and Waterfall is formally and physically closed; access is not permitted.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Royal Tour Guide
Your drive to Bundeena to Jibbon Head Circuit, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Royal National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Bundeena Waterfront and Horderns Beach0:00 / 0:30
“Bundeena's waterfront is ahead, with Horderns Beach beside the ferry wharf. Houses and coastal trees back the sand, making this a good place for an easy shore walk and a meal in the village.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Royal Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Jibbon Beach and Rock Engravings
- Bundeena Coast Track to Wedding Cake Rock
- Bonnie Vale Riverbank and Picnic Area
- The Spinebill at the Flowers
- 43 audio storiesacross Royal’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Humpback Whale, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Koala, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 69 trails, 58 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Bundeena to Jibbon Head Circuit
The longer loopThis is a 7.5 km (4.
This is a 7.5 km (4.7 mi) loop from Brighton Street carpark in Bundeena, out to Jibbon Beach and around Jibbon Head, then back inland from Shelley Beach. Allow about 2.5 hours. It is moderate, with village streets, loose beach sand, a short rocky climb and uneven headland paths before the sandy, exposed return. At Shelley, take Jibbon Track toward Beachcomber Avenue. The shorter Jibbon Loop returns to Jibbon Beach instead; this route includes the longer inland leg and the village approach.
Beach and headlandFrom town, follow the access path to Jibbon Beach and walk along the sand to the marked track…
From town, follow the access path to Jibbon Beach and walk along the sand to the marked track at its far end. The path climbs across rock onto the headland, then follows the coast above Little Jibbon Beach toward Port Hacking Point. Expect uneven rock and sand underfoot, with open views over the water as the path rounds the headland.
Dharawal engravingsThe route passes a significant engraving site connected to the Dharawal People.
The route passes a significant engraving site connected to the Dharawal People. A raised boardwalk and viewing platform protect the rock shelf from foot traffic. Stay on the platform to look at the engravings; do not walk across them. It is also the place to stop for a close, respectful photograph from above.
The inland returnAt Shelley Beach, the longer circuit leaves the shorter coastal loop and takes sandy Jibbon…
At Shelley Beach, the longer circuit leaves the shorter coastal loop and takes sandy Jibbon Track. It first runs near the coast, then turns inland on an exposed, gently uphill track to the Coast Track access at Beachcomber Avenue. From there, follow the path behind the homes, roughly parallel to Eric Street, and continue through Bundeena. This last stretch uses village paths and streets, so keep an eye on your route rather than expecting a continuous beach walk.
Access and facilitiesStart at the public Brighton Street carpark near Loftus Street, or reach Bundeena by ferry from…
Start at the public Brighton Street carpark near Loftus Street, or reach Bundeena by ferry from Cronulla and walk in from the wharf. Toilets and drinking water are available at Bundeena Reserve by the wharf and at the Beachcomber Avenue entrance; carry water across the headland section. Cafés, shops and an IGA are in the village and make a separate stop. Dogs are not permitted in NSW national parks, except certified assistance animals.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Royal
56 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
68 sightingsWhite-bellied Sea-EagleMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
12 sightingsKoalaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
33 sightingsJavan RusaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
69 sightingsShort-beaked EchidnaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
11 sightingsRed FoxMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Royal. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
