This fabulous walk in the Royal National Park showcases the diversity of the Sutherland Shire’s landscape with beautiful Jibbon Beach, sparkling views across the Port Hacking, tall golden grass, native flowers and messy scrub, ancient Aboriginal rock engravings, cliff top scrambling and views across Shelley Beach and the Pacific Ocean. You might even spot migrating humpback whales and native animals like parrots and wallabies.

Start your adventure in the chilled out township of Bundeena – either drive or take a 20 minute ferry over from Tonkin Wharf at Cronulla. From the wharf, walk up Brighton St and turn left into Loftus Street – note the last public toilets on your left. After around 15 minutes along Loftus Street you will reach Jibbon Beach – Jibbon is derived from the Dharawal word meaning sandbar at low tide – by following a little footpath down to the sand.   

Now it’s time to start your loop along the crescent shaped beach, passing a 3000 year old midden of sun-bleached shells, tools and bone – evidence of thousands of years of hunting, gathering, cooking and eating by the local Dharawal tribe. At the end of the beach is Jibbon Head where you’ll see fishermen on rocky outcrops and can gaze across the water to Cronulla.

Follow the path to the right to a grassy area with a small exhibition of sculptures and Aboriginal stories. This area was an ancient Dharawal campsite and a little further on you will see engravings including whales and kangaroos made thousands of years ago by the Dharawal people. Make sure to stay on the walkways to avoid any further damage to the carvings.

Continue on the path to Shelley Beach along the cliffs above small white sandy beaches with dramatic outlooks across roaring waves crashing below. The path is a little overgrown in places which adds to the adventure. Follow it back through scrub and past flowering natives and a gate which will bring you onto to the beach and the return walk to Bundeena.

Kids will love spotting the carvings in the rocks, the rugged coastline and following the arrows along the bush track.