Construction has begun on the brand new 67km multi-day hike, the Great Southern Walk, that’ll connect Sydney to Wollongong and traverse three unique coastal areas along the way.

 

Soon you’ll be able to walk all the way from Sydney to the neighbouring coastal city of Wollongong over five days and four nights.

The Great Southern Walk was announced by the NSW Government in July 2021 and construction has recently begun on the first section of the track between Bald Hill with Stanwell Tops. This new trail will link the southern end of the Royal National Park with the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.

The walk will link up a number of already existing trails and will be ‘traversing a spectacular route from Sydney’s Kamay Botany Bay National Park, along the coastline of Royal National Park, then down to Bulli Tops in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area,’ said Minister for Environment James Griffin.

Read more: Coast Track Royal National Park

New and Existing Camping Opportunities

Camping along the hike will make use of both new and existing facilities.

Both Wattamolla and Garie in Royal National Park are the proposed locations for new camping and accommodation facilities including camping platforms, basic hiker huts, a camp kitchen and other amenities. These areas have been proposed as they’ve previously been disturbed and are suitable for small campgrounds. 

There’s a proposed walk-in campground and basic hut accommodation for the Madden Plains area of the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, along with plans to seek out locations for an overnight hiking option.

The fourth campground is likely to be the recently upgraded and reopened Bonnie Vale Campground at the northern end of Royal National Park.

 

Call Out For Aboriginal Tour Operators

As part of the new development, the NSW Government is undertaking an Expressions of Interest process for Aboriginal owned tour operators that could lead walkers on this multi-day hike and help them connect with the local Dharawal culture. 

‘The NSW Government is seeking an Aboriginal owned business or an operator partnering with the Aboriginal community to deliver multi-day walking experiences that connect Great Southern Walk visitors with the world’s oldest living culture,’ said Member for Heathcote, Lee Evans.

Expressions of interest are open now until 20th of December 2023 and the track is expected to open in 2024. 

 

Feature photo thanks to @travelmademedoit_