JIbbon Beach is a Royal National Park favourite and one of the most beautiful in the park. The best way to explore this beautiful part of the Sydney coastline is definitely on the Jibbon Beach Loop Track.
This easy walk takes you around the pretty shoreline from Bundeena to Jibbon Beach, as well as several lesser known coves and also stops at some really well preserved Aboriginal engravings.
There’s virtually no climbing involved so it’s a really relaxing walk where you can just enjoy the gorgeous coastal scenery and go for a dip in the calm water of Jibbon Beach at the end.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Jibbon Beach Loop Track.
Jibbon Beach Loop Track
The stats
Distance: 5.3km
Elevation: 76m
Difficulty: Easy
Type of trail: Loop
Start of trail: Bundeena
Starting the trail
The walk begins in the picturesque village of Bundeena. There are a couple of cafes and an IGA if you need to stock up on caffeine or supplies before hitting the trail.
There are two routes you can take from the village: one takes you inland on residential streets and the other takes you along the shore. Of course we always pick the prettier route, so head down to the water directly from the village towards the ferry wharf and head right onto the beach.
Follow the beach along and round the corner where you’ll see a small cove. Using this route you will walk along the sandstone rock passing several small beaches with lovely coastal views as a constant companion.
We always admire the houses that are right on the beach and must have the most incredible views!
At the end of the beach, head up the white staircase (roughly 0.7km into the trail). It’s just before the trail looks like it would be becoming a scramble.
From the staircase go straight up the grassy hill, follow the road left and within a few minutes you’ll see the signpost directing you down to JIbbon Beach. It’s roughly 300m of road walking.
Onto Jibbon Beach
Follow the sign down the alleyway and straight on to the huge, sweeping golden sand of Jibbon Beach.
The beach is around 800m long and barely ever seems to have anyone on it! The water that laps the sand looks turquoise on a sunny day and it’s incredibly calm, making it the perfect beach for swimming.
Jibbon Beach
Jibbon Beach
The beaches further along the trail are gorgeous but rocky, so if you’re planning to take a dip we’d recommend it being here (although you do loop back onto Jibbon Beach at the end of the trail so you could swim after you’ve finished most of the walk too).
The Jibbon Beach engravings
After walking the full length of Jibbon Beach you will head up the rocky path and follow the track inland through the heath until you come to the turn off for the Aboriginal engravings.
The start of the trail to Jibbon Engravings
The track will take you up a staircase to a viewing platform with information panels on what to look out for.
Some are looking a bit weathered now and we couldn’t make them out very well but there are several that are beautifully preserved and you can see them very clearly, particularly the turtle and the kangaroo.
An outline of the kangaroo engraving
Being able to clearly see the engravings makes a lovely change because the ones we often see around Ku-ring-gai or in Sydney are usually so faint as to be virtually unrecognisable.
On to Port Hacking Point
From the engravings the path heads back to hug the coastline and you’ll mainly be walking on natural rock, which is something I always love.
This is a much more rugged and wild stretch of coast and is pretty spectacular in any weather - and we’ve definitely had our fair share of rain and wind on previous walks here!
You’ll pass by the top of a small and very pretty cove which is a nudist beach…. if you’re so inclined!
The path to Port Hacking Point
The nudist beach in Royal National Park
You’ll continue making your way along the coast until you reach Port Hacking Point, which is a good whale watching spot in season (May to October).
We saw a few people surfing near here which was quite fun to watch but looked a bit precarious to us with all those rocks!
The rocks at Port Hacking Point
After just over 500m more walking along the coast path you will come to Shelley Beach which seems to be a favourite spot with fishermen.
It’s a nice enough beach but due to said shells and many rocks it’s not such a good one for relaxing on or swimming.
Shelley Beach In Royal National Park
Finishing the loop
The trail now heads inland for roughly half a kilometre on a very pretty trail through the heathland, at points there are hundreds of ferns and at others many trees lining both sides of the path.
It is lovely enough that you don’t feel you are missing out having come away from the coast.
It’s not long before you hit the cut back through to Jibbon Beach anyway though!
The trail back to Jibbon Beach
You will then walk most of the length of the beach back towards Bundeena. We usually return the same way we came, briefly up the alley and along the road, before cutting back onto the coast.
You could shave a short amount off the total distance by heading the whole way back on the road but there’s no scenery that way!
The verdict
We love this walk, it’s easy enough that even when you’re feeling a bit lazy you can manage it, and the scenery takes me back every time I see it. We’ve done this trail many times and it never disappoints.
We’d highly recommend it as a great introduction to hiking in Royal National Park.
Packing suggestions for the Jibbon Beach Loop
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies and any other bugs. Check it out on Amazon.
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about the Jibbon Beach Loop Track
Car Parking at the trail head
There is plenty of car parking in the main car park beside the trail head or off street parking nearby. It is free of charge.
Public transport to Bundeena
The good news is that if you don’t have a car you can still get to this track!
Firstly take a train from Central Station to Cronulla. Then take the small public ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena and the wharf is right where the Jibbon Beach Loop Track starts.
Royal National Park entrance fee
The entry fee for Royal National Park doesn’t apply to Jibbon Beach or the loop track because it begins in Bundeena which is not in the fee zone.
Make sure you tell the staff in the booth on the way that you are heading to Bundeena.
Packing suggestions for Royal National Park
Having the right gear can make a huge difference, especially in Royal National Park. Being on the coast, the conditions can change rapidly, so packing correctly can make a big difference.
Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. This helps towards the costs of running our website. Thanks for your support.
Like it? Pin it!
Follow us on Social Media
Are you planning a trip to Royal National Park? Would you put the Jibbon Beach Loop Track on your list of hikes to do? Let us know in the comments below!
