Day hike to the Figure 8 Pools near Sydney via Burning Palms Beach, Royal National Park

The Figure 8 Pools are one of the most incredible and gorgeous sights one can imagine, and I will guide you on this day hike to them via Burning Palms Beach in the Royal National Park, near Sydney, an area of much intense and raw natural beauty that takes in the iconic and sumptuous Australian bushland and coastline all in the one place.

Royal National Park is located 29km South of the centre of the New South Wales state capital city of Sydney, and is the second oldest national park in the world, and oldest in Australia. The park is home to a wide array of native Australian flora and fauna, and is a popular hiking and walking spot.

The journey to the Figure 8 Pools begins close to Otford Train Station, and from here we walk through thick native Australian vegetation, with some very steep sections included.

After traipsing and travailing through the bushland, we reach the absolutely sensational and lovely Burning Palms Beach. The beach is an oasis of calm and tranquility, with the waves of the Pacific Ocean lapping at the sand, the lush green plants and trees of the national park rolling right down to it.

After spending time at the beach, we head onwards to our destination of the Figure 8 Pools, named so because of their distinctive number 8 shape seemingly carved in to the rock.

Due to their location on a rock shelf just above the ocean, there are only certain times of day that the pools are accessible and visible, meaning it is a unique and exciting experience to walk around them.

We then head back to the starting point of the trail once we have had enough time at the rock pools, and hopefully we will have convinced you to come back and explore more of this natural slice of Australian beauty.

Hike to the some of the prettiest coastline and rock formations in Australia – book now so you don’t miss out!