The Great Southern Walk will provide a continuous walk for visitors from Kamay Botany Bay National Park, through Royal National Park and to the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
As there are different components to this project, we'll provide updates on what's been happening in each park.
Progress update: Kamay Botany Bay National Park
- Portions of the existing Cape Baily walking track in the Kurnell area will be upgraded as part of this project.
- A construction tender is scheduled to be released before the end of the year. With track materials already purchased, the construction of the upgraded track is expected to commence in early 2023.
Progress update: Royal National Park
- Work on the southern entrance to the Royal Coast Track between Otford to Werrong Lookout is complete, and the work crew have now commenced on the steep and highly eroded sections of the track between Palm Jungle and Werrong Lookout.
- The Otford end of the track is closed due to a recent significant landslip. There are no alternative routes at this time; however, planning is underway to safely reopen this section. Please check current alerts when planning your visit.
Progress update: Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area
- Public Exhibition of the Plan of Management amendment has closed.
- Work on the new Bald Hill to Stanwell Park walking track has commenced, and the track is expected to be completed in the first half of next year.
- Scoping works have commenced on the section of track from Bulli Tops lookout to the Southern Gateway, and a package of works is being put together for the upgrade works of the Forest Track to commence in 2023.
The Minister for Environment and Heritage announced the commencement of works in the Illawarra as part of the Great Southern Walk.
Expressions of interest
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is seeking expressions of interest from either an Aboriginal-owned business or an operator partnering with the Aboriginal community or business to deliver multi-day walk experiences utilising the new camping and hut accommodation.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has a long history of using external partners to deliver high-quality visitor experiences in national parks across New South Wales. This allows our resources to be directed to conservation outcomes, visitor management and other essential tasks in our parks. Within Royal National Park the Audley Boatshed and the Audley Dancehall Café are both operated by external managers and a watercraft hire service operates out of Bonnie Vale.
Go to the NSW tenders website for more information about the Expression of Interest. Applications are open until 30 January 2023.
Royal Coast Track between Otford to Werrong Lookout 
‘Benching in’ the new Bald Hill to Stanwell Park track