Gibraltar Rock
Dharawal Country

30 min to 45 min
25 min to 40 min

1.6 km
return

↑ 30 m
↓ -30 m

Easy track
This short walk starts near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley). The walk follows a short section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to a large sandstone overhang called Gibraltar Rock. At the base of the overhang is a rare sandstone cobble section of road. At Gibraltar Rock, there are also good views along the Hacking River. This a nice way to stretch your legs whilst picnicking in the area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2009.
Photo by admin, 2009.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Gibraltar Rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2009.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-34.0792486,151.0553138)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Princes Highway, A1
  • Turn on to Acacia Road, A1 then drive for 3.3 km
  • Turn sharp left onto Farnell Avenue and drive for another 3.4 km
  • Keep right onto Lady Carrington Drive and drive for another 95 m
  • Turn slight left onto Lady Carrington Drive and drive for another 225 m
  • Keep left onto Lady Carrington Drive and drive for another 230 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Lady Carrington Drive' sign around the locked gate and along the management trail (keeping the picnic area and river to the right). This walk winds along the trail gently uphill for about 400m to step onto the cobblestone section below the overhanging Gibraltar Rocks beside the picnic table.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Lady Carrington Drive.
Toilet (about 80 m back from the start).
Toilet
Toilet

Male and female toilet block. Entrance is 67cm wide, hand basins 90cm high, toilet seat 43cm high. Male toilet has a urinal with 20cm step. No handrails. There's a bigger toilet at the back, entrance is 81cm wide, hand basins 76cm high, toilet seat 47cm high.
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Male and female toilet block. Entrance is 67cm wide, hand basins 90cm high, toilet seat 43cm high. Male toilet has a urinal with 20cm step. No handrails. There's a bigger toilet at the back, entrance is 81cm wide, hand basins 76cm high, toilet seat 47cm high.

Find the gate at the start.
After another 10 m find the "Lady Carrington Drive" (on your left).
Lady Carrington Drive
Lady Carrington Drive

Opened in 1886 by Lady Carrington, this road was formally named 'Lady Carrington Road' (later changed to 'drive'), and started on the southern side of the then newly constructed Audley weir. The road become popular among people exploring the region. The road follows the Hacking River's east bank and then Bola Creek to Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Much history has been preserved, with several drinking troughs still filling with water and many sandstone retaining walls still standing. The brooks that the old road crosses have been named using the traditional names of birds, the following is a list with the English name in brackets. Mullion (Eagle), Wurrul (Bee Eater), Burowa (Bustard), Karonga (White Crane), Gorra Worra (Laughing Jackass), Buralga (Native Companion), Kobardo (Parrot), Birumba (Plover), Dirijiri (Wagtail), Murrindum (Quail), Dumbal (Crow), Tamur (Bronze winged Pigeon), Burunda (Swan), Karani (Duck), Palona (Hawk) Brooks.
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Opened in 1886 by Lady Carrington, this road was formally named 'Lady Carrington Road' (later changed to 'drive'), and started on the southern side of the then newly constructed Audley weir. The road become popular among people exploring the region. The road follows the Hacking River's east bank and then Bola Creek to Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Much history has been preserved, with several drinking troughs still filling with water and many sandstone retaining walls still standing. The brooks that the old road crosses have been named using the traditional names of birds, the following is a list with the English name in brackets. Mullion (Eagle), Wurrul (Bee Eater), Burowa (Bustard), Karonga (White Crane), Gorra Worra (Laughing Jackass), Buralga (Native Companion), Kobardo (Parrot), Birumba (Plover), Dirijiri (Wagtail), Murrindum (Quail), Dumbal (Crow), Tamur (Bronze winged Pigeon), Burunda (Swan), Karani (Duck), Palona (Hawk) Brooks.

After another 85 m find the "Willow Tree" (45 m on your right).
Willow Tree
Willow Tree

Willow Tree is a picnic area in the Royal National Park. It is found on the south side of Audley, between the old Lady Carrington Drive and the Hacking River. The picnic area has a large shelter with 4 picnic tables, an open grassy area, parking, BBQ's, tap water, garbage bins, recycling and toilets. The picnic area stretches along the river bank and provides a lovely spot to stop and enjoy the park .
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Willow Tree is a picnic area in the Royal National Park. It is found on the south side of Audley, between the old Lady Carrington Drive and the Hacking River. The picnic area has a large shelter with 4 picnic tables, an open grassy area, parking, BBQ's, tap water, garbage bins, recycling and toilets. The picnic area stretches along the river bank and provides a lovely spot to stop and enjoy the park .

After another 105 m pass the car park (9 m on your right).
After another 225 m find the "Trip Hazard" (on your left).
Trip Hazard
Trip Hazard

An 8cm trip hazard between dirt and cobblestones.
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An 8cm trip hazard between dirt and cobblestones.

After another 25 m find the "Picnic Table" (on your right).
Picnic Table
Picnic Table

A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 79cm high, 91cm deep and 2.1m wide. The seats are 40cm high, 30cm deep and 2.1m wide (no backrest).
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A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 79cm high, 91cm deep and 2.1m wide. The seats are 40cm high, 30cm deep and 2.1m wide (no backrest).

After another 15 m find the "Gibraltar Rock" (8 m on your left).
Gibraltar Rock
Gibraltar Rock

Gibraltar Rock, Royal National Park, is a sandstone overhang found near the northern end of Lady Carrington Drive. The old road passes under the rocks and is home to a small section of sandstone cobblestone. At this point, the old road offers great views of the Hacking River and across to Wattle Forest picnic area. These and many other sandstone formations, together with the history, make this old road quite interesting to explore. There is a picnic table under the overhang.
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Gibraltar Rock, Royal National Park, is a sandstone overhang found near the northern end of Lady Carrington Drive. The old road passes under the rocks and is home to a small section of sandstone cobblestone. At this point, the old road offers great views of the Hacking River and across to Wattle Forest picnic area. These and many other sandstone formations, together with the history, make this old road quite interesting to explore. There is a picnic table under the overhang.

Continue another 320 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 800 m to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Gibraltar Rock


Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length 1.6 km
Time 30 min to 45 min
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Naturally Accessible
Slope summary:
Mostly flat or gentle slopes. Climb steeper than 1:12 if coming from Willow Tree car park.

Surface summary:
Rough unsealed road, may be soft after rain. Section of cobblestone under Gibraltar Rock.

Some facilities on route
Entity|toilet: There is one -73 m back from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Entity|toilet
-73 mToilet
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