The ferry ride over to the start of the trail is part of the adventure on this easy but stunning walk along secluded beaches, rock shelves and aboriginal engravings. But bring a hat for bub, this walk is exposed!
The short
| Distance | 5km Return |
| Grade | Easy |
| Type | Carrier, little hikers |
| Time | Half a day |
| Conditions | A mix of streets, beach and foottracks, exposed |
| Facilities | Toilets, cafes, shopping village, beach |
| Getting there | Public transport – Alight at Cronulla station and catch the ferry from Cronulla wharf to Bundeena. Car – You could drive directly to Bundeena, but catching the ferry over with bub is half the fun. There is unlimited free parking near the wharf and Gunnamatta park. |
Total climbing: 129 m
The long
Access
Starting this walk from Cronulla and catching the ferry across to Bundeena is all part of the adventure and appeal for this walk! If you’re catching the train, alight at Cronulla, it’s a short 5 min walk to the ferry wharf.
If driving, find a park on Tonkin Street, near the ferry wharf. If there is no parking here you may need to park further away, on Nicholson Parade, along Gunnamatta Park. Both are all day, free parking.
The ferry departs from Cronulla every hour, so make sure you check the timetable ahead of time (and likewise for the return trip). It is privately owned and you cannot use an opal card, so make sure you have some change to pay for your ticket (if bub is under 3, they travel free). At time of writing, a single trip fare is $7.10 for an adult and $3.55 for a child. More info here: https://cronullaferries.com.au/ferries-to-bundeena/
I acknowledge that this walk is on the lands of the Dharawal people and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
The trail
After alighting from the ferry at Bundeena wharf, continue along the road past the parking lot and onto Loftus street. If you need to grab some snacks for you or bub, there are a couple of cafes and an iga here. If you need a toilet stop before you head off, there is a public toilet in the car park, a short walk from the wharf. There is a change table in the accessible toilet.
Head east on Loftus Street past the Bundeena Community Services club and continue along the footpath. Follow Loftus Street until the end where you will find a footpath leading down onto Jibbon Beach.
Walk along the sand of Jibbon beach until the end, where you will need to step up onto a grassy clearing. Follow the foot track for about 300m and you will come to a short side track which leads to the Jibbon Head Aboriginal engravings.
It is a short side trail and one of the highlights of this walk. The engravings are really well preserved and are great talking point with your bub or little hiker.
Back on the main trail, you will shortly pass Little Jibbon beach as you follow the trail around the headland and over the rocks. If walking the trail in summer, be mindful of snakes. I’ve spotted snakes on multiple occasions walking this track.
Continue following this trail as it winds in and out of the shrub until you arrive at Shelly beach. There is a small grassy area that looks overlooks the beach and is a perfect spot to stop for a snack, a feed, a play in the sand or a little splash.
Once you’re finished at Shelly beach, follow the markers away from the beach and into the bush and follow the signs back to Jibbon beach, via gates which will pop you out back onto Jibbon beach.
Retrace your steps from here back to the ferry wharf, noting the next time the ferry leaves for Cronulla! If you have some time to waste before the next ferry, you could relax at the park next to Horden’s beach, Berenice Forster park. Or if your little hiker has some more energy to burn off, the playground at the top of the park.
More info – resources
http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/royal-national-park/jibbon-loop-track.html
https://www.visitsutherlandshire.com.au/see-and-do/walking-trails/jibbon-loop-track
