Maps and directions
Directions to Bonnie Vale:
- Enter the Royal National Park at Farnell Ave (Loftus) or McKell Ave (Waterfall)
- Turn onto Bundeena Drive from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
- Continue on Bundeena Drive until you reach the township of Bundeena
- Take the second left onto Sea Breeze Lane, towards Bonnie Vale Picnic Area
- Once you reach the parking bays at the picnic area, pull over at a safe spot and disembark students
- Buses can then continue down the road to turnaround at the circle just before the campground gates
There is bus parking available.
* Buses for booked excursions do not pay an entry fee at the toll booth. Show your Booking Confirmation sheet; you will be invoiced park entry fee later.
Site details and facilities
Getting here
Bus
Bonnie Vale is approximately 23 km from the Farnell Avenue entry of the Royal National Park and 24 km from the Waterfall entry.
Via bus, it takes approximately 30 minutes to drive to Bonnie Vale from the Princes Highway turnoff at Farnell, or from the Waterfall entry.
There is no need to pay at the toll booth. Show the Visitor Services Officer your Booking Confirmation and advise that student park use fees will be charged by National Parks following the excursion.
There is space to pull buses over to safely disembark students. There is a turning circle further down the road just before the campground gates.
Ferry
Organise to catch a train to Cronulla Station, then walk to the Cronulla Ferries wharf and catch the ferry to Bundeena Wharf. Ferries depart from Cronulla on the half hour and depart from Bundeena on the hour, with a break for lunch between 12:30 and 1:30 pm. The trip is 20-30 minutes depending on conditions. The walk from Bundeena Wharf to Bonnie Vale picnic area is approximately 1.3 km along suburban streets. Allow approximately 20-30 minutes for this walk.
Check the Cronulla Ferries timetable on their website or use Transport Info NSW to get a complete route from your school to Bundeena (including Cronulla Ferries).
Background information
Degree of difficulty
Easy
Contact system
- Mobile phone reception is strong
Location details
Bonnie Vale is located on the southern shore of Port Hacking (Deeban), between Bundeena and Maianbar. The area has a variety of environments, including Hordens Beach, wetland, mudflats, sand flat, mangroves, picnic area, camping ground, bushland and remnant Sutherland Shire littoral rainforest.
The day usually starts at the Bonnie Vale picnic area. The walk to the mangroves is approximately 1 km through the campground and along a level walking track.
Students are in close proximity to water and mud throughout the day. Sturdy footwear is recommended. As the site is generally exposed, please encourage students to carry wind/rain proof jackets. As there is a lot of glare from the sand and water, please encourage sun safety practices. Students may prefer to wear old shoes or water booties for dipnetting. A handtowel and change of shoes is recommended.
The greatest potential risks to students include tree fall, snake bite, goanna scratches and cuts from oysters. Large goannas, or lace monitors, frequent the area in warmer months. It is important not to crowd or surround goannas, and allow them access to trees, due to their sharp claws. It is important that students keep to tracks. Vigilance is required from all participants.
The group is very likely to encounter members of the public. Supervising teachers need to be aware of where students are at all times. Child protection measures and supervision will be required when students access public toilets.
Once your booking is confirmed, we will email you a draft risk assessment and management plan to use in the preparation of your own plan. This plan details risks on excursion and controls to minimise them on the day.
Facilities
There are toilet facilities at the Bonnie Vale picnic area. Students should not access public toilets alone. Younger students should be supervised by a teacher; older students should take a buddy with them.
Please note once the group walks to the mangroves the nearest toilets are 1 km away. The group may be away from toilets for 2-4 hours.
Students can refill water bottles at taps around the Bonnie Vale picnic area and campground.