Willow Tree to Calala Hike (10.5km)

Willow Tree to Calala Picnic Area is a relaxed out and back walk of 10.5 km in Royal National Park, graded as a level 3 and usually taking around four hours. It follows the historic Lady Carrington Drive alongside the Hacking River, making it a great option for those who enjoy a steady walk with plenty of interest rather than steep climbs or rough terrain.

The walk begins at Willow Tree Picnic Area, a pleasant riverside spot just south of Audley. Set between the old road and the Hacking River, it is well equipped with shelters, picnic tables, barbecues, tap water, toilets, bins and an open grassy area. It is an easy place to arrive early, get organised, and enjoy the calm river setting before setting off.

From the picnic area, the route follows Lady Carrington Drive around a locked gate, keeping the river on your right. The wide management trail climbs gently for a short distance before reaching the cobblestone section beneath the sandstone overhang known as Gibraltar Rock. This is one of the highlights of the walk, where the old road passes directly under the rock and offers views across the Hacking River towards Wattle Forest. A picnic table sits beneath the overhang, making it a popular place to pause and take in the surroundings.

Beyond Gibraltar Rock, the track continues as a dirt road, still following the river closely. After crossing Mullion Brook via an old sandstone culvert, the walk passes through palm groves and gently undulating sections of trail. This stretch is particularly pleasant, with the river often visible through the trees and the sense of walking through a living piece of history. Just under two kilometres from Gibraltar Rock, the trail reaches the Jersey Spring troughs.

Jersey Spring has supplied water since the late 1800s, feeding two sandstone troughs that once served horses and travellers using the road. Although the water is no longer suitable for drinking, the spring still flows, and the troughs remain a tangible reminder of how this route was used in the past. A short distance further on, the track passes a quiet grassy clearing beside the river. While not formally named, this area has a picnic table and makes a peaceful place to rest and enjoy the bush setting.

Continuing south, the wide trail passes rock retaining walls and more palm groves, then crosses several small creeks via culverts. Each crossing adds to the sense of rhythm along the old road, with the steady sound of water never far away. After passing Kobardo Brook and several more named creeks, the walk reaches the signposted Calala clearing.

Calala is a large, shaded clearing set beside the Hacking River, with a picnic table and plenty of space to relax. An informal, steep track leads down to a small sandy beach on the riverbank, which can be especially inviting on warmer days. This is the turnaround point for the walk.

From Calala, simply retrace your steps back along Lady Carrington Drive to Willow Tree Picnic Area. Walking the same route in reverse offers a slightly different perspective, with changing light and views along the river, and brings the walk to a gentle and satisfying close.