The Jibbon Beach Loop Track is an easy walking trail that begins at the Bundeena ferry wharf, winding its way to Jibbon Head, Port Hacking Point, and Shelley Beach.
Along the way, you can enjoy stunning ocean views, explore well-preserved Aboriginal engravings, and maybe even go for a swim in this quiet section of the Royal National Park.
| Jibbon Beach Loop Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 5km (part circuit) |
| Duration: | 2 hours |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
In Royal National Park, follow Bundeena Drive all the way to Bundeena, where limited street parking is available.
Parking anywhere in the town centre is close enough to the start of the walk, located at the western end of Jibbon Beach (see map location).
If you park in Bundeena, you can avoid the $12 entry fee required for parking within the National Park, as the town sits outside the park’s boundaries.
Alternatively, you can catch a train to Cronulla and then take a ferry to Bundeena. Be sure to check the ferry timetable for details and prices, as this is a private service and does not accept Opal cards.
Track Notes
The Jibbon Beach Loop is a relatively easy walk, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The most challenging section is along the main beach, where you’ll need to walk on sand.
Aside from that, it’s a straightforward hike with a well-defined path from start to finish.
Map
The walk officially begins at the western end of Jibbon Beach, and the easiest way to reach it is by following Loftus Street from the Bundeena ferry wharf.
Here is a map of the walk:
Jibbon Beach
Jibbon Beach is a stunning 700-metre, north-facing strip of sand located east of Bundeena village, facing the waters of Port Hacking.
The name “Jibbon” comes from the Aboriginal (Tharawal or Dharawal) word “djeebahn”, which roughly translates to “sandbar at low tide”.
The Tharawal people were the original custodians of southern and south-western Sydney, with their territory stretching from Botany Bay and Port Hacking to the Shoalhaven River near Nowra, and extending west to Campbelltown and Camden.
While Jibbon Beach is suitable for swimming, it’s important to note that there are no surf life-saving services, and the area can get quite windy at times.
The water becomes deep just a few metres from shore, making it a popular spot for boats to anchor on warm, sunny days. However, surfing is virtually impossible at Jibbon Beach.
Aboriginal Engravings
Follow the shoreline of the beach until you reach Jibbon Head, where a side trail leads to an Aboriginal engravings site.
A boardwalk with a viewing platform has been installed above the engravings, providing visitors with an excellent vantage point to appreciate the entire site and its drawings.
Dating back 2,000 years, the Jibbon engravings are a remarkable testament to the Tharawal people’s respect for the land and the animals they lived alongside.
Little Jibbon Beach
At the end of the boardwalk, you’ll catch your first glimpses of the picturesque Little Jibbon Beach below.
You’re welcome to head down for a look around or even enjoy a swim, but keep in mind that this is an unofficial nude beach.
If that’s not really your thing, you might prefer to swim at Jibbon Beach or Shelley Beach instead.
Shelley Beach
From Little Jibbon Beach and the boardwalk, continue along the main track to Port Hacking Point, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Cronulla and the city to the north, as well as the vast ocean stretching out in front of you.
The Jibbon Loop Track then follows the shoreline southward, leading to Shelley Beach. This is an excellent spot to take a break, enjoy lunch, and soak in the scenic ocean views.
From Shelley Beach, the trail intersects with the Jibbon Track (see below) and loops back to Jibbon Beach via a short bush path. This section of the track is fenced to keep deer out, helping to protect the area’s more vulnerable wildlife.
Access to this fenced path is through two gates: one near Shelley Beach and the other near Jibbon Beach.
Jibbon Track
At Shelley Beach, the Jibbon Beach Loop Track intersects with the Jibbon Track, and these two walking trails are often confused.
The Jibbon Track passes by Jibbon Lagoon and leads to Beachcomber Avenue in the southern part of Bundeena.
This is also where you’ll find the start of the Royal National Park Coast Track and the walking trail to Wedding Cake Rock.
Read our guide on beaches in the Royal National Park with a complete list of beautiful stretches of sand in this part of New South Wales.
Do we need to worry about the tides? How high does the water get, can we always walk on the shore? Thanks.
Hi Agha, no need to worry about the tides for this particular walk.