The Jibbon Beach Loop Track in Bundeena

The Jibbon Beach Loop Track is an easy walking trail in Bundeena, looping past Jibbon Head, Port Hacking Point, and Shelley Beach.

Expect coastal views, well-preserved Aboriginal engravings, and the chance for a swim in a quiet corner of Royal National Park.

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. However, if you want to be as close as possible, try to park along Neil Street or Loftus Street.

Parking in Bundeena means you don’t need to pay 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.

The Jibbon Beach Loop Track 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 for quite a bit.

Aside from that, it’s a straightforward hike with a well-defined path from start to finish. The walk officially begins at the western end of Jibbon Beach.

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 track then follows the shoreline southward, leading to Shelley Beach. This is an excellent spot to take a break and soak in the scenic ocean views.

Just behind Shelley Beach, the trail intersects with the Jibbon Track.

At that junction, keep walking straight ahead, through the gate, ignoring the Jibbon Track. This section of the walk is fenced to keep deer out, helping to protect the area’s more vulnerable wildlife.

From that gate near Shelley Beach, it’s a short stroll through the bush back to Jibbon Beach, from where you can return to the starting point.

The Jibbon Track we mentioned heads south past Jibbon Lagoon, leading to Beachcomber Avenue in the southeastern corner of Bundeena. This is also where you’ll find the start of the walking trail to Wedding Cake Rock, one of the best in Royal National Park.

Keen to find more beaches nearby? Read our guide on beaches in Royal National Park for a complete list.