Heathcote fish and chips has to be one of the best institutions of southern Sydney for a cheap, quality seafood feed. Rather fortunately there is no shortage of trails to and from Heathcote into the surrounding the Royal national park that will finish conveniently at the station, next to which is the fish and chips shop. For the more fit and adventurous out there, many of these trails can be started from waterfall station, also conveniently located in the middle of the Royal National Park. Lady Carrington drive is one such trail, which starts from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and runs up almost the whole length of the park until Audley. While it starts from a carpark it is also accessible from Waterfall train station via the Couranga track and joined with the Engadine track from Audley, finishes right on the doorstep of Heathcote. Altogether in it leads for a rather challenging, though relatively quick day out – running or hiking.
Couranga Track
The start of the Couranga track is located just a kilometre or so into the Uloola Falls Firetrail. From the station, this firetrail is located just past the public school. The Couranga track showcases the typical Australian bush, of rather dry Australian scrub, and is relatively easy to jog for the first kilometre and half. A descent down into the valley forces you to slow down as the track becomes almost wholly pieces of rock, with a high risk of twisting your ankle if not. However it soon opens into a wide, sparse forest, with low bushes that feels unlike the national parks surrounding Sydney with one small creek crossing before reaching the car park.
Lady Carrington Drive
A large firetrail and thus relatively easy track, the Lady Carrington Drive winds its way following the Hacking river, very popular with cyclists, and hence an easy running track. The scenery changes often from the typical dense dry heat shrub of the Australian bush to sparse tall trees, some of them looking rather similar to palm trees found in more tropical areas. Although there is a rather steep drop off on the side toward the river, it looks possible to make your way down to the riverside, where the water looks quite clean to swim in. However this is done at your own risk, and always be sure to check the current, no matter how deceptively slow it may seem.
Lady Carrington Drive winds its way through the national park for about 10 kilometres and soon will leave you out in Audley. With the NPWS office located here, Audley is the perfect spot to take a break, use the bathrooms, fill up your bottles and even take a pit stop at the café.
Audley
From here, take the steep trail out of Audley, near the back of the Currawong picnic area, taking the next two right hand turns following the trail for about 2 kilometres until it bring you down a set of stairs, to the intersection between Engadine and Kangaroo Creeks. Making your way to the left, through the shrub for around 600 metres brings you to a spectacular waterhole that has to be one of the best places to be in the summer.
From here there are some rocks that you can use to easily cross the creek to continue along the trail. However, this may change should you come after a period of heavy rainfall. The trail from the creek is a steep, rocky ascent for roughly two kilometres before pulling into a maze of fire trails. It is important to note that most phone signals should work at this point and it probably would be worth checking it, to be doubly sure as there appears to be numerous side trails, but taking take the next left at the first major intersection of trails you see. After roughly a kilometre, you reach the residential Heathcote, and after another kilometre, the station and of course the fish and chips shop.