Lady Carrington Drive

Lady Carrington Drive is a hiking and cycling trail in Royal National Park that winds for about 10 kilometers through dense woodland along the Hacking River. The route crosses multiple creeks and runs from Audley Weir to Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, offering different sections with varying conditions.

The path was built between 1880 and 1883 and opened in 1886 as the park's first scenic route, named after Governor Charles Carrington. This early infrastructure made the park's natural beauty accessible to visitors from the beginning.

The water crossings carry their original Aboriginal names, showing how Indigenous people named this landscape long before the trail was built. Walking past these places connects you to the layers of meaning the land holds for local communities.

The trail is relatively easy and accessible to people of all fitness levels, with rest areas and facilities spaced along the route for breaks. Visitors should be prepared for changing ground conditions and bring water and proper footwear depending on the season.

Jersey Spring, a historic water source along the route, features old sandstone troughs from the 1890s that once provided refreshment to early travelers. These stone structures survive as reminders of when the path was an important destination for visitors.