NSW National Parks, in partnership with Google, recently recorded more than 1,100km of imagery using Google Trekker. The imagery covers more than 225 attractions within the state’s national parks, including highlights from the Coast Track in the Sutherland Shire’s Royal National Park.
What is Google trekker?
You may have spotted Google’s street view cars criss-crossing their way around local streets. Google’s Street View Trekker backpack goes where the Google Street View cars can’t: off-road.
The backpack weighs just over 20kg and is fitted with a camera rig of 15 cameras. Each camera is five megapixels and can capture a frame every two seconds.
NSW National Parks is the first Australian organisation to use these backpacks as part of Google’s Trekker Loan Program.
Take a virtual trek along the Royal National Park’s Coastal Walk
Visit Google Maps and type in “Royal National Park Coastal Track, Royal National Park, New South Wales.” Then slide the Pegman from the bottom right corner location to the area of the track you’d like to explore and unclick to drop the Pegman.
Take a virtual walk before planning a real walk or simply show off the panoramic views to your friends and family.
More reasons to visit the Royal National Park – in person
Once you’ve taken the spectacular virtual tour, there’s plenty more to discover in person.
The Royal National Park is the Sutherland Shire’s 16,000 hectare playground, featuring beautiful beaches and idyllic rainforest areas. It’s the perfect place to forget unplug from Google Maps and the rest of the digital world and spend some time bushwalking, cycling, surfing, camping, picnicking, birdwatching, whale watching (between June and August) or just breathing in the peaceful scenery.
Here are some more ideas to get you started:
- Tour with an Aboriginal Discovery ranger and to uncover a range of Aboriginal sites and artefacts
- Picnic at Wattamolla picnic area
- Visit the spectacular wedding cake rock
- Explore the Palm Jungle loop track
- Admire the Figure Eight Pools
- Cycle the Loftus loop trail
- Stay overnight at Uloola Falls campground
- Learn more about the area at the Royal National Park Visitor Centre
Whether you enjoy the Sutherland Shire’s Royal National Park in person or via your web browser, you’re sure to be impressed by the world’s second-oldest national park.