The Boatshed At Woronora

How to Get Here

By Public Transport:

Catch a train to Sutherland station, which is on the Illawarra line. Train times are here.

As you leave the station, turn to your left, cross the road and take the steps down to the bus interchange. A number 965 will take you to Woronora and the Boatshed. Bus times are here.

It is also possible to walk from the train station to the Boatshed via a pedestrian footpath and some steep steps or, more directly, via  a bush track. See the section on bushwalks in the area for more details (when published).

By Car:

from the north and northwest…

The main road over the Woronora is via a sweeping, high level concrete bridge and starts it’s journey (on the northern side of the river) at the junction with the Illawarra Road at Menai, although there is an access point for local Bangor traffic part way along.

Almost immediately after crossing the river, there is a slip road to the left before the road climbs the hill to Sutherland. The first left hand bend is deceptively tight after the long downhill right hand curve of the bridge, so take it easy., especially as it is followed by an even tighter left hand bend to go back under the main road. About 50 metres or so further and Prince Edward Park Road is on the left. If you find yourself taking two more sharp turns (right and left) and then crossing another bridge, then you have missed it.

Assuming you didn’t, continue along Prince Edward Park Road until you pass the RSL club on your left and cross over Forbes Creek. From here you will see the distinctive blue Boatshed on your right. Taking the next turn to the right and immediately the first driveway on the right should have you pointing pretty much down the parking area.

from the northeast …

Approaching via the Prince’s Highway through Kirrawee, drivers should take the Sutherland exit (stay in right hand lanes, stopping at traffic lights if necessary) just before the highway swings sharply left and heads down to Engadine past the Royal National Park. However, rather than going into Sutherland itself via the next left hand slip road, stay on the dual carriageway over the railway and follow it round to the right at the next lights heading towards Bankstown.

You will have to cross the Woronora on the high level bridge but at the end of the bridge there is a slip road to the left (followed by a sharp left hand bend) and the road then winds its way down to the old low level bridge where you can cross back again to get to the southern side. As you start to wind up the hill, Prince Edward Park Road is the first junction on the right, right on a hair-pin bend. Fortunately there is a small turning lane to make things a little easier.

Continue along Prince Edward Park Road until you pass the RSL club on your left and cross over Forbes Creek. From here you will see the distinctive blue Boatshed on your right. Taking the next turn to the right and immediately the first driveway on the right should have you pointing pretty much down the parking area.

from the southwest …

Coming up the M5, you can choose to pay the $3.80 toll at Stacey St and turn south towards Menai, then follow the northwest instructions, or leave the M5 at Holsworthy and follow the Holsworthy road towards Engadine but turning left towards Menai when signposted. After passing Lucas Heights and Barden Ridge, turn right onto the Bangor Bypass and follow instructions for the northwest approach.

For an even longer and more scenic approach, ignore the Menai turnoff and continue to Engadine, passing over the Woronora River Bridge which is described by the RTA as having “historic, aesthetic and technical significance, and is an outstanding representative example of its class in NSW. …. The bridge has a high level of representative significance due to its size, as the only reinforced concrete beam bridge currently controlled by the Roads and Traffic Authority and constructed in the period 1925-1948 to exceed eighty metres in length.”

Turn left at the traffic lights at Heathcote and follow the highway north past Engadine. Ignore the side road to Sutherland just after the entrance to the Royal National Park (but for future reference this side road is where the Tram Museum is located) and stay on the highway until just before it turns sharp right into Kirrawee. At this point you will turn left towards Sutherland and follow the northeast instructions.

from the southeast …

Follow the highway north past Engadine. Ignore the side road to Sutherland just after the entrance to the Royal National Park (but for future reference this side road is where the Tram Museum is located) and stay on the highway until just before it turns sharp right into Kirawee. At this point you will turn left towards Sutherland and follow the northeast instructions.

Parking

There is space on site for a dozen cars or so, at no charge. Spaces are reserved for overnight guests and additional parking for cafe and boating customers is generally available on nearby streets. A larger car park is located directly opposite the Boatshed on the RSL side of Forbes Creek.

Please note that the Boatshed carpark has numerous hazards such as overhanging trees, tree stumps in the ground and potholes in the drive. No responsibility is taken by the Boatshed for any personal injury or vehicle damage if you choose to leave your car on the site.

Please call 02 9545 2584 for any clarifications.