Imagine a place where you can swim in a crystal-clear lagoon, jump off a waterfall, surf on the ocean waves, and picnic under the shade of eucalyptus trees, all in one day. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, not if you visit Wattamolla Beach, a hidden paradise in Royal National Park, just an hour south of Sydney.
Wattamolla Beach is one of the most popular and beautiful spots in Royal National Park, a vast and diverse natural reserve that covers over 15,000 hectares of land and coastline. Wattamolla Beach is named after the Aboriginal word for "place near running water", and it lives up to its name with its stunning combination of ocean, lagoon, waterfall, and dam.
In this guide, we will show you everything you need to know about Wattamolla Beach, including how to get there, what to do, where to walk, and what to bring. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day out, an adventurous escape, or a family-friendly destination, Wattamolla Beach has something for everyone.
How to Get to Wattamolla Beach
There are several ways to access Wattamolla Beach, depending on your preference and budget. Here are the main options:
- By car: Driving is the easiest and most convenient way to get to Wattamolla Beach, as you can enjoy the scenic route along the Grand Pacific Drive and stop at other attractions along the way, such as Bald Hill lookout, Sea Cliff Bridge, and Garie Beach. You can use Google Maps or a GPS to navigate to Wattamolla Beach, which is located at the end of Wattamolla Road, off Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. There is a large car park at Wattamolla Beach, but it can get very busy on weekends and public holidays, so it is advisable to arrive early or late to avoid the crowds. The parking fee is $12 per vehicle per day, and you can pay at the entry station or online. The operating hours of Royal National Park are from 7 am to 8:30 pm in summer and from 7 am to 6 pm in winter.
- By public transport: If you don't have a car or prefer to use public transport, you can take a train and a bus to get to Wattamolla Beach. The nearest train station to Wattamolla Beach is Sutherland, which is about 40 minutes from Sydney Central Station. From Sutherland, you can take bus 853 to Audley, the main visitor centre of Royal National Park, which takes about 20 minutes. From Audley, you can take bus 854 to Wattamolla Beach, which takes about 30 minutes. The bus service is operated by Transdev NSW, and you can use an Opal card or a contactless payment method to pay for the fare. The bus service runs on weekdays, weekends, and public holidays, but it is limited and infrequent, so it is advisable to check the timetable and plan ahead. You can also book a seat online to ensure your spot.
- By bike: If you are feeling adventurous and fit, you can also cycle to Wattamolla Beach from Sutherland or Audley. There are bike racks at both locations, where you can lock your bike and hop on the bus, or you can ride all the way to Wattamolla Beach, which is about 20 km from Sutherland and 10 km from Audley. The route is mostly on paved roads, but there are some sections of gravel and dirt, so it is recommended to use a mountain bike or a hybrid bike. The route is also hilly and challenging, so it is not suitable for beginners or children. You can enjoy the views and the wildlife along the way, but be careful of the traffic and the weather. You will also need to pay the park entry fee of $12 per vehicle per day, which you can do at the entry station or online.
What to Do at Wattamolla Beach
Wattamolla Beach is a place where you can do as much or as little as you want, depending on your mood and energy level. Here are some of the main features and attractions of Wattamolla Beach, and the activities and experiences that you can enjoy there:
- Wattamolla Beach: The beach is the main attraction of Wattamolla, and it is a long and sandy stretch of coastline that faces the Pacific Ocean. The beach is ideal for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and relaxing, as it has clear and calm waters, gentle waves, and soft sand. The beach is also patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months, from December to February, making it safe and family-friendly. However, you should always swim between the flags, and be aware of the rips and currents that can occur at any time. The beach is also popular for fishing, as it has a variety of fish species, such as bream, whiting, flathead, and tailor. You will need a fishing licence to fish at Wattamolla Beach, which you can obtain online or at a local tackle shop. You should also follow the fishing regulations and respect the marine life and the environment.
- Wattamolla Lagoon: The lagoon is another attraction of Wattamolla, and it is a large and shallow body of water that is separated from the ocean by a sandbar. The lagoon is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and paddle boarding, as it has warm and clear waters, no waves, and abundant marine life. You can see fish, crabs, starfish, and even turtles and stingrays in the lagoon, so don't forget to bring your snorkel gear and your waterproof camera. The lagoon is also great for children and beginners, as it is safe and easy to access. You can enter the lagoon from the beach, or from the picnic area, where there are steps and a ramp. The lagoon is also surrounded by grassy banks and shady trees, where you can relax and enjoy the views.
- Wattamolla Waterfall: The waterfall is one of the most iconic and exciting features of Wattamolla, and it is a small but spectacular cascade that falls from the Curracurrong Creek into the lagoon. The waterfall is a popular spot for cliff jumping, as you can jump from the top of the waterfall, or from the rocks on the side, into the deep and refreshing pool below. The waterfall is also a beautiful sight to behold, especially after heavy rain, when it becomes more powerful and impressive. However, cliff jumping is not for the faint-hearted, and it can be very dangerous and risky, so you should only do it if you are confident and experienced, and at your own risk. You should also check the water depth and the weather conditions before jumping, and avoid jumping when the waterfall is crowded or when the lifeguards are not present. You should also follow the signs and the instructions of the park staff, and respect the other visitors and the nature.
- Wattamolla Dam: The dam is a lesser-known but equally amazing feature of Wattamolla, and it is a concrete structure that was built in the 1930s to supply water to the nearby naval base. The dam is located about 600 metres upstream from the waterfall, and you can access it by following a dirt track that starts from the car park. The dam is a hidden gem, as it is a quiet and peaceful place, where you can enjoy the views of the creek and the forest, and listen to the sounds of the water and the birds. The dam is also a fun place to explore, as you can walk across the dam wall, or climb down the ladder to the spillway, where you can see the water gushing out of the pipes. The dam is also a historical and cultural site, as it is a reminder of the past and the present of Wattamolla and Royal National Park.
- Wattamolla Picnic Area: The picnic area is a convenient and comfortable feature of Wattamolla, and it is a large and grassy area that is adjacent to the lagoon and the car park. The picnic area has several facilities and amenities, such as tables, benches, BBQs, toilets, showers, drinking water, and rubbish bins, making it ideal for a picnic or a BBQ with your friends and family. The picnic area also has a kiosk, where you can buy snacks, drinks, ice creams, and souvenirs, or rent kayaks and paddle boards. The picnic area is also shaded by tall and majestic eucalyptus trees, where you can spot koalas, kookaburras, cockatoos, and other native animals. The picnic area is very popular and busy, especially on weekends and public holidays, so it is advisable to arrive early or late to secure a spot, or book a table online to guarantee your reservation.
Where to Walk from Wattamolla Beach
Wattamolla Beach is not only a great destination in itself, but also a great starting point for some of the best walks and trails in Royal National Park. Here are some of the walks and trails that you can do from Wattamolla Beach, ranging from easy to hard, and from short to long:
- Wattamolla to Little Marley Beach: This is an easy and short walk, that takes you from Wattamolla Beach to Little Marley Beach, a secluded and pristine beach that is often deserted and untouched. The walk is about 3 km return, and takes about an hour to complete. The walk follows the Coast Track, a famous and scenic trail that runs along the coastline of Royal National Park, from Bundeena to Otford. The walk offers stunning views of the ocean, the cliffs, and the bushland, and you may also spot some whales, dolphins, and seabirds along the way. The walk is mostly flat and well-marked, but there are some steps and rocks to navigate, so it is advisable to wear sturdy shoes and bring water and sunscreen. Little Marley Beach is a beautiful and peaceful spot, where you can swim, surf, fish, or relax, but be aware that there are no facilities or lifeguards there, so you should be careful and respectful of the environment.
- Wattamolla to Curracurrang: This is a moderate and medium walk, that takes you from Wattamolla Beach to Curracurrang, a small and secluded cove that is home to a rare and ancient Aboriginal rock engraving. The walk is about 6 km return, and takes about two hours to complete. The walk follows the Coast Track, and passes by some of the most spectacular and diverse features of Royal National Park, such as the Wattamolla Dam, the Providential Point lookout, the Eagle Rock, and the Curracurrong Falls. The walk offers amazing views of the ocean, the cliffs, the waterfalls, and the forest, and you may also encounter some wildlife, such as wallabies, echidnas, goannas, and lyrebirds along the way. The walk is mostly downhill and well-marked, but there are some steep and rocky sections, so it is recommended to wear appropriate shoes and bring water and snacks. Curracurrang is a hidden gem, where you can see a large and impressive whale engraving on a rock platform, as well as some smaller fish and kangaroo engravings nearby. The engraving is a sacred and cultural site, and it is estimated to be over 2,000 years old, making it one of the oldest and best-preserved examples of Aboriginal art in Australia. You should be respectful and careful when visiting Curracurrang, and avoid touching or stepping on the engravings, as they are fragile and irreplaceable.
- Wattamolla to Eagle Rock: This is a hard and long walk, that takes you from Wattamolla Beach to Eagle Rock, a dramatic and iconic rock formation that resembles an eagle's head. The walk is about 10 km return, and takes about four hours to complete. The walk follows the Coast Track, and crosses some of the most challenging and rewarding terrain of Royal National Park, such as the Marley Head, the Marley Beach, the Deer Pool, and the Curracurrong Creek. The walk offers breathtaking views of the ocean, the cliffs, the beaches, and the wetlands, and you may also witness some natural phenomena, such as the Figure Eight Pools, the Wedding Cake Rock, and the Palm Jungle. The walk is mostly uphill and unmarked, and there are some slippery and narrow sections, so it is advisable to wear suitable shoes and bring water, food, and a map. Eagle Rock is a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight, where you can see a huge and jagged rock that juts out of the sea, and resembles an eagle's head from certain angles. The rock is a popular and photogenic spot, where you can take some amazing pictures, but be careful and stay behind the fence, as the rock is unstable and dangerous.
Conclusion
Wattamolla Beach is a hidden paradise in Royal National Park, where you can enjoy a variety of activities and experiences, from swimming and surfing, to jumping and walking, to picnicking and relaxing. Wattamolla Beach is a place where you can appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature, and discover the history and culture of the Aboriginal people. Wattamolla Beach is a place where you can have fun and adventure, or peace and tranquility, or both.
If you are looking for a perfect day trip from Sydney, or a memorable weekend getaway, Wattamolla Beach is the place for you. Wattamolla Beach is one of the best spots in Royal National Park, and one of the best beaches in Australia. Don't miss the chance to visit this hidden gem, and explore the wonders of Wattamolla Beach.
