When you visit Wattamolla Beach for the first time you’ll be surprised at just how popular it is (especially at a weekend). We always thought it was a place that flew under the radar, but nowadays the word is out!
The popularity is justified as it’s absolutely gorgeous, with great views to the headland in one direction and a waterfall and lagoon in the other. It’s the perfect place to while away the day. However, if you are after more than just a chilled afternoon, it’s also got you covered.
We’ll share all of our favourite things about the Wattamolla Beach area and how to maximise your time in this truly beautiful spot.
Wattamolla Beach and surrounds
Wattamolla is located in the heart of Royal National Park. Most people come here for a picnic or the beach, but there is so much more to it than that.
There’s a fabulous natural swimming spot, an amazing lookout which is perfect for whale watching, and several of our favourite walking tracks in the whole park.
We’ll start with the must-dos and then tell you about the gems that the majority of people miss out on.
Tips for visiting Wattamolla
Avoid the weekends or come early! This is by far the most popular time for anyone visiting Wattamolla but if you come early you’ll miss the majority of the crowds.
You will need to bring your own drinking water. We didn’t see any taps with drinking water here.
If you are visiting in the summer, be prepared for the heat and the exposure. There is some shade in Wattamolla, but not much - especially if it is busy!
The facilities here have recently been upgraded, making it much better than it used to be! However, there aren’t many BBQs so you’ll want to nab one early on a weekend.
Wattamolla falls into the Royal National Park fee area, so you will have to pay the vehicle entry. There isn’t a lock gate, so you are ok to leave after dark.
Things to do at Wattamolla
Wattamolla Beach
Wattamolla Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the park and because it’s so big, even though it’s really popular on the weekends, it never feels overly crowded.
It also benefits from being right beside the lagoon, which means if you prefer swimming or going for a float in calm water it’s going to be perfect for you. On a sunny day the water looks positively tropical!
You can also see Wattamolla Falls from the beach which is quite unique, well we haven’t seen a waterfall from a beach before anyway!
Access to the beach has changed in recent years, you now take a little bush path from Wattamolla car park and follow it for 300m before descending a couple of staircases onto the beach itself.
Wattamolla Falls
Wattamolla Falls is a real beauty, and we’re ashamed to say it actually took us many visits before we actually went to check it out, despite the fact it’s just moments from the car park.
We’re usually heading straight off on a hike but after some recent rain we decided we’d better finally go and take a look. It didn’t disappoint! It’s definitely one of the most beautiful falls in Royal National Park.
You can see it from the beach but our favourite viewpoint is actually between the bushes just a few steps in front of the car park, and to the left of the picnic table.
It’s a pretty famous cliff jumping spot although you’re technically not allowed to.
There are a couple of different levels you can jump from but we’ve not done it ourselves and don’t know anything about the depth of the water, which may vary at different times of day/year, so please check it’s safe first if you’re going to attempt it.
Wattamolla Dam
Wattamolla Dam is a fantastic Sydney swimming hole. If you prefer rock pools to the ocean then it’s going to be the spot for you.
It’s not overly big but there’s definitely enough room to get a few strokes in and the setting is gorgeous. It’s almost like an infinity pool with a expansive forest view from inside the pool, and a waterfall when you look down over the top.
It’s only 800m each way from Wattamolla on an almost entirely flat path, so it’s perfect for families or those who aren’t too keen on making a longer hike.
Wattamolla picnic spots
Wattamolla is a really popular picnic spot, with dozens of families heading here each weekend to soak up the great atmosphere.
It’s busy, but there’s always a great vibe and though we’re usually just passing by on the way to a walk, we’ve been stopped and offered food on more than one occasion which is so kind, and so Australian!
There are several BBQ facilities and they’re often in use, you can smell the amazing food as soon as you hit the car park!
Our personal fave picnic spot is the bench looking over the beach and very close to the Wattamolla Falls viewpoint we mentioned.
There are other benches too, set back from the beach, but not a whole lot of them so we’d definitely recommend bringing a picnic blanket if you plan on visiting on a weekend.
Providential Point - for views & whale watching
Providential Point is one of our favourite lookouts in the whole park, with spectacular ocean and headland views.
It’s just an 800m walk from Wattamolla, most of which is flat until the first railed lookout which has a good view, but you want to head up the staircase to your right for the best views of all.
It’s definitely worth that little bit of extra effort. You can see all the way down the coast and it is truly magnificent.
There’s plenty of space to sit and enjoy the views along the cliff tops, just don’t get too close to the edge!
If you’re here between May and October it’s a prime whale watching spot and it’s pretty easy to see them as the view is high and you can see for miles.
Stargazing!
We’ve never heard anyone mention the night skies in Wattamolla before but star gazing here is actually one of our favourite things to do. If you pick a clear night you will be treated to some of the most glorious starry skies you’ll find anywhere in Australia.
We’ve seen the whole Milky Way and even meteorites from here. Best of all, as it’s not well known as a star gazing spot, you’ll probably have the whole spectacle to yourself.
Most people will head back around sunset, not realising that they are missing our on a truly incredible show!
Walks from Wattamolla
Wattamolla is the start point for some excellent walks along the stunning Coast Track. We outlined a few of our favourites below which make great half day hikes.
Wattamolla to Eagle Rock
We’ll start with our all time favourite Wattamolla walk, which takes you to the iconic rock formation which you’ll see on the Royal National Park signposts.
It’s not just our favourite walk from Wattamolla but our favourite day walk in the whole park.
This 8.8km return track has the kind of views which make you linger in so many different spots that it ends up taking longer than it should!
You’ll have glorious ocean and headland views for the majority of the walk, and as it is now almost entirely on metal boardwalk, it’s very easy going.
The walk alone would be well worth it, but when you get to your destination, as well as Eagle Rock, you’ll find Sydney’s most beautiful waterfall.
It drops straight into the ocean and if you’re lucky enough to visit after rain it is even more dramatic. Eagle Rock is a cool spot which makes for some great photo opportunities.
You can read the full track details in this post.
Wattamolla to Little Marley
This 7km walk has one of our favourite sections of track along the whole 27km Coast Track and it’s easily one of the best walks in Sydney.
It’s a jaw dropping curved boardwalk surrounded by bushland with the ocean directly in front, we always stop in awe when we see it.
The walk is easy going, again it’s mainly on boardwalk, and after passing Wattamolla Dam, you head through the heath and then out on to the cliff tops with stunning panoramic ocean views.
Little Marley is another glorious beach, which is far less busy than Wattamolla Beach, but is not so good for swimming due to strong currents. We love just sitting and watching the waves roll in from here.
You can read our full Little Marley trail guide here.
Or Big Marley
This walk continues on from the Little Marley walk mentioned above. It’s only another 1km further on (each way) on a flat stretch of boardwalk, with yet more glorious views.
Don’t forget to look behind you as you exit Little Marley for a really picturesque shot of the beach.
Big Marley has even wilder waves than Little Marley and is backed by some pretty large sand dunes. It’s a truly magnificent beach and one that you shouldn’t miss when in Royal National Park.
Wattamolla to Wedding Cake Rock
All walks from Wattamolla are along the Coast Track, so to reach Wedding Cake Rock you follow the same trail as above, beyond Big Marley Beach.
You’ll head up a staircase from the beach and find yourself at Marley Head which has fantastic views back over the beach and of the wild ocean beyond.
You’ll then follow a dirt track and boardwalk along a relatively flat path all the way to the infamous Wedding Cake Rock.
Due to its fragile crumbling nature you can no longer stand on the rock itself but it’s still a worthwhile sight.
As nobody knows when it will make its final journey into the ocean, it’s best to see it sooner rather than later! It’s roughly 11km return from Wattamolla.
Whilst we approached Wedding Cake Rock from Bundeena, this post will still give you a lot of details on Wedding Cake Rock.
Essential information about Wattamolla
Facilities
The facilities are fab at Wattamolla and due to the areas increased popularity in recent years they have been significantly upgraded.
There’s some pretty flashy toilets (by national parks standards), BBQs, picnic benches and an area to change - inside the toilet block.
Parking
Parking capacity has also been seriously upgraded with five levels now available! If you come midweek it seems laughably OTT, but if you come on a sunny weekend in the middle of the day, you might not even get in!
Public transport
The only way to get to Wattamolla by public transport is to use the park shuttle bus. This runs from Sutherland Train Station (a 40 minute train ride on the Illawarra Line - the blue one from Central Station) and the shuttle bus will drop you off at Wattamolla Beach.
Make sure you check their website for the times as this changes seasonally. The shuttle bus costs $9 one way, $15 return and isn’t a part of the Opal Card system (meaning you’ll have to pay on top of the train fare).
Park entry fee
If you arrive by car you will need to pay the $12 park entry fee which lasts for one day. If you plan on visiting several times, or several parks in NSW in one year, you are better off buying the $65 annual pass which covers all parks but Kosciusko.
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Are you planning a trip to Wattamolla? What is your favourite place in Royal National Park? Let us know in the comments below!
