Wattamolla n Sydney’s Royal National Park is a stunning family friendly white sand beach, creek, lagoon and waterfall! The shallow water of the creek and lagoon is suitable for children of all ages and perfect for a few hours or a full day picnic and adventure, with multiple swimming spots, shady picnic areas and bushland to explore.
Make sure to arrive early as this is one of the most popular spots in the Royal National Park.
If you feel like a walk, you can tackle a section the Coast Track and walk to Eagle Rock and back within 90 minutes, or try some of these hikes in the Sutherland Shire.
NOTE: Amenities are being upgraded and while the beach is still open, picnic areas and BBQs are unavailable until approx. October 2021.
Getting to Wattamolla Beach:
Wattamolla is in the Royal National Park, less than an hours drive south of Sydney. The Royal National National Park is open 7am to 8.30pm each day, but will close once capacity is reached, often very early on popular holidays and weekends.
It costs $12 to enter the park for the day. Buy tickets at the entrance gate or at the machines at major parking stations. You can buy online before you go – get a day pass or an annual pass at the NSW National Park website.
It’s easy to find Wattamolla, just follow Sir Bertram Drive past Audley and the Bundeena turnoff. Wattamolla Road is the next turn off on the right. It’s sign-posted and you can put it into Google Maps too – but you might lose service so make sure you activate the maps before you go or take a screen shot. Follow Wattamolla Road to the Wattamolla Beach Carpark.
Take the path at the end of the carpark and follow it down the steps to the beach.
You can also take the Park Connections Bus from Sutherland.
What to take for your day at Wattamolla Beach:
Take everything you need for a day at the beach:
- sunscreen, hats and long sleeved shirt.
- water – lots as there is no drinkable water here.
- picnic food and snacks
- sunshade
- blankets, towels and chairs
- lilos, floats, kayaks
- fishing rods
- snorkel
History:
Wattamolla means ‘place new running water’ in the language of the Dharawal people who used to spend time here. Colonial explorers Bass and Flinders sheltered here on their exploration down the coast, and named it Presidential Cove.
There is evidence of Aboriginal life here – dating back 7,500 years – in rock carvings and middens along the coast and beaches here. Find out more information about sites in the area.
Picnic and park facilities:
There are new toilets near the carpark with western toilets and a squatter.
Picnic spots, tables, seats and BBQs are in the bushland and grassy areas near the carpark.
Please use the bins provided on the beach for your rubbish or if they are full then take it with you. We picked up quite a lot of rubbish left on the beach by day trippers, so please leave the are as clean – or cleaner – than you found it.
Wattamolla Beach, creek, lagoon and waterfall:
The beach is not patrolled so do be careful. It’s a lovely wide beach for a swim though, with a long break and views to the headlands. The creek between the lagoon and beach is lovely and shallow and perfect for paddling and sailing leaf and stock boats.
Bring your floats, lilos and snorkels for the lagoon and have a great time enjoying this special place.
The waterfall that flows into the lagoon is such an amazing site – to stand at the beach and watch the waterfall flowing into the lagoon is really something special. During summer people will jump from the rocks into the lagoon – but we are safety first so it’s a no from us.
Nearby hikes
Follow the track north from the carpark for the Wattamolla Dam.
Take the Coast Track south for a stunning 90 minute (8 kilometre) return trip to Eagle Rock and Curracurrang Falls. It’s easy to find – just go back to the to of the stairs and walk towards the carpark – you’ll see the sign for the Coast Track heading south. Follow it – it’s mostly boardwalk and is a stunning walk.
