The 7 km return walking trail to Little Marley Beach from Wattamolla is one of the best walking trails in Royal National Park.
The first section of this easy walk meanders through a patch of scenic bushland, and the second part is on top of the cliffs following the coastline.
In this article, we’ll share all the details and highlights of this enjoyable walking track, plus tips for things to do nearby.
| Wattamolla to Little Marley Beach | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7 km (return) |
| Duration: | 2 hours (depending on stops) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The starting point of this walking track is at one of the most popular weekend destinations in the Royal National Park: Wattamolla Beach.
To get there, turn into Wattamolla Road from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and continue to the end of that road. There are multiple car parking areas at Wattamolla, but on the weekends, it does get busy there.
Parking anywhere in the Royal National Park costs $12 per vehicle for the whole day. You can pay for your ticket at the booth on Wattamolla Road or one of the pay machines.
The starting point of the walk to Little Marley Beach can be found at the northern end of the picnic area, behind the Wattamolla waterfall.
Track Notes
The Wattamolla to Little Marley Beach walking trail is approximately 3.5 km one way. The track is well-signposted and is mostly on boardwalks, suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
In our track notes below, we are discussing the walk along the following highlights and landmarks:
- Wattamolla Dam
- Cliff Walk
- Little Marley Beach
Below is a map of the walk to Little Marley Beach with those highlights marked.
1. Wattamolla Dam
Once you’ve parked your car, look for the starting point of the walking trail behind the Wattamolla waterfall at the northern end of the picnic area.
At the signpost, cross over the creek (and try to keep your feet dry) and follow the walking trail heading into the bush.
After less than 1 km of walking through a patch of dense vegetation, the trail reaches Wattamolla Creek and Wattamolla Dam.
This is a beautiful spot with a large swimming pool formed right behind the dam, perfect for a quick swim on a warm summer’s day.
From the dam, the walking track continues mostly on a metal boardwalk heading towards the coastline.
The bush landscape along this stretch is quite pretty, with many colourful birds that are very active there.
2. Cliff Walk
Soon after the intersection with the Little Marley fire trail, you will see the first glimpses of the ocean.
Once you reach the coastal cliffs, the walking track continues as a mix of metal boardwalks and natural rock surfaces.
The views of the ocean and the coastline of Royal National Park, to the north and the south, are fantastic.
There is lots of space to move around and explore the coastal cliffs, and you’ll find that there is always something new to see.
As the trail continues, you will see the first glimpses of (Big) Marley Beach and Little Marley Beach in the distance.
3. Little Marley Beach
Before heading down to Little Marley Beach, it’s worth exploring the headland southeast of the beach area.
The views from that headland of Marley Beach to the north and the coastal cliffs to the south are pretty amazing.
Little Marley Beach itself is quite a small strip of sand, and there aren’t usually many people around at all.
It’s a beautiful beach to go for a quiet swim, but do keep in mind that the water can be quite rough there.
Once you’ve reached Little Marley Beach, you have the option to continue hiking to Big Marley Beach and beyond.
As this is part of the Coast Track, the walking trail extends all the way to Bundeena, so you can go as far as you feel like.
Between Little Marley Beach and Marley Beach, you will also find the junction with the Bundeena Drive to Marley Beach walk, which is another great walking trail.
