Located within Royal National Park, the Wattamolla Beach area offers a stunning lagoon, a picturesque waterfall, a spacious picnic ground, and various walking tracks.
This scenic spot has grown into one of Sydney’s favourite destinations for weekend and day trips, perfect for a relaxing family outing.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Wattamolla Beach and the best things to do there.
Getting There
In Royal National Park, access Wattamolla Beach by turning onto Wattamolla Road from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and following it to the end, where you’ll find a car park.
While there’s plenty of parking available, keep in mind that summer days can get quite busy. It’s a good idea to arrive early or visit on a weekday if possible.
Wattamolla Beach is open daily from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM. There is a $12 parking fee for the national park, payable at the entrance booth or one of the pay machines.
The map below shows the entire Wattamolla Beach area, with parking and highlights:
- Waterfall
- Beach and Lagoon
- Picnic Area
- Wattamolla Dam
- Providential Point Lookout
Top Things to Do
The name “Wattamolla” comes from an Aboriginal word meaning “place near running water”, which is fitting when you see the area.
Let’s discuss the best things to do there.
1. Waterfall
Located near the northern parking area, Wattamolla Falls is an excellent spot to begin your exploration of Wattamolla.
The top of the waterfall is fenced off, and jumping into the lagoon is strictly prohibited. While the temptation to jump may be strong on a warm day, it’s important to remember that the fence is there for good reasons.
What might appear safe can be deceiving, as the water’s depth and hidden rocks are easily underestimated, with conditions constantly changing due to currents and rainfall.
That said, the views from the top of the waterfall are lovely, offering a scenic perspective of the lagoon below and the ocean in the distance.
2. Beach and Lagoon
From the waterfall and parking area, follow the path that leads to the lagoon and the beach.
Along the way, you’ll have the option to turn left onto a paved path that takes you to a pier structure across the lagoon. This spot offers fantastic views of both the lagoon and the waterfall.
The lagoon’s calm, crystal-clear water makes it an ideal spot for swimming, snorkelling, and even kayaking.
To reach the ocean-facing beach, continue along the walking path that runs parallel to the lagoon. This short and easy 350-metre trail leads straight to the beach.
With the ocean and rugged headlands ahead of you and the lagoon and waterfall behind, it truly feels like you’ve stumbled upon a slice of paradise.
While there are no surf lifeguards at Wattamolla, the water is generally calm and safe for swimming. For families, the lagoon’s tranquil waters are especially suitable for children, away from the waves of the ocean-facing beach.
Read our guide on beaches in Royal National Park for a complete list of swim options in Sydney’s oldest national park.
3. Picnic Area
The Wattamolla picnic area is spacious and well-organised, featuring a few electric BBQs and several picnic tables scattered across a large open field.
There’s also a recently upgraded toilet block, along with bins and running water for added convenience.
It’s an excellent spot to take a break from swimming or hiking and enjoy a relaxing lunch in the fresh air.
Located right next to the car park, the picnic area is easily accessible. However, on sunny weekends, it tends to fill up quickly, so arriving early is recommended.
4. Wattamolla Dam
Wattamolla Beach is the perfect base to do one or more walks nearby, and the short walk to Wattamolla Dam, also known as Wattamolla Creek Dam, is a great option.
You can find the start of this walk behind the waterfall at the northern end of the picnic area. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the dam, which comes with a nice pool.
From there, you can continue walking to Little Marley Beach, a secluded stretch of sand just south of Marley Beach, with beautiful scenery to soak in along the way.
The Wattamolla to Little Marley Beach Walk is one of the most popular tracks in Royal National Park, and we highly recommend it.
5. Providential Point Lookout
The most obvious walk to do when visiting Wattamolla is the short walking trail to Providential Point Lookout, also known as Wattamolla Lookout.
It’s roughly 500 metres one way from the picnic area, and the trail is mostly flat and very easy to follow.
Feeling energised? From the lookout, you can continue hiking to Eagle Rock and Curracurrong Falls.
The moderately challenging Eagle Rock walking track is one of the best trails in Royal National Park, with stunning coastal views from start to finish.
Read our guide on walks in Royal National Park for a complete list of short and long walking tracks in Sydney’s oldest national park.
