Parking
Start at the southern car park at Wattamolla Picnic Area, reached by Wattamolla Road. Parking can fill on busy weekends and holidays, and access may be restricted when the area is full.

Royal National Park, NSW
A rough coastal track to a sheltered creek-mouth cove.
Overview
Map & elevation
Plan your hike

The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Royal Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Royal National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Wattamolla Walk to Eagle Rock“You're coming up on the road to Wattamolla, where the coastal walk to Eagle Rock begins. Allow three to four hours for about eight and a half kilometres return, over boardwalk, uneven rock and a creek crossing.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Royal Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
Trail guide
Wattamolla to Curracurrang Cove is a 3.5 km (2.13 mi) out-and-back from the southern car park at Wattamolla Picnic Area. Follow the Coast Track to the creek-mouth cove, then return the same way. Allow about 1.5 hours for the walk itself. It is a useful taste of the coast without committing to the full Bundeena-to-Otford route.
The first stretch follows a broad, rocky service track with views opening along the headlands. Farther on, the route narrows to bush track and drops unevenly toward the cove. This is a moderate walk rather than a smooth beach promenade; take your time on the descent, especially if the ground is wet.
The route finishes where Curracurrang Creek meets the ocean, in a small inlet held between rocky headlands. The cove is the payoff, not the nearby Curracurrong Falls route, which continues farther along the Coast Track. From the approach, frame the creek mouth with the headland in view; then turn around and retrace the same track.
The walk is on Dharawal Country. Wattamolla is a picnic and barbecue area, but bring all your drinking water for the route. A seven-stop audio story follows this coastal section; download it before arriving because mobile reception is unavailable in this part of the park. Sea eagles and oystercatchers are among the birds to watch for around Wattamolla. Park entry fees apply. Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park, except certified assistance animals.
Wildlife
56 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
68 sightingsWhite-bellied Sea-EagleMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
12 sightingsKoalaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
33 sightingsJavan RusaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
69 sightingsShort-beaked EchidnaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
11 sightingsRed FoxMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Royal. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyCurracurrang Falls Walk3.5 km · 1.5 hr · At the trailheadA short coastal walk to a rough, creekside waterfall pool.
ChallengingWattamolla to Garie Beach16 km · 7 hr · 0.1 km awayA hard 16 km return to Garie Beach, via Eagle Rock.
ModerateWattamolla Dam Walk1.7 km · 45 min · 0.1 km awayA short bush walk to a quiet creek pool above the lagoon.
ModerateWattamolla to Eagle Rock and Curracurrong Falls8.5 km · 3.5 hr · 0.2 km awayA coastal walk to falls that drop straight into the sea.
ModerateWattamolla to Big Marley Beach Loop10.4 km · 4 hr · 0.2 km awayA boardwalk and sandstone coast walk to two wild beaches.
EasyProvidential Point Walk1.7 km · 45 min · 0.2 km awayA short coastal walk to a fenced lookout above the surf.
ModerateDeer Pools Walk4 km · 1.5 hr · 4 km awayA short heath walk to a shaded cascade and rock pool
ModerateBundeena Drive to Marley walk7.8 km · 3.5 hr · 4 km awayHeath and creek pools make the coastal walk feel like two hikes.
Sight · 0.3 km awayWattamolla FallsA high lagoon view of a waterfall that changes with rain.
Beach · 0.3 km awayWattamolla Beach and Picnic AreaA waterfall, calm lagoon, and surf beach share one cove.
Sight · 0.6 km awayProvidential Point LookoutLayered cliffs and Pacific surf make the short walk pay off.
Sight · 0.8 km awayWattamolla DamA short Coast Track detour reaches a sheltered creek swimming hole.
Sight · 1.2 km awayCurracurrang FallsA low waterfall and deep pool reward an unmarked side trip.
Sight · 2.1 km awayEagle RockA sandstone overhang on the Coast Track with an eagle's profile.
Sight · 2.1 km awayCurracurrong FallsA coastal waterfall drops straight into the Pacific.
Beach · 2.8 km awayLittle Marley BeachA quiet beach that takes a real walk to reach.Parkwolf’s Royal ranking