Wattamolla to Garie Beach
Dharawal Country

2 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min

7.6 km
oneway

↑ 282 m
↓ -286 m

Hard track
The Wattamolla to Garie Beach walk is a scenic coastal stroll which takes you along the top of the coastal cliffs, before dropping down to the fantastic Garie Beach. The coastal cliffs give views out to sea, with many ledges also giving views down onto the waves crashing into the rock. The descent onto Garie Beach has some of the best views of coastline in the Royal National Park. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Steps past Wattamolla toilet block. | Photo by admin
Coast Track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Curracarrang Cove from lookout. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Coast Track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Coast Track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The coast and out to sea. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Coast Track over a creek. | Photo by admin, 2007.
View from coastal walk intersection. | Photo by admin
Waves breaking below Coast Track. | Photo by admin
Looking at Garie Beach and the coast from the north. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Garie Beach SLSC. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Garie Beach picnic setting. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-34.1377719,151.1143939)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
  • Turn on to Wattamolla Road then drive for 3.4 km
  • Turn left and drive for another 110 m
Finish (-34.170019,151.0665949)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car   (There is free parking available.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the northern end of the picnic ground, this walk heads through the car park and across the grass to the toilet block.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 6 m veer right.
Wattamolla Picnic Area (about 60 m back from the start).
Wattamolla Picnic Area
Wattamolla Picnic Area

Wattamolla Picnic Area is found at the end of Wattamolla Road, about halfway along the coastline of Royal National Park. The area is blessed with a great beach, a lagoon and some wonderful creeks and rocks to explore. The small beach faces west and is tucked away in a deep bay. The lagoon sits behind the beach and is lined with sand on one side, and cliffs and rocks on the other shore. The picnic area has large open grassy areas, with some shade provided by trees and some picnic shelters. There is a small kiosk (often open weekends), toilets, electric BBQs and two car parks. There is water here, but needs to be treated before drinking. There is a gate on the road that is locked at night, the gate is open from 7am to 8:30pm.
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Wattamolla Picnic Area is found at the end of Wattamolla Road, about halfway along the coastline of Royal National Park. The area is blessed with a great beach, a lagoon and some wonderful creeks and rocks to explore. The small beach faces west and is tucked away in a deep bay. The lagoon sits behind the beach and is lined with sand on one side, and cliffs and rocks on the other shore. The picnic area has large open grassy areas, with some shade provided by trees and some picnic shelters. There is a small kiosk (often open weekends), toilets, electric BBQs and two car parks. There is water here, but needs to be treated before drinking. There is a gate on the road that is locked at night, the gate is open from 7am to 8:30pm.

After 90 m pass the sign (10 m on your left).
After another 6 m find the "Wattamolla Kiosk" (30 m on your left).
Wattamolla Kiosk
Wattamolla Kiosk

The Wattamolla Kiosk in the Wattamolla Picnic Area provides basic supplies for day visitors. The kiosk does not keep strict hours and opens depending on weather and demand. It usually opens on weekends at around 10:30am and closes between 4 and 6pm. You can buy ice-creams, drinks and some hot food. For more information, call Audley Kiosk on (02) 9521 2240.
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The Wattamolla Kiosk in the Wattamolla Picnic Area provides basic supplies for day visitors. The kiosk does not keep strict hours and opens depending on weather and demand. It usually opens on weekends at around 10:30am and closes between 4 and 6pm. You can buy ice-creams, drinks and some hot food. For more information, call Audley Kiosk on (02) 9521 2240.

After another 20 m pass the car park (20 m on your right).
After another 10 m pass the toilet (7 m on your left)., female.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 40 m veer left.
After another 90 m turn left.
After another 25 m head through/around the gate.
After another 315 m veer right.
After another 195 m veer right.
After another 460 m veer right.
After another 520 m find the "Curracurrang Cove" (25 m on your right).
Curracurrang Cove
Curracurrang Cove

Curracurrang Cove is a small cove about 1km SW of Wattamolla, on the coast of the Royal National Park. The cove faces east and is where Curracurrang Creek meets the ocean. The creek, the cove and the surrounding rocks provide great scenery, making this a relaxing place to stop and enjoy. There is evidence that Aboriginal people lived in this cove. There are a few middens in the area, some rock shelters and Curracurrang creek provides a near-permanent water supply. The cove was first occupied 7500 years ago and was used as a regular campsite by the Dharawal people.
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Curracurrang Cove is a small cove about 1km SW of Wattamolla, on the coast of the Royal National Park. The cove faces east and is where Curracurrang Creek meets the ocean. The creek, the cove and the surrounding rocks provide great scenery, making this a relaxing place to stop and enjoy. There is evidence that Aboriginal people lived in this cove. There are a few middens in the area, some rock shelters and Curracurrang creek provides a near-permanent water supply. The cove was first occupied 7500 years ago and was used as a regular campsite by the Dharawal people.

Continue straight.
After another 370 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 255 m head up the earthen steps (about 45 m long)
After another 380 m continue straight.
After another 30 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your left).
After another 840 m pass the waterfall (45 m on your left).
Veer right.
After another 35 m pass the waterfall (55 m on your left).
After another 60 m find the "Eagle Rock Lookout" (on your left).
Eagle Rock Lookout
Eagle Rock Lookout

Eagle Rock lookout is an informal lookout marked by an information sign on the Coast track in the Royal National Park. The lookout is about halfway between Garie Beach and Wattamolla. Eagle rock is a piece of the cliff line that looks amazingly like the head of an eagle, with the eye and all. The lookout is about 150m west of the Eagle Rock on the other side of Carracurrong Creek. Eagle Rock is often used as an icon for the Royal National Park. Carracurrong Creek also forms a waterfall into the ocean nearby.
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Eagle Rock lookout is an informal lookout marked by an information sign on the Coast track in the Royal National Park. The lookout is about halfway between Garie Beach and Wattamolla. Eagle rock is a piece of the cliff line that looks amazingly like the head of an eagle, with the eye and all. The lookout is about 150m west of the Eagle Rock on the other side of Carracurrong Creek. Eagle Rock is often used as an icon for the Royal National Park. Carracurrong Creek also forms a waterfall into the ocean nearby.

Then come to the viewpoint (35 m on your left).
After another 50 m turn left.
After another 15 m pass the "Coast Track".
After another 8 m pass the "Curra Moors Track (north)".
After another 50 m pass the sign.
After another 25 m pass the sign.
After another 10 m pass the sign.
Then cross the ford.
Then come to the viewpoint (25 m on your left).
After another 35 m pass the sign.
After another 335 m pass the sign.
After another 25 m pass the sign.
After another 20 m pass the sign.
After another 60 m cross the ford.
After another 580 m pass the sign.
After another 970 m pass the sign.
After another 30 m (Curra Moors Track (south)) continue straight.
After another 10 m pass the "Curra Moors Track (south)".
After another 245 m come to the viewpoint (30 m on your left).
After another 170 m head down the steps (about 325 m long)
Then find the "Garie Beach Lookout" (5 m on your right).
Garie Beach Lookout
Garie Beach Lookout

Garie Beach Lookout is an unofficial lookout on the hill at the eastern end of Garie Beach. The lookout has no facilities and is simply a spot on the Coast track. The lookout provides great views looking southwest along the coast along Garie Beach, Royal National Park and down to Wollongong.
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Garie Beach Lookout is an unofficial lookout on the hill at the eastern end of Garie Beach. The lookout has no facilities and is simply a spot on the Coast track. The lookout provides great views looking southwest along the coast along Garie Beach, Royal National Park and down to Wollongong.

After another 305 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
After another 600 m continue straight.
After another 265 m find the "Garie Beach" (65 m on your left).
Garie Beach
Garie Beach

Garie Beach, Royal National Park, is a large, south-east facing, yellow sand beach. The beach is backed by steep headlands and gullies. There is a large car park at the end of Garie Rd for access to the beach. Garie Beach is popular for surfing, patrolled 9am-5pm from December to January. Facilities include toilets, kiosk, picnic tables, cold showers and Surf Life Saving Club. The water from the shower should be treated before drinking, this water comes from a tank and may be unavailable during dry periods.
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Garie Beach, Royal National Park, is a large, south-east facing, yellow sand beach. The beach is backed by steep headlands and gullies. There is a large car park at the end of Garie Rd for access to the beach. Garie Beach is popular for surfing, patrolled 9am-5pm from December to January. Facilities include toilets, kiosk, picnic tables, cold showers and Surf Life Saving Club. The water from the shower should be treated before drinking, this water comes from a tank and may be unavailable during dry periods.

After another 30 m come to a seat., has no backrest.
About 20 m past the end is a picnic table., has no backrest.
About 15 m past the end is a car park.
The end.
A seat., has no backrest.
A picnic table., has no backrest.
About 55 m past the end is "Garie Surf Living Saving Club".
About 70 m past the end is "Garie Beach Kiosk".
Garie Beach Kiosk
Garie Beach Kiosk

Garie Beach Kiosk is at the side of the carpark at the end of Garie Rd, in the Royal National Park. The kiosk is only open on weekends and most days during the summer holidays. The opening hours are based on demand and is generally open from 10:30am to 3pm (later in summer). The kiosk sells, cold drinks, ice creams, pies, salad rolls etc. Contact for Audley kiosk (same managers) 9521 2240.
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Garie Beach Kiosk is at the side of the carpark at the end of Garie Rd, in the Royal National Park. The kiosk is only open on weekends and most days during the summer holidays. The opening hours are based on demand and is generally open from 10:30am to 3pm (later in summer). The kiosk sells, cold drinks, ice creams, pies, salad rolls etc. Contact for Audley kiosk (same managers) 9521 2240.

About 80 m past the end is a toilet.

Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a picnic table (about 110 m back from the start).
There is a sign (about 95 m back from the start).
There is a car park (about 85 m back from the start).
Wattamolla Kiosk (about 60 m back from the start).
Wattamolla Kiosk
Wattamolla Kiosk

The Wattamolla Kiosk in the Wattamolla Picnic Area provides basic supplies for day visitors. The kiosk does not keep strict hours and opens depending on weather and demand. It usually opens on weekends at around 10:30am and closes between 4 and 6pm. You can buy ice-creams, drinks and some hot food. For more information, call Audley Kiosk on (02) 9521 2240.
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The Wattamolla Kiosk in the Wattamolla Picnic Area provides basic supplies for day visitors. The kiosk does not keep strict hours and opens depending on weather and demand. It usually opens on weekends at around 10:30am and closes between 4 and 6pm. You can buy ice-creams, drinks and some hot food. For more information, call Audley Kiosk on (02) 9521 2240.

There is a toilet (about 15 m back from the start)., female.
There is a car park (about 6 m back from the start).
Find the toilet at the start. , male.
Turn left.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 155 m pass the BBQ (on your left).
After another 80 m continue straight.
After another 300 m continue straight.
After another 20 m come to the end.
A viewpoint.
About 10 m past the end is "Providential Point".
Providential Point
Providential Point

Providential Point Lookout in Royal National Park, has views out to sea and back towards Wattamolla Beach, as well as views of the the cliffs on the north side of Wattamolla Bay to Boy Martin Point. The small lookout is fenced and perched on the rocks. Providential Point is the southern headland forming the bay that is home to Wattamolla Beach and Lagoon, at the end of Wattamolla Rd.
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Providential Point Lookout in Royal National Park, has views out to sea and back towards Wattamolla Beach, as well as views of the the cliffs on the north side of Wattamolla Bay to Boy Martin Point. The small lookout is fenced and perched on the rocks. Providential Point is the southern headland forming the bay that is home to Wattamolla Beach and Lagoon, at the end of Wattamolla Rd.

About 20 m past the end is "Providential Point".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 580 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Wattamolla to Garie Beach


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 7.6 km
Time 2 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 1.9 km apart with the largest gap of 7.5 km.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.5 km apart with the largest gap of 7.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
0 m + 30 m[toilet]
Toilet
80 m[toilet]
Seat
7.6 km[seat]
Seat
7.6 km[seat]
Toilet
7.6 km[toilet]
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