Wattamolla Beach

Located in Royal National Park, Wattamolla Beach is a popular sandy beach in Sydney South. The beach has soft white sand with ocean waves on one side and calm lagoon waters on the other. The name “Wattamolla” comes from the Aboriginal “place near running water”. Although apparently the beach was first discovered by English cartographer Matthew Flinders in 1796. There is a waterfall next to the parking area and jumping into the lagoon is forbidden, but daredevils still manage to squeeze through the fencing and take the risk.

The lagoon is ideal for families to enjoy swimming, snorkelling and floating on inflatables. On the ocean side, the waves are generally calm but there are occasional strong rips and currents so stay alert when swimming and surfing as there is currently no lifeguard patrol. When wave action is high there is a shore break close to shore.

The leafy cabbage palms provide a nice shady area for picnics and relaxing while keeping one eye on the kids. The beach has flush toilets but no showers or changing rooms.

It’s a good spot for fishing (fishing license required) or you can walk off lunch along one of the beach tracks to Eagle Rock and Curracurrong Falls. Keep your eyes open for birds such as oystercatchers and eagles in this beautiful paradise.

There is an admission charge per vehicle for visitors to the park ($12 in 2020) and it is open from 7am to 8.30pm. Limited beach parking is available at the end of Sir Bertram Stevens Drive but it can get busy on summer weekends.