Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Bundeena to Little Marley Beach hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Bundeena to Little Marley Beach
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
5 Hrs
14 km
441 m
Return
0.1 km NE of Bundeena
Royal National Park
Track: Moderate
Exploring the coastline of the Royal National Park this track has fantastic views and a great place to swim at Little Marley Beach. Bundeena is a great place to start the walk with places to grab a bite to eat. If possible the ferry ride from Cronulla to Bundeena is great fun and an excellent way to start a day of walking. With this walk, prepare to be astounded by great views of the ocean and cliffs.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)
Cross sectional view of the Bundeena to Little Marley Beach bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bundeena to Little Marley Beach bushwalking track
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(0 km) Bundeena Ferry Wharf to End of Beachcomber Av Walk: Easy - road
Distance = 1.6 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 61 m
Descent = -21 m
From Bundeena Ferry, on Brighton St the track turns left into Loftus St, goes past Mary St and turns right into Bournemouth St. The track turns left into Scarbourough St and take the first right into Beachcomber Av. Beachcomber Av is followed south and gradually to the east until reaching the entry into the Royal National Park. This is marked by several large information signs.
(1.55 km) End of Beachcomber Av to Bundeena Lookout Track: Moderate - servicetrail, bushtrack
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -31 m
From the end of Beachcomber Av the track heads south-east for approximately 150m before coming to an intersection with a track heading off to the north-east. This is the servicetrail to Port Hacking Point. During this section of track the trail is a flat though rocky ashalt road. From the intersection the track heads south-west along the road for a short period before coming to an intersection marked with a large green signpost saying 'Coast Track'. From the intersection the track heads south-east along the bushtrack. Immediately after beginning this track there is a bushtrack going off to the south. This has been fenced off and there is a large sign saying 'no entry track- under regeneration'. Past this the track continues along the bushtrack heading towards the cliffs. Just before coming to the cliff there are numerous small rabbit tracks that go off the main trail. Once coming to the clifftop there is an intersection with a disused track heading off to the north-west. This is good for a short walk but it soon fades away. The main track however leads off to the south-west.
(2.45 km) Bundeena Lookout to West Marley Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack, beach
Distance = 3.9 km
Time = 1 Hrs 10 mins
Climb = 131 m
Descent = -154 m
From the intersection the track heads south-west along the bushtrack and the clifftop. For the most part this follows the post markers along the clifftop next to the Ocean. Due to the position of the track there are some fantastic views over the water. After several hundred metres the track comes to an intersection with a track that is heading up to the right away from the clifftops. This is the alternative track on the clifftop, however this is currently under regeneration. Ignoring this intersection the track heads gradually down the bushtrack until coming to a large gully. This gully is quite amazing as it has really good views up the valley north-west as well as a fantastic view out to sea. From the top of the gully the track descends extremely steeply via the rock stairs into the gully. Once at the bottom the track uses the wooden bridge to cross the very small creek and iimmediately ascends to the top of the hill using the very well made path. Once on the ridge the track flattens out and continues along the well made and flat bushtrack through the high heath until coming to an intersection with servicetrail. This intersection is marked by a signpost saying 'Coast Walk' From the intersection at the coast and the sign saying Coast Walk the track heads south-west along the cliff edge. Once reaching the cliff there are some fantastic views over Marley Beach, down the coast and the Pacific Ocean. From here the track heads along the cliff edge gradually descending and in various parts steeply going down. In the final section of the descent to Marley Beach the track descends quite steeply until coming to the large green information sign. From the east end of Marley Beach the track heads west along the beach until coming to the rockshelf at the end. Marley Beach is very beautiful and if it is possible to get a sunny day for walking then it would be a great spot to swim. On the rockshelf at the end of the beach there are some shady spots that are good to break from the walk. At this point there is also an intersection with a small bushtrack that heads up to the north-west.
Big Marley
Alt = 1
Big Marley Beach, Royal National Park, is a large beach of approximately 400m in length. However, this beach is made special by the large dune area behind the beach which runs into the Marley Lagoon. The lagoon is fed y Marley Creek and the surrounding catchment. The beach is not patrolled and dangerous surf conditions are experienced here. The little brother of Big Marley, Little Marley Beach, is a more protected beach with safer conditons for swimming. For information on this beaches pollution levels follow the more info link. More info
(6.32 km) West Marley Beach to Little Marley Beach Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -17 m
From the west end of the beach the the track heads up the rockshelf to the south-west. During this section of the track follows closely beside the cliff edge. There are also several small but steep climbs. To assist walkers in getting up these cut rock-stairs have been installed into the rockshelf. There are also several sections where they have installed small sections of boardwalk and footbridge. these are largely to prevent the erosion of the cliff-edge and the vulnerable plants that live there. Once reaching the ridge the track flattens out for a short while before coming to an intersection with an unmarked intersection going off to the right and away from the cliffs. From the intersection the track heads south-west for a short while before descending to Little Marley Beach. From the ridge the beach is easy to see but once the track starts to go down the scrub becomes very high, and as such it feels like the track is going through a tunnel with only glimpses of the ocean and cliffs before emerging on Little Marley Beach.
Little Marley
Alt = 3
Little Marley Beach, Royal National Park, approximately 140m long is the small neighbouring beach south of Big Marley Beach. The beach is not patrolled but has safer surf conditions between its low rocky headlands than Big Marley Beach. For information on this beaches pollution levels follow the more info link. More info