Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Mowlee Ridge to Garie Beach hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Mowlee Ridge to Garie Beach
Time:
5 Hrs
6.7 km WSW of Bundeena
Length:
13.3 km
Royal National Park
Climb:
364 m
Style:
One way
This track is a long scenic walk down to Garie Beach. The ridge gives views over the coast and far out to see as it meanders along the heath covered cliff edge down to the beautiful Garie Beach. The walk is great to do if your not wanting to head straight down to Garie Beach for a surf. The descent from the healdand onto Gare Beach also gives magnificent views of the coast to the south.
(0 km) Int. Mowlee Ridge Trail and Bundeena Drive to Wattamolla Dam Track: Moderate - servicetrail, bushtrack
Distance = 5.1 km
Time = 1 Hrs 20 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -176 m
From the intersection the track heads east along the sandy track. The track then continues east as it traverses numerous speed bumps for approximately 2km down the spurline. The track winds its way down for some time into a saddle before rising to the left of the spurline on the other side. From the intersection the track heads south east around the right of the spur. The track then rises onto the spur and continues south east through the thick wall of scrub either side. The track continues for approximately 400m to a sign marked intersection. From the intersection the track heads south-west (with the ocean on the left) along the bushtrack. This descends gradually through the scrub with scattered views over the South Pacific Ocean. In this section the scrub is quite high and provides a tunnel feeling to the walk. This continues until reaching and crossing Wattamolla Creek where there is a small dam, creating a waterhole in the creek.
Wattamolla Dam
Alt = 21
Wattamolla pool, Royal National Park, is a quiet spot for a dip just south of the Coastal Tracks crossing of Wattamolla Creek. The pool is artificially made from a stone wall being built below a small waterfall.
(5.12 km) Wattamolla Dam to Wattamolla Picnic Ground Toilet Block Track: Moderate - bushtrack, road
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -34 m
From the creek the track heads south-west (with the ocean on the left) and gradually turns to the south where it started to head downhill, crosses Coote Creek and arrives at the northern end of Wattamolla Picnic Ground. From the northern end of the picnic ground the track heads south, through the caparks and grasslands, following the direction to the Overflow Carpark. This continues until coming to the Toilet Block.
(5.94 km) Wattamolla Picnic Ground Toilet Block to Providential Point Optional Side Trip: Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -23 m
From the mens toilets the track heads to an oval sized clearing. The track heads to the eastern end of the oval. The track continues along the service trail from the oval following the Providential Point signs. The track leads through the tree to another grass area, Providential Point Campsite. The track continues past the campsite sign heading east to the far side of the grass clearing to a ferny area. The track continues along the most worn and unobstructed single track for approximately 200m to the railed lookout on the headland.
Providential Point
Alt = 13
Providential Point, Royal National Park, has views out to sea and back towards Wattamola Beach and the cliffs on the north side, Boy Martin Point.
(5.94 km) Wattamolla Picnic Ground Toilet Block to Curracang Track Intersection Track: Moderate - road, bushtrack
Distance = 1.6 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 40 m
Descent = -50 m
From the toilet block the track follows the signs to the Overflow Carpark. This is the upper carpark. In this there is a large servicetrail, with a boom gate and signpost saying 'Garrie 5.8km'. From the carpark the track heads south-east along the servicetrail. This heads up the hill gradually and turning towards the cliffs. Close to the top of the small hill the track passes two large watertowers. Shortly after passing these the track comes to a great lookout over the ocean. This is marked by a sign saying 'Curracarang'.From the lookout the track turns and heads south along the cliff edge with the track changing to a much rougher bushtrack, gradually turning to the south-west until coming to a magnificent chasm in the rock that provides a different view of the cliff. From here there is an intersection with another bushtrack that heads up to the north.
(7.51 km) Curracang Track Intersection to Int of North Rill and Coastal Track Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 4.2 km
Time = 1 Hrs 30 mins
Climb = 232 m
Descent = -147 m
From the intersection the trail heads south-west along the cliff. Shortly after the intersection the track begins to descend and at this point the track becomes less definitite and there are many rabbit tracks that are quite misleading even though there are small arrows that show the way. This continues down through the heath until crossing a small creek. at this point the track begins to gradually ascend using metal boardwalks and the rockshelf. In parts in this section the track becomes quite indefinite so it is necessary to keep an eye out for the small arrows on the poles. This continues until the track reaches the ridgetop. at this point the track changes to being a wide bushtrack along of which there are several information signs on the area. shortly after the track becomes a wide bushtrack the trail comes to an intersection signposted with 'Wattamolla 2.9km' on it. From the intersection the track heads south-west along the bushtrack and the rockshelf. This continues with the track becoming a narrow trail that goes through the scrub. In various sections metal walkways have been built metal walkways to stabilise the environment in the area. This continues until reaching an intersection with a track heading off to the north-west.
(11.69 km) Int of North Rill and Coastal Track to Garie Beach Carpark Track: Moderate - bushtrack, beach, beach
Distance = 1.6 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 43 m
Descent = -127 m
From the intersection the track heads south-west following the line of the cliffs. After several hundred metres of being surrounded by high scrub the track emerges out into the open and has fantastic views of Garie Beach and the mountains to the south. From this point the track begins to descend steeply down to the north-eastern end of Garie Beach. Just before coming to the beach the track passes a small improvised campground with fireplaces. From the north-east end of Garie Beach the track heads west along the beach. Approximately halfway along the beach there is a track that heads north away from the beach and up to Garie Beach Youth Hostel. Garie Beach is a beautiful beach with hills all around it giving it a very different feel to many other beaches in the sydney area which are large open. From the intersection the track heads south for approximately 200m along the beach to Garie Beach car park on the right.
Garie Beach
Alt = 4
Garie Beach, Royal National Park, is a large south east facing beach. The beach is backed by steep headlands and gullys, which allow access by road and to the numerous cabins on the hillsides. Garie Beach is a popular surfing beach, which is patrolled 9am-5pm from December to January. The new car park creates plenty of parking to compliment the new toilet facilities, kiosk and Surf Life Saving Club.
Hiking near Sydney 
5 km
