Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs

7.4 km Return

292 m

Moderate track

The walk from Wattamolla picnic area to Eagle Rock is an excellent way to see the the Royal coastline and the Eagle Rock formation. This walk heads south from Wattamolla, following the Coast Track, leaving the sea cliffs for a while to pass through some beautiful heath, then back to the coast, to the Eagle Rock Lookout. The walk returns to Wattamolla the same way, for a bite to eat and a swim.

The track goes through the scrub following the coast

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.

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.

(0km) Northern End Wattamolla Picnic Ground → Wattamolla Picnic Ground Toilet Block

180 m

4 mins

-3m Easy track

From the northern end of the picnic ground, this walk heads through the car park and across the grass to the toilet block.

(0km) Wattamolla Picnic Ground Toilet Block → Providential Point

600 m

12 mins

18m

-20m Easy track

Continue straight: From the men's toilet block, this walk heads to an sports-oval sized clearing. The walk 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 walk 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. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

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.

(0km) Wattamolla Picnic Ground Toilet Block → Overflow Carpark

150 m

4 mins

13m

-1m Easy track

Turn right: From the toilet block, this walk follows the signs to the Overflow Car Park. (This is the upper car park.) At the back of the car park, this walk comes to an intersection with a large management trail, with a gate and signpost saying 'Garrie 5.8km'.

(0km) Overflow Carpark → Curracurrang Cove

1.4 km

26 mins

28m

-49m Moderate track

Turn left: From the car park, the walk follows the management trail climbing up the long hill. The walk passes two large water towers as it continues along for a while, before coming to a great lookout over the ocean, marked by a sign saying 'Curracurrang'. From the lookout, the walk continues along the cliff edge, keeping the ocean to the left as it follows the bush track. The track winds along the coast to Curracurrang Cove, where there is an intersection with another bush track that heads up and away from the ocean.

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. More info.

(2km) Curracurrang Cove → Eagles Rock Lookout

1.9 km

44 mins

108m

-82m Moderate track

Turn left : Keeping the ocean to the left, the track climbs up out of Curracurang Cove and continues all the way up to the top of the large hill, winding through the thick heath across the top and down the other side to Curracurang Creek at the bottom. After crossing the creek, the track follows the bushtrack heading up short hill and along the bushtrack winding through the scrub for a short while before coming to the Eagle Rock lookout at the information signpost.

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.

Maps for the Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Lookout walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Otford	1:25 000 Map Series	91294S OTFORD	NSW-91294S
Port Hacking	1:100 000 Map Series	9129 PORT HACKING	9129

Cross sectional view of the Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Lookout

Altitude analysis for Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Lookout

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	7.4 km
		Time	3 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 3.4km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 340m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 3.4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 340m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 1.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.9km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.8km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Lookout walk.

Providential Point

1.6 km Return, 45 mins

Providential Point is a quick and easy walk to see some beautiful coastline. The walk passes through the Providential Point campsite and continues out to the fenced cliff edge. These views are complemented by the large cliffs on either side of the lookout on this great short walk.

Total climbing: 49m

Easy track

Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam

1.7 km Return, 45 mins

This short return walk starts from the Wattamolla picnic area car park, and winds north along the Coast Track to the Wattamolla Dam. The small dam is nestled below a waterfall on Wattamolla creek and is a great spot for a quiet dip before lunch.

Total climbing: 59m

Moderate track

Wattamola picnic area to Curracurrang Cove

3.1 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This return walk starts from the southern car park at the Wattamolla picnic area and winds south, further into the Royal National Park. The walk follows the service trail that provides views across the coast and then follows a bush track down into Curracurrang Cove. The cove is a nice narrow nook

Total climbing: 91m

Moderate track

Wattamolla to Garie Beach

7.6 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

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 o

Total climbing: 317m

Hard track

Wattamolla to Big Marley Beach

10.4 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This walk is an excellent loop which takes in both the coast and the heathy inland of Royal National Park. Nearly the whole walk has views of the sea. Big Marley and Little Marley are great places to wet the feet. The dunes behind Big Marley are also worth exploring, as is Deer Pools if time allows.

Total climbing: 343m

Moderate track

Mowlee Ridge to Garie Beach

13.3 km One way, 5 hrs

This is a long and scenic walk down to Garie Beach. The walk travels along the ridge and then the heath covered cliff edge, with views over the coast and far out to see, as it meanders along to the beautiful Garie Beach. The descent from the headland onto Garie Beach also gives magnificent views of

Total climbing: 357m

Hard track

The Coast Track (Otford to Bundeena)

27.4 km One way, 2 Days

Following the coast through the Royal National Park with its magnificent coastal views, this walk is truly amazing. Although walked traditionally from Bundeena, this direction makes for a shorter first day. There are coastal and cliff views along much of this walk. There are also a small house commu

Total climbing: 1244m

Hard track

The Coast Track

27.4 km One way, 2 Days

Heading south, this walk covers the coastline of the Royal National Park and can truly only be described as amazing. With breathtaking coastal views from Bundeena to Otford this walk follows the cliffs along a well managed and signposted track. You will enjoy the truly fantastic views out to sea an

Total climbing: 1351m

Hard track

Following the historic Lady Carrington Drive much of the way, this walk heads north until turning off the wide trail. Here the heads along a narrow track to a beautiful limestone cave. In typical sandstone country, Palona Cave's different geology makes it well worth the visit. There is a beautiful

Total climbing: 171m

Hard track