Bundeena to Marley Head

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 20 mins

10.8 km Circuit

274 m

Moderate track

From Bundeena, this walk heads south to the coast and then loops around Marley Head. The environment changes from heath to open, rocky platforms along the cliffs. There are great views from Marley Head, and the section between Marley and Bundeena Lookout is just astounding. Look out for lizards in the heath sections, as it abounds with wildlife.

The gravel rd at the end of Beachcomber Rd

Campsite at the end of the Beachcomber Rd Servicetrail

Lambertia formosa (Mountain Devil) along the Marley Head Bushtrack

Looking down on Marley Beach from Marley Head

Expect to see at least one lizard along the track

Bundeena

Bundeena is a small township at the northern end of Royal National Park and the southern side of the entrance to Port Hacking. The town can be accessed by car or ferry. There are a few B&B's and other accommodation options and a number of cafes to choose from. Bundeena has a mixed atmosphere, partly a beach holiday community but also home to some permanent residents. There are two main beaches - Hordens Beach to the west and Jibbon Beach to the east. Both are nice beaches inside Port Hacking. More info.

(0km) Bundeena Ferry Wharf → End of Beachcomber Av

1.6 km

30 mins

61m

-21m Easy track

From Bundeena Ferry, on Brighton St, this walk turns left into Loftus St, goes past Mary St and turns right into Bournemouth St. The walk turns left into Scarbourough St and takes 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.

(2km) End of Beachcomber Av → Int of Beachcomber Rd Service Trail and Coast Walk

210 m

4 mins

10m

-2m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the end of Beachcomber Av, this walk heads around the locked gate, following the 'Coast Walk'[1] sign along the wide management trail. After about 50m, the trail passes a track (on the left) and continues until coming to an intersection with a wider sandy trail (on the left, which leads to Jibbon Head).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the asphalt management trail heading towards the green signposts nearby, where it comes to the signposted intersection of the 'Coast Track'[2].

(2km) Int of Beachcomber Rd Servicetrail and Coast Walk → Campsite at end of Beachcomber Rd Servicetrail

260 m

5 mins

-3m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection with 'The Coast Track', this walk heads south before turning to the west along the gravel road. The walk soon comes to a small clearing with an old campfire site, at the end of the road.

(2km) Campsite at end of Beachcomber Rd Servicetrail → Int of Beachcomber Bushtrack and Marley Head Trail

1.1 km

19 mins

20m

-5m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the campsite, this walk heads west along the wide track and, after a very short period, turns to the south. The track continues through the scrub, with some very pretty examples of the heath flowers common to the area. It is largely sheltered by high growing heath and vegetation however there are some occasions where the track breaks out and it is possible to see quite far around. The track continues in this manner until reaching the large Marley Beach management trail (not signposted).

(3km) Int of Marley Head Servicetrail and Beachcomber Rd Bushtrack → Int of Coast Track and Marley Head Servicetrail

2.2 km

38 mins

-41m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the rocky management trail heading east, meandering through the thick scrub with few views over the surrounding bushland as the track is largely shrouded by the high scrub on either side. The track continues in this manner for quite some time until passing a "no bicycles" sign at the end of the management trail, where it follows the short track to the intersection with the coastal walk track.

(5km) Int of Coast Track and Marley Head Servicetrail → East Marely Beach

450 m

8 mins

-32m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the signposted intersection, the walk follows the coast, keeping the ocean to the left. The track winds down the long hill to the end of Marley Beach, and comes to a large green information sign. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

(5km) Int of Coast Track and Marley Head Servicetrail → Bundeena Lookout

3 km

1 hr 4 mins climb

116m

-126m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading north-east along the coast, winding through the high heath for about 1.5km until the track descends into a large gully along hardened path. At the bottom, it crosses a small bridged stream. From here, the track continues up the other side of the gully, using the rock steps to the top. From here, the track follows the post markers along the track to the clifftop coastline, however on a few occasions the track will split into two and meet up again a short while later - just stick to the track closest to the coast. After several hundred metres, the track comes to an unsignposted vantage point at the end of the rock platform, where the bush track turns inland.

Bundeena Lookout

This unfenced, informal lookout is perched high on the cliffs, looking east over the South Pacific Ocean. The lookout is not signposted nor officially named, but provides great view south along the escarpment. Cliff edge may be unstable and fragile - keep a safe distance.

(8km) Bundeena Lookout → Int of Beachcomber Rd Servicetrail and Coast Walk

690 m

12 mins

27m

-4m Moderate track

Turn left: From the edge of the cliffs, the walk heads north-west up and away from the ocean, following the main bush track for a while before coming to an intersection with an asphalt management trail at the 'Coast Track' signpost.

(9km) Int of Beachcomber Rd Service Trail and Coast Walk → Bundeena Ferry Wharf

1.8 km

34 mins

23m

-71m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the asphalt management trail north past the 'no bicycles' sign[3] to the nearby intersection with the sandy management trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north around a sweeping left-hand bend along the sealed management trail. Soon, the trail leads past a track (on the right) then passes around a locked gate at the end of of Beachcomber Ave and a 'Coast Walk' information sign[4].
Continue straight: From the end of Beachcomber Ave, this walk heads along Beachcomber Ave north-west and gradually around to the north, until turning left into Scarbourough St. The first right is taken into Bournemouth St, then left into Loftus St. The walk continues along this road until turning right into Brighton Rd. Bundeena Ferry is located at the end of Brighton St.

Maps for the Bundeena to Marley Head 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.

Port Hacking	1:25 000 Map Series	91294N PORT HACKING	NSW-91294N
Port Hacking	1:100 000 Map Series	9129 PORT HACKING	9129

Cross sectional view of the Bundeena to Marley Head bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bundeena to Marley Head

Altitude analysis for Bundeena to Marley Head

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	10.8 km
		Time	3 hrs 20 mins
		.
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

7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 3km has short steep hills. The remaining (410m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 3.5km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (1.1km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 7km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 4.1km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 4.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bundeena to Marley Head walk.

Bundeena to Jibbon Head Circuit

6.8 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

On this loop walk you will enjoy some grand ocean views, a few secluded beaches, rock shelves and some Aboriginal engravings. The walk starts in the community of Bundeena and follows the roads to Jibbon Beach then along the track to Jibbon Head and Shelley beach, then a long stretch of sandy manage

Total climbing: 139m

Moderate track

Bundeena to Marley Beach

12.7 km Return, 4 hrs 30 mins

Going from the small town of Bundeena, to one of the largest beaches in the Royal National Park, this walk has great views of the Coast as it heads south through the heath and along the rockshelf. The walk then descends to Marley Beach, which offers the opportunity to swim and explore the lagoon, be

Total climbing: 417m

Moderate track

Bundeena to Little Marley Beach

14 km Return, 5 hrs

Exploring the coastline of the Royal National Park, this walk has fantastic views and a great place to wet the toes at Little Marley Beach. Bundeena is a great place to start the walk, with places to grab a bite to eat. You can also catch the ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena, an excellent way to star

Total climbing: 441m

Moderate 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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bundeena to Marley Head walk.

Jibbon Loop Track

5.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is an enjoyable way of exploring Jibbon Head and its beaches. From the township on Bundeena, walk through the streets and then along the beautiful Jibbon Beach. At the northern end of Jibbon Beach, a track leads through the bush to an Aboriginal engraving site, then to the point of Jibbo

Total climbing: 94m

Moderate track

Jibbon Head Engravings

2.6 km Return, 45 mins

On this walk, you will enjoy a stroll along Jibbon Beach and then head through the bush to the Jibbon Head Aboriginal engraving site. The site is a special and historic place, with some clear engravings and others more faded. The site is best viewed in the late afternoon sun, or after rain. Take

Total climbing: 35m

Moderate track

Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre

13.1 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This coastal walk starts from Cronulla station and follows the beaches around to the Boat Harbour Aquatic reserve, then continues along the Cape Bailey walk, winding through thick heath and between hanging swamps. The walk finishes at the Botany Bay Discovery Centre. There is an alternate exit to th

Total climbing: 185m

Hard track

Bundeena Road to Marley

9.7 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk is the most direct route down to Big and Little Marley. The beaches are fantastic, secluded areas with Big Marley hosting a large sand dune and lagoon. The beaches are not patrolled and can have dangerous surf conditions, so take care. Deer Pool, and it's waterfall, is also a highlight on

Total climbing: 245m

Hard track

Deer Pools

3.8 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

The walk down to Deer Pools takes you through the heath, which is common in Royal National Park. This bush opens out onto Deer Pool, a beautiful little cascade and pool of water. A lovely walk to one of the well known landmarks in the park.

Total climbing: 109m

Hard track

Marley Track

11 km Circuit, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk takes you down from the ridge to the quiet Deer Pool on Marley Creek. You pass the Big and Little Marley beaches, with an optional side trip to Wattamola Dam. This side trip is well worth it on a hot day to take a dip. The walk then leads away from the coast to loop back to the starting po

Total climbing: 353m

Hard track

Winifred Falls

4.4 km One way, 2 hrs

Winifred Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Royal National Park. This walk not only goes to the magnificent falls but has the optional side trip down to the beautiful South West Arm Pools. Anice Falls are not as great as Winifred but worth the visit. The walk then continues through the heath to

Total climbing: 179m

Hard track

Gibraltar Rock

858 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk starts near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley). The walk follows a short section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to a large sandstone overhang called Gibraltar Rock. At the base of the overhang is a rare sandstone cobble section of road. At Gibraltar Rock, there are also

Total climbing: 17m

Easy track

Jersey Spring

5 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley), this walk follows the northern section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to Jersey Spring. Past the sandstone overhang of Gibraltar Rock, this walk follows the old road and the Hacking River, enjoying the palms and tall gums along the way.

Total climbing: 118m

Easy track

Willow Tree to Calala

10.5 km Return, 4 hrs

On this walk you follow the historic Lady Carrington Drive from Willow tree picnic area to Calala before returning the same way. The walk passes two icons on the old road, Gibraltar Rock and Jersey Spring whilst crossing several small brooks. At Calala you will find a large clearing and natural sh

Total climbing: 282m

Moderate track

Robertson's Roundabout

2.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

From the Royal National Park Centre, this walk crosses the Hacking River before rising steeply up onto the ridge to fantastic views of the Hacking River. If you look into the distance you can see Cronulla on the horizon at the highest points. Towards the end of the circuit, with good views of the su

Total climbing: 146m

Hard track

Audley to Gibraltar Rock

2.2 km Return, 45 mins

This walk starts at the historical and beautiful Audley picnic area and dance hall. Have a picnic or enjoy a coffee from the cafe, before wandering along the quiet public road alongside Hacking River. After heading around the locked gate, you walk along the old Lady Carrington Drive trail for about

Total climbing: 55m

Easy track