Deer Pools

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

3.8 km Return

109 m

Hard track

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.

(0km) Int. Marley Trk and Bundeena Drive → Deer Pools Clearing

1.9 km

38 mins

13m

-96m Hard track

From the car park on the northern side of Bundeena Drive (1.7km east of Mainbar Rd), this walk crosses the road and heads into the bush between the two posts, following the arrow. Soon the track pass the 'Marley Track' sign and starts to head downhill. The track continues past the old concrete pipe (with white spray-painted arrows). The track passes a couple of rock platforms, but generally the track is narrow as it winds down the hill. Near Deer Pools, there is a clearing on the left as the track tends right, towards the waterfall. The track passes over the top of the waterfall to head up to a clearing on the other side.

Deer Pool

Deer Pool, Royal National Park, is a small and picturesque set of falls that run into a pool with a sandy bank. The waterfall is fed by Marley Creek which continues its journey into Marley Lagoon, behind Big Marley Beach. Royal National Park was once home to many deer, who used to frequent these pools. This is a relaxing spot on a warm day, with the opportunity for a dip or a gentle massage in the cascade. Although a sign suggests camping is permitted by permit, permits are not issued for camping here.

Maps for the Deer Pools 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 Deer Pools bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Deer Pools

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	3.8 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

This whole walk, 1.9km has short steep hills.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1.9km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.9km has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.9km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.9km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Deer Pools walk.

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

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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Deer Pools walk.

Mt Bass- Winifred Falls

6.7 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows Mount Bass Fire Trail, then a bush track, to Winifred Falls. Be prepared to get your feet wet crossing upper Winifred Falls. The Winifred Falls are really nice, and can be complemented by the brilliant side trip down to to South West Arm pools. These pools are a great place for a

Total climbing: 213m

Hard 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

Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Lookout

7.4 km Return, 3 hrs

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 th

Total climbing: 292m

Moderate track

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 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 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

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

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

Flat Rock Creek

294 m Return, 15 mins

This short walk explores a piece of the Royal National Park, with lovely wildflowers in spring, and some great sandstone rock formations. The main highlight is the creek. Flat Rock Creek, as the name suggests, has a solid and flat bed. The rock is red in colour and the water flows across the widt

Total climbing: 21m

Moderate track

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

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

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