Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam

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Time 45 mins
Return 1.7 km Return
Climb 59 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Car
no_pets
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.

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

distance 180 m time 4 mins climb 3m descent -8m Easy track
From the toilet block, this walk follows the path down the hill and through the car park to the northern end of the picnic area, near the creek crossing.

Wattamolla Picnic Area

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

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 Dam

distance 650 m time 13 mins climb 31m descent -17m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the northern end of Wattamolla Picnic Ground, this track crosses the wide, shallow creek (keeping the ocean to the right). The walk then follows the track marker along the bush track, winding up the other and gradually climbing up a long hill through high scrub to Wattamolla Creek, where there is a small dam creating a swimming hole in the creek. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain.

Wattamolla Dam

Wattamolla Dam
Wattamolla pool (or dam), Royal National Park, is a small water hole on Wattamolla Creek, above the lagoon. The pool is on the Coast Track near Wattamolla picnic area and offers a quiet spot for a dip and a rest. The pool is formed by a small, constructed sandstone dam and fed by a small waterfall above.

Maps for the Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam 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.

Otford1:25 000 Map Series91294S OTFORDNSW-91294S
Port Hacking1:100 000 Map Series9129 PORT HACKING9129

Cross sectional view of the Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam

Altitude analysis for Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam

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.

Length1.7 km
Time45 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsClearly signposted (1/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureGenerally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 650m of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 180m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 650m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 180m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 840m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 840m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 840m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 840m 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 picnic area to Wattamolla Dam walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam walk starts and ends at the Wattamolla Picnic Ground Toilet Block (gps: -34.138375, 151.11485)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Royal National Park

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