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 the walk in.
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There are closures in Royal National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)
Cross sectional view of the Bundeena Road to Marley bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bundeena Road to Marley bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
10km
Time
3 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
2.4km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.8km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (640m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
2.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.7km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (620m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
Around 2.4km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 2.4km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 1.2km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (620m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 3km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.9km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 2.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 2.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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(0 km)
Int. Marley Trk and Bundeena Drive
to
Deer Pools Clearing Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.88 km
Time = 38 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -96 m
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
Alt = 12 m
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.
(1.88 km)
Deer Pools Clearing
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Int. Mowlee Ridge Trail and Marley Trk Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 562 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 41 m
Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the clearing, this walk leads south-east up the hill through dense scrub. The track follows sprayed white dashes on the rocks, heading up the hill to pass a rocky platform (on the left of the track) approximately 300m up. The track continues past the rocky platform for approximately 100m to the intersection on the ridgeline.
(2.44 km)
Int. Mowlee Ridge Trail and Marley Trk
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North end of Chimney Trk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.03 km
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -38 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail, heading down the long gentle hill as it steadily winds down to the coast. There are views across Marley Lagoon on the left as the walk heads down to the end of the service trail, where it comes to a grassy clearing with a bush track on the other side.
(3.47 km)
North end of Chimney Trk
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Int. Coastal Trk and Chimney Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 121 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -9 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Marley' arrow up the short hill and over the rock platform, continuing along the defined bush track, winding down to the coast where it comes to the 'T' intersection with the Coast Walk bush track.
(3.59 km)
Int. Coastal Trk and Chimney Trk
to
Little Marley Beach Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 436 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -11 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track winding along the coast, keeping the ocean and the cliffs to the left. The track winds down the hill for a while before coming to the end of Little Marley Beach. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
Little Marley Beach
Alt = 3 m
Little Marley Beach, Royal National Park, is a yellow sand beach, approximately 140m long. The narrow beach faces north-east and has a rock platform at either end. The beach is not patrolled and has no other services. For information on this beach's pollution levels, follow the 'more info' link below. More info
(3.59 km)
Int. Coastal Trk and Chimney Trk
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West Marley Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 242 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track along the coast, keeping the ocean to the right for a short while before the track descends steeply off the rock-shelf and down a rough bush track to the end of Marley Beach.
(3.83 km)
West Marley Beach
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East Marely Beach Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 396 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -9 m
Veer right: From the end of Marley Beach, this walk follows the coast across the beach until coming to a large green information sign on Aboriginal culture in the area. This is the start of a bush track that heads up the hill to continue along the coast.
Big Marley Beach
Alt = 1 m
Big Marley Beach, Royal National Park, is a yellow sand, crescent-shaped beach, approximately 400m in length. The beach has a large dune area, behind which Marley Lagoon is found. The lagoon is fed by Marley Creek and the surrounding catchment. The beach is not patrolled and there are no other facilities. The south-facing beach has a rockshelf at either end. For information on this beach's pollution levels, follow the 'more info' link. More info
(4.23 km)
East Marley Beach
to
Marley Lagoon Lookout Track: Hard - beach
Length = 623 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the edge of the sand dunes, keeping the thick scrub up the hill to the right. The walk follows a shallow stream to the back of the sand dunes, then climbs up a short hill to the Marley Lagoon lookout.
Marley Lagoon Lookout
Alt = 9 m
This unofficial lookout is on top of the sand dune behind Big Marley Beach in the Royal National Park. The lookout can be accessed by walking inland across the sand from the beach. The view from the sand dune provides a high-set view of the lagoon and also north-west across the bush. The lagoon is not suitable for swimming.
(4.85 km)
Marley Lagoon Lookout
to
West Marley Beach Alternate Route:
Track: Hard - beach
( Show detail)
Length = 542 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -3 m
Veer left: From the view point, the walk follows the edge of the sand dunes, keeping the thick scrub up the hill to the right. The walk winds around to the coast, coming to an intersection with the coastal walk track at the end of the beach. Turn left to rejoin the main walk, following the notes from 3.83km 'West Marley Beach'.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Royal National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: The Coast track upgrade The Coast track will be undergoing construction works between Beachcomber Ave and Marley Beach over a 9 month period. Works include resurfacing, installation of raised board walk and stairs and will be undertaken between October 2015 and May 2016. During the works it will be necessary, at times, to close the Coast Track for visitor safety. Please be aware that during closures the full coast track walk will not be possible and you may need to plan your route to start and finish at a different location. The Royal National Park alerts page will be updated regularly so please check it before you leave home. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact Royal National Park area office on (02) 9542 0632 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Closed areas: Wedding Cake Rock Access to Wedding Cake Rock is prohibited. National Parks and Wildlife Service has undertaken a geotechnical assessment of the rock, which found that there is high chance that it could collapse at any time. Safety fencing has been erected to protect the public while a more permanent solution is developed. This is a really beautiful location and a spectacular rock formation to look at, but the key is doing it at a safe distance from the edge.
Safety alerts: Audley precinct in wet weather Access across the Audley Weir may be closed due to river flooding during times of wet weather. During wet weather, NPWS advise park visitors to visit Live Traffic NSW to ascertain the status of the Weir crossing before commencing their travel to the park. During times of closure, access to Bundeena, Maianbar residential areas, Royal National Park Visitor Centre, including the Audley Dance hall and cafe, is via McKell Ave Waterfall.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)