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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Bundeena to Little Marley Beach are found in each of the tabs below
Bundeena to Little Marley Beach
Time: 5 hrs Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
0.1 km NE of Bundeena
Length: 14 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 14 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Royal National Park
Climb: 441 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 441 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk There is a ferry stop near the start and end of this walk
Style: Return
Track: Moderate

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 start a day of walking. With this walk, prepare to be astounded by great views of the ocean and cliffs. (open in app)


There are closures in Royal National Park
Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Bundeena to Little Marley Beach

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Bundeena to Little Marley Beach bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Bundeena to Little Marley Beach
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Bundeena Ferry Wharf
End of Beachcomber Av
Int of Jibbon Head and Beachcomber Rd Service Trails
Int of Beachcomber Rd Servicetrail and Coast Walk
Bundeena Lookout
Int of Coast Track and Marley Head Servicetrail
East Marely Beach
West Marley Beach
Int. Coastal Trk and Chimney Trk
Starting point for this hiking track: Bundeena Ferry Wharf

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Port Hacking 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91294N 
 Port Hacking 1:100 000 Map Series 9129 

Photo Gallery

 
The track to the coast
 
The track to the coast +
 
The views from Bundeena Lookout
 
The views from Bundeena Lookout +
 
When the heath is particularly fragile walkways have been installed
 
When the heath is particularly fragile walkways have been installed +

 
The gully
 
The gully +
 
Coastal View
 
Coastal View +
 
Marley Beach
 
Marley Beach +

 
The surf at Marley Beach
 
The surf at Marley Beach +
 
Little Marley Beach
 
Little Marley Beach +
 
Looking north along the coast from Little Marley Beach
 
Looking north along the coast from Little Marley Beach +

Terrain


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 to Little Marley Beach bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Bundeena to Little Marley Beach bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bundeena to Little Marley Beach bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Bundeena to Little Marley Beach 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 14km
Time 5 hrs
.


Grade 3/6

Track: Moderate
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)
*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
3.5km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.4km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (1.1km) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
4.9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.6km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (450m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs
Around 4.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.4km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
Around 4.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 4.6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes


Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
Catch the ferry to Bundeena
Public transport (ferry) available to this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info
Use these links to plan your Ferry (and train) trip to the end of this walk.

Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to Bundeena Ferry Wharf
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Bundeena Alt = 3 m
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

(0 km) Bundeena Ferry Wharf to End of Beachcomber Av
Walk: Easy - road
Length = 1.55 km Time = 30 mins
Climb = 61 m Descent = -21 m
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.

(1.55 km) End of Beachcomber Av to Bundeena Lookout
Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 895 m Time = 16 mins
Climb = 14 m Descent = -29 m
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].
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Coast Track' signpost along the wide, sandy bush track as it winds through the short, thick scrub for a while before arriving at the coast, where there are great views across the South Pacific Ocean.

Bundeena Lookout Alt = 28 m
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.

(2.45 km) Bundeena Lookout to West Marley Beach
Track: Moderate - bushtrack,beach
Length = 3.88 km Time = 1 hr 19 mins
Climb = 136 m Descent = -156 m
Turn right: From the lookout, this walk follows the bush track winding south along the coast line, keeping the ocean to the left as it winds in and out of scrub and across several rock surfaces. On a few occasions, the track will split into two and meet up again a short while later - just stick to the track closer to the coast. This walk follows the track markers until coming to a large gully, where it winds to the bottom via some steep rock steps. Once at the bottom, the track crosses the small stream at the wooden bridge and continues up the other side of the gully, climbing up the wooden steps and the hardened path to the top. From the top of the gully, the track continues along the path heading through the high heath for about 1.5km, until coming to an intersection with a management trail. This intersection is marked by a signpost saying 'Coast Walk'.
Veer left: 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.
Continue straight: From the end of Marley Beach, this walk follows the coast along the beach until coming to the rock-shelf at the end. Marley Beach is very beautiful and, on a warm day, it would be a great spot to swim. On the rockshelf at the end of the beach, there are some shady spots to break from the walk. (At this, point there is also an intersection with a small bush track that heads up the hill and away from the beach.)

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

(6.33 km) West Marley Beach to Little Marley Beach
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 678 m Time = 12 mins
Climb = 9 m Descent = -15 m
Veer left: From the end of the beach, this walk heads up and along the rock-shelf to following the coast as the bush track weaves in and out of the short heath for a short while. The track then comes to an intersection with an unmarked bush track going off to the right and away from the cliffs.
Veer left: 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.

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

Catch the ferry from Bundeena
Public transport (ferry) available from this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info
Use these links to plan your Ferry (and train) trip from the end of this walk.

Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from Bundeena Ferry Wharf
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

From
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney
From the end of the walk

To
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by


Campsites in the park
Bonnie Vale camping ground
North Era camping ground
Uloola Falls camping ground


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Boots Great Outdoors 23 Koonya Cct, Caringbah (02) 9542 8988 6.6 km
Paddy Pallin Adventure Equipment 587 Kingsway, Miranda (02) 9525 6829 7.1 km
Caravan Accessories Pty Ltd 33 Rocky Point Rd , Kogarah (02) 9588 3400 12.4 km
Carlton Canvas Co 337 Princes Hwy, Carlton (02) 9587 0208 12 km
Engadine Disposal & Outdoor Centre Pty Ltd 1042 Old Princes Hwy, Engadine (02) 9520 3367 12.8 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Bundeena to Little Marley Beach.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Bundeena to Little Marley Beach
Click to re-center search
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 13 km (to the NNW)
3 VMG3 Mine commsite WESTCLIFF COLLIERY 34 km (to the WSW)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
39 km (to the N)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 40 km (to the NW)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 52 km (to the N)

Weather and Park info

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 9 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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Royal National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page

Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
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.


Walker Feedback

Comments
Add NewSearch
Tejas - Spectacular views! IP:110.20.186.xxx | 2014-05-21 09:45:45
I did this walk a couple of months ago.

I actually went a bit further on this Coast Walk to Wattamolla - after the Marley beach it heads inland through forest.

Wattamolla was packed. It is a good beach with a tiny cliff to jump off.

But overall it was a great walk. The highlight is of course the beginning - within half hour you are at the cliffs.

They are simply stunning. It was quite windy, stay far back from the edge, it is a thrill.

With the whale season starting I might head back.
Melissa - Marley (Big Markey) beach IP:110.20.244.xxx | 2015-07-29 07:52:21
Hi Matt,
Walked this a few days ago, and it was as lovely as ever. Just want to mention though, that swimming is not recommended at Big Marley beach due to strong undercurrents. There used to be a big warning sign up, but I didn't notice if it is still there. Little Marley is the safer of the two beaches to swim at, although still unpatrolled.
I love your updates, keep them up :)
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