Bundeena to Marley Beach
Dharawal Country

4 h 15 min to 4 h 30 min

13.1 km
return

↑ 399 m
↓ -399 m

Moderate track
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, before heading back to Bundeena. On a sunny day this track is a pure delight. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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The gravel rd at the end of Beachcomber Rd. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Nearing Bundeena Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The views from Bundeena Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2007.
When the heath is particularly fragile walkways have been installed. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The track weaves its way through the heath. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The gully. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Expect to see at least one lizard along the track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The track across the rockshelf. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The Marley Head Servicetrail. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Just north of Marley Beach. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The surf at Marley Beach. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The track down to Marley Beach. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start Bundeena (-34.0827153,151.1506701)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.) Ferry
DirectionsFrom Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, Royal National Park.
  • Turn on to Bundeena Drive then drive for 10 km
  • Turn slight left onto Brighton Street and drive for another 155 m
  • Turn left onto Brighton Street and drive for another 120 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
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.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Bundeena Start (a footpath).
After 90 m pass the car park (10 m on your left).
After another 15 m find the "Bundeena" (15 m on your right).
Bundeena
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.
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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.
Continue straight, to head along Brighton Street.
After another 10 m pass the "Ferry Shelter" (8 m on your left).
Then come to the viewpoint (55 m on your left).
After another 6 m pass a seat (55 m on your left)., has a backrest.
After another 130 m pass the "Berenice Forster Park" (30 m on your right).
Turn left.
After another 25 m to find the car park.
After another 60 m pass a seat (75 m on your left)., has a backrest.
Then pass the toilet (10 m on your left).
After another 30 m pass the park (135 m on your right).
Turn left, to head along Loftus Street.
After another 10 m pass the "Mana Cafe" (100 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Loftus Street.
After another 25 m pass the toilet (40 m on your left).
After another 135 m pass a seat (70 m on your left)., has a backrest.
Then pass the car park (10 m on your left).
After another 10 m continue straight, to head along Loftus Street.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Loftus Street & Tom Jones Way) continue straight, to head along Loftus Street.
After another 100 m (at the intersection of Bournemouth Street & Loftus Street) turn right, to head along Bournemouth Street.
After another 135 m (at the intersection of Bournemouth Street & Baker Street) continue straight, to head along Bournemouth Street.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Bournemouth Street & Scarborough Street) turn left, to head along Scarborough Street.
After another 110 m (at the intersection of Scarborough Street & Bernie Street) continue straight, to head along Scarborough Street.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Beachcomber Avenue & Scarborough Street) turn right, to head along Beachcomber Avenue.
After another 275 m pass the park (50 m on your left).
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Reef Street & Beachcomber Avenue) continue straight, to head along Beachcomber Avenue.
After another 330 m (at the intersection of Beachcomber Avenue & Eric Street) continue straight, to head along Beachcomber Avenue.
After another 85 m to find the car park.
After another 7 m continue straight, to head along Beachcomber Avenue.
Then head through/around the gate.
Then pass the water tap (on your right).
After another 10 m pass the sign (5 m on your right).
After another 10 m continue straight.
After another 70 m pass the toilet (7 m on your right).
This toilet is wheelchair accessible.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 70 m turn left.
After another 420 m continue straight.
After another 175 m continue straight.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 25 m find the "Bundeena Lookout" (70 m on your left).
Bundeena Lookout
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.
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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.

After another 55 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
After another 40 m continue straight.
After another 400 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 560 m pass the waterfall (35 m on your left).
After another 10 m head up the steps (about 150 m long)
After another 380 m veer left.
After another 120 m come to the viewpoint (8 m on your left).
After another 45 m veer left.
After another 270 m find the "Wedding Cake Rock" (15 m on your left).
Wedding Cake Rock
Wedding Cake Rock

A popular rock formation that looks like a clean-cut unorthodox slice of a wedding cake (hence the name). It has been fenced off due to its instability. Please enjoy the view and take pictures from a safe distance.
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A popular rock formation that looks like a clean-cut unorthodox slice of a wedding cake (hence the name). It has been fenced off due to its instability. Please enjoy the view and take pictures from a safe distance.
After another 590 m veer left.
After another 340 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
After another 90 m veer left, to head along Big Marley Fire Trail.
After another 350 m head up the steps (about 30 m long)
After another 25 m cross the ford.
After another 25 m find the "Shell Midden - Marley Beach" (45 m on your left).
Shell Midden - Marley Beach
Shell Midden - Marley Beach

A shell midden (also known as a kitchen midden) left by the Dharawal people.
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A shell midden (also known as a kitchen midden) left by the Dharawal people.

After another 305 m find the "Big Marley Beach" (6 m on your left).
Big Marley Beach
Big Marley Beach

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.
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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.

Continue another 315 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 6.6 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Bundeena to Marley Beach


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 13.1 km
Time 4 h 15 min to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 90 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3.3 km apart with the largest gap of 11.4 km.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3.3 km apart with the largest gap of 12.8 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Shelter
90 mFerry Shelter
Seat
100 m[seat]
Toilet
205 m[toilet]
Seat
225 m[seat]
Toilet
230 m[toilet]
Seat
360 m[seat]
Toilet
1.7 km[toilet]
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on 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.
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.
Big Marley Beach
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.
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