Located just south of Sydney, the Royal National Park is Australia’s oldest and the world’s second-oldest national park.
With lookout points, waterfalls, walking tracks, and natural swimming pools, this 15,000-hectare park truly offers something for everyone.
Thanks to its position along Sydney’s south coast, the park also boasts a diverse selection of stunning beaches.
Below, we highlight nine of the best beaches in the Royal National Park, complete with detailed information on how to get there.
Find all of these beaches in this interactive map.
1. Jibbon Beach
Located next to the village of Bundeena, Jibbon Beach is a scenic 700-metre stretch of sand facing the waters of Port Hacking.
Swimming conditions are excellent, but it’s worth noting that the area can be quite windy. The water also deepens quickly just a few metres from shore, which is why you’ll often find boats anchored here on sunny days.
Close to Jibbon Beach, near Port Hacking Point and Jibbon Head, you can visit an Aboriginal engravings site featuring a large boardwalk and viewing platform.
Jibbon Beach is located next to Bundeena, which is easily accessible by car. Alternatively, a private ferry service links Bundeena with Cronulla. Jibbon Beach is a short walk away from the ferry wharf.
2. Horderns Beach
West of the ferry wharf, Horderns Beach is the second major beach in the Bundeena area of the Royal National Park.
It’s also a popular dog-friendly spot, with designated on- and off-leash times. For the latest details, visit the Sutherland Shire Council website.
Like Jibbon Beach, the best way to get to Horderns Beach is by driving to Bundeena. Otherwise, catch a ferry from Cronulla.
3. Wattamolla Beach
With its lagoon, waterfall, and picnic area, Wattamolla Beach is a beautiful and secluded spot in the Royal National Park, ideal for a relaxing day out.
To reach the beach from the car park, follow the boardwalk running parallel to the lagoon. The trail is only 350 metres long and leads you directly to the southern end of the beach.
With the ocean in front and the lagoon and waterfall behind, Wattamolla Beach feels like a small slice of paradise!
In Royal National Park, turn into Wattamolla Road from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and continue to the parking area.
4. Marley Beach
Nestled between Bundeena and Wattamolla, Marley Beach lies in the northern section of the Royal National Park and is an unpatrolled beach.
Also known as Big Marley Beach, this remote stretch of sand is considered hazardous, with Surf Life Saving Australia advising against swimming and surfing.
Despite this, the stunning scenery, featuring expansive sand dunes behind the beach, makes Marley Beach well worth a visit.
Marley Beach can be accessed via the 8 km return walk from Bundeena Drive. It can also be accessed via the Wedding Cake Rock walking track from Bundeena.
5. Little Marley Beach
Just a few hundred metres south of (Big) Marley Beach lies Little Marley Beach, a much smaller and more secluded stretch of sand.
This quiet beach offers slightly better swimming conditions than its larger neighbour, though the water can still be dangerous.
The two Marley beaches are linked by boardwalks, which are part of the iconic Coast Track.
The best and easiest way to access Little Marley Beach is via the Wattamolla to Little Marley Beach walking track (7 km return).
6. Era Beach
Era Beach is divided into two sections: North Era and South Era Beach, with South Era often simply referred to as Era Beach. North Era is the smaller of the two.
North Era Beach is best known for its campground, a popular stop for hikers tackling the Coast Track from Bundeena to Otford.
South Era Beach is home to a surf life-saving branch, with lifesavers on duty during weekends. Strong currents can make swimming dangerous at both beaches, so be sure to stay between the flags if you plan to take a dip.
Era Beach can be reached via a walking track starting from Garrawarra Road. Alternatively, the beach can also be accessed via the Garie Beach to Era Beach walking track.
7. Garie Beach
Garie Beach is a popular spot for surfers, with dedicated parking and various facilities available, including a Surf Life Saving Club.
Swimming here can be risky, so it’s strongly advised to always stay between the flags to avoid rips and strong waves.
Just a few hundred metres south lies Little Garie Beach, a small, rocky stretch of sand. While it’s not ideal for swimming, it’s still worth exploring.
Garie Road, which leads directly to the beach, is currently closed due to remediation works. It is scheduled to re-open later in 2025. The beach is also accessible via the Curra Moors Loop Track.
8. Burning Palms Beach
Located between Era Beach and the Figure 8 Pools, Burning Palms Beach is a popular surf spot, patrolled by its own Surf Life Saving Club.
A permanent rip exists at the northern end of the beach, so the safest place to swim is typically in the middle section.
The beach can be accessed via a trail starting from the Garawarra Farm car park. This trail forms part of the Palm Jungle Loop Track.
9. Werrong Beach
Situated near Otford at the southern end of the Royal National Park, Werrong Beach is arguably the most remote and secluded beach on this list.
Also known as ‘Hell Hole’, Werrong Beach is an official nude beach, but swimming is not allowed due to the consistently strong rips and currents.
Werrong Beach is accessible via the short but steep Werrong Beach Track starting from the Otford Lookout.
I have between 200-300 people who work for a church and am looking for a secluded beach to take them on Christmas day. Are there any such beaches? One thing we do require are toilets.
Thank you for your assistance.
Hi Tanya,
With a large group like that on Christmas Day, it’s going to be very challenging, if not impossible, to find a quiet beach with not too many people around.
In the Royal National Park, your best option may be Era Beach (north or south), which is only accessible via a section of the Coast Track and has toilet facilities. Come early, and you may be able to secure a large enough area to accommodate your group.