Wattamolla Falls

Wattamolla Falls is a perfect day trip. Last weekend, we finally visited one of Sydney locals’ favourite “backyard escapes” — Wattamolla Falls. It is only about a 50–70 minute drive from Sydney CBD (depending on traffic). After entering Royal National Park and paying a $12 vehicle entry fee, you arrive at this stunning spot that combines a lagoon, waterfall, and beach in one place. As soon as we arrived at the car park, the scenery was already incredible: a white sandy beach, a crystal-clear lagoon, and a small waterfall flowing down the rock cliffs directly into the lagoon. The whole scene looks almost like a private tropical island. If you arrive early, parking is still easy to find. We managed to secure a shaded BBQ area and set up a picnic blanket. We brought fruit, bread, coffee, and grilled sausages and chicken wings. Sitting there listening to the sound of the waterfall was extremely relaxing. Things to do: 1. Swim, snorkel, or float in the lagoon. The water is calm, clean, and suitable for kids 2. Walk down to the base of the waterfall for photos. The best photo spot is near the small track on the left side of the car park 3. Walk part of the Coast Track towards Eagle Rock. It takes about 1–2 hours return and is an easy scenic walk with ocean cliffs 4. Stay for sunset, when the light reflects beautifully on the water Tips: * Arrive early, ideally before 10 am, as it gets busy and parking fills quickly * Bring sunscreen, a hat, and enough water, especially in summer as there is strong sun exposure * Do not jump from the top of the waterfall, as it is not officially allowed and can be unsafe * Bring a rubbish bag and take all waste with you to help protect the area