Bundeena Drive to Marley

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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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Marley Trail & Bundeena Drive (-34.1030622,151.1157766)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Princes Highway, A1, Loftus. Turn on to Farnell Avenue then drive for 1.1 km Keep right onto Farnell Avenue and drive for another 11.9 km Turn left onto Bundeena Drive and drive for another 5.6 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
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.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Marley Trail & Bundeena Drive Start heading along Marley Trail (a walking track). There is a car park (about 6 m back from the start).
	After another 1.9 km (from the Marley Trail) veer right, to head along Marley Trail. After another 40 m find the "Deer Pool" (40 m on your left). Deer Pool 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. After another 50 m (from the Marley Trail) continue straight, to head along Marley Trail.
	After another 275 m (from the Marley Trail) continue straight, to head along Marley Trail. After another 100 m (from the Marley Trail) continue straight, to head along Marley Trail.
	After another 110 m (at the intersection of Little Marley Fire Trail & Marley Trail) turn left, to head along Little Marley Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Little Marley Beach. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1.2 km (from the Little Marley Fire Trail) continue straight (a walking track). After another 430 m find the "Big Marley Beach" (5 m on your right). 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. After another 220 m come to "Shell Midden - Marley Beach". Shell Midden - Marley Beach A shell midden (also known as a kitchen midden) left by the Dharawal people. A ford. From the Marley Creek continue straight.
	Continue another 20 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 4.3 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to Little Marley Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Little Marley Fire Trail Start (a walking track). After 440 m find the "Little Marley Beach" (25 m on your right). Little Marley Beach 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.
	After another 25 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 470 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

From the Little Marley Fire Trail Start (a walking track).

After 440 m find the "Little Marley Beach" (25 m on your right).

Little Marley Beach

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.

After another 25 m come to the end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 470 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Bundeena Drive to Marley

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	8.6 km
Time	3 h to 3 h 30 min

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Deer Pool
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.

Little Marley Beach
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.

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.

Marley Lagoon Lookout
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.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cronulla Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Monday 28 April
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers along the coastal fringe, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Tuesday 29 April
  
  18°C → 23°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the outer west in the early morning. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 1:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 4 [Moderate]
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  17°C → 20°C
  Showers increasing. Windy.
  95% chance of rain
  6 → 30mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  16°C → 19°C
  Showers. Wind easing.
  95% chance of rain
  7 → 40mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h turning southerly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  15°C → 20°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 10mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the evening.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  17°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly during the day.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  17°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  17°C → 23°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Royal National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Deer Pool Walking Track CLOSED For Upgrade
  This section of Marley walking track between the carpark and fire trail is closed for repairs until April 2025.
  Big Marley and Little Marley fire trails remain open. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Curra Moors loop track partial closure
  The section of Curra Moors loop track between the carpark and fire trail is closed for repairs until April 2025.
  Curra Moors fire trail remains open. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Honeymoon Track closed for repairs
  The Honeymoon Walking Track near Audley in Royal National Park will be closed from 8 April 2025 for repairs to flood damaged sections. The works are expected to be completed in June.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Trails closed for upgrades - Temptation Creek/Loftus Loop Area
  Some walking and mountain bike trails within the Loftus Loop network at Temptation Creek are closed from Tuesday 11 March to Monday 30 June 2025 for upgrade works. The closed areas are:
  
  Farnell Avenue trail
  
  Rawson Parade trail
  
  Savilles Creek trail
  
  The fire trails east of Farnell Avenue will remain open for recreation.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Parks Visitors Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Vehicle trails closed for repairs
  The following vehicle trails will be closed from Wednesday 12 March to Friday 2nd May 2025 while trail construction work is being undertaken:
  
  Loftus Trig vehicle trail
  
  Engadine Lakes vehicle trail
  
  Goarra Ridge vehicle trail
  
  Farnell Avenue vehicle trail
  
  All trails will be reopened on weekends.
  Heavy machinery will be operating on all vehicle trails. Please do not enter closed areas. Please follow instructions and signage of NPWS staff and contractors.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Royal National Park Office on 02 9542 0632.
  
  Closed areas: Werrong Beach track
  Werrong Beach track in Royal National Park is closed until further notice due to landslides. Signs will be in place around the closed area.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: The Coast track - partial closure
  Walking the full length of The Coast track from Otford to Bundeena or Bundeena to Otford is not currently possible due to several track closures along its length. These closures are necessary due to erosion, rockfall risk and ongoing track upgrade works.
  Please note the following closures:
  
  The Garie to Little Garie section of The Coast track is closed due to hazardous rockfalls and erosion
  
  North Era campground is closed until further notice
  
  Garie Road, Garie Beach and the Garie precinct is closed until further notice due to damage and subsidence of the road surface. Walkers approaching from the north (e.g. from Wattamolla or Bundeena) should exit the track via Curra Moors track.
  
  Bushwalker access is available for the following sections of The Coast track:
  
  South bound access - Bundeena to Curra Moors track via Wattamolla and return only. There's no access to Garie Beach.
  
  North bound access - Is via Garawarra Farm Ridge trail and Burgh Ridge track to North Era and return, during track upgrades.
  
  For further information please contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648
  
  Closed areas: North Era campground closed
  North Era campground is closed until further notice due to operational activities. For more information please contact the local area office on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Garie Road closed due to damage
  Garie Road is closed until further notice due to damage to the road surface.
  This road may remain closed for some time to allow for extensive repairs. A reopening date is not currently known.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check Live Traffic NSW for updates before driving to Garie Beach.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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