Bundeena to Wattamolla (and return)
21 km (1148 km) 6 hr
If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal. Paulo Coelho
Did the first section of the crown jewel of Sydney coast walking today on the (Republic ) National Park Coast Track from Bundeena to Wattamolla.
Sadly, the track, which is generally a 32km 'through walk', has a couple of closed areas right now. No worries, I'm breaking it into 3 'out and back' sections to give me plenty of opportunities to enjoy and share all that this glorious part of the world has to offer.
It's a couple of kms from Bundeena Wharf to the start of the track (and add on a few more to round Jibbon Beach and Jibbon Head - the scenic southern headland of Port Hacking).
First stop was, of course, sunrise from the Balconies - always an awesome experience. This is my goto whale watching spot in the season, but my buddies are all far south cooling their fins in the Antarctic Ocean this time of year.
It was a short walk from there via what I think of as Balconies 2 and 3, to the Waterrun - a picturesque rill running down to the ocean and looking especially fine this morning.
Next up was Wedding Cake Rock - fenced off these days to prevent clueless instagrammers falling to their deaths while getting a perfect shot. While I dislike fences in natural places, I understand the sad reason (human stupidity) as to why they have to be built.
Never fear, not far from WCR was magnificent unfenced Marley Head, then Big and Little Marley Beaches - two of the best wild beaches to be found near the big smoke. Both are steep and unpredictable, so swim responsibly - no-one's coming to rescue you!
Next stop was Rainbow Rocks, plenty of ROY and G but the BIV depends on reflections from the sky - apologies that my limited photography skills don't do the place justice.
Had a brunch stop and another swim at perfect Wattamolla Beach (toilets, water, picnic tables, bbqs, etc.) with its scenic waterfall, lagoon and beach. Car access here if you have a friendly chauffeur handy.
A strong southerly blew up late morning so I had a wind assisted meander back to Bundeena - itself a quaint little treasure of a town on the southern Sydney fringes. While I'm usually a north-south coast walker (sun at your back) this track is magnificent either way, and quite different in each direction.
Nowadays the Coast Track is rather gentrified. Excellent signage and clear markings make it very easy to follow, with raised rubber mats over the hanging swamps, and sandstone or cut rock steps, stepping stones and little bridges in all the right places. A great flow to the walk too, as there's plenty of cliffscapes, headlands, rills, dips, climbs, bushland pockets, wildlife and incredible coastal vistas along the way. You simply can't ask for more!
So another fantabulous day... and that's where I'll wrap up Stage 9 of the coast walk for now (real life and all that).
We are all so fortunate to have so much fantastic coastal walking in NSW - 1000 miles and 1000 beaches - free, accessible and absolutely spellbinding - magic upon magic upon magic. Sensational!
Looking forward to Stage 10 and ff of my little NSW coastal camino, wending ever onwards and southwards...