The Stunning Figure Eight Pools in the Royal National Park

Name: Figure Eight Pools

Where: Royal National Park at the end of Burning Palms beach.

How to get there: Park in the Garawarra Farm car park in the Royal National Park and follow the signs.

How long: Around a two hour return trip.

Pools of the Sea series: #3/100

Tips: Only go during low tide, check the National Park website before heading out.

Figure Eight Pools

Deep in the heart of the beautiful Royal National Park in southern Sydney, lies a remarkable sight that you need to see with your own eyes.

The Figure Eight Pools in the Royal National Park is exactly what you’d expect, a small pool that forms a number 8 in the rocks along the coastline of Burning Palms beach in the Royal National Park.

If you didn’t know any better you’d think that this perfect looking structure was made by man. It’s almost too perfect to be made a nature. But as with the beauty of nature, it’s often more amazing than we could build ourselves.

The first time I came to this site was pretty early in my photo expeditions and it really planted the seed for this website and to explore as much as possible and to photograph and document as many places as I could. Some more information on the pools here from another trek https://chasinglight.photo.blog/2020/10/06/figure-8-pools-in-the-royal-national-park/

So this particular spot holds a special meaning to myself, as it really was a turning point in my photography. That was the moment when I thought this is what I need to be doing. So whenever I look at the pictures it really brings up a lot of positive emotions and the first time here was a moment I’ll never forget. It’s also number 3 on my list of my quest to shoot 100 rock pools. More on that here https://chasinglight.photo.blog/2021/07/10/pools-of-the-sea/

As awesome as it is, it’s also pretty tricky to get to and it also comes with a bit of risk. So I definitely wouldn’t recommend it to everyone as the trek there can be pretty tough and if your fitness isn’t the best I’d say give this one a miss.

But if you are keen to visit the Figure Eight pools here is the best way to get there.

You can park in a small carpark 100 meters north of the Otford Bakery in Otford and head into the Royal National Park and then follow the signs to Burning Palms beach.

It’s about an hour’s hike to the beach. And once you hit the beach of Burning Palms, you will then walk along the water’s edge until you hit the southern most point of the beach.

From there you’ll have to walk/climb along the rocks for another 20 minutes or so until you hit the flat rock self. Continue for another few minutes and once you hit the end of the rock shelf and then aim towards the edge of the rocks to where the ocean meets the flat rock. With a little bit of scouting you’ll find this remarkable structure.

Another way to get there is to head into the Royal National Park and aim for the Garawarra Farm car park near Gaire. Once in the carpark follow the signs again til you hit Burning Palms beach and follow the same directions as above.

The main trick to see the figure eight pools is to make sure you get there at low tide. In high tide you won’t be able to see the pools as it will be covered by the waters high tide. Also it is far to dangerous to cross the rocks between the beach and the pool. So follow the tide via the Royal National Park website and as always stay safe out there.

It definitely is a great spot to see and also to take some pictures of. On a warm summers day there will be plenty of people around so you’ll have no trouble finding the pool but getting a shot on your own will be the bigger challenge as it can get quite busy at times.

It’s a special place and one I hold dearly as it really was a great moment I’m my life to see it for the first time. It really did change my life. So tread lightly and stay safe on your travels to this beautiful natural wonder known as The Figure Eight Pools in the Royal National Park.

Til next time!

Chris