Figure 8 Pools: The Complete Guide to Hiking Royal National Park’s Famous Rock Pools

The Figure 8 Pools is one of the best hikes to do in Royal National Park. It’s not far from Sydney, Australia which makes it an ideal day hike from the Sydney or Wollongong region. I first did the Figure Eight Pools track in 2022, and I was surprised on my most recent visit to see the walk hasn’t changed at all.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know before your visit to Royal National Park for one of Sydney’s best day hikes. NSW National Parks rates this track as hard, but I think there’s a lot more nuance to it than that rating suggests. There are two ways to reach the Figure 8 Pools, and in this guide I’m covering the route from Garawarra Farm car park to the pools.

Hike Stats

• Length: 6.3km, out and back
• Elevation gain: 258m
• Time: 3–4 hours
• Difficulty: Hard (as rated by NSW National Parks)
• Trailhead: Garawarra Farm car park, Otford

How to Get There

If you’re visiting the Figure 8 Pools, you’ll want to drive and park at Garawarra Farm car park. It isn’t possible to drive directly to the pools, and there’s no public transport inside Royal National Park itself.

Option 1 – Driving

By far the best way to do the Figure 8 Pools track is by driving — you’ll have a much more enjoyable experience. Park at Garawarra Farm car park, where you’ll find public toilets, signage, and a spot to pay the $12 national park entry fee.

Option 2 – Public Transport and walking

The closest train stations to the Figure 8 Pools are Otford Station and Waterfall Station. From Otford, it’s roughly a 2-hour hike to the pools. From Waterfall Station, closer to 3.5 hours each way. Personally, I think the Waterfall route makes for a very long day, since a chunk of it follows roads inside the national park.

If you’re short on time or don’t have your own transport, there are some great day tours from Sydney, like the Royal National Park Small Group Hike, Swim, Picnic tour.

Best Time to hike the figure 8 pools track

I’ve done the Figure 8 Pools hike in both summer and winter, and I’d recommend a sunny winter’s day. The final stretch back to the car park is steep, and I noticed I sweated a lot less doing it in cooler weather.

Yes, the pools are cold in winter — but it feels like a lovely cold plunge and is well worth it. It’s one of the reasons I love living near Sydney: the weather is great almost all year round. That being said, this trail is great all year round.

If you’re chasing the best photos, aim for early morning light, and keep an eye out for whales between May and October — you can often spot them from the cliff-top lookouts along the trail. Whatever time of year you go, always plan your visit around low tide (more on that below).

What to Pack

If you’re heading to Royal National Park for this hike, bring:

• At least 1 litre of water
• Hiking boots
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• Hand sanitiser
• Plenty of snacks
• Light layers
• Swimmers
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Camera

My personal go-to hiking outfit is shorts, hiking boots, a t-shirt, and a flannel layered on top. I always warm up fast on this trail, and since a section of the Figure 8 Pools track is steep, you’ll work up a sweat on the way back.

Worth knowing: mobile signal is patchy to non-existent along parts of the trail, so consider downloading offline maps before you go and let someone know your plans.

Going overseas and need Travel Insurance? I use SafetyWing for exactly this kind of coverage, it covers me in most destinations worldwide!

What to Know Before You Go

To have the most enjoyable hike to the Figure 8 Pools, I’d strongly recommend proper hiking boots. I’ve seen people attempt this trail in flip-flops and regular trainers — not ideal, since a large chunk of the walk involves scrambling up and over rocks. Trainers will do the job, but the rocks get very slippery and some of them shift under your feet.

Before you go, it’s also worth checking the NSW National Parks website for any current track closures or maintenance works — these do pop up from time to time and can affect access to the figure eight pools.

Is the Figure 8 Pools Track Safe?

The Figure 8 Pools is considered one of the more dangerous hikes near Sydney, and for one main reason: the pools sit on a rock shelf beneath a headland that sits out into the ocean. A lot of visitors don’t realise before they go that there are multiple pools on this rock shelf. The most photogenic being the true “figure of 8” shaped pool, which sits just metres from the open ocean.

Unfortunately, there have been serious injuries and deaths at the Figure 8 Pools over the years, so it’s worth taking this seriously. Here are my top safety tips:

Figure 8 Pools Tide Times

The key to staying safe on this trail is timing your hike around the Figure 8 Pools tide times. This spot should only be visited at low tide, which is usually earlier in the morning — but tides shift constantly, so check the NSW National Parks website for the current tide and risk forecast before you go.

The biggest danger is waves smashing into the rock shelf, which can knock you over or sweep you into the ocean. Please, please be careful — Australia’s nature is incredible, but it needs to be enjoyed safely.

Other Figure 8 Pools Safety Tips

Keep an eye out for snakes, especially during summer. If you spot one on the trail, move slowly, give it plenty of space, and stamp your feet — snakes feel the vibration and will usually move off on their own. If you are bitten by a snake, don’t move, apply a firm pressure bandage over the bite and up the limb if you have one, and call 000 immediately.

How to Hike the Figure 8 Pools Track

The Figure 8 Pools is an enjoyable trail that should take you up to 4 hours return. I’d strongly recommend bringing snacks — you can stop for lunch at Burning Palms Beach, which is roughly the halfway point between the car park and the pools.

Garawarra Farm Car Park

When you arrive at Garawarra Farm car park, pay the $12 national park entry fee and use the bathroom here, since there aren’t any toilets along the trail. Then follow the signs to the Figure 8 Pools track.

The start of the trail winds through lush bushland and onto a boardwalk for about 20 minutes, until you reach a clearing with gorgeous ocean views. If you’re visiting in winter, keep an eye out for whales.

Burning Palms beach

Looking for one of the best photo spots in Royal National Park? A few small side paths lead out to incredible lookouts over Burning Palms Beach, where you can spot the Figure 8 Pools in the distance.

From there, you’ll head down some steps and start noticing small shacks along the slope above Burning Palms Beach. These are heritage-listed beach shacks that date back nearly 100 years.

Once you reach the beach, you’ll cross Burning Palms Beach, which is absolutely stunning on a blue-sky day. The ocean here can be rough, so only swim if you’re a confident swimmer and always check for rips. Personally, I’m not a strong swimmer, so I usually just dip my toes in.

Headland area

After crossing Burning Palms Beach, you’ll reach a rocky section that leads around a headland — this is one of the more dangerous parts of the Figure 8 Pools track.

On my most recent visit, I noticed people walking dangerously close to the edge here. The rock floor is slippery from constant wave splash, so stay as close to the headland as possible to avoid getting swept in.

Past this section, you’ll come out onto a wider, rockier stretch — be careful, as some rocks are loose (I slipped a few times myself). That’s when you’ll reach the Figure 8 Pools rock shelf.

Figure of 8 pools

After around 1 hour of hiking the trail, you’ll finally reach the infamous Figure of eight pools.

Most visitors leave their belongings up on the drier rocks to keep them from getting wet. I’d recommend spending 20–30 minutes exploring the pools and relaxing on the rocks. If you want a quieter visit, aim for a weekday — though I visited around 10am on a Saturday in August and it wasn’t too crowded.

While you’re there, keep an eye on the ocean and the waves, since conditions can change quickly — that’s when it gets dangerous.

Best Places to Stay in Sydney

Royal National Park itself doesn’t have accommodation near the trailhead, so most people base themselves in Sydney and do this as a day trip. Here’s where I’d recommend staying, depending on your budget:

• $$$ The Langham Sydney — a luxury pick if you want to treat yourself after a long day on the trail.
• $$ The Grace Hotel — a solid mid-range option, centrally located and easy to get moving from early.
• $ Lyfe Bondi Junction — a budget-friendly option, great if you want easy access to transport links.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Figure 8 Pools is one of the most glorious hikes you can do near Sydney. I’ve done it twice now and I’m already planning to go back and tackle it as part of the longer Royal National Park Coast Track. If you have any questions, leave a comment below, and you can also watch my YouTube video from a few years back to see what the trail is really like.

FAQS

How long is the Figure 8 Pools track?

The Figure 8 Pools track is a 6.3km out-and-back trail. I’d personally rate it a moderate-to-hard hike — you’ll want a decent level of fitness to enjoy it.

Is it safe to visit the Figure 8 Pools?

Yes, it can be completely safe to visit the Figure 8 Pools as long as you check the tide times beforehand and exercise caution around the rocky sections near the ocean.

Are dogs allowed on the Figure 8 Pools track?

No — dogs and other pets aren’t permitted. The Figure 8 Pools track sits within Royal National Park, which is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Unfortunately, they don’t allow pets in any NSW national park.

Can I fly my drone at the Figure 8 Pools?

No — unfortunately, due to the location, it isn’t possible to fly a drone at the Figure 8 Pools. Flying a drone in any Australian national park generally requires a commercial filming permit, and this site sits within 5.5km of an airfield or helicopter landing site, which makes it a no-fly zone.

What are the opening hours for the Figure 8 Pools?

Royal National Park is generally open from sunrise to sunset, but always check the NSW National Parks website before you go, since hours and access can change with conditions or maintenance works.

Is the Figure 8 Pools track ever closed?

It can be — the track occasionally closes for maintenance, extreme weather, or high-risk tide/swell conditions. Check the NSW National Parks website for the latest status before making the drive down.

What’s the best time of day to visit the Figure 8 Pools?

Early morning, timed around low tide, is generally your best bet — you’ll get softer light for photos, fewer crowds, and the safest conditions at the pools themselves.

What else is there to do near the Figure 8 Pools?

If you have extra time, Burning Palms Beach itself is worth lingering at, and keen hikers can extend the day by tackling more of the Royal National Park Coast Track. Otford Lookout and the Palm Jungle are also nearby if you’re coming from that end of the park.

More Sydney Travel tips

• Best Travel Insurance: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
• Best Travel Card: Wise Travel Card
• Looking for the best flights? Skyscanner