A Mermaid’s Fantasy in South West Arm Pool

Wattamolla & the Figure Eight Pools may be the biggest attraction of Sydney’s Royal National Park for adventurers & tourists alike, however the South West Arm Pool holds it own as an explorer’s paradise.

Highlights

Giant swimming hole (relatively private compared to others in the RNP)
Jumping off high cliffs into deep green water
A bush walk that goes off the beaten track.

Once you enter the Royal National Park hang a left onto Warumbul Road & park up at the beginning of the Winifred Fire Trail. Take this trail by foot for about half an hour downhill until you reach the Winifred Falls. A pretty little waterfall with a pool to splash in — however, this is not why you’re here.

From here your path gets a little tricky, walk toward the left, past the viewpoint of the falls, scale down a path and walk alongside the river. There’s barely a beaten track, but trust your instincts whilst walking over uneven rocks and dodging trees. Your patience will be rewarded when you reach a clearing and here you will grab your first glimpse of the South West Arm Pool. A giant bottle green lagoon with high cliffs on both sides, which are perfect for leaping off into the deep water and there’s even a rope swing!

The pool is connected by the South West Arm Creek out to the ocean, so the water is slightly salty. You could spend a good amount of time here splashing and sunbaking on one of the many rock faces, or head back up the trail & discover another one of the RNP’s wonderful swimming spots.