The insta-famous Figure Eight Pools is a picturesque ocean rock pool located on a rock platform south of Burning Palms Beach in the Royal National Park. The pool is safe to be visited only at low tide and calm surf conditions. Since the day I heard of the Figure Eight Pools, it had been high on my list of tracks to be covered.
There have been multiple deaths and a lot of injuries at the Figure Eight Pools caused by sudden ocean waves sweeping over the rock pools. If you plan to visit, you much check the risk forecast on the NSW National Parks web site and visit only when the risk rating is low. Even then, it is advised to stay well back from the edge of the rock platform and not to turn the back to the sea. Conditions can change quickly and waves can be unpredictable.
There are few warning signages along the way
The Figure Eight Pools is a 6 km return walk from the Garawarra Farm car park or a 9 km return walk from the Garie Beach car park.
From Garawarra Farm car park, we followed the Burgh Ridge Track towards Burning Palms Beach. The track starts with an unpaved section and then follows mostly by boardwalks and concrete steps. The track is currently undergoing major maintenance work.
Soon after the start, track slopes down steadily and meets the Coast Track in about 1.2 km. There is no shortage of stunning views along the way.
Halfway through Burgh Ridge Track, there is a vantage point which provides beautiful views of the Burning Palm Beach and two rock platforms in the distance. The most distant rock platform was our destination.
The intersection of Burgh Ridge Track and Coast Track
About ten minutes walk from the intersection got us to the Burning Palms Beach, a popular unpatrolled surf beach.
The Burning Palm Beach
The south end of the beach has a lot of rock boulders and they continued all the way up to the first rock platform. It was a tricky section of the track and about ten minutes of rock hopping got us to the first platform.
Towards the First Rock Platform
The First Rock Platform
The huge rock backdrop of the first Rock Platform
We continued passing the first rock platform. Some sections were quite narrow and close to the water.
Watching My Steps
Some Beautiful Rock Pools along the way
Soon there was more rock hopping to do.
After about 25 minutes walking/hopping from the first rock platform, here we are staring right into the dazzling Figure Eight Pools. The unique shape is created by two circular pools growing and merging into one bigger pool in the shape of a perfect 8.
In addition to the more popular Figure Eight Pools, the rock platform has few other rock pools. Though it is referred in plural as the Figure Eight Pools, only one pool is shaped like the figure eight.
We stayed at the Figure Eight Pools for some time, enjoying the beautiful views of the coastline in the distance and listening to the sound of the crashing waves.
What Better Place to Enjoy a Coffee
One added bonus of hiking in Spring is the chance to enjoy vivid colours of beautiful wildflowers that decorate the landscape.
It took us around 1.5 hrs to get to the Figure Eight Pools from Garawarra Farm car park. The uphill walk back to the car park was more challenging. However, as we did not stop for photos on the way back, though we were exhausted, the return trip took a little less time.
Climbing the brand new steps uphill
I was a bit nervous about visiting the Figure Eight Pools due to the risk involved. Weather was perfect and there were no unexpected surprises. We thoroughly enjoyed the day.
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