Big Marley Rock Pool
Natural rock pool located south of Port Hacking on the coast of the Royal National Park, which separates the cities of Sydney and Wollongong. Photographs show this has long been a popular bathing place for park visitors.
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Historical notes Shell middens show a long Aboriginal occupation of the National Park area and meals of shellfish and snapper. Aboriginal communities at La Perouse in Sydney and in Wollongong and on the south coast retain strong links to the Royal National Park area and its fishing spots.
Late nineteenth century Established as The National Park in 1879, this national park celebrated as ‘the lungs of Sydney’ was the world’s second national park and the first such park in Australia .
Tracks from the railway station at Waterfall leading down through the Park to the coast became popular with bushwalkers and campers.
1920s Bushwalking became a popular pastime and railways promoted day trips to the park.
1950s Following the 1954 visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Australia, the National Park was renamed the Royal National Park.
1967 The National Parks and Wildlife Act passed management of the Royal National Park and the Garrawarra Park from park trustees to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
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Historical data and text adapted from All into Ocean Pools Inc (originally published at allintooceanpoolsinc.org, including research contributed by Marie-Louise McDermott), retrieved via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. Used under Creative Commons Attribution guidelines.
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