Bateman’s Bay is blessed with plenty of amazing swimming opportunities, though some are more secluded than others. The Lilli Pilli Rockpool definitely falls into the lesser known category.
It’s a great place to swim in quiet solitude, surrounded by the gorgeous stripy cliffs that characterise this area. The water is a glorious shade of blue and at just under a 600m walk, it’s a great bet for a hot day. A second smaller rockpool is located nearby and an even shorter walk at just 100m!
Here’s how to find it.
Safety info: tide & swell
There are two parts to the Lilli Pilli Rockpool: the northern section is very well protected from the tide and swell, while the southern section is very exposed.
At time of writing, there is a fair amount of weed in the most protected part (the northern section), so you’ll want to visit during calm conditions to swim in the southern section.
It’s best visited an hour either side of low tide and when the swell is marked as slight. The more protected area still requires a slight swell, but can be visited a couple of hours either side of low tide.
Rogue waves are always a possibility with rockpools, but visiting on a slight swell greatly reduces the risk. You can see the 5 day tide and swell forecast here.
Additionally, it is not recommended to swim here for a few days after heavy rain as it can suffer from urban run off.
The walk to the Lilli Pilli Rockpool
The stats
Distance: 570m each way
Elevation gain: 35m
Difficulty: Easy, but not flat
Trailhead: Denise Drive, Lilli Pilli
Summary: The walk to the Lilli Pilli Rockpool takes less than 10 minutes and is generally quite easy.
There’s a little bit of a hill to descend to the beach, which you’ll have to climb back up after your swim, but it doesn’t take long.
The walk along the beach to the rockpool is rocky in parts, but there’s not much in the way of clambering, though you will want shoes as the rock can be sharp.
The walk
From the parking area (full details below) you head down the dirt path that leads in a northerly direction. It’s right next to some 50km speed signs and isn’t hard to spot.
It’s a well worn track which starts out wide and flat. After 150m the trail narrows and heads left as you begin to descend towards the beach.
You’ll pass a bench and continue through the forest until it opens up by the beach. The last few metres get a bit rockier, but it’s not difficult, just a touch eroded.
You’ll reach the beach after 270m.
Head left along the beach and you’ll come to the rocks 130m later (400m from the parking area).
The walk is flat, but now requires traversing some rocks (though no scrambling) for which you’ll definitely want shoes unless your feet are a lot hardier than mine!
We recommend sticking to the cliff at first as it’s a lot smoother going than the rocks, but after 20m you’ll reach two big boulders that block your way and force you on to the rocks. At this point you’re just 150m from the rockpool.
To get to the rockpool, head onto the rocks and towards the water. It’s located on the rock shelf right next to the ocean.
The boulders
The rockpool
Swimming at the Lilli Pilli Rockpool
The Lilli Pilli Rockpool is pretty big, but alas, at the time of writing a sizeable chunk is quite weedy. Where there isn’t weed the water is turquoise and it’s rather glorious, but you can’t swim its full length.
However, the right side of the pool (when facing the ocean) is completely weed free. You won’t see this section until you’re standing right on top of it as it’s shielded from view by the rocks.
This is the bit that is great for swimming, provided you have the right conditions (low tide and slight swell).
This section of the pool is enclosed on one side, but only partially enclosed on the other, so it receives more waves than the weedy side and is subject to the current.
That aside, it’s a wonderful place for a swim with superb water clarity and colour. There’s plenty of colourful fish to keep you company too!
I recommend keeping your shoes on until the last possible moment when entering any part of the pool as the rock is sharp and there are barnacles.
My preferred place to enter the water is in the middle of the pool at what feels like the dividing rock between the two sides of the pool (not the best description but you’ll know when you see it).
Here you can drop into the water easily enough and it’s quite deep so there are no rocks to negotiate once inside the water.
When I entered from the weedy side there were lots of sharp bits in the shallow part of the pool and for the first time ever in a rockpool I went fully over (you’d be ok with water shoes if you want to enter the shallow area!).
All in all this is a lovely place for a swim, not our favourite in the area, but still gorgeous and very quiet.
A second rockpool nearby
Just slightly further down the same road you park on for the main Lilli Pilli Rockpool there is a gorgeous secluded beach with another small rockpool, only 100m from the car park. The beach isn't very big but it's really beautiful with vivid blue water, fringed by gum trees.
You need to park at the end of Denise Lane (you can find the parking area by clicking here) and then walk down the steps onto the beach, which is 20m from the parking area.
To find the rockpool head left towards the rock shelf which you'll reach after 60m.
The pool is 20m away on the edge of the rock shelf. Note that the rock here is extremely sharp and I would recommend wearing water shoes until you're inside the water.
The pool itself is very small, but it’s lovely and clear with great views back to the beach. It's best visited a couple of hours either side of low tide and when the swell is slight.
If you only have time for one you should definitely visit the main rockpool, but this one is a nice little bonus.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the area, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Please remember to wear reef safe sunscreen to protect the marine life inside the pool.
Getting to the Lilli Pilli Rockpool
The dirt track to Lilli Pilli Rockpool starts just by the 50km speed sign, about 50m away from the junction with George Bass Drive (you can see the spot on Google Maps by clicking here).
There is no designated car park for the beach, but room for several cars to pull fully off the road. Please park respectfully as this is a residential area.
The parking area is 9km, roughly 10 minutes from Batemans Bay and 70km or a 1 hour drive from Narooma. There are no facilities here, so please plan accordingly.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. This helps towards the costs of running our website. Thanks for your support.
How to find one of Batemans Bay’s least well known rockpools, as well as the required tide and swell for a safe visit.