Sydney is known for having an abundance of ocean baths, but less well known are its natural rockpools. Rob Walker Rockpool is one of the prettiest, set beside swirling sandstone rock walls with spectacular ocean views.
While the pool is only really big enough to sit in, it’s a gorgeous spot to relax and makes for a great place to cool off if you’re walking the Coogee to Maroubra coastal path.
Alternatively, it’s just a very short walk from the nearest residential street.
Here’s how to find it.
The walk to Rob Walker Rockpool
The stats
Distance: 560m return via the shortest route
Elevation gain: 15m
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Inman Street / Marine Parade, Maroubra
How to visit safely: the tide and swell
The best time to visit the Rob Walker Rockpool is on a low to mid tide when the swell is slight. It is perched on the edge of the rock shelf, so visiting when the swell is rough could result in waves crashing into the pool.
Rogue waves are always a possibility when it comes to rockpools, but generally speaking, when the swell is slight, the risk of waves entering the pool is significantly lower.
The walk via the shortest route
As mentioned, you could visit this rockpool as part of the Coogee to Maroubra Coastal Track, but we’re sharing the quickest route to get here if you only want to visit the rockpool.
Park at the end of Inman Street (Marine Parade) in Maroubra and take the paved path on the left heading down to the rock shelf.
This path takes you downhill for 120m, at which point you reach the rock shelf. Continue along the rock shelf for 160m.
This involves some rock hopping as well as easy walking on a smooth platform. Some of the rocks you need to cross are permanently damp so just go carefully on those as they can be slippery.
You will see the rockpool 160m after leaving the end of the paved path.
The Rob Walker Rockpool
The pool is set right on the edge of the rock shelf with beautiful views out to the ocean. You can see some houses in one direction, but the majority of the view is wild.
The water clarity is pretty incredible, it’s crystal clear all the way through to the bottom.
The pool isn’t deep, although there are deeper pockets of water towards the middle. Getting into the pool is easy as you can just step down off the rock shelf into shallow water.
It would be perfect if it was a bit deeper for swimming, but for sitting and relaxing, it’s lovely.
Although not a well known spot for those who don’t live in the area, it does see a constant stream of joggers and locals walking their dogs, so it’s by no means secluded.
Despite this, it’s still fun to visit a completely natural rockpool within Sydney itself.
A swimmable rockpool nearby: Ivo Rowe Rockpool
Just a five minute drive away from the Rob Walker Rockpool you can find a second natural rockpool. Ivo Rowe Rockpool does have the remains of wooden posts surrounding it, so it doesn’t look 100% natural, but it’s close.
To reach it, park on Palmer Street and walk down the well maintained staircase to the rock platform - look beneath the metal stairs and you can still see the old stone steps which look a bit treacherous when damp!
You can see the rockpool just ahead of you, 150m from the street.
It’s small but deep enough to have a little swim across half its length.
It’s quite deep, though as it’s set slightly further back on the rock shelf it’s not flushed quite as often and therefore while the water is relatively clear, it doesn’t have perfect clarity of the Rob Walker Rockpool.
Though it probably becomes much clearer after a series of very high tides.
Getting in and out of the pool is again easy, as long as you visit a on a low to mid tide when the swell is slight.
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.
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