Wattamolla, Lagoon and beach in Royal National Park, Australia
Wattamolla is a lagoon and beach located within Royal National Park on the southern coast of New South Wales. Two creeks converge and form shifting water channels that connect the lagoon to the open beach.
Matthew Flinders and George Bass sought shelter from a southerly storm in 1796 and named the location Providential Cove. The place gained further significance when shipwreck survivors arrived here the following year.
The name comes from an Aboriginal language meaning place near running water, with early explorers documenting it as Watta-Mowlee. This word choice reflects how local peoples understood and named the land based on its natural features.
A picnic area with barbecue facilities is available on site and makes the location popular for day visits. Vehicle entry to the national park is required to access the area.
In 1797 three survivors from the Sydney Cove shipwreck reached this beach after walking from Ninety Mile Beach in Victoria. Their arrival here represented a crucial moment in their desperate journey to find rescue.
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