The Figure Eight Pools are one of the most unique natural formations in New South Wales, found on a sandstone rock platform in the Royal National Park. The walk begins at the Garawarra Farm car park and winds through lush littoral rainforest before opening onto a wide grassy plain with sweeping views of the coast and the towering escarpment beyond. The return track is about 6 km, and the descent to the beach is steep and uneven in parts.
But once you reach Burning Palms Beach, the journey isn’t over. To get to the pools, you still need to walk another 800 to 1000 metres across the rocky headland. The rocks can be slippery, exposed to the surf, and dangerous. Access is only safe at low tide when the ocean is calm.
This place has a reputation — and for good reason. Rogue waves can crash over the ledge without warning. Several people have been seriously injured here, and tragically, some have lost their lives. It’s critical to treat this area with respect, check tide and swell forecasts, and never attempt the walk or approach the pools unless conditions are completely safe. Out here, patience, timing, and caution aren’t just recommended — they’re essential. You have to be in tune with the ocean, always aware of your surroundings.
But when everything aligns, this place feels like another world — dramatic cliffs, a wide open beach, and ancient sandstone formations shaped by the sea. It’s one of the most beautiful and unpredictable locations I’ve ever photographed. And despite all the challenges, I highly recommend the experience.
This place has taught me a lot about planning and patience. It took several visits before I finally got it right — the right tide, peaceful ocean conditions, beautiful light, gentle wind, and no crowds. The hardest part wasn’t the weather, but the people. In summer, it’s nearly impossible to shoot here, with hundreds of visitors lining up to jump in the pool, stirring up the water until it turns cloudy — and honestly, a bit disgusting. I had to learn everything the hard way.
When I finally captured this image, it was winter. I arrived almost two hours before sunset. The air was cold — barely 10 degrees — yet the pool was still full of people acting like they were bathing in hot springs. I waited with my camera ready for over an hour until the pool finally emptied, and the water settled into crystal clarity. Everyone left. It was just me and the pool.
That moment felt like magic. The light, the colour of the water, the curves in the stone — all untouched, silent, and perfect.
