Wedding Cake Rock: A Guide To This Iconic Rock Formation

Wedding Cake Rock is a gleaming anomaly along Australia's rugged coastline. This sandstone rock formation, located in the Royal National Park near Bundeena in Sydney, is a popular destination for bushwalkers and tourists, known for its scenic location and attractive views for photography. The rock earned its name from its resemblance to a slice of a wedding cake, with its layers, cuboid shape, and white colour, similar to a wedding cake. While it is a beautiful location, it is important to note that the rock is very fragile and unstable, and visitors are advised to enjoy the views from a safe distance, behind the fenced-off areas.

Wedding Cake Rock's location

Wedding Cake Rock, also known as White Rock, is a sandstone rock formation located in the Royal National Park near Bundeena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The rock formation is accessible via the Royal National Park Coast Track, a walking trail that spans the entire length of the park's coastline, from Bundeena to Otford. Wedding Cake Rock is situated 5.1 kilometres (3.2 miles) from the start of the trail at Bundeena. The Coast track starts at the end of Beachcomber Avenue in Bundeena, and it takes about 1 hour each way to reach Wedding Cake Rock from there.

The rock formation is noted for its scenic location and popularity with bushwalkers and tourists, as well as its attractiveness as a photography location. The rock earned its name from its resemblance to a slice of a wedding cake, with its layers, cuboid shape, and white colour. Wedding Cake Rock is one of many formations that appear north of Marley Beach, suspended 25 metres (82 feet) above sea level.

It is important to note that Wedding Cake Rock is a very fragile and unstable formation. The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service has closed off the rock from public access due to safety concerns, as it is at high risk of collapsing into the Tasman Sea within the next decade. Visitors are advised to stay behind the fenced-off areas and not to stand or sit on the rock or venture too close to the cliff edges.

How to get to Wedding Cake Rock

Wedding Cake Rock is a popular rock formation located in the Royal National Park near Bundeena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The rock is suspended 25 metres (82 ft) above sea level and is noted for its scenic location and popularity with bushwalkers and tourists. It is accessible via the Royal National Park Coast Track, a walking trail through the park that spans the entire length of the park's coastline, from Bundeena to Otford.

To get to Wedding Cake Rock, you can drive to the Garie Beach car park and then follow the directions to the start of the Coast Track on Beachcomber Avenue in Bundeena. Alternatively, you can take public transport to Cronulla and then catch the ferry to Bundeena, which is a more convenient option during busy periods when parking is limited. The total round trip to Wedding Cake Rock from Bundeena is about 2 hours at a relaxed pace, with the walk being approximately 1 hour each way.

The walk to Wedding Cake Rock is rough and often steep and rocky, so it is important to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water. The trail crosses over areas of flowing water and past a waterfall that cascades over the cliffs into the ocean. The entire route offers magnificent 180-degree ocean views perfect for whale watching between September and November.

It is important to note that Wedding Cake Rock is extremely fragile and prone to collapse, so visitors should heed safety guidelines and remain behind the fenced-off areas. Standing or sitting on the rock or cliff edges poses a very high safety risk.

The rock's formation

Wedding Cake Rock, also known as White Rock, is a sandstone rock formation located in the Royal National Park near Bundeena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The rock is perched 25 metres (82 ft) above sea level and is suspended above the pounding ocean. Its name comes from its resemblance to a slice of a wedding cake, with its layers and unusual cuboid shape, as well as its white colour. The rock is one of many formations that appear north of Marley Beach, including The Balcony (Bundeena Lookout) and the adjacent "White Cliffs" of Marley.

The rock's white colour is caused by iron leaching, which has made the sandstone layers dangerously soft, prone to cracking, and at very high risk of collapse. The entire structure is described as "precariously balancing on the edge of the cliff, and severely undercut", and is upheld by only a few pieces of debris from a recent major fracture below. Due to safety concerns, the rock has been closed off from public access since May 2015, and there is now a fence around it to prevent people from venturing too close to its edges.

The walking track to Wedding Cake Rock is rough, steep, and rocky, and it takes approximately 1 hour each way from Bundeena. The track starts at the end of Beachcomber Avenue in Bundeena and offers sweeping ocean views perfect for whale watching. There is no car park at or near Wedding Cake Rock, so visitors should plan to park in Bundeena. It is recommended to wear appropriate footwear and clothing and carry enough food and drinking water for the return trip, as there are no toilets, drinking water, or rubbish bins at the lookout or along the track.

Why the rock was closed off to the public

Wedding Cake Rock is a sandstone rock formation located in the Royal National Park near Bundeena in Sydney, Australia. The rock formation is situated 25 metres (82 ft) above sea level and is noted for its scenic location and popularity with bushwalkers and tourists. Its white colour, caused by iron leaching, makes it distinct from the harder yellow sandstone of the surrounding coastal cliffs.

In early 2015, Wedding Cake Rock saw a sudden spike in popularity, with the number of visitors per month on the Royal National Park Coast Track rising from 2,000 per month to over 10,000. The photo-sharing app Instagram was cited as the main driver of this increase, with people visiting the landmark to take pictures on top of it, often while performing a stunt.

This surge in visitors and their risky behaviour raised safety concerns. A survey conducted in June 2015 determined that the rock was unstable and would collapse into the Tasman Sea within the next decade. The entire structure was described as "precariously balancing on the edge of the cliff, and severely undercut". The rock's closure to the public was prompted by a combination of factors, including dangerous visitor behaviour, safety concerns, and the risk of collapse.

The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) took several measures to enforce the closure, including issuing a $300 fine for trespassing, collaborating with the police to patrol the area, and proposing the establishment of a permanent viewing platform near the landmark. Despite these efforts, some visitors continued to jump the safety fence and put themselves at risk. The rock will remain closed to the public until its eventual collapse into the sea.

Safety concerns and guidelines

Wedding Cake Rock is a popular yet fragile rock formation located along the challenging Coast Track in Sydney's Royal National Park. The rock formation is prone to collapsing due to its unstable and soft sandstone layers, which are susceptible to cracking. Here are some safety concerns and guidelines to keep in mind when visiting Wedding Cake Rock:

• Stay Behind Fenced-Off Areas: Wedding Cake Rock is fenced off for your safety. Please do not walk beyond the fencing or stand/sit on the rock. The rock and the surrounding cliff edges are unstable and prone to collapse, posing a significant safety risk.
• View from a Safe Distance: While the unique rock formation offers a spectacular view, it is important to enjoy it from a safe distance. Do not venture too close to the cliff edges as they are potentially dangerous and susceptible to erosion or gradual sinking.
• Appropriate Footwear and Clothing: The walking track to Wedding Cake Rock is rough, steep, and rocky. Ensure you wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the terrain.
• Allow Sufficient Time: The walk to Wedding Cake Rock from Bundeena takes approximately 1 hour each way. Plan your trip accordingly and allow enough time for the return journey.
• Carry Essential Items: There are no toilets, drinking water, or rubbish bins at the lookout or along the Coast Track. It is recommended to use the toilet facilities before starting your journey and carry enough food and drinking water for the return trip. Please take your rubbish with you when you leave.
• Phone Reception and Emergency Services: Phone reception on the track is limited. In case of an emergency, dial 000 (or Triple Zero) to reach emergency services. Consider downloading the Emergency Plus app, which helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS.
• Total Fire Bans: During total fire bans, the track to Wedding Cake Rock is closed. Always check for alerts and closures for the Royal National Park before planning your visit.
• Drone Restrictions: Flying recreational drones is not permitted within 5.5 km of an airfield or helicopter landing site, which includes this park. Contact the park office for consent if you wish to fly a drone for commercial filming or photography.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance: The National Park Service has imposed penalties for those who disregard safety guidelines and climb onto the rock. Rangers actively patrol the area and monitor the rock from a nearby station.

Frequently asked questions