A clear blue rockpool hides beneath picturesque rockwalls which form a kind of grotto. The walls are high enough to completely shield the pool from view, but low enough to let in the full sunlight, allowing the water to shimmer like diamonds.
Though the back of the pool is sheltered from the waves and current, the front of the pool is less so, creating the exact effect you get when the wave machine is turned on at a swimming pool. As long as you get the right swell (more on that later) it’s the perfect amount to be really fun without ever getting worrying.
It’s the secret rockpool of dreams and we were delighted to find it quite by chance. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting.
Visiting The Wave Machine rockpool
A note on tides and swell
We visited the rockpool twice, both times on a mid tide and a moderate swell. If you visit at low tide there would no doubt be less water in the pool, but probably still enough to have a little float - at a guess! If you visit when the swell is slight, there will be less waves coming into the pool, which is a pro or a con depending on your perspective.
I would not visit when the swell is rough as this could produce waves strong enough to knock you into the rock walls and there’s nothing fun about that.
Similarly, I don’t think I’d chance a high tide. Although I’ve not seen the pool at high tide - so it’s possible it would be ok - you would have to have a look from above and judge it by eye.
The walk to the Pebbly Beach Rockpool
The stats
Distance: 400m each way
Elevation gain: 25m
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Black Head Bowlo
Summary: The walk to the rockpool is on a maintained track until you hit the beach. It does go downhill from the parking area, but it’s a short walk, so the climb back up is not taxing.
To reach the rockpool you can choose to cross a cove, which requires calm water and monitoring the waves, or you can scramble in from above, which is more difficult, but unaffected by the bigger waves.
Starting the trail: to Australia Arch
From the parking area (full details below) head to the right of the driveway and then walk down the grassy hill. After 35m you will reach a little patch of bushland and a proper walking track.
The path is gravel and has a few shallow stairs. After 55m in the bush you’ll see a small bridge, don’t cross it and instead follow the track right, towards the beach.
The final 30m of the trail are all on stairs and the last couple are uneven, but still easy enough. You will then reach the beach.
There are a couple of large jagged rocks which you’ll pass inbetween and then you begin heading along the sand.
Just 90m later, or 270m into the walk, you will see a large rock arch on your right.
Australia Arch
It might not look like much from the outside, but once you walk through the arch and turn around you’ll see how it got its name!
As well as being shaped like Australia, it perfectly frames the golden sand beach beyond, creating a lovely spot for photography.
It would be most atmospheric at sunrise, but it was a pretty view even in the middle of the day when we visited. The arch is unaffected by the tides as it’s set back from the ocean, so you can visit at any time of day.
Continuing to the Wave Machine
After checking out the arch you continue along the sand for another 110m, at which point it gets rocky. Head left along the rocks for 20m and look over the lip of the bigger rock wall and you will see the rockpool below. In total it’s 400m from the parking area to the top of the rockpool.
You could scramble down the rocks on the far side of the pool (not the side you would naturally come to first) as it’s tiered relatively well down to the water.
However, it’s a touch steep and slippery and I would say it’s easier to walk around the cove, through the water, instead.
To get to the easier entry point, walk down to the patch of sand to the left of the rockpool walls. Then head into the water and around the corner into the pool. This only takes about a minute, but requires good conditions.
If the waves look big do not attempt this. Otherwise you should monitor the waves and make your way round when the water is calm.
The Pebbly Beach Rockpool aka The Wave Machine
The rockpool is gorgeous, with crystal clear water and a sandy bottom. During mid tide there was enough water for a little swim and you could float to your hearts content. I could still touch the bottom, but it was above chest height.
The fact the pool is completely shielded from view gives it a wonderful hidden feel and the rockwalls make it very atmospheric.
As mentioned, we visited when the swell was moderate and this created the wave machine effect. The waves were not constant, but when they came it was exactly like being in a swimming pool wave machine. Enough to be fun, but never enough to be scary.
You should always watch the water and feel the current for yourself though, as not all moderate swells will be the same. If you want it to be calmer it would be best to visit when the swell is slight, but again, always assume there could be some incoming waves.
The pool is small, but even so, the back half did not receive any waves on our visits.
When you’re ready to leave, if you are walking/wading around the cove, watch the waves and head out only when the waves are small and there is no pull from the current.
Alternatively scramble up the rock wall, taking care as you will wet the rock, increasing the chance of it being slippery.
The kids pool
If you’re visiting with younger children there is a second rockpool a couple of minutes away to the right. This is small, shallow and cut off from the ocean.
It doesn’t involve wading or scrambling to access, so it makes for a lovely spot for little ones. The same tide rules apply though to minimise the chance of waves coming into the pool.
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.
Getting to the Pebbly Beach Rockpool
The best place to park for visiting the rockpool is at one of the designated spaces outside the Black Head Bowlo (Halliday Sports Club). The parking is free here and it’s right beside the trail down to the beach. It’s around a 30 minute drive from Forster.
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