Sewerage failure shuts Sydney picnic spot

A sewage pump failure has forced the closure of a popular picnic spot in Sydney's Royal National Park.

The NSW Environment Department says the Wattamolla picnic area and lagoon in the Royal National Park, in the city's south, would be closed on Thursday due to the failure of sewage pumping equipment on Wednesday afternoon.

It said the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) was working to fix the problem "as soon as possible" and would advise visitors when the area would reopen.

It said all other areas in the Royal National Park would be open, including Audley, Bonnie Vale and Garie Beach.

The department said NPWS was "expecting a busy day again tomorrow after huge crowds in the park today, with high temperatures forecast for Sydney".