This great return walk starts from the visitor centre in Kurnell, and follows a series of bush tracks and service trails, that wind south through wooded forest, to the Cape Baily walking track. At about halfway, the track breaks into heath, winding in between hanging swamps and along the cliff tops to the Cape Baily Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a great spot for lunch before the return journey. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
botany discovery centre. | Photo by admin, 2008.winding through the eucalypt littered forest. | Photo by admin, 2007.gum trees. | Photo by admin, 2007.radar service trail. | Photo by admin, 2008.following the cape bailey walking track. | Photo by admin, 2007.Tabbigai Gap. | Photo by admin, 2007.small sand dunes that litter the cape bailey walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.view of an off shore platform. | Photo by admin, 2008.great example of a hanging swamp lining the cape bailey walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.a closer look at the platform. | Photo by admin, 2008.path up to the cape bailey lighthouse. | Photo by admin, 2008.cape bailey lighthouse. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn on to Cape Solander Drive then drive for 420 m
Keep left and drive for another 145 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the main exit of the Botany Bay Discovery Centre car park, the track heads south-east, out of the car park along the old service trail (Not on the Banks Solander Track). Partway along, the track passes over a small bridge. This is shortly before an intersection with Cape Solander Drive. Just across the road, another service trail begins. From Cape Solander Dr, this walk heads south-east away from the discovery centre and along the management trail for approximately 200m until coming to an intersection with a sandy track on the left.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the park at the start.
The Meeting Place (about 150 m back from the start).
The Meeting Place
The Meeting Place
This circular seating area provides an opportunity to reflect on the history of this land. A chance to consider the Aboriginal people, their connection to this land and that 'At this place in April 1770 Aboriginal people gathered as a converted British coal ship, the Endeavour, appeared on the horizon and continued into the bay. As the landing party approached, two Aboriginal men advanced to the beach to challenge the group of strangers as they prepared to come ashore.'
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This circular seating area provides an opportunity to reflect on the history of this land. A chance to consider the Aboriginal people, their connection to this land and that 'At this place in April 1770 Aboriginal people gathered as a converted British coal ship, the Endeavour, appeared on the horizon and continued into the bay. As the landing party approached, two Aboriginal men advanced to the beach to challenge the group of strangers as they prepared to come ashore.'
Toilet (about 40 m back from the start).
Toilet
Toilet
Male and female toilet block. Entrance is 110cm wide, hand basins 90cm high, cubical doors 56cm wide, toilet seat 44cm high. Male toilet has a urinal 40 and 60cm high. No handrails. Toilet entrance is around the eastern side of visitor centre building.
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Male and female toilet block. Entrance is 110cm wide, hand basins 90cm high, cubical doors 56cm wide, toilet seat 44cm high. Male toilet has a urinal 40 and 60cm high. No handrails. Toilet entrance is around the eastern side of visitor centre building.
Seat (about 7 m back from the start).
Seat
Seat
A series of four timber slat bench seat, 44cm high, 32cm deep and 1.8m wide with no arm or backrest. The seats are outside the visitors center.
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A series of four timber slat bench seat, 44cm high, 32cm deep and 1.8m wide with no arm or backrest. The seats are outside the visitors center.
After another 40 m find the "Parking Accessible" (on your left).
Parking Accessible
Parking Accessible
There are about 60 car parking bays infrount of the visitors center. Two are marked mobiilty parking bays. The mobility parking area is ashphalt, 3.8m wide and 4.6m deep.
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There are about 60 car parking bays infrount of the visitors center. Two are marked mobiilty parking bays. The mobility parking area is ashphalt, 3.8m wide and 4.6m deep.
Then find the "Visitor Centre" (9 m on your right).
Visitor Centre
Visitor Centre
This visitors' centre can be found on Cape Solander Drive, inside Kamay Botany Bay National Park. It provides great information about the area's history and environment, plus there is a souvenir shop, where some simple food and drink is also available. A Trailrider is also available for free hire for people with limited mobility. There is a male & female toilet block on the eastern side of the Visitor Centre. And a large parking area in front.
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This visitors' centre can be found on Cape Solander Drive, inside Kamay Botany Bay National Park. It provides great information about the area's history and environment, plus there is a souvenir shop, where some simple food and drink is also available. A Trailrider is also available for free hire for people with limited mobility. There is a male & female toilet block on the eastern side of the Visitor Centre. And a large parking area in front.
Turn left.
After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Muru Fire Track.
After another 65 m (at the intersection of Muru Fire Track & Cape Solander Drive) continue straight, to head along Muru Fire Track.
After another 165 m turn right.
After another 100 m continue straight.
After another 40 m come to the "Kurnell Lookout" (9 m on your left).
After another 225 m turn left, to head along Yena Track.
After another 80 m turn right, to head along Yena Track.
After another 460 m (at the intersection of Polo Trail & Yena Track) turn left, to head along Polo Trail (a walking track).
After another 370 m (at the intersection of Yena Gap Trail & Polo Trail) turn left.
After another 280 m turn right.
After another 930 m turn right.
After another 45 m veer left.
After another 230 m veer right.
After another 390 m continue straight.
After another 235 m find the "Hanging Swamps" (40 m on your right).
Hanging Swamps
Hanging Swamps
There are a number of hanging swamps that can be found along the Cape Baily walk. They are home to a number of different plants and animals like reeds and frogs. Hanging swamps are formed on high ground when rainfall seeps out of surrounding hills and accumulates in a slight depression, over time forming a swamp. Interestingly, they are sometimes difficult to see from far away as the thick build up of reeds and other plant life often cover the water.
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There are a number of hanging swamps that can be found along the Cape Baily walk. They are home to a number of different plants and animals like reeds and frogs. Hanging swamps are formed on high ground when rainfall seeps out of surrounding hills and accumulates in a slight depression, over time forming a swamp. Interestingly, they are sometimes difficult to see from far away as the thick build up of reeds and other plant life often cover the water.
After another 850 m turn sharp right.
Continue another 95 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 4.6 km to get back to the start.
About 15 m past the end is "Cape Baily Lighthouse".
Cape Baily Lighthouse
Cape Baily Lighthouse
Established in 1950, the lighthouse was required so north-bound shipping could hug the coast and avoid the strong southerly currents further out to sea. This lighthouse can be found a stone's-throw from the Cape Baily coastal walk, about 1.5 kilometres north from the Joseph Banks Drive car park.
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Established in 1950, the lighthouse was required so north-bound shipping could hug the coast and avoid the strong southerly currents further out to sea. This lighthouse can be found a stone's-throw from the Cape Baily coastal walk, about 1.5 kilometres north from the Joseph Banks Drive car park.
Bushwalk
2 h 45 min to 3 h
Entity|toilet: There is one -16 m back from the start.
Seat: There is one 15 m from the start.
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Find the park at the start.
Visitor Centre.
Then pass the car park (on your right).
After another 40 m find the "Parking Accessible" (on your left).
Then find the "Visitor Centre" (9 m on your right).
After another 40 m come to the "Kurnell Lookout" (9 m on your left).
About 15 m past the end is "Cape Baily Lighthouse".
"Cape Baily Lighthouse".