The Coastal Hospital Cemetery Walk is an undemanding walk, near a beautiful coastline, visiting an early Australian cemetery. The cemetery is located on raised ground, with views out to the coast and sea. Used primarily as a cemetery for the old quarantine hospital from the 1880’s, it is home to over 2000 graves (most not visible). The visible grave sites are interesting and provide a fascinating glimpse into life (and death) 100 years ago. Worth a visit if you are in the area or if you have an interest in the local history. Let us begin by acknowledging the Gadigal & Bidjigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Photo by admin, 2017. Photo by admin, 2017. Photo by admin, 2017. Photo by admin, 2017.Coastal Cemetary Trail near Botany Bay National Park. | Photo by admin, 2010. Photo by admin, 2017. Photo by admin, 2010. Photo by admin, 2017. Photo by admin, 2017.Coastal Cemetery near Botany Bay National Park. | Photo by admin, 2010. Photo by admin, 2017. Photo by admin, 2010. Photo by admin, 2010. Photo by admin, 2010. Photo by admin, 2017. Photo by admin, 2017. Photo by admin, 2017.
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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start
At the intersection of Coast Cemetery Management Trail & Cape Banks Road (-33.9907931,151.2484836)
Turn left onto Cape Banks Road and drive for another 780 m
Turn left onto Cape Banks Road and drive for another 970 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the 'Cemetry Trail' trackhead and dirt car park on Cape Banks Rd
La Perouse (about 1km past NSW Golf Course main gate), this walk follows the 'Cemetry Trail' sign around the locked gate, and along the management trail. The grassy trail leads for about 20m to pass over a cobbeled stone section then continues to follow the level trail for another 110m, to come to a large 3-way intersection near the Coastal Cemetery (on the right).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Coast Cemetery Management Trail & Cape Banks Road Start heading along Coast Cemetery Management Trail (a vehicle track).
After 65 m head through/around the gate.
After another 25 m find the "Pinch Point" (on your left).
Pinch Point
Pinch Point
Metal bollard pinch points at edge of carpark, beside gate. The gap between the bollards is 48cm they are 85cm high.
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Metal bollard pinch points at edge of carpark, beside gate. The gap between the bollards is 48cm they are 85cm high.
Then come to the "Wheelchair Rough".
Wheelchair Rough
Wheelchair Rough
A 20m section of the trail has exposed sandstone cobbles.
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A 20m section of the trail has exposed sandstone cobbles.
After another 75 m (at the intersection of Coastal Firetrail & Coast Cemetery Management Trail) turn right, to head along Coastal Firetrail.
After another 20 m veer right.
After another 55 m find the "Coast Hospital Cemetery" (20 m on your right).
Coast Hospital Cemetery
Coast Hospital Cemetery
The Coast Hospital Cemetery on the northern side of Botany Bay was first established in the early 1880’s and is now home to as many as 2000 graves. It serviced the Coast (Prince Henry) Hospital, originally a smallpox hospital. People who died of smallpox were required to be buried at the hospital grounds. The hospital was built far enough from the city to provide quarantine and for this reason, the hospital in time became an infectious diseases hospital, also treating patients with influenza, bubonic plague, typhoid fever and leprosy. Unfortunately, the cemetery has at times fallen into disrepair and some of the headstones are difficult to read. Many of the graves are unmarked.
On the eastern edge of the cemetery is an information sign explaining that in the area are also buried the ancestral remains of the La Perouse Aboriginal people returned from museums.
A place steeped in history and worthy of respect.
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The Coast Hospital Cemetery on the northern side of Botany Bay was first established in the early 1880’s and is now home to as many as 2000 graves. It serviced the Coast (Prince Henry) Hospital, originally a smallpox hospital. People who died of smallpox were required to be buried at the hospital grounds. The hospital was built far enough from the city to provide quarantine and for this reason, the hospital in time became an infectious diseases hospital, also treating patients with influenza, bubonic plague, typhoid fever and leprosy. Unfortunately, the cemetery has at times fallen into disrepair and some of the headstones are difficult to read. Many of the graves are unmarked.
On the eastern edge of the cemetery is an information sign explaining that in the area are also buried the ancestral remains of the La Perouse Aboriginal people returned from museums.
A place steeped in history and worthy of respect.
Continue another 30 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 255 m to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
The Coastal Hospital Cemetery Walk
Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length
510 m
Time
10 min to 15 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Naturally Accessible Slope summary: No steps, mostly flat with a slope in the car park. The Cemetery has a moderately steep hill in the centre, but can be avoided.
Surface summary: The car park has a rough dirt surface, the majority of the walk follows a short cut grass trail. There a few rough cobbled stone sections. Acces to trail via a narrow 48cm gap or over the gate.
Bushwalk
10 min to 15 min
19 min to 30 min
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After 65 m head through/around the gate.
After another 25 m find the "Pinch Point" (on your left).
Then come to the "Wheelchair Rough".
After another 55 m find the "Coast Hospital Cemetery" (20 m on your right).
