Cape Baily Coastline: Kurnell Visitor Centre to Boat Harbour Reserve
Dharawal Country

2 h to 2 h 30 min

5.9 km
oneway

↑ 113 m
↓ -119 m

Hard track
This walk starts from Kurnell's Botany Bay Visitor Centre and heads south through the national park. The track winds through dry gum forest until it breaks out into heath, joining onto the Cape Baily walking track. As it continues south, through small sand dunes and in between hanging swamps, the track winds in and out of the cliff top coastline to the end of the Sir Joseph Banks drive. The side trip up to the Cape Baily Lighthouse is well worth the small climb. 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. 
Show all
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.
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.
looking back up the coast. | Photo by admin, 2008.
following the cape bailey walking track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
some small sand dunes. | Photo by admin, 2008.
the sir joseph banks drive carpark. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

+
-
Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
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.
+
-
Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-34.0050235,151.2216341)
Mode Bus Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)
DirectionsFrom Captain Cook Drive
  • Turn on to Cape Solander Drive then drive for 420 m
  • Keep left and drive for another 145 m
Finish (-34.0397959,151.2116467)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car   (There is free parking available.)
+
-
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.'
+
-
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.
+
-
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.
+
-
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.

Visitor Centre.
Then pass the car park (on your right).
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.
+
-
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.
+
-
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.
+
-
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.

The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Cape Baily Lighthouse. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 850 m veer right.
After another 1.4 km turn right.
After another 35 m come to the end.
A car park.

An optional side trip to Cape Baily Lighthouse.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 95 m come to the end.
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.
+
-
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.

"Cape Baily Lighthouse".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 95 m to the main route.
+
-
Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Cape Baily Coastline: Kurnell Visitor Centre to Boat Harbour Reserve


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 5.9 km
Time 2 h to 2 h 30 min
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Entity|toilet: There is one -16 m back from the start.

Seat: There is one 15 m from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Entity|toilet
-16 mToilet
Seat
15 mSeat
+
-
Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
+
-
Reviews & Feedback
Share your experience
+
-
Weather & Alerts
Check forecasts & closures
Show Full Weather
Alerts and Closures
Show all alerts
Show all alerts
Show all alerts
+
-
Other Journeys
Discover nearby and similar journeys
Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.