Botany Bay Discovery Centre to Cape Baily
Dharawal Country

2 h 45 min to 3 h

9.1 km
return

↑ 163 m
↓ -163 m

Moderate track
This walk explores the heath and the great views between the Visitor Center and Cape Baily Lighthouse. The walk follows a mixture of service trails, bush tracks, rock platforms and sand dunes, as it makes it's way through the park. You will discover expansive views of the park and out to sea. There are even the occasional glimpses of the city. 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. 
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botany discovery centre. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Signpost at start of walk. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Near Solander Rd. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Yena Track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The view at the Int of Cape Bailey and Radar Track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
View towards City. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Crossing Rock platforms. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Oil Refinery. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Actinotus helianthi (Flannel Flower). | Photo by admin, 2007.
Side of Tabbigai Gap. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Tabbigai Gap. | Photo by admin, 2007.
off shore platform. | Photo by admin, 2008.
small sand dunes that litter the cape bailey walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
small sand dunes along the track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
hanging swamps. | Photo by admin, 2007.
City Views. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Approaching the light house. | Photo by admin, 2008.
path up to the cape bailey lighthouse. | Photo by admin, 2008.
cape bailey lighthouse. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Cape Baily Lighthouse. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Downloads GPX PDF

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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-34.0050235,151.2216341)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Captain Cook Drive
  • 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 front of the 'Visitor Centre', this walk follows the footpath that then leads through the middle of the car park, to find the pebblecrete footpath and 'Banks-Solander Track' sign on the far side. This walk follows this sign along the narrow (1.4m) path , timber boardwalk then dirt track as it winds through the dense forest for nearly 100m to find a seat just before the road. The walk then leads up the rise to then crossing (taking care) Cape Solander Drive to the intersection marked with a large 'Yena Trail' map sign.....
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.

There is a toilet (about 20 m back from the start).
There is a toilet (about 20 m back from the start).
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.

Visitor Centre.
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.
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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.

Continue straight.
After another 120 m find the "Seat" (on your left).
Seat
Seat

A timber bench seat, 54cm high, 20cm deep and 1.4m wide with no arm or backrest.
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A timber bench seat, 54cm high, 20cm deep and 1.4m wide with no arm or backrest.

At the intersection of Cape Solander Drive & Yena Track continue straight, to head along Yena Track (a vehicle track).
After another 35 m head through the bollard.
After another 25 m (at the intersection of Yena Track & Banks-Solander Track) veer right.
After another 275 m find the "Pinch Point" (60 m on your left).
Pinch Point
Pinch Point

A gap between the vegetation and a large tree is 80cm wide.
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A gap between the vegetation and a large tree is 80cm wide.

Then find the "Seat" (60 m on your left).
Seat
Seat

A timber bench seat, 41cm high, 20cm deep and 1.3m wide with no arm or backrest.
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A timber bench seat, 41cm high, 20cm deep and 1.3m wide with no arm or backrest.

After another 35 m come to the "Kurnell Lookout" (135 m on your left).
At the intersection of Yena Track & Banks-Solander Track continue straight, to head along Yena Track.
After another 155 m continue straight, 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 390 m pass the car park (265 m on your left).
After another 115 m pass the car park (275 m on your left).
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 4.5 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.

"Cape Baily Lighthouse".
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Botany Bay Discovery Centre to Cape Baily


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 9.1 km
Time 2 h 45 min to 3 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
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 Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 1.8 km apart with the largest gap of 9.1 km.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 2.3 km apart with the largest gap of 8.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Entity|toilet
-16 mToilet
Toilet
0 m[toilet]
Toilet
4 m[toilet]
Seat
15 mSeat
Toilet
20 mVisitor Centre
Seat
160 mSeat
Seat
490 mSeat
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