Cape Baily Coastal Walk

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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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-34.0177578,151.2297825)
Mode	Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)
Directions	From Captain Cook Drive Turn on to Captain Cook Drive then drive for 3.5 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Captain Cook Drive and drive for another 2.9 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Captain Cook Drive and drive for another 900 m Turn right onto Cape Solander Drive and drive for another 2.8 km
Finish	(-34.0377227,151.2018582)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the end of Cape Solander Drive, this walk starts at the big signpost just to the left of the toilet building. The track heads south along the cliff line (ocean on the left) following the green poles until they stop, then the track continues along the top of the cliff line (staying safely back from the very fragile cliff edge). This section is mostly on sandstone and occasionally through low heath. As the track approaches Tabbigai Gap, it joins onto Cape Baily Track where the track turns left and continues south for 50m until the apex of Tabbigai Gap and the management trail.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the car park at the start. After 15 m pass the sign (8 m on your right).
	After another 40 m continue straight. After another 9 m continue straight.
	After another 290 m continue straight.
	After another 90 m veer left.
	After another 460 m turn left.
	After another 45 m veer left.
	After another 230 m veer right.
	After another 390 m continue straight. After another 1.2 km pass the "Cape Baily Lighthouse" (85 m on your right). W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Cape Bailey 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. Veer right.
	After another 1.4 km turn left.
	After another 530 m continue straight. After another 370 m continue straight.
	After another 190 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Cape Bailey 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 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". W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au Turn around and retrace your steps back the 95 m to the main route.

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

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".

W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 95 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Cape Baily Coastal Walk

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.1 km
Time	1 h 45 min 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)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

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.

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.

Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve
The Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve was established in 2001 by NSW Fisheries, incorporating the whole of Merries Reef and Pimelwi Rocks, and continuing 100m out to sea. Fishing is restricted in the area, and the collection of any invertebrates (dead or alive) is prohibited.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cronulla Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 27 July
  
  18°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning. Light winds.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Sunday 28 July
  
  10°C → 15°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h turning southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon and evening.
  
  Monday 29 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Possible shower. Windy.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Tuesday 30 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, with possible small hail along the coastal fringe. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 31 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 August
  
  10°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Friday 2 August
  
  11°C → 17°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Kamay Botany Bay National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Commemoration Flat amenities block closed
  From March to August 2024, contractors will be demolishing and replacing the amenities block at Commemoration Flat and upgrading the associated services. During these construction works, the northern part of Commemoration Flat carpark and the amenities block will be fenced off and occupied, and work crews will be on site.
  Toilets will remain available at the visitors centre and cricket pitch area. The surrounding picnic areas and barbecue facilities will continue to be accessible during construction.
  We apologise for any inconvenience.
  For more information, email or call the NPWS Sydney South office on 02 9668 2010.
  
  Closed areas: Kurnell foreshore partial closure
  Transport for NSW is constructing ferry wharves at Kurnell and La Perouse. Closures will be in place until late 2024. There will be no public access to the foreshore area between Prince Charles Parade and the wharf along Monument walking track. Alternative pedestrian pathways will be in place to allow public access into Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
  For more information visit the Kamay Ferry Wharves project webpage.
  
  Closed areas: Kurnell Visitor Centre closed for upgrades
  Kurnell Visitor Centre is currently closed until further notice. The site is being prepared for a new visitor centre as part of the Kamay 2020 Project.
  Learn more about the improvements being made as part of the Kamay 2020 Master Plan Project or email the local area office.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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