Cape Banks 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	At the intersection of Cape Banks Road & Coast Cemetery Management Trail (-33.9907931,151.2484836)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. Turn on to Oxford Street then drive for 105 m Keep right onto Victoria Street and drive for another 15 m Turn slight right onto South Dowling Street and drive for another 380 m Keep right onto South Dowling Street and drive for another 5.7 km Keep left onto Wentworth Avenue Offramp and drive for another 190 m Keep left onto Wentworth Avenue Offramp and drive for another 2.2 km Turn right onto Bunnerong Road and drive for another 3.8 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Bunnerong Road and drive for another 1 km Turn left onto Cape Banks Road and drive for another 780 m Turn left onto Cape Banks Road and drive for another 960 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
Turn left: From the intersection (which is found about 1km past the 'helicopter sign' off Henry Head Rd), this walk follows the road gently uphill for about 140m, to come to views of the coastal cemetery (on the left). Then this walk continues to follow the road gently downhill for about 200m, until coming to a locked gate and 'Botany Bay National Park' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Coast Hospital Cemetery int.. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. At the intersection of Cape Banks Road & Coast Cemetery Management Trail Start heading along Cape Banks Road (a service road). After another 160 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Road. Then pass the "Coast Hospital Cemetery" (10 m on your left). After another 65 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Road. After another 125 m pass the car park (15 m on your right). Then head through/around the gate. After another 35 m (at the intersection of Cape Banks Management Trail & Cape Banks Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Management Trail.
	After another 35 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Management Trail. After another 25 m find the "World War Two Bunker" (20 m on your left). World War Two Bunker This World War Two bunker is near the Westpac Helicopter Shed. This bunker consists of sheltered concrete ammunition storage rooms below, and a circular gun base above, with surrounding coastal views. There are rusted and damaged parts, so take care when exploring.
	After another 90 m (at the intersection of Cape Banks Management Trail & Cape Banks Firetrail) turn right, to head along Cape Banks Management Trail. After another 7 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 380 m find the "Seat" (on your right). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 60cm high, 30cm deep and 1.8m wide with no armrests or backrest. After another 15 m pass the "Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve" (on your left).
	Veer left. After another 10 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long) Continue straight. After another 30 m find the "Cape Banks" (5 m on your left). Cape Banks Cape Banks on the northern side of the entrance to Botany Bay, offers possibly the best view in Botany Bay National Park. From the unfenced cliff top, you can watch the power of the ocean as waves crash into the sandstone rock face below, or watch boats of all shapes and sizes, sail peacefully across the sheltered waters of the bay. If you are lucky, you can enjoy the spectacle of migrating Humpback and Southern Right whales reasonably close to shore, spouting and sometimes breaching as they make their way northward and southward in pods of three or four. The shipwreck of the SS Minmi can be seen at low tide, lying on rocks on the western side of Cape Banks. There are concrete foundations of buildings remaining on Cape Banks, from when World War Two servicemen were stationed there. After another 50 m veer left.
	After another 65 m continue straight.
	Continue another 175 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.3 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to Coast Hospital Cemetery int..

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 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 A 20m section of the trail has exposed sandstone cobbles.
	After another 75 m come to the end. About 35 m past the end is "Coast Hospital Cemetery". Coast Hospital Cemetery The Coast Hospital Cemetery on the northern side of Botany Bay was first established in the early 1880â€™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. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 155 m to the main route.

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

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

A 20m section of the trail has exposed sandstone cobbles.

After another 75 m come to the end.

About 35 m past the end is "Coast Hospital Cemetery".

Coast Hospital Cemetery

The Coast Hospital Cemetery on the northern side of Botany Bay was first established in the early 1880â€™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.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 155 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Cape Banks Walk

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	2.5 km
Time	40 min to 1 h 30 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Seat: There is one 910 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	910 m	Seat

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Coast Hospital Cemetery
The Coast Hospital Cemetery on the northern side of Botany Bay was first established in the early 1880â€™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.

Cape Banks
Cape Banks on the northern side of the entrance to Botany Bay, offers possibly the best view in Botany Bay National Park. From the unfenced cliff top, you can watch the power of the ocean as waves crash into the sandstone rock face below, or watch boats of all shapes and sizes, sail peacefully across the sheltered waters of the bay. If you are lucky, you can enjoy the spectacle of migrating Humpback and Southern Right whales reasonably close to shore, spouting and sometimes breaching as they make their way northward and southward in pods of three or four. The shipwreck of the SS Minmi can be seen at low tide, lying on rocks on the western side of Cape Banks. There are concrete foundations of buildings remaining on Cape Banks, from when World War Two servicemen were stationed there.

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mascot Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 27 July
  
  20°C
  Showers.
  80% 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
  
  8°C → 16°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  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
  
  8°C → 16°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% 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
  
  8°C → 16°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  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
  
  8°C → 17°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 August
  
  9°C → 16°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Friday 2 August
  
  9°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  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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