Henry Head Circuit

This walk has a lovely mix of natural and war history combined within the scenic Botany Bay National Park. The track follows beaches and cliff tops as it visits World War One and Two gun and lookout stations. The side trip to the coastal cemetery is worthwhile, giving a glimpse into lives from the past. The Jennifer Street section of this circuit allows access through a section of endangered native Banksia scrub that once occupied a much larger part of the Sydney region. A varied and interesting day out in the Botany Bay National Park. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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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	(-33.9885577,151.2334418)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Southern Cross Drive, M1, Eastlakes. Turn on to Wentworth Avenue Offramp then drive for 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 1.5 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the southern end of Cann Park, this walk follows the concrete track down a series of stairs, passing the 'Congwong Beach Walk' sign on your right. This walk continues gently downhill on a sandy track for about 40m, to find the western end of Congwong Beach. Then this walk follows the beach, with the water to your right, for about 140m until coming to a three-way intersection, with the 'Henry Head/Little Congwong Beach' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the water tap at the start. Find the Seat at the start. Seat 2 metal mesh bench seats, 42cm high, 35cm deep and 1.8m wide with a 60cm high backrest and 20cm high arm rests. Find the Potable Water at the start. Potable Water Drinking water fountain. 90cm high with concrete base. Find the toilet at the start. Turn left. After another 10 m turn sharp right.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Little Congwong Beach. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 225 m continue straight.
	After another 205 m turn sharp right. After another 245 m pass the sign (on your left).
	Turn right, to head along Henry Head Walking Track. After another 185 m pass the sign (on your left).
	Veer right, to head along Henry Head Walking Track. After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Henry Head Walking Track. After another 370 m pass the sign (on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Browns Rock. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Continue straight, to head along Henry Head Walking Track. Then pass the sign (on your left). After another 8 m pass a seat (5 m on your left)., has no backrest.
	After another 210 m (at the intersection of Henry Head Walking Track & Henry Head Fire Trail) turn right, to head along Henry Head Walking Track. After another 325 m pass the sign (on your left).
	At the intersection of Henry Head Lane & Henry Head Walking Track turn right, to head along Henry Head Lane (a service road). After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Henry Head Lane. After another 105 m continue straight. After another 60 m pass the "Endeavour Light" (10 m on your right). Then find the "Henry Head" (10 m on your right). Henry Head The Henry Head Battery is located on the northern side of the entrance to Botany Bay at Henry Head. The battery was constructed on an unfenced headland between 1892 and 1895 and operated until 1910 when it was closed down. The battery and observation posts was re-utilised during World War Two to defend against approaches to Botany Bay. The battery consisted of two disappearing guns, ammunition storage and observation posts. The underground bunker and tunnel complex consisted of vaulted ammunition storage rooms with double walls and ceilings. The doubling-up of walls and ceilings was a preventative measure meant to stop the walls from collapsing in the event of a direct hit. The battery is currently not in use. The white tower on the battery is the Endeavour Tower, not a lighthouse as such, but a red marker light nonetheless.
	After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Walking Track. After another 345 m pass the "Henry Head to Cape Banks" (on your left). After another 100 m come to the viewpoint (on your right). Then pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest. After another 330 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 90 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 60 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 65 m pass the sign.
	After another 35 m veer right. After another 90 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Walking Track.
	After another 100 m veer right.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Cape Banks. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 9 m turn sharp left, to head along Cape Banks Management Trail. After another 9 m pass the "Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve" (on your right). After another 15 m find the "Seat" (on your left). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 60cm high, 30cm deep and 1.8m wide with no armrests or backrest. After another 380 m pass the sign (on your right).
	At the intersection of Cape Banks Management Trail & Cape Banks Firetrail turn left, to head along Cape Banks Management Trail. After another 105 m find the "World War Two Bunker" (20 m on your right). 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 8 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Management Trail. 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 85 m head through/around the gate. Continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Road. After another 35 m pass the car park (15 m on your left). After another 130 m pass the "Coast Hospital Cemetery" (10 m on your right). Continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Road.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Coast Hospital Cemetery int.. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 160 m (at the intersection of Cape Banks Road & Coast Cemetery Management Trail) continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Road. After another 50 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Road. After another 590 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Road. After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Cape Banks Road.
	After another 35 m (at the intersection of Jennifer Street Boardwalk & Cape Banks Road) turn sharp right, to head along Jennifer Street Boardwalk (a footpath). After another 65 m find the "Seat" (5 m on your right). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 45cm high, 32cm deep and 2.1m wide with a 38cm high backrest. After another 270 m find the "Seat" (on your left). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 42cm high, 31cm deep and 2.1m wide with a 38cm high backrest. Then pass the sign (on your left). After another 25 m find the "Jennifer Street Boardwalk" (on your left). Jennifer Street Boardwalk Jennifer Boardwalk provides you with an elevated view through a rare and endangered ecological community known as the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub. This community of native plants is protected under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. These Banksia once occupied around 5,300 hectares of land between North Head and Botany Bay in Sydneyâ€™s eastern suburbs. Currently, surviving stands totalling approximately 146 hectares have been recorded by the local government areas of Botany, Randwick, Waverley, and Manly .
	After another 10 m (at the intersection of Jennifer Street & Jennifer Street Boardwalk) turn right, to head along Jennifer Street (a residential road). After another 15 m (at the intersection of Jennifer Street & Marconi Place) continue straight, to head along Jennifer Street.
	After another 115 m (at the intersection of Reservoir Street & Jennifer Street) turn left, to head along Reservoir Street. After another 125 m continue straight, to head along Reservoir Street.
	After another 85 m (at the intersection of Grose Street & Reservoir Street) continue straight, to head along Grose Street. After another 95 m (at the intersection of Grose Street & Gipps Avenue) continue straight, to head along Grose Street. After another 90 m continue straight, to head along Grose Street. After another 180 m (at the intersection of Grose Street & Abbe Receveur Place) continue straight, to head along Grose Street.
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of Anzac Parade & Elaroo Avenue) turn left, to head along Anzac Parade (a road).
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of Cape Banks Road & Anzac Parade) turn left (a footpath).
	After another 90 m continue straight. After another 60 m pass the car park (8 m on your right). After another 20 m continue straight. After another 280 m come to a water tap.
	Continue straight. After another 10 m turn right. After another 20 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Little Congwong Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Little Congwong Beach Track.
	After another 305 m come to the end. "Little Congwong Beach". Little Congwong Beach Little Congwong Beach, located at La Perouse, is a sheltered sandy beach that has been described as one of the most beautiful beach oases in Sydney. Little Congwong beach has also been used for over 40 years as an unofficial and secluded nude beach. If you see any offensive behaviour please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or the Maroubra Police on 02 9349 9299. This beach is very popular on summer weekends and has limited shade in the afternoon. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 305 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start heading along Little Congwong Beach Track.

After another 305 m come to the end.

"Little Congwong Beach".

Little Congwong Beach

Little Congwong Beach, located at La Perouse, is a sheltered sandy beach that has been described as one of the most beautiful beach oases in Sydney. Little Congwong beach has also been used for over 40 years as an unofficial and secluded nude beach. If you see any offensive behaviour please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or the Maroubra Police on 02 9349 9299. This beach is very popular on summer weekends and has limited shade in the afternoon.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 305 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Browns Rock.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 305 m come to the end. "Browns Rock". Browns Rock Browns Rock is a popular fishing spot at La Perouse, with an unfenced shelf of rock and concrete from which to cast fishing rods. Unfortunately, this area suffers from littering - Please help by carrying out your own rubbish and a few extra bits where safe (the rangers do a great job, but it is hard to keep up). Turn around and retrace your steps back the 305 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 305 m come to the end.

"Browns Rock".

Browns Rock

Browns Rock is a popular fishing spot at La Perouse, with an unfenced shelf of rock and concrete from which to cast fishing rods. Unfortunately, this area suffers from littering - Please help by carrying out your own rubbish and a few extra bits where safe (the rangers do a great job, but it is hard to keep up).

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 305 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Cape Banks.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Seat (about 10 m back from the start). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 60cm high, 30cm deep and 1.8m wide with no armrests or backrest. Find the Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve at the start. 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.
	After another 175 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 360 m to the main route.

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

Henry Head Circuit

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	6.6 km
Time	2 h 15 min to 3 h

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 20 m from the start.

Seat: There are 6 on route, on average they are 940 m apart with the largest gap of 1.7 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	15 m	Seat
Toilet	20 m	[toilet]
Seat	1.3 km	[seat]
Seat	2.5 km	[seat]
Seat	3.3 km	Seat
Seat	5 km	Seat
Seat	5.3 km	Seat

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Little Congwong Beach
Little Congwong Beach, located at La Perouse, is a sheltered sandy beach that has been described as one of the most beautiful beach oases in Sydney. Little Congwong beach has also been used for over 40 years as an unofficial and secluded nude beach. If you see any offensive behaviour please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or the Maroubra Police on 02 9349 9299. This beach is very popular on summer weekends and has limited shade in the afternoon.

Browns Rock
Browns Rock is a popular fishing spot at La Perouse, with an unfenced shelf of rock and concrete from which to cast fishing rods. Unfortunately, this area suffers from littering - Please help by carrying out your own rubbish and a few extra bits where safe (the rangers do a great job, but it is hard to keep up).

Henry Head
The Henry Head Battery is located on the northern side of the entrance to Botany Bay at Henry Head. The battery was constructed on an unfenced headland between 1892 and 1895 and operated until 1910 when it was closed down. The battery and observation posts was re-utilised during World War Two to defend against approaches to Botany Bay. The battery consisted of two disappearing guns, ammunition storage and observation posts. The underground bunker and tunnel complex consisted of vaulted ammunition storage rooms with double walls and ceilings. The doubling-up of walls and ceilings was a preventative measure meant to stop the walls from collapsing in the event of a direct hit. The battery is currently not in use. The white tower on the battery is the Endeavour Tower, not a lighthouse as such, but a red marker light nonetheless.

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.

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.

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.

Jennifer Street Boardwalk
Jennifer Boardwalk provides you with an elevated view through a rare and endangered ecological community known as the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub. This community of native plants is protected under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. These Banksia once occupied around 5,300 hectares of land between North Head and Botany Bay in Sydneyâ€™s eastern suburbs. Currently, surviving stands totalling approximately 146 hectares have been recorded by the local government areas of Botany, Randwick, Waverley, and Manly .

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mascot Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Sunday 6 October
  
  28°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 20 to 30 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: High
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:30am to 4:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 7 [High]
  
  Monday 7 October
  
  15°C → 28°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Tuesday 8 October
  
  14°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning.
  
  Wednesday 9 October
  
  14°C → 20°C
  Cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending east to southeasterly during the day then becoming light during the afternoon.
  
  Thursday 10 October
  
  13°C → 22°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 11 October
  
  14°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Saturday 12 October
  
  15°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Kamay Botany Bay National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Cape Banks Firetrail closed for maintenance
  Cape Banks Fire Trail will be closed for maintenance on Tuesday 15 October 2024.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Sydney South Area office on 02 9337 5511.
  
  Closed areas: Congwong Fire Trail closed for maintenance
  Congwong Fire Trail will be closed for maintenance on Wednesday, 16 October 2024.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Sydney South Area office on 02 9337 5511.
  
  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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Alerts