Banks-Solander Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

20 mins

960 m Circuit

16 m

Easy track

Enjoy a pleasant meander through a varied forest from the Botany Bay Visitors Centre. This walk takes you through a lovely and diverse forest, there are plenty of small signs to help you learn about the different types of plants on the walk including a large scribbly gum and a spectacular Cabbage palm grove. It is no wonder why Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander in 1770 got so excited when walking in the area collecting, what was for them, new plant species.

Towering gums on the Banks-Solander Trail

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

[Toilet]

on the eastern side of the Visitor Centre. And a large parking area

[Parking Accessible]

in front.

(0km) Kamay Botany Bay Visitor Centre → Cape Solander Dr int.

150 m

3 mins

-1m Easy track

From the front of the 'Visitor Centre'[2]

[Seat]

[Toilet]

, this walk follows the footpath[3] that then leads through the middle of the car park

[Parking Accessible]

[4], to find the pebblecrete footpath and 'Banks-Solander Track' sign[5] on the far side. This walk follows this sign along the narrow (1.4m) path [6], timber boardwalk[7] then dirt track[8] as it winds through the dense forest for nearly 100m to find a seat[9]

[Seat]

just before the road. The walk then leads up the rise to then crossing (taking care) Cape Solander Drive[10] to the intersection marked with a large 'Yena Trail' map sign[11].

(0km) Cape Solander Dr int. → North end of Banks Solander Track

50 m

1 mins

0m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Banks-Solander Track' arrow[12] gently uphill along the gravelly trail for about 50m to find a 3-way intersection[13] marked with a small 'The Banks-Solander Track' plaque[14] (with a narrower track on the left).

(0km) North end of Banks Solander Track → South end of Banks Solander Track

330 m

6 mins

11m

-7m Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the narrower sandy track (away from the main trail), past the 'The Banks-Solander Track' plaque[15] for about 20m to the start of a timber boardwalk[16]. This walk follows the timber boardwalk as it winds among the tall grass plants[17] for about 50m where the boardwalk becomes a dirt track again. The walk leads along the track for about 40m to find a large sign posted Cabbage palm[18][19]. The walk continues to gently wind through the varied forest past a series of plant signs[20][21][22][23][24] for 150m to pass the narrowest point

[Pinch Point]

on the track and find a timber seat

[Seat]

[25], beside a scribbly gum[26][27]. From this seat the walk continues along the track past a few more plant signs[28][29][30] for nearly 50m to then follow a timber boardwalk for 25m[31] to the t-intersection with the wide trail.

(1km) South end of Banks Solander Track → North end of Banks Solander Track

220 m

3 mins

-4m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide, mostly flat gravelly trail north (initially keeping the timber boardwalk on the right) for a little over 200m, until coming to an intersection with the other end of 'Banks Solander Track'[32] (on the right).

(1km) North end of Banks Solander Track → Kamay Botany Bay Visitor Centre

210 m

4 mins

-4m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the gravelly trail for about 50m to find the sealed Cape Solander Drive[33] marked with a large 'Yena Trail' map sign[34].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses (taking care) the sealed Cape Solander Drive[35], to head down a narrow track and find a small seat[36]

[Seat]

. This walk then follows the dirt track[37], timber boardwalk[38] then the narrow pebblecrete path [39] as it winds through the dense forest for nearly 100m to find a 'Banks-Solander Track' sign[40] on the edge of the car park. This walk then leads through the middle of the car park

[Parking Accessible]

[41] and follows the short footpath[42] to the front of the 'Visitor Centre'[43]

[Seat]

[Toilet]

Maps for the Banks-Solander Track walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Port Hacking	1:25 000 Map Series	91294N PORT HACKING	NSW-91294N
Port Hacking	1:100 000 Map Series	9129 PORT HACKING	9129

Cross sectional view of the Banks-Solander Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Banks-Solander Track

Altitude analysis for Banks-Solander Track

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	960 m
		Time	20 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 650m of this walk is flat with no steps, whilst the remaining 310m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 960m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 960m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 960m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 960m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 960m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Banks-Solander Track walk.

Muru and Yena Tracks

2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

Following the service trails, this track covers many of the major walking tracks on Botany Bay's south side. Thick eucalypts and ferns surround the trail and there are great views from the Yena Picnic Area - a good place to break, (although it lacks shade). This walk is a nice way to explore a fair

Total climbing: 57m

Moderate track

Botany Bay Discovery Centre to Cape Baily

8.8 km Return, 3 hrs

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

Total climbing: 152m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Banks-Solander Track walk.

Burrawang foreshore walk

1.1 km One way, 30 mins

This pleasant stroll along a concrete footpath leads through a historically significant section of Kamay Botany Bay NP. Starting from the Visitor Centre, you take a short side trip to the Meeting Place where you will learn more about the Aboriginal people of the area. As the walk continues down to

Total climbing: 10m

Very easy

Cape Baily track from visitor centre (return)

8.9 km Return, 3 hrs

This great return walk starts from the Discovery centre in Kurnell, and follows a series of bush tracks and service trails, that wind south through wooded forest, to the Cape Baily walking track. At about halfway, the track breaks into heath, winding in between hanging swamps and along the cliff top

Total climbing: 175m

Moderate track

Cape Baily track from visitor centre to Boat Harbour Reserve

5.7 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from Kurnell's Botany Bay Visitors 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

Total climbing: 123m

Hard track

Botany Bay Coastal Walk

12.7 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

This great coastal walk follows the coastline from the cliff tops near Kurnell, south to the Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve, and around the coast to Cronulla station. Other great features of this walk are the many rock formations around the coast, the small sand dunes along the track, the hanging swam

Total climbing: 192m

Hard track

The Cape Bailey Walk

5 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This is an interesting walk, starting from Kurnell and following a series of bush tracks and service trails along the coast, with great ocean views. The walk offers some great views of the coast, city, and some great local landscapes, including sand dunes and hanging swamps. The small side trip up

Total climbing: 101m

Hard track

Cape Baily Coast Walk

5.5 km Return, 2 hrs

Following the cliff line of Kurnell, looking out onto the South Pacific Ocean, this is one of the most secluded walks in Botany Bay National Park. The coast line is a popular whale watching spot during the spring and this area provides great views along the coast and out to sea. Baily Lighthouse is

Total climbing: 191m

Moderate track

Cape Baily Coastal Walk Return

5.4 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows the coast, south, from the end of Cape Solander Drive, along the Cape Baily Track. The walk explores a number of gaps, sand dunes and hanging swamps. It also visits a light house, as it rounds the headland and winds down to the beach at Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve.

Total climbing: 126m

Hard track

Cape Baily Track from Cape Solander lookout

3.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk starts at the end of Cape Solander Dr and heads south along the coast to the end of Sir Joseph Banks Dr, in the Boat Harbour Coastal Reserve. The walk explores a vast array of environments including sand dunes, hanging swamps, rock platforms and dense heath. The Baily Lighthouse is a hig

Total climbing: 107m

Hard track

Bare Island Walk

866 m Return, 30 mins

A wonderful and easy way to explore the beautiful and historic tip of La Perouse. Bare Island is a small island, which you can walk to across a large timber bridge. The island was originally fortified to prevent foreign invasion, however, it has also been a retirement home and is now a museum and to

Total climbing: 22m

Easy track

Henry Head Walk

4.2 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

A worthwhile walk, traversing beach and headland to explore the WWII battlements of Henry Head. Both the Little Congwong Beach and Brown’s Rock sidetrips are recommended on this walk, as they are short detours and break the journey. Henry Head is good spot to stop for something to eat, grab a torc

Total climbing: 113m

Moderate track

Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head

13 km One way, 5 hrs

CLOSED This walk is closed at the northern end as there is no safe access to Malabar Head, updates to come in time. Exploring the cliff line of northern Botany Bay, this walk has great views, both down at the water (Bare Island and Browns Rock) and up on the cliffs (the

Total climbing: 397m

Hard track