Bare Island Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

866 m Return

22 m

Easy track

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 tourist attraction managed by NSW Parks and Wildlife Service. The main part of the island is locked but you can book a tour on Sundays. There is also a set of steps at the end of the bridge to get access to the rock platform of the island. Make a day of it by enjoying the local cafe, beaches and other museums in the area.

Southern end of Cann Park looking at Barracks Tower

Rock platforms next to Bare Island near La Perouse

(0km) Southern end of Cann Park → Top of Bare Island trail

240 m

4 mins

-2m Very easy

From the southern end of Cann Park

[Parking Accessible]

(Anzac Parade, La Perouse), this walk follows the wide concrete footpath downhill keeping Anzac Parade to the right. After 50m the path leads past a toilet block[1]

[Toilet]

and drinking fountain[2]

[Potable Water]

then continues past the open grassy area and water views[3] for another 20m to find a few metal bench seats[4]

[Seat]

. The walk continues gently downhill along the footpath beside the grassy area with water views for 170m passing several seats (evenly spaced)

[Seat]

to come to an intersection at the top of a concrete driveway marked with a large 'Botany Bay National Park' sign[5]. There are parking areas including a mobility parking bay

[Parking Accessible]

(on the right).

(0km) Southern End of Cann Park → Top of Bare Island Trail

230 m

4 mins

0m Easy track

Turn left: From the southern end of Cann Park

[Parking Accessible]

(Anzac Parade, La Perouse)[6] and 'Congwong Beach Walk' sign[7], this walk initially follows a footpath toward the water and a stone tower[8]) for about 20m (past the road intersection) then turns right to cross Anzac Pd to find a 'Botany Bay National Park' sign[9]. This walk then passes between timber posts, walking across grass for about 50m, until coming to the locked stone tower (The Barrack Tower[10]).
Continue straight: From the stone tower (The Barrack Tower[11]), this walk heads gently downhill, towards the water, over grass for about 80m. The walk then heads down the steps and across Anzac Rd[12] so find a few seats at the top of Bare Island Trail[13] beside the large 'Botany Bay National Park' sign[14]. Now Continue straight to rejoin the main walk .

(0km) Top of Bare Island trail → Bare Island Fortification

190 m

4 mins

-13m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection[15], this walk heads away from Anzac Parade

[Parking Accessible]

and seats

[Seat]

following the (initally moderalty steep

[Wheelchair Steep]

) driveway downhill[16] toward Bare Island, past the large 'Botany Bay National Park' sign[17]. This walk continues to follow the concrete then asphalt driveway for about 80m to find the start of the 100m long (3.8m wide) timber bridge[18]. This walk crosses the bridge[19], until coming to a large metal gate[20] and a 'Bare Island Fortification' sign[21] behind the gate. There are great views from the bridge. Bare Island is generally locked but guided tours are available.

Bare Island Fortification

In 1885 the Bare Island Fortification on the northern side of Botany Bay was built in order to prevent foreign invasion and protect the water supply of the new colony. While the building is now accessible for tours, originally the only way of getting onto the island was by flying fox. The fortifications were decommissioned in the early 1900s. In 1912, Bare Island became a retirement home for war veterans from the Crimea, Sudan and China campaigns. It continued to operate as a retirement home until 1963, after this the Randwick District Historical Society became caretakers of the island. In 1967 it was passed onto the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service for use as a museum and tourist attraction. The Bare Island fort has now been declared a historical site. The Bare Island Fortification is available for tours on Sundays in the afternoons, for more information on how to book tours call 1300 072 757. There are many steps on the tour and is not considered wheelchair accessible. Bare Island is also one of the most popular scuba diving sites in New South Wales. From the gate on the far side of the timber bridge is a steep set of timber steps that lead down to the rock platform [25], only access at low tide and seas.

La Perouse Museum

The La Perouse museum[26], in Botany Bay National Park, is housed in the historic cable station at La Perouse. The museum contains much information regarding Bare Island, the fate of La Perouse himself and Botany Bay National Park. There are many relics from ship wrecks, with maps and scientific instruments dating back to the 16th century. The museum contains over 2000 items, with one of the most significant collection items being a complete Atlas of the Voyage of La Perouse, consisting of 72 coloured drawings and maps, featuring places the expedition visited between 1785 and 1788. The museum is open Thursday to Sunday 10am to 4pm, closed Christmas Day.. Access to the building is via a steep staircase. More info.

Maps for the Bare Island Walk 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.

Botany Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	91303S BOTANY BAY	NSW-91303S
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Bare Island Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bare Island Walk

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	866 m
		Time	30 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 240m of this walk is flat with no steps, whilst the remaining 190m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 240m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 190m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 430m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 430m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 430m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 430m 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 Bare Island Walk walk.

La Perouse Historical Walk

792 m Circuit, 30 mins

This walk, primarily across open lawns, offers views across Botany Bay while visiting historically significant landmarks. The side trip to the Bare Island Fortifications is well worth it, with tours available on Sunday afternoons. However, a walk across to the locked gate on Bare Island is still w

Total climbing: 9m

Easy track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bare Island Walk walk.

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

Cape Banks Circuit

6.6 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This Cape Banks Circuit has a lot to offer and is thoroughly recommended. The walking travels over beaches, through coastal forest and across exposed headlands. Historically, this walk shows glimpses into the fortifications required during both World Wars. The optional side trip to the coast hosp

Total climbing: 182m

Hard track

Henry Head Circuit

6.8 km Circuit, 3 hrs

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

Total climbing: 174m

Hard track

Little Congwong Beach Walk

1.1 km Return, 30 mins

A relaxing beach walk, ending at a sheltered sandy beach that has been described as one of the most beautiful beaches in Sydney. In the past, this walk has been used as a nudist beach, but this practice is being discouraged. The beach is very popular in the summer, but beware of the limited shade

Total climbing: 34m

Moderate track

Jennifer Street Boardwalk

750 m Return, 30 mins

This walk guides you along raised boardwalk through rare and engaged banksia ecosystem. An opportunity to appreciate a sensitive environment close up and in an environmentally sensitive way. The information sign at the start of the walk provides insight into the Banksia scrub and its value. This wa

Total climbing: 6m

Easy track

Cape Banks Walk

1.9 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk combines fine coastal views with two points of historical interest. From the start of this walk, the sidetrip to the coastal cemetery is short and gives a glimpse into lives of past generations. The World War II bunker is worth having a look around as you pass directly by it. Spend some

Total climbing: 37m

Hard track

Cape Banks Island walk

1.5 km Return, 45 mins

On this walk, you will explore Cape Banks island surrounded by the aquaitic reserve and a beautiful coast line of Kamay Botany Bay NP. Starting from the end of Cape Banks Rd, you pass a historic gun emplacement, then explore the grassy coastline down to the water and edge of NSW Golf Course. There i

Total climbing: 47m

Hard 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

Banks-Solander Track

960 m Circuit, 20 mins

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 pa

Total climbing: 16m

Easy track

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