Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre

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4 hrs 30 mins

13.1 km One way

185 m

Hard track

This coastal walk starts from Cronulla station and follows the beaches around to the Boat Harbour Aquatic reserve, then continues along the Cape Bailey walk, winding through thick heath and between hanging swamps. The walk finishes at the Botany Bay Discovery Centre. There is an alternate exit to the end of Polo street for those wishing to exit outside the park. There is a good, optional side trip up to the Cape Bailey lighthouse.

great example of a hanging swamp lining the cape bailey walk

The view at the Int of Cape Bailey and Radar Track

winding through the eucalypt littered forest

(0km) Cronulla Station → Cronulla Park

350 m

6 mins

-5m Very easy

From the train station, the walk crosses Cronulla street at the traffic lights and continues along the laneway running between the park and the row of shops. The walk then crosses Surf lane at the pedestrian crossing and continues along the wide laneway to the intersection with Gerrale street, at the pedestrian crossing.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk crosses the road at the pedestrian crossing and follows the footpath into the park for a short distance before turning left onto another footpath. The walk follows this footpath (passing two intersecting footpaths) to the intersection with another footpath at the edge of the beach.

(0km) Cronulla Park → Louera Beach footpath (east)

960 m

16 mins

13m

-11m Very easy

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath north keeping the ocean on the right. The footpath passes the rocks and two ocean pools, continuing around the back of a beach and past the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, to the intersection of the footpath at the corner of the Prince street car park.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath north, keeping the beach to the right). At the end of the first cat park area the walk goes down the ramp and along the fenced path running along the back of the beach. The path passes a set of concrete stairs after about 200m and continues to the intersection with a short ramp heading down to Elouera Beach.

(1km) Louera Beach footpath (east) → Pimelwi Rocks

4.5 km

1 hr 11 mins climb

18m

-23m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads down the short ramp to the beach and north-east along the beach, keeping the ocean to the right. The walk passes the Elouera Surf Life Saving Club and continues all the way along the beach, approximately 4.5 kilometres, until it reaches the eastern end of the Bate Bay at the Pimelwi Rocks point.

(6km) Pimelwi Rocks → Boat Harbour Beach (east)

460 m

8 mins

-4m Moderate track

Turn left: From the point, this walk follows the beach east around the bay, keeping the ocean on the right. The walk passes a number of shacks before coming to the signposted intersection of the coastal walk footpath.

(6km) Boat Harbour Beach (east) → Sir Joseph Banks Drive Carpark

1.1 km

19 mins

18m

-15m Moderate track

Veer right: From the eastern side of the beach, this walk heads up the small concrete path that climbs up out of the bay to the top of the ridge. The walk then follows the track south-east across the grassy hill, keeping the ocean on the right as it runs alongside an old disused pipeline along the coast. The track cuts across the mouth of some sand dunes and continues along through a small clearing, winding down the hill to the back of a small shelly beach. From the beach, the walk follows the coast west, keeping the ocean on the right, until it comes to the blue 'Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve' sign.
Continue straight: From the 'Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve' sign, this walk heads north-east up and away from the ocean (keeping the ocean to the right, winding along the track to the Sir Joseph Banks Drive car park.

(7km) Sir Joseph Banks Drive Carpark → Rock platform

700 m

12 mins

14m

-5m Hard track

Turn around: From the car park, this walk follows the sandy management trail south-east (toward the ocean) down the gentle hill and bends to the left, keeping the coast on the right. The walk passes the mouth of some sand dunes, coming to the clearly visible management trail. This trail winds through the grass, then up a small hill and onto a rock platform that opens out onto the coast. (The track passes a number of small tracks leading back to the coast and heading further inland.)

(8km) Rock platform → Int of Cape Bailey lighthouse track

690 m

16 mins

42m

-25m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads east along the edge of the scrub and over the rocks, keeping the ocean on the right. The walk follows the edge of the heath, until winding inland of a small patch of scrub and up onto a rock platform. The walk continues along the management trail that winds towards the lighthouse through tall heath, and up and alongside the cliffs until coming to an intersection with the bush track, just near the lighthouse.

(9km) Int of Cape Bailey Lighthouse track → Cape Bailey Lighthouse

80 m

2 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the sandy bush track, heading up and away from the ocean. The track is relatively defined for most of the way, however in the last 20m the track becomes quite overgrown and a little less defined (the lighthouse is always visible). Once at the lighthouse, there are good views inland, however the views to the east are largely blocked by the high scrub. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

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. More info.

(9km) Int of Cape Bailey lighthouse track → Sand dune int

950 m

18 mins

22m

-28m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, keeping the ocean and the cliff tops to the right. After a few hundred meters, the track heads a little more inland and over several small sand dunes, then climbs a short hill and turns right to head down the hill toward the swamp. About halfway along the edge of the swamp, the track turns right and climbs up a sand dune to the track intersection, in the middle of the depression in the dune.

Hanging Swamps

There are a number of hanging swamps that can be found along the Cape Bailey 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.

(10km) Sand dune int → Tabbigai Gap Track Int

550 m

9 mins

-8m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads north, keeping the ocean on the right (about 150m away) and the hanging swamp on the left. The walk follows the overgrown track through thick scrub until it comes to a sand dune clearing. From the clearing, the track continues north, up and out of the other end of the clearing. From here, it goes down the other side, along another overgrown track winding north through thick scrub, into another long sand dune clearing. From the second clearing, the walk continues north through to another overgrown track, which it follows for a short distance to a wider sandy track, then a little further north to the apex of Tabbigai Gap.

(10km) Tabbigai Gap Track Int → Int of Cape Bailey and car park tracks

1 km

17 mins

19m

-10m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads north (keeping ocean on the right) along the sandy trail, passing a small bush track on the right. The walk soon heads over rock and sandy sections, and there are several areas where wind and water erosion has developed small holes along the rock shelf that give it a very interesting look. After a little while, the walk reaches an intersection with several other bush tracks on a large rock-shelf.

(11km) Int of Cape Bailey and car park tracks → Int of Cape Bailey and link track

670 m

11 mins

-6m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads north-west along the rock-shelf. This soon changes to a sandy bush track. After a short distance along the sandy track, the walk arrives at an intersection with a wide management trail.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads north along the wide sandy bush track, keeping the water tank and radar installation on your left as the track winds through the heath forest. The walk winds around to a small bush track which appears on the right (this is just before more-obvious intersection a little further up).

(12km) Int of Cape Bailey and link track → End of Polo Street

420 m

8 mins

-19m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail west (keeping the water tank on the left) for a very short distance until it comes to the 'T' intersection of the Cape Bailey walking track service trail.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail north-west, away from the water tank (with the power lines on the left-hand side), through the bush and down a gentle hill, continuing along until it heads around a National Parks gate at the end of Polo Street.

(12km) Int of Cape Bailey and link track → Int of Yena Servicetrail and link track

480 m

8 mins

-8m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north along a sandy bush track, away from the water tank and radar installation. This is a very sandy trail with several small ups and downs. The track continues until reaching an intersection with a service trail.

(12km) Int of Yena Servicetrail and link track → Carpark

700 m

15 mins

13m

-33m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads north-west through the ferny forest until it meets up with a wide, sandy, bush track (which heads up and to the right).
Turn right: From the intersection with the bush track, this walk heads north-east along a narrow sandy bush track that has several small ups and downs. Soon, the walk comes to an intersection with a small bush track at the top of the knoll - this is Kurnell Lookout, views obstructed by trees.
Continue straight: From the intersection at Kurnell Lookout, this walk heads north-east along the track for a short while until coming to an intersection with a management trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads north-west, down along the wide gravelly management trail, with dense ferns on either side, until coming to Cape Solander Drive.
Continue straight: From the road, this walk heads north-west along the old road, now a service trail. This continues for a short period before passing over a small bridge. Just beyond this, the track opens out onto the Botany Bay Discovery Centre car park. The discovery centre is to the right.

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.

Maps for the Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre 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 Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre

Altitude analysis for Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre

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	13.1 km
		Time	4 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

9km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.4km has short steep hills. The remaining (1.5km) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 1.3km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 700m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 11km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.5km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

11km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 1.7km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (700m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 13km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 6km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre 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

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

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 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 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 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 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

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

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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre walk.

Bundeena to Little Marley Beach

14 km Return, 5 hrs

Exploring the coastline of the Royal National Park, this walk has fantastic views and a great place to wet the toes at Little Marley Beach. Bundeena is a great place to start the walk, with places to grab a bite to eat. You can also catch the ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena, an excellent way to star

Total climbing: 441m

Moderate track

Bundeena to Marley Beach

12.7 km Return, 4 hrs 30 mins

Going from the small town of Bundeena, to one of the largest beaches in the Royal National Park, this walk has great views of the Coast as it heads south through the heath and along the rockshelf. The walk then descends to Marley Beach, which offers the opportunity to swim and explore the lagoon, be

Total climbing: 417m

Moderate track

Bundeena to Marley Head

10.8 km Circuit, 3 hrs 20 mins

From Bundeena, this walk heads south to the coast and then loops around Marley Head. The environment changes from heath to open, rocky platforms along the cliffs. There are great views from Marley Head, and the section between Marley and Bundeena Lookout is just astounding. Look out for lizards in t

Total climbing: 274m

Moderate track

The Coast Track

27.4 km One way, 2 Days

Heading south, this walk covers the coastline of the Royal National Park and can truly only be described as amazing. With breathtaking coastal views from Bundeena to Otford this walk follows the cliffs along a well managed and signposted track. You will enjoy the truly fantastic views out to sea an

Total climbing: 1351m

Hard track

Bundeena to Jibbon Head Circuit

6.8 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

On this loop walk you will enjoy some grand ocean views, a few secluded beaches, rock shelves and some Aboriginal engravings. The walk starts in the community of Bundeena and follows the roads to Jibbon Beach then along the track to Jibbon Head and Shelley beach, then a long stretch of sandy manage

Total climbing: 139m

Moderate track

Jibbon Loop Track

5.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is an enjoyable way of exploring Jibbon Head and its beaches. From the township on Bundeena, walk through the streets and then along the beautiful Jibbon Beach. At the northern end of Jibbon Beach, a track leads through the bush to an Aboriginal engraving site, then to the point of Jibbo

Total climbing: 94m

Moderate track

Jibbon Head Engravings

2.6 km Return, 45 mins

On this walk, you will enjoy a stroll along Jibbon Beach and then head through the bush to the Jibbon Head Aboriginal engraving site. The site is a special and historic place, with some clear engravings and others more faded. The site is best viewed in the late afternoon sun, or after rain. Take

Total climbing: 35m

Moderate track

Quibray Bay viewing platform

84 m Return, 10 mins

This short and easy walk to to the Quibray Bay viewing/lookout platform provides some lovely views and opportunities for bird watching. The platforms give you views across the heart of the very special Towra Point Nature Reserve. The nature reserve is very close to Sydney and most of it is closed t

Total climbing: 1m

Very easy

Bungoona Path

918 m Return, 20 mins

This is a smooth and mostly flat walk with a fantastic lookout in the Royal National Park. The concrete path starts at the Area Office car park, passes a pleasant and usually quiet picnic area, then winds gently down through the bush. The path leads to the fenced Bungoona Lookout, where you can en

Total climbing: 30m

Very easy

Loftus to Winifred Falls

11 km One way, 4 hrs

Following well-maintained bush tracks and service trails, this walk descends into the Royal National Park, to a spectacular set of pools and cascading falls on South Western Creek. The Royal National Park Information Centre, on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, is approximately in the middle of this walk a

Total climbing: 400m

Hard track

Bundeena Road to Marley

9.7 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk is the most direct route down to Big and Little Marley. The beaches are fantastic, secluded areas with Big Marley hosting a large sand dune and lagoon. The beaches are not patrolled and can have dangerous surf conditions, so take care. Deer Pool, and it's waterfall, is also a highlight on

Total climbing: 245m

Hard track

Deer Pools

3.8 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

The walk down to Deer Pools takes you through the heath, which is common in Royal National Park. This bush opens out onto Deer Pool, a beautiful little cascade and pool of water. A lovely walk to one of the well known landmarks in the park.

Total climbing: 109m

Hard track