Muru and Yena Tracks

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.8 km Circuit

57 m

Moderate track

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 bit of the park.

The Banks-Solander Trail passes by several large ferns

(0km) Kamay Botany Bay Visitor Centre → North end of Banks Solander Track

210 m

4 mins

-1m Easy track

From the front of the 'Visitor Centre'[1]

[Seat]

[Toilet]

, this walk follows the footpath[2] that then leads through the middle of the car park

[Parking Accessible]

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

[Seat]

just before the road. The walk then leads up the rise to then crossing (taking care) Cape Solander Drive[9] to the intersection marked with a large 'Yena Trail' map sign[10].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Banks-Solander Track' arrow[11] gently uphill along the gravelly trail for about 50m to find a 3-way intersection[12] marked with a small 'The Banks-Solander Track' plaque[13] (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[14] for about 20m to the start of a timber boardwalk[15]. This walk follows the timber boardwalk as it winds among the tall grass plants[16] 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[17][18]. The walk continues to gently wind through the varied forest past a series of plant signs[19][20][21][22][23] for 150m to pass the narrowest point

[Pinch Point]

on the track and find a timber seat

[Seat]

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

(1km) South end of Banks Solander Track → South end of Yena Picnic Area Rd

810 m

15 mins

15m

-8m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads south along the gravelly management trail until coming to an intersection with a bush track on the left.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the main management trail to the south-east through the open ferny forest. Soon, the Yena trail meets the radar track (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south-east along the management trail, leaving the smaller track behind on the right. The trail passes through large sections of ferns and eucalypts, before reaching Solander Rd and a 'Yena Fire Trail' sign.

(1km) South end of Yena Picnic Area Rd → North end of Yena Picnic Area Rd

580 m

11 mins

18m

-12m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads east down the gravel road towards the coastline. Gradually, this curves around to the north before coming to the Yena Picnic Area. There are no shaded areas, but this is compensated by the good lookouts over the South Pacific Ocean. Although this section of the walk is classified as wheelchair accessible (due to it being along a road), the asphalt is extremely pitted and bumpy. The road turns back inland and comes to another intersection with Cape Solander Drive, and a sign pointing back to 'Yena Picnic Area'.

(2km) North end of Yena Picnic Area Rd → Int of Muru Track and Cape Solander Drive

90 m

1 mins

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north along Cape Solander Drive, keeping the ocean (not visible) off to the right. After approximately 100m, the walk comes to an intersection with a management trail on the left, blocked to vehicles by a gate.

(2km) Int of Muru Track and Cape Solander Drive → Int of Muru Track and Houston Lookout track

440 m

7 mins

-1m Easy track

Turn left: From Cape Solander Drive, this walk passes the large gate and heads north-west along the management trail until reaching an intersection with a track on the left (south-west).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads north-west along the management trail for approximately 50m until coming to an intersection with a track on the right (north).

(2km) Int of Muru Track and Houston Lookout track → Houston Lookout

310 m

6 mins

10m

-10m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the overgrown management trail. There are some good views out over the bay area and the national park however these are shrouded by the nearby trees and ferns. The trail ends at the top of the hill, with filtered views. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

(2km) Int of Muru Track and Houston Lookout track → Int of Cape Solander Dr and Muru Track

260 m

5 mins

-21m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads west, gently downhill along the sandy management trail until coming to an intersection with a track on the left.
Continue straight: 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.

(3km) Int of Cape Solander Dr and Muru Track → Carpark

100 m

2 mins

-4m Easy track

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.

Maps for the Muru and Yena Tracks 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 Muru and Yena Tracks bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Muru and Yena Tracks

Altitude analysis for Muru and Yena Tracks

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	2.8 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		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

1.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 810m is flat with no steps. The remaining (580m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 2.2km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 580m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 2.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 2.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.2km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 580m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Muru and Yena Tracks walk.

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

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

Cronulla to Botany Bay Discovery Centre

13.1 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

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 th

Total climbing: 185m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Muru and Yena Tracks 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

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

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