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Actinotus helianthi (Flannel Flower) +
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small sand dunes along the track +
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path up to the cape bailey lighthouse +
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looking back up the coast +
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boat harbour aquatic reserve +
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following disused pipeline +
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coming around to the bay +
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small village behind beach +
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coming out of cronulla park +
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Cross sectional view of the Botany Bay Coastal Walk bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Botany Bay Coastal Walk bushwalking track  Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
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Length |
13km |
| Time |
4 hrs 15 mins |
| . |
|
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard |
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) |
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
9km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.8km has short steep hills. The remaining (1.3km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
8km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.3km 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 1.3km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
11km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 700m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (670m) requires some 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).
(0 km)
End of Polo Street
to
Int of Cape Bailey track and water tank service trail
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 399 m |
Time = 8 mins |
| Climb = 19 m |
Descent = -2 m |
|
From the end of the Polo St, this walk heads around the metal National Parks gate and south-east along the service trail, with some power lines on the right-hand side. As the track heads further south-east, the track steadily climbs up to the top of a gentle hill and continues along until it comes to the intersection of the Cape Bailey walk and the radar service trail.
|
(0.4 km)
Int of Cape Bailey track and water tank service trail
to
Int of Cape Baily and car park tracks
Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack,bushtrack |
Length = 690 m |
Time = 11 mins |
| Climb = 6 m |
Descent = -7 m |
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail heading east (with the water tank on the right) for a very short distance until it comes to the intersection with a link bush track on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk initially heads east, then turns right along the wide bush track, keeping the water tank and the radar on the right as it winds through the heath forest, coming to a four-way intersection with a wide management trail.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads south (with the water tank directly behind) along the sandy bush track, and then along the rock-shelf until coming to an intersection marked by several arrows.
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(1.09 km)
Int of Cape Baily and car park tracks
to
Tabbigai Gap Track Int
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 1.01 km |
Time = 17 mins |
| Climb = 10 m |
Descent = -19 m |
|
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads south (keeping the ocean to the left, about 150m away) along the rock and the sandy track, through the low dense scrub. Along this part of the track, there are several sections where wind and water erosion has developed small holes along the rock shelf that give it a very interesting look. After some time, this walk passes a small bush track on the left (which heads out to the coast), and shortly after this, comes to an intersection with a service trail at Tabbigai Gap.
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(2.1 km)
Tabbigai Gap Track Int
to
Sand dune int
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 836 m |
Time = 19 mins |
| Climb = 41 m |
Descent = -40 m |
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk initially heads east along the track nearest to the coastline, keeping Tabbigai Gap to the left. The thin track follows the coastline, tending right, occasionally heading into heavy heath and scrub. There are some great views over the surrounding coastline and the ocean. The track continues inland a little and joins up with another defined track, coming in sharply from the right.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads south-west along track beside the cliffline, gradually turning to the west (along the northern side of Blue Hole Gap) until coming to a small climb inside a sand dunes. On the far side of the dune (about 30m), there is an intersection with a wide sandy track to the right, and a narrower one on the left.
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Hanging Swamps
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Alt = 29 m |
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There are a number of hanging swamps that can be found along the Cape Baily 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.
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(2.94 km)
Sand dune int
to
Int of Cape Baily lighthouse track
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 953 m |
Time = 18 mins |
| Climb = 28 m |
Descent = -22 m |
|
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the narrow bush track that heads west to the top of the dunes. (From the top of the dune there are some great views of the hanging swamp straight ahead). The track then turns left and drops off the top of the sand dune, keeping the swamp on the right. The track then climbs a sandy hill to some more views before turning left and heading along a sandy track, through several more large sand dunes. After these dunes, the track starts to flatten out and widen, to head along to an intersection with a bush track (which heads to the lighthouse).
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(3.89 km)
Int of Cape Baily Lighthouse track
to
Cape Baily Lighthouse
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 83 m |
Time = 2 mins |
| Climb = 8 m |
Descent = 0 m |
Veer right: 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.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
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Cape Baily Lighthouse
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Alt = 40 m |
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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
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(3.89 km)
Int of Cape Baily lighthouse track
to
Rock platform
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 694 m |
Time = 16 mins |
| Climb = 25 m |
Descent = -42 m |
|
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail south, along the coastline (keeping the ocean on the left). The trail winds down through tall heath for approximately 300m to the open rock platform. The walk bends right and continues south, down the hill and along the edge of the scrub for approximately 380m more. Here, the walk comes to the start of a track that leads back into the scrub.
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(4.58 km)
Rock platform
to
Sir Joseph Banks Drive Carpark
Track: Hard - servicetrail |
Length = 695 m |
Time = 12 mins |
| Climb = 5 m |
Descent = -14 m |
|
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail as it heads south-west off the rock platform (keeping the ocean on the left) and down the grassy hill, passing a few small tracks, coming to the end of the clear management trail. From here, the walk follows the coast (ocean on the left), cutting across the mouth of the sand dunes and bending around to the right and up the gentle hill to the Sir Joseph Banks Drive car park.
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(5.28 km)
Sir Joseph Banks Drive Carpark
to
Boat Harbour Beach (east)
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 1.11 km |
Time = 19 mins |
| Climb = 15 m |
Descent = -18 m |
Turn around: From the car park, this walk heads south-west along the bush track, initially heading towards the ocean, and tending right onto a long rock platform, keeping the ocean to the left, until coming to the 'Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve' signpost.
Continue straight: From the 'Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve' sign, this walk heads west along the coast, keeping the ocean on the left as it winds around to a small shelly beach. From the beach, the walk heads north up the grassy hill, following the bush track as it winds along the coast. The track cuts across the mouth of some sand dunes and follows an old disused pipeline around the coast, as it bends around to the north and winds in towards the bay. The walk follows the track down a thin concrete path that drops down to the beach.
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(6.39 km)
Boat Harbour Beach (east)
to
Pimelwi Rocks
Track: Moderate - beach |
Length = 459 m |
Time = 8 mins |
| Climb = 4 m |
Descent = -5 m |
|
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the beach west around the bay, keeping the ocean on the left as it winds around to the point at the other side of the bay (where the beach bends to the right), noticeable by the rocks that extend out into the ocean.
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(6.84 km)
Pimelwi Rocks
to
Louera Beach footpath (east)
Track: Moderate - beach |
Length = 4.53 km |
Time = 1 hr 11 mins |
| Climb = 23 m |
Descent = -18 m |
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Turn right: From the point, the walk heads north west along the very long stretch of beach with the South Pacific Ocean on the left. The walk continues along the beach for approximately 4.5 kilometres, until it passes the Elouera Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and heads up the short ramp to the intersection with the Elouera Beach footpath.
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(11.37 km)
Louera Beach footpath (east)
to
Cronulla Park
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath |
Length = 956 m |
Time = 16 mins |
| Climb = 11 m |
Descent = -13 m |
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath south. The footpath runs along the back of the beach, providing great views to the east across the ocean. The footpath passes a set of concrete stairs and continues further before turning back up to the intersection of Prince street. From here, the walk follows the footpath south to the corner of the car park and the intersection of the ocean pools footpath (near the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club).
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath past the North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club. The footpath passes the end of the beach, and continues south, passing the rocks and ocean pools, to the northern corner of Cronulla Park.
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(12.33 km)
Cronulla Park
to
Cronulla Station
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath |
Length = 349 m |
Time = 6 mins |
| Climb = 5 m |
Descent = -1 m |
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath into the park, towards the carpark on the other side. The walk continues past the first two intersecting footpaths and turns right onto the third. The walk follows this footpath to Gerrale street and crosses at the pedestrian crossing.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the wide laneway running between the buildings. The walk crosses Surf lane at the pedestrian crossing and continues between the park and the row of shops before it comes to, and crosses, Cronulla street at the traffic lights to reach Cronulla train station.
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Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
| Store |
Address |
Phone |
Distance (straight line) |
| Kingsford Camping & Disposals | 309 Anzac Pde, Kingsford | (02) 9663 3535 | 9.8 km | Boots Great Outdoors | 23 Koonya Cct, Caringbah | (02) 9542 8988 | 9.6 km | Caravan Accessories Pty Ltd | 33 Rocky Point Rd , Kogarah | (02) 9588 3400 | 9.1 km | Carlton Canvas Co | 337 Princes Hwy, Carlton | (02) 9587 0208 | 9.9 km | Brandt Bros Est 1878 | 141 Devonshire St , Surry Hills | (02) 9318 2666 | 13.8 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Botany Bay Coastal Walk.
Fire DangerThis walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information. Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here | | °C (feels like °) | | km/h from the | | % humidity (as at ) |
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 Botany Bay National Park Link to official closures and fire bans pageRegion: Sydney & Surrounds Park fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment. |
Hiking near Sydney 
5 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
Check out the facilities at 
not too much longer now :)