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End of Cape Solander Drive +
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Old footing neat Cape Solander Lookout +
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Along much of the way the track follows small markers +
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On the rock coast line South of Cape Solander Drive +
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View of Water tank and radar instalation +
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Coast line of Botany Bay National Park +
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Track near Tabbigai Gap +
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Along the Cliff line at Tabbigai Gap +
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Actinotus helianthi (Flannel Flower) +
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Along Cape Bailey track near Tabbagai Gap +
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Cape Bailey track Sth of Tabbigai Gap +
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View from Cape Bailey Track +
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small sand dunes that litter the cape bailey walk +
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great example of a hanging swamp lining the cape bailey walk +
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small sand dunes along the track +
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hanging swamps that line that track +
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Water Glimpses from top of Dune over the Hanging swamp +
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small sand dunes throughout the walk +
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Approaching the light house +
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South of the Lighthouse on Cape Baily Track +
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Rock Platform on Cape Baily +
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many great formations like this litter the coast line +
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Sir Joseph Banks drive Carpark +
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Looking south over Boat harbour +
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boat harbour aquatic reserve +
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Rock formations at Boat Harbour +
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following disused pipeline +
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Shoreline of Boat Harbour +
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Disphyma crassifolium (Pigface) flower in spring +
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small village behind beach +
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Looking our along Pimelwi Rocks +
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Eastern end of Cronulla Beach +
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Cross sectional view of the Cape Baily Coastal Walk Return bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cape Baily Coastal Walk Return 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 |
5km |
| Time |
2 hrs 30 mins |
| . |
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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
Around 4.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 950m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
3.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.1km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (700m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
Around 4.5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 950m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
4.2km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 700m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (550m) requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 460m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
(0 km)
End of Cape Solander Drive
to
Tabbigai Gap Track Int
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 947 m |
Time = 21 mins |
| Climb = 41 m |
Descent = -47 m |
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From the end of Cape Solander Drive, this walk starts at the big signpost just to the left of the toilet building. The track heads south along the cliff line (ocean on the left) following the green poles until they stop, then the track continues along the top of the cliff line (staying safely back from the very fragile cliff edge). This section is mostly on sandstone and occasionally through low heath. As the track approaches Tabbigai Gap, it joins onto Cape Baily Track where the track turns left and continues south for 50m until the apex of Tabbigai Gap and the management trail.
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(0.95 km)
Tabbigai Gap Track Int
to
Sand dune int
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 546 m |
Time = 9 mins |
| Climb = 8 m |
Descent = -6 m |
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Veer left: From the Tabbigai Gap, this walk follows the clear, sandy track east (with the Tabbigai Gap on the left) up a short hill until it turns right at the small clearing. The track stays away from the ocean and soon comes to a large sand dune clearing. From the other end of the clearing, the walk follows the track south (ocean on the left) through the thick scrub, winding along until it rises up a hill to a long sand dune clearing. From the far end of this clearing, the walk follows the overgrown track through the thick scrub, until it widens out a little and continues south for a short distance, to the intersection in the pit of a sand dune, with a large hanging swamp on the right.
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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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(1.49 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 |
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Turn right: 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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(2.45 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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(2.45 km)
Int of Cape Baily lighthouse track
to
Sir Joseph Banks Drive Carpark
Track: Hard - servicetrail |
Length = 1.39 km |
Time = 28 mins |
| Climb = 30 m |
Descent = -56 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.
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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(3.84 km)
Sir Joseph Banks Drive Carpark
to
Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 133 m |
Time = 2 mins |
| Climb = 2 m |
Descent = -3 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.
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Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve
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Alt = 5 m |
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The Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve was established in 2001 by NSW Fisheries[1], incorporating the whole of Merries Reef and Pimelwi Rocks, and continuing 100m out to sea[2]. Fishing is restricted in the area, and the collection of any invertebrates (dead or alive) is prohibited. More info
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(3.97 km)
Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve
to
Pimelwi Rocks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack,beach |
Length = 1.43 km |
Time = 25 mins |
| Climb = 17 m |
Descent = -20 m |
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.
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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Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Driving Directions |
| Map Car Shuffle
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To the start of the walk
Drive from:
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From the end of the walk
Drive to:
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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 | 10.7 km | Boots Great Outdoors | 23 Koonya Cct, Caringbah | (02) 9542 8988 | 10.1 km | Caravan Accessories Pty Ltd | 33 Rocky Point Rd , Kogarah | (02) 9588 3400 | 10 km | Paddy Pallin Adventure Equipment | 587 Kingsway, Miranda | (02) 9525 6829 | 11.9 km | Outdoor Equipment | 60 Spring St , Bondi Junction | (02) 9389 8122 | 14.1 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Cape Baily Coastal Walk Return.
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 8 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 
1 km
not too much longer now :)