Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head
Download & Print Map and Notes
5 hrs
13 km One way
397 m
Hard track
(0km) Southern End of Cann Park → Eastern end of Congwong Beach
230 m
4 mins
2m
-8m
Moderate track
From the southern end of Cann Park[1], this walk follows the concrete track down a series of stairs[2], passing the ‘Congwong Beach Walk’ sign[3] on your right. This walk continues gently downhill on a sandy track for about 40m, to find the western end of Congwong Beach[4]. Then this walk follows the beach, with the water to your right, for about 140m until coming to a three-way intersection, with the ‘Henry Head/Little Congwong Beach’ sign[5].
(0.23km) Eastern end of Congwong Beach → Little Congwong Beach
310 m
6 mins
13m
-11m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the eastern end of Congwong Beach[6], this walk follows a mostly level concrete track, passing a ‘Little Congwong Beach Track’ sign[7] (on the left) and keeping the water on the right for about 230m (with coastal views on the right[8]). Then this walk follows a sandy track moderately steeply downhill[9], with occasional timber steps[10] for about 90m, until coming to the western end of Little Congwong Beach[11]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Little Congwong Beach
Little Congwong Beach, located at La Perouse, is a sheltered sandy beach[12] that has been described as one of the most beautiful beach oases in Sydney. Little Congwong beach has also been used for over 40 years as an unofficial and secluded nude beach. If you see any offensive behaviour please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or the Maroubra Police on 02 9349 9299. This beach is very popular on summer weekends and has limited shade in the afternoon. More info.
(0.23km) Eastern end of Congwong Beach → Int of Henry Head Track and Congwong Beach Servicetrail
210 m
4 mins
10m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection[15], this walk follows the ‘Henry Head Scenic Walk’ sign[16] and wide track gently uphill and away from the beach through coastal bush. The walk continues to follow the timber and concrete track [17] moderately steeply uphill[18] for about 160m, until coming to a three-way intersection[19] with a track on the right.
(0.44km) Int of Henry Head Track and Congwong Beach Servicetrail → Int of Henry Head and Browns Rock Tracks
890 m
18 mins
41m
-12m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection[20], this walk follows the track slightly uphill, over a dry culverted creek and onto rock slabs[21]. The track continues up a gentle hill through coastal forest[22] for about 130m until coming to a three-way intersection[23] (with a track on the left).
Veer right: From the intersection[24], this walk follows the ‘Henry Head’ sign east along a wide track, gently uphill through wooded forest[25]. This walk continues to follow the track for about 170m, until coming to a three-way intersection[26], with a narrow management trail and large green shed[27] (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection[28], this walk follows the track gently downhill[29] for about 20m to come to a shallow, dry water course[30]. Then this walk continues to follow the track gently uphill through moist forest[31] for about 120m, coming to a metal ring fence[32] (on the right). The walk follows the track moderately steeply uphill[33] with occasional timber steps for about 260m, until coming to a four-way intersection[34]. This intersection has a track to the left[35], a ‘Henry Head’ signed[36] track tending right and a ‘Browns Rock’ signed[37] track to the right.
Veer right: From the intersection[24], this walk follows the ‘Henry Head’ sign east along a wide track, gently uphill through wooded forest[25]. This walk continues to follow the track for about 170m, until coming to a three-way intersection[26], with a narrow management trail and large green shed[27] (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection[28], this walk follows the track gently downhill[29] for about 20m to come to a shallow, dry water course[30]. Then this walk continues to follow the track gently uphill through moist forest[31] for about 120m, coming to a metal ring fence[32] (on the right). The walk follows the track moderately steeply uphill[33] with occasional timber steps for about 260m, until coming to a four-way intersection[34]. This intersection has a track to the left[35], a ‘Henry Head’ signed[36] track tending right and a ‘Browns Rock’ signed[37] track to the right.
(1.33km) Int of Henry Head and Browns Rock Tracks → Browns Rock
310 m
7 mins
0m
-38m
Hard track
Turn sharp right: From the intersection[38], this walk follows the track gently downhill, following the ‘Browns Rock 280m’ sign[39]. About 110m down the track, the walk continues down a moderately steep hill with timber steps[40] for a further 180m, until coming to a square concrete platform[41] on the water and Browns Rock. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.
Browns Rock
Browns Rock is a popular fishing spot at La Perouse, with an unfenced shelf of rock and concrete from which to cast fishing rods[42]. Unfortunately, this area suffers from littering[44] – Please help by carrying out your own rubbish and a few extra bits where safe (the rangers do a great job, but it is hard to keep up). More info.
(1.33km) Int of Henry Head and Browns Rock Tracks → Int of Henry Head Track and Henry Head Trail
530 m
9 mins
7m
-10m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection[45], this walk follows the wide sandy track gently uphill, past the ‘Henry Head 700m’ sign[46] (on the left). After about 70m, the walk passes views of Bare Island[47] on the right, then continues to follow the track moderately steeply uphill through low coastal forest for about 140m, until coming to a T-intersection[48] with a management trail.
Turn right: From the intersection[49], this walk follows the wide level track south, passing the bench seat (on the right). Then this walk continues to follow the track through dense coastal bush for about 70m, until finding a World War One fort[50] (on the right). This walk continues to follow a sandy, moderately steep downhill track for about 130m, where there are views of Bare Island[51] on the right. This walk then continues to follow the track through dense forest[52] for about 100m, until passing between timber posts[53] and coming to a T-intersection, with a management trail.
Turn right: From the intersection[49], this walk follows the wide level track south, passing the bench seat (on the right). Then this walk continues to follow the track through dense coastal bush for about 70m, until finding a World War One fort[50] (on the right). This walk continues to follow a sandy, moderately steep downhill track for about 130m, where there are views of Bare Island[51] on the right. This walk then continues to follow the track through dense forest[52] for about 100m, until passing between timber posts[53] and coming to a T-intersection, with a management trail.
(1.86km) Int of Henry Head Track and Henry Head Trail → Henry Head
230 m
5 mins
0m
-23m
Easy track
Henry Head
The Henry Head Battery is located on the northern side of the entrance to Botany Bay at Henry Head. The battery was constructed on an unfenced headland between 1892 and 1895 and operated until 1910 when it was closed down. The battery and observation posts was re-utilised during World War Two to defend against approaches to Botany Bay. The battery consisted of two disappearing guns, ammunition storage and observation posts. The underground bunker and tunnel complex consisted of vaulted ammunition storage rooms with double walls and ceilings. The doubling-up of walls and ceilings was a preventative measure meant to stop the walls from collapsing in the event of a direct hit. The battery is currently not in use. The white tower on the battery is the Endeavour Tower, not a lighthouse as such, but a red marker light nonetheless. More info.
(2.09km) Henry Head → North end of Cape Banks Bridge
1.3 km
30 mins
65m
-73m
Hard track
Turn sharp left: From the white round tower[61] at Henry Head, this walk follows the track east over rock slabs[62], with the water to the right. After about 130m, the walk then follows a narrow rocky track[63] through coastal heath for about 130m, then descends rock steps[64] to exposed rock platforms[65] (with views back to Henry Head and the south coast[66]). Then this walk continues along the narrow track, gently undulating through coastal forest[67] for about 600m, until coming to Cruwee Cove[68] and Shelly Beach[69].
Turn left: From Cruwee Cove[70], this walk follows the beach east, with the water on your right. At the end of the beach, the walk follows initially level rock shelves, then moderately steep uphill rock shelves onto a grassy track[71], and comes to a golf course[72] after about 90m. Then this walk follows a sealed footpath across the golf course for about 250m, until coming to the ‘Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve’ sign[73] and Cape Banks bridge[74].
Turn left: From Cruwee Cove[70], this walk follows the beach east, with the water on your right. At the end of the beach, the walk follows initially level rock shelves, then moderately steep uphill rock shelves onto a grassy track[71], and comes to a golf course[72] after about 90m. Then this walk follows a sealed footpath across the golf course for about 250m, until coming to the ‘Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve’ sign[73] and Cape Banks bridge[74].
(3.39km) Cape Banks bridge int. → Cape Banks
50 m
1 mins
0m
0m
Easy track
Veer right: From the ‘Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve’ sign[75], this walk follows the concrete footpath[76] gently downhill, away from the seat, for about 20m to then cross over[77] to the island on the 20m long (1.1m wide) metal foot bridge[78]. Then this walk continues over the rocky track[79] to come beside the golf tee-off green[80] (on the right). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Cape Banks
Cape Banks on the northern side of the entrance to Botany Bay, offers possibly the best view in Botany Bay National Park. From the unfenced cliff top, you can watch the power of the ocean as waves crash into the sandstone rock face below, or watch boats of all shapes and sizes, sail peacefully across the sheltered waters of the bay[81][82][83][84][85]. If you are lucky, you can enjoy the spectacle of migrating Humpback and Southern Right whales reasonably close to shore, spouting and sometimes breaching as they make their way northward and southward in pods of three or four. The shipwreck of the SS Minmi can be seen at low tide[87], lying on rocks on the western side of Cape Banks. There are concrete foundations of buildings remaining on Cape Banks, from when World War Two servicemen were stationed there.
(3.39km) Cape Banks bridge int. → World War Two Bunker
500 m
10 mins
20m
-8m
Hard track
Turn left: From the ‘Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve’ sign[88], this walk follows the gravel then grassy trail [89] away from the ocean for about 10m to find a ‘Cape Bank’ map signpost[90]. From the sign, this walk follows the ‘Coastal Walk’ arrow[91] gently uphill along the grassy trail (passing a large rock platform[92] on the right) for about 160m to near the apex of a large cleft in the sea cliff[93] (on the right). From here the walk climbs very steeply up a rough[94] trail for about 30m, then leads more gently uphill for 100m before leading up another steep and rough section of trail[95]. The walk then continues more gently uphill along the grassy management trail for another 30m to come to a 3-way intersection marked with a ‘life jacket’ signpost[96].
Veer left: From the intersection[97], this walk follows the wide management trail steeply uphill[98], away from the water. This walk continues to follow the level trail for about 35m to a T-intersection[99], where the walk turns right and follows a trail (with a metal ring fence[100] on the left) for about 20m to a World War Two Bunker[101] (on the right).
Veer left: From the intersection[97], this walk follows the wide management trail steeply uphill[98], away from the water. This walk continues to follow the level trail for about 35m to a T-intersection[99], where the walk turns right and follows a trail (with a metal ring fence[100] on the left) for about 20m to a World War Two Bunker[101] (on the right).
World War Two Bunker
(3.89km) World War Two Bunker → Southern End of Cape Banks Rd
100 m
2 mins
6m
0m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection (just below the WW2 gun emplacement and bunker[106]), this walk follows the asphalt trail along the fenceline towards the ‘Westpac Helicopter’ shed[107] for just shy of 40m to find a 3-way intersection[108] before a concrete building[109], marked with an NPWS arrow[110].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the main asphalt trail keeping the metal ring fence on the left for about 30m to head around the locked gate[111] and find the car park at the southern end of Cape Banks Rd, La Perouse[112].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the main asphalt trail keeping the metal ring fence on the left for about 30m to head around the locked gate[111] and find the car park at the southern end of Cape Banks Rd, La Perouse[112].
(3.99km) Southern End of Pistol Club Rd → Int of Pistol Club Rd AND Coastal Cemetery Management Trail
320 m
5 mins
2m
-1m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the southern end of Pistol Club Rd[113], this walk follows the road gently uphill away from the ‘Westpac Helicopter’ sign and shed, passing a sealed car park (on the left). This walk continues to follow the road, with views (on the right) of the coastal cemetery[114] after about 200m. This walk then continues to follow the road gently downhill for about 140m, until coming to a three-way intersection, with an unsealed car park[115] and ‘Coastal Cemetery’ sign[116] (on the right).
(4.31km) Int of Cape Banks Rd & Cemetery Trail → Coast Hospital Cemetery int.
150 m
2 mins
0m
-5m
Easy track
Turn right: From the ‘Cemetry Trail’ trackhead and dirt car park[117] on Cape Banks Rd
La Perouse (about 1km past NSW Golf Course main gate), this walk follows the ‘Cemetry Trail’ sign[118] around the locked gate[119][120][121], and along the management trail. The grassy trail leads for about 20m to pass over a cobbeled stone section[122] then continues to follow the level trail[123] for another 110m, to come to a large 3-way intersection[124] near the Coastal Cemetery[125] (on the right).
Coast Hospital Cemetery
The Coast Hospital Cemetery on the northern side of Botany Bay was first established in the early 1880’s and is now home to as many as 2000 graves. It serviced the Coast (Prince Henry) Hospital, originally a smallpox hospital. People who died of smallpox were required to be buried at the hospital grounds. The hospital was built far enough from the city to provide quarantine and for this reason, the hospital in time became an infectious diseases hospital, also treating patients with influenza, bubonic plague, typhoid fever and leprosy. Unfortunately, the cemetery has at times fallen into disrepair and some of the headstones are difficult to read. Many of the graves are unmarked.
On the eastern edge of the cemetery is an information sign[127] explaining that in the area are also buried the ancestral remains of the La Perouse Aboriginal people returned from museums.
A place steeped in history and worthy of respect.
(4.46km) Coast Hospital Cemetery → Cromwell Park
4.3 km
1 hr 21 mins
105m
-119m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the management trail, directly away from the cemetery. The trail passes alongside St Michaels Golf Course, with the ocean to the right, and without fanfare, crosses into The Coast Golf Course, even crossing the fairway of the 5th hole. (Note: The golf clubs has given permission for non-members to be on the course, however this is on the condition that it is at one’s own risk.) This walk goes down to Little Bay Beach, crossing to the northern end and heading up the stairs.
The walk continues to the right (north), following the paths to navigate towards the coast through The Coast Golf Course, crossing some fairways with care. The walk then continues along the coast, skirting around the side of Randwick Golf Course, to come to the club house at the northern end of the course. This walk continues north on the footpath along Bay Pde, passing the boat launching area, and turning right into Cromwell Reserve. The walk continues, past the children’s playground and the beach, along the footpath, until coming to the car park on Fishermans Rd..
(8.78km) Cromwell Park → South Maroubra SLSC
4.3 km
1 hr 25 mins
139m
-143m
Moderate track
Turn right: From Cromwell Park car park, near the start of Fishermans Rd, this walk follows the footpath east along the road, keeping the water to the right. After approximately 200m, the walk comes to a small car park on the right, crossing to the far corner, near the water, where there is a small track leading onto the grass. (Alternately, the walk can head along the rockshelf at sea level, and after approximately 200m, take the track back up to the clifftop.)
The narrow bush track leads up along the cliffline, around the edge of Malabar headland (Note: there are many side tracks exploring Malabar Headland, with numerous World War II defence structures, and more than 280 endemic plant species as well as over 200 bird species). Following the headland inland, this track comes to an intersection with a wide sandy management trail. This walk heads to the right (keeping the ocean to the right) and soon comes to another intersection, taking the lower management trail.
This walk continues along the coast in this manner until the management trail fades away at the Anzac Rifle Range, which is shared with Sydney Model Aero Club. Passing some intersections, the service trail starts again at the northern end of the fields, and after approximately 80m, bends around to the left (not an intersection). The walk then follows the trail for approximately 200m before turning right sharply, heading downhill between the houses and the bushland. From the houses, this walk continues through a gap in the fencing, into Arthur Byrne Reserve. The walk crosses to the footpath, and heads down the hill to South Maroubra SLSC car park.
Maps for the Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head 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 |
| Bondi | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91302S BONDI | NSW-91302S |
| Sydney | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9130 SYDNEY | 9130 |
Cross sectional view of the Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head
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 km | ||
| Time | 5 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 850m is very steep and the remaining 95m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
10km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.9km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1.3km) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 6km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.3km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 5km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (1.3km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 12km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.3km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 6km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (1.3km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head walk starts at the Southern End of Cann Park (gps: -33.988579, 151.23365)Your transport options to Southern End of Cann Park are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. Parking fees apply in the area.(get details)
The Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head ends at the South Maroubra SLSC (gps: -33.951624, 151.25497)
Your transport options to South Maroubra SLSC are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/bitmvhh
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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