Cape Banks Walk

This walk combines fine coastal views with two points of historical interest. From the start of this walk, the sidetrip to the coastal cemetery is short and gives a glimpse into lives of past generations. The World War II bunker is worth having a look around as you pass directly by it. Spend some time exploring the exposed headland that is Cape Banks. Look for old historical structures and the shipwreck of the SS Minmi on the western side of Cape Banks. If you’re lucky, you could even see migrating whales on this classic Sydney coastal walk.

(0km) Int of Cape Banks Rd & Cemetery Trail → Coast Hospital Cemetery int.

150 m
2 mins
0m
-5m

Easy track

From the ‘Cemetry Trail’ trackhead and dirt car park[1] on Cape Banks Rd La Perouse (about 1km past NSW Golf Course main gate), this walk follows the ‘Cemetry Trail’ sign[2] around the locked gate[3][4][5]

[Pinch Point]

, and along the management trail. The grassy trail leads for about 20m to pass over a cobbeled stone section[6]

[Wheelchair Rough]

then continues to follow the level trail[7] for another 110m, to come to a large 3-way intersection[8] near the Coastal Cemetery[9] (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[11] 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.

(0km) Int of Pistol Club Rd AND Coastal Cemetery Management Trail → Southern End of Pistol Club Rd

320 m
5 mins
1m
-2m

Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection[12] (which is found about 1km past the ‘helicopter sign’ off Henry Head Rd), this walk follows the road[13] gently uphill for about 140m, to come to views of the coastal cemetery[14] (on the left). Then this walk continues to follow the road gently downhill for about 200m, until coming to a locked gate[15] and ‘Botany Bay National Park’ sign[16].

(0.32km) Southern End of Cape Banks Rd → Old toilet bock int.

40 m
1 mins
0m
-2m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the car park at the southern end of Cape Banks Rd, La Perouse[17], this walk follows a management trail, passing around a locked gate[18]

[Pinch Point]

to then pass the ‘Botany Bay National Park’ sign[19] after about 10m. Then this walk continues to follow the asphalt trail beside the ‘Westpac Helicopter’ shed (on the right) for about 30m, to come to a 3-way intersection marked with an NPWS arrow post[20], just past a concrete building[21].

(0.42km) World War Two Bunker → Int of Cape Banks Management & Pistol Club Trail

110 m
2 mins
4m
-2m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the World War Two Bunker[29], this walk follows a management trail away from the ‘Westpac Helicopter’ sign and shed[30], keeping the metal ring fence to the right[31]. The walk follows the trail for about 20m, then turns left at a three-way intersection to head up a gentle hill. After about 35m, the trail starts to descend steeply to a three-way intersection[32] (and views of the water).

(0.53km) Lifejacket intersection → Cape Banks bridge int.

390 m
8 mins
4m
-18m

Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the grassy management trail keeping the ocean to the left[33]. After about 30m the trail descends steeply down a rough[34] 30m section

[Wheelchair Steep Rough]

, then leads more gently downhill for 100m before leading down another very steep and rough section of trail[35] mostly flattening out near the apex of a large cleft in the sea cliff[36]. Here the trail continues more gently downhill for another 160m towards the golf course and ocean, passing a large rock platform[37] (on the left) coming to concrete footpath marked with two ‘Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve’ signs[38] just after the ‘Cape Bank’ map signpost[39]. Be mindful of golfers and golf balls.

(0.92km) Cape Banks bridge int. → Cape Banks

50 m
1 mins
0m
0m

Easy track

Turn left: From the ‘Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve’ sign[40], this walk follows the concrete footpath[41] gently downhill, away from the seat

[Seat]

, for about 20m to then cross over[42] to the island on the 20m long (1.1m wide) metal foot bridge[43]. Then this walk continues over the rocky track[44] to come beside the golf tee-off green[45] (on the 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[46][47][48][49][50]. 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[52], 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.

Maps for the Cape Banks Walk 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 Cape Banks Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cape Banks Walk

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	1.9 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		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

390m of this walk is very steep and another 380m has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 110m has short steep hills and the remaining 95m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 970m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 500m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 470m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 970m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 970m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 580m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 390m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Cape Banks Walk walk starts and ends at the Int of Pistol Club Rd AND Coastal Cemetery Management Trail (gps: -33.990813, 151.24856)
Your transport options to Int of Pistol Club Rd AND Coastal Cemetery Management Trail are by;

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

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 Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/cbw

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 🙂

Cape Banks Walk

(0km) Int of Cape Banks Rd & Cemetery Trail → Coast Hospital Cemetery int.

Easy track

Coast Hospital Cemetery

(0km) Int of Pistol Club Rd AND Coastal Cemetery Management Trail → Southern End of Pistol Club Rd

Easy track

(0.32km) Southern End of Cape Banks Rd → Old toilet bock int.

Easy track

(0.42km) World War Two Bunker → Int of Cape Banks Management & Pistol Club Trail

Moderate track

(0.53km) Lifejacket intersection → Cape Banks bridge int.

Hard track

(0.92km) Cape Banks bridge int. → Cape Banks

Easy track

Cape Banks

Maps for the Cape Banks Walk walk

Cross sectional view of the Cape Banks Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cape Banks Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Other Nearby walks

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Fire Danger

Weather Forest

Park Information & Alerts

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