Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
5 Hrs
13.1 km
397 m
One way
0.7 km S of La Perouse
Botany Bay National Park
Track: Moderate
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 golf course). Make sure you allow time to walk around Bare Island and see the sites. Although in disrepair, the Coast Cemetery is also worth a little extra time.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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(0 km) Bare Island Fortification to Western end of Congwong Beach Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -4 m
From the Bare Island Fortifications in the middle of the clearing the track heads north east to the connection of the Anzac Parade Loop. On the other side of the road there a set of stairs lead down to the western end of Congwong Beach.
Tombstone of Pere Receveur
Alt = 10
Receveur died on 17th February 1788 shortly after leaving Somoa and this grave is therefore the first known European grave on Australia's soil. Receveur was a botanist serving under De La Pereuse on the French scientific expedition to the Pacific. The tomb itself dates from 1829 but has since been restored several times.
The Barrack Tower (aka The Macqarie Watch Tower)
Alt = 10
Built in 1820 under Governor Macquarie's orders the Barrack Tower looks over Botany Bay and is Australia's first customs building. The original purpose of the building was to house a small quantity of soldiers in order to watch for smugglers and stray ships. The building remained in use until 1904 where is was decommisioned. Unfortunately, in 1960 the building was damaged by fire but since then restoration work has been carried out.
Monument to De La Perouse
Alt = 9
This monument is named after Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse (1741-88), who landed on the northern shore of Botany Bay on 26 January 1788. Perouse's ships the Astrolabe and the Boussole disappeared shortly after visiting Australia with no surviving crew making the landing in Botany Bay the last known point of contact of the scientific expedition.
(0.2 km) Western end of Congwong Beach to Eastern end of Congwong Beach Track: Moderate - beach
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -4 m
From the western end of Congwong Beach at the bottom of the footpath the track heads east along the beach until reach the end where there is an intersection signposted as the way to Little Congwong Beach.
(0.35 km) Eastern end of Congwong Beach to Little Congwong Beach Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -12 m
From Congwong Beach the trail heads south-east along the asphalted footpath. After a short while the footpath changes to a sandy trail that continues until reaching Little Congwong Beach, which is a nude beach.
(0.35 km) Eastern end of Congwong Beach to Int of Henry Head Track and Congwong Beach Servicetrail Track: Moderate - beach
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection at the east end of Congwong Beach the track heads north up the wide sandy servicetrail. Due to the instability of the sandy trail sections of wooden pailings have been laid in the sand to make the walking easier on both people and the environment. The track continues up the hill until reaching an intersection signposted as the way to Little Congwong Beach.
(0.52 km) Int of Henry Head Track and Congwong Beach Servicetrail to Int of Henry Head and Browns Rock Tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 33 m
Descent = -6 m
From the intersection the track heads east along the wide bushtrack. The track passes over a few small footbridges until reaching an intersection with a sign pointing towards 'Congwong Beach/ Henry Head'. From the intersection the track heads south-east along the bushtrack passing by the fenced in National Parks Maintenance Building until coming to up to the intersection of the current track and the trails leading to Browns Rock and Henry Head.
(1.32 km) Int of Henry Head and Browns Rock Tracks to Browns Rock Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -36 m
From the intersection the track follows the direction of the sign heading south-west along the narrow bushtrack. This continues with the track steadily going down until going down to waterlevel with excellent waterside views over Botany Bay. Unfortunately, this area suffers from littering and pollution to a great extent.
(1.32 km) Int of Henry Head and Browns Rock Tracks to Henry Head Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -24 m
From the intersection the track heads south-east along the bushtrack following the signs to Henry Head. Passing by the small intersection at the power lines the track continues south-east past the large concrete building aong the bushtrack until coming to the Henry Head Management Road.
From the intersectio the track heads 100m before turning left off the road onto a bushtrack which goes for a very short period of time before coming to Henry Head Lookout. The lookout offers fantastic views over the Pacific Ocean, Botany Bay and the coastline.
(2.05 km) Henry Head to Cape Banks track Track: Moderate - bushtrack, footpath
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 55 m
Descent = -73 m
From Henry Head the track follows the rockshelf to the east. This soon changes to an overgrown bushtrack that descends to Curwee Cove before climbing up to the edge of the New South Wales Golf Course. From the south-eastern edge of the New South Wales Golf Course the track follows the footpath around the clifftops and course until coming to an intersection with a trail going out to Cape Banks.
(3.27 km) Cape Banks track to Cape Banks Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.5 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -10 m
From the intersection the track heads out and down onto the promitory to the south. The track crosses a small bridge and goes onto the Cape along a narrow path until reaching the end. This offers great views of the ocean and would be a fantastic spot to break.
(3.27 km) Cape Banks track to Coast Hospital Cemetary Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 26 m
Descent = -16 m
Just past Cape Banks the trail changes to being an unmanaged servicetrail that continues along the cliffedge, bypassing several intersections until coming to a small cemetary with information signs. Just beyond (20m) there is intersection with another servicetrail.
Coast Hospital Cemetary
Alt = 21
First established in the early 1880's this cemetary has up to 2000 inhabitants due to the Coast Hospital that was located nearby treating patients for influenza, smallpox and leprosy. Unfortunately, the cemetary has now fallen into disrepair and the gravesites on many of the sites are in poor condition.
(3.82 km) Coast Hospital Cemetary to Cromwell Park Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 4.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 30 mins
Climb = 121 m
Descent = -133 m
From the intersection the track heads north following the servicetrail running parallel to the cliff. This track continues into the St Michaels Golf Course. During this section the track goes across the green and while the golf course has given permission for non-members to be on the course this is on the condition that it is at one's own risk. This continues until the track goes down onto Little Bay Beach. At the northern end of the beach the track goes up the stairs and continues north into North Randwick Golf Course. At the northern end of the Golf Course the track merges with Bay Parade and continues into the Cromwell Reserve.
Monument to De La Perouse
Alt = 9
This monument is named after Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse (1741-88), who landed on the northern shore of Botany Bay on 26 January 1788. Perouse's ships the Astrolabe and the Boussole disappeared shortly after visiting Australia with no surviving crew making the landing in Botany Bay the last known point of contact of the scientific expedition.
(8.66 km) Cromwell Park to Arthur Byrne Reserve Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 4.4 km
Time = 1 Hrs 25 mins
Climb = 141 m
Descent = -145 m
From Cromwell Park the track follows the footpath north up to Fishermans Rd where the trail turns left and heads along the road. This continues for approximately 200m before turning right into a small carpark and heading down to the waterlevel. Once at the waterlevel the track heads along the rockshelf for about 200m before climbing up to clifftop and connecting with a narrow bushtrack. This bushtrack heads around the clifftop to the end of the headland. At the headland the track connects with a wide bushtrack that continues along the cliffs going north. At this point there are numerous small trails that intersect with the clifftop bushtrack however the track bypasses these. After a while the track changes to being a wide sandy servicetrail which a short while comes up to intersection. This track takes the lower servicetrail and continues alongside the clifftop until the servicetrail fades away at the entry into model plane aerodrome. Once entering into this clearing the track continues north-west until reaching the northern end of the reserve. At this point the track turns left and follows the fence for approximately 200m before turning right and walking between the houses and the bushland. At the end of this section there is a gap in the fencing allowing the entry into the Arthur Byrne Reserve.
Hiking near Sydney 
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