Adventure Awaits in Kamay Botany Bay National Park

Sydney is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, coves and ocean pools in Australia, but vying for a spot on a warm, sunny day can be a real battle.

The Kamay Botany Bay National Park is the perfect day trip for families needing to stretch their legs and explore a historical part of Sydney that delivers on all fronts. With 458 hectares of coastal bushland at your disposal, there’s plenty to see and do here without competing with other daytrippers for the best slice of land.

Things to see in Kamay Botany Bay National Park

You’ll need a full day to take it all in, from discovering first-settler heritage-listed monuments to setting out along the Cape Baily Track, taking a dip at the beach and even snorkelling in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park cave - there will be plenty on your itinerary so be prepared! 

Getting to Kamay Botany Bay National Park

Drive for just under an hour south along the M5 out of the Sydney CBD and you’ll find yourself at the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.

There are five different entry points into the park with plenty of options for parking, however, if you’re arriving through the Kurnell side, you'll need to pay an $8 entry fee. 

You’ll find all of the necessary facilities inside the park including toilets, picnic areas and taps for filling up drinking water. The Kurnell Visitor Centre is usually open to the public Monday through Sunday, however, it is currently closed for upgrades but should reopen in the new year.  

Kamay Botany Bay National Park Cave

If you make your way to the Cape Solander Lookout, you’ll find the Kamay Botany Bay National Park caves (also known as the Cape Solander caves) that provide ample opportunities for ducking, weaving and exploring the iconic Sydney sandstone rock formations.

With so many nooks and crannies, you can easily spend hours here marvelling at the natural wonders and stunning vantage point looking out to sea.

Please note that the rocks can be slippery when wet so please exercise caution, especially with kids. We wouldn't recommend venturing to these caves with babies or toddlers.

Congwong Beach

Congwong Beach lies on the La Perouse side of Kamay Botany Bay National Park and is the perfect spot for the family to take a dip.

This largely protected bay is sheltered from the main body of water so the tides are calm and the stretch of sand is big enough to accommodate a picnic by the lapping waves. Walk in from Cann Park or work up a sweat hiking along the Congwong Trail for a refreshing reward dipping in the salty ocean afterwards.

Bare Island

If you’d like to learn more about the area that's been steeped in historical folklore - including first-settler arrivals and a large fort that was built to fend off invaders - we suggest taking a guided tour of Bare Island.

The tours set off on the hour from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm and tickets cost $45 for a family of four. You can book your Bare Island tour tickets ahead of time.

Cape Solander

To get the best view of the Sydney coastline, walk up to the top of Cape Solander and watch the ocean sweep out as far as the eyes can see.

Once you’ve reached the peak, this will be the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of dolphins and whales (during the season). The walk is suitable for children although Kamay Botany Bay National Park officials suggest keeping a close eye on any little ones as it can get quite steep as you approach the top.

The Burrawang Walk

If you’re looking for a Kamay Botany Bay National Park walk that will take you past plenty of historical landmarks, the Burrawang Walk is our top pick.

Not only will you get to see the sculptures dedicated to the Gweagal Aboriginal People Banks’ Memorial, the Ferry Shelter Shed and Captain Cook’s Landing Place but you’ll also be treated to a beautiful view looking back across the bay. Enjoy!

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