The Cape Baily Track in Kamay Botany Bay National Park is a scenic coastal walk between Cape Solander and the Cape Baily Lighthouse.
With uninterrupted ocean and cliff views from beginning to end, it’s no wonder this track features in our list of Sydney’s best coastal walks.
What’s great about this hike is that it doesn’t attract big crowds like other popular coastal walks in Sydney, but the scenery is just as beautiful.
| Cape Baily Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 6 km (return) |
| Duration: | 2-3 hours |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The Cape Baily Track begins at the Cape Solander Lookout in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, located just north of Cronulla.
To reach the starting point, take Captain Cook Drive past Greenhills Beach and the Cronulla Sand Dunes. Once you arrive in Kurnell, continue into the national park via Cape Solander Drive, which leads straight to the lookout.
Keep in mind there is an $8 entrance fee per vehicle, payable at the ticket machines near the lookout.
Alternatively, you can start the walk from Polo Street in Kurnell. Parking there is outside the national park boundary, so you won’t need to pay the entrance fee.
In the map below, these two starting points are marked as P1 and P2. If you decide to park on Polo Street, you will add an extra 2 km (return) to the walk.
Track Notes
The track to Cape Baily Lighthouse winds along the rugged shoreline of the national park, with much of the route set on well-maintained boardwalks.
It’s an easy walk suitable for all ages and fitness levels, though we recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes, as some sections of the path can be uneven or slippery.
Start of the Walk
The start of the Cape Baily Track is signposted at the small roundabout at the end of Cape Solander Drive.
From there, step onto the boardwalk to start this fantastic walking trail that leads all the way to the lighthouse.
The coastal and cliff views along the way are stunning, reminiscent of the dramatic scenery found in the Royal National Park.
Tabbigai Gap
One of the fascinating highlights along the track is Tabbigai Gap.
It’s hard to believe when you see the cliffs today, but this area was once home to a small community between the 1920s and 1960s.
Known as the Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers, they built houses perched on the cliffs during the economic hardship of the 1920s.
Some of these homes were surprisingly well-equipped, featuring bedrooms, kitchens, water tanks, and even showers and toilets. Footpaths and steps carved into the rocks connected the houses, creating a unique clifftop neighbourhood.
Eventually, the Department of Lands required all residents living on Crown Land in the Kurnell Peninsula to vacate the area, bringing an end to this remarkable chapter in local history.
The Lighthouse
As you continue along the trail, you’ll catch your first glimpses of the Cape Baily Lighthouse perched atop the hill.
The final section of the walk is a climb leading directly to the lighthouse, with occasional views of the Sydney city skyline along the way.
While the Cape Baily Lighthouse isn’t particularly striking, it’s still interesting to see this structure up close.
Officially known as Cape Baily Light, it remains an active lighthouse, guiding north-bound ships along the coast and helping them avoid the strong currents further out at sea.
Built in 1950, the lighthouse has an unusual and somewhat plain design; a square-shaped concrete tower topped with a solar-powered lantern. It’s also unmanned, adding to its unique character.
This marks the end of the Cape Baily Track, but if you’re keen to keep exploring, the coastal trail continues around the peninsula all the way to Cronulla.
