The La Perouse Circuit Walk to Cape Banks is a moderately challenging trail that winds through diverse landscapes, including beaches, coastal cliffs, and bushland.
With its mix of natural beauty and historical sites, this walk is both scenic and engaging. Plus, it’s much quieter than some of Sydney’s more popular coastal trails.
| La Perouse Circuit Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7.5 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The best starting point for this walking track is the southern end of Cann Park in La Perouse (see location on map).
To get there, follow Bunnerong Road or Anzac Parade to La Perouse Point, where you’ll find ample parking right in front of Cann Park.
If that car park is full, you can look for parking along the loop road in La Perouse or in nearby suburban streets.
Public transport is another good option, with several bus stops along Anzac Parade close to the start of the track.
Track Notes
We will describe this walk along the following highlights and landmarks:
- Congwong Beach
- Little Congwong Beach
- Browns Rock
- Henry Head
- Cape Banks
- Coast Hospital Cemetery
- Jennifer Street Boardwalk
- Henry Head Lookout
The map below shows these highlights and landmarks marked from 1 to 8, starting and finishing at Cann Park.
The red lines represent short side trips to various landmarks.
1. Congwong Beach
The track to Cape Banks begins at the signpost at the southern end of Cann Park, as shown in the image below.
After about 100 metres, the trail reaches Congwong Beach, a picturesque southwest-facing stretch of sand with views over Botany Bay and Bare Island.
Popular with families in summer, Congwong Beach is also a well-known spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.
To continue the walk, head to the far end of the beach, where you’ll find an intersection leading to a path toward Little Congwong Beach.
2. Little Congwong Beach
The side trip to Little Congwong Beach is optional, but if you haven’t been before, it’s worth a visit.
As the name suggests, it’s smaller than Congwong Beach and has a more secluded feel, with typically calm waters for swimming.
While not an officially recognised nude beach, it’s known for occasional nudist activity, so that’s something to keep in mind.
To rejoin the main track, head back to the intersection and turn right, continuing north.
3. Browns Rock
The trail soon reaches an intersection with the Henry Head Walking Track, where you turn right to continue east.
This stretch of the circuit is a pleasant bushwalking track, though there are a few intersections that can be a bit confusing. To stay on course, simply follow the signs for Henry Head.
After about 1 km, you’ll come to a four-way intersection where you can take a short but steep detour to Browns Rock. This side trip is only a few hundred metres long.
Browns Rock is a well-known fishing spot in the La Perouse area, featuring an unfenced rock platform and flat areas where anglers can set up.
4. Henry Head
From Browns Rock, retrace your steps uphill to the intersection, then turn right to continue toward Henry Head.
This headland is best known for the historic Henry Head Battery, built in the late 19th century and used during World War I to help defend the city.
The remains of the fortifications can still be explored, along with a lighthouse that was added in 1955.
5. Cape Banks
From Henry Head, the circuit walk continues along the coast towards Cape Banks.
This stretch is arguably the highlight of the walk, offering fantastic coastal views and scenic landscapes.
The path winds through heathland on a series of boardwalks, with sections of rock and sand, including the secluded Cruwee Cove Beach.
Along the way, the track crosses part of the New South Wales Golf Club before reaching a small footbridge that leads to the Cape Banks headland.
Cape Banks is a rugged and scenic headland, perfect for exploring and taking in the coastal views.
If you look closely, you might spot the remains of the SS Minmi, a shipwreck that ran aground here in 1937.
6. Coast Hospital Cemetery
From the headland, retrace your steps to the footbridge and continue along the main track toward the historic Coast Hospital Cemetery.
Stay on the path closest to the shore, passing the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Base before following Cape Banks Road for a few hundred metres.
Watch for the Cemetery Trail signpost—this is where you can turn right for a short detour to the old hospital cemetery.
From the signpost, it’s only a few hundred metres to the cemetery, which sits along a smaller section of the Cemetery Firetrail.
The cemetery was part of a quarantine hospital established in the 1880s to treat victims of infectious diseases.
It is believed to contain around 2,000 graves, though years of neglect have left only a small number still visible.
7. Jennifer Street Boardwalk
From the Cemetery Trail, the main track continues along Cape Banks Road for a short distance. It’s a quiet road, but be mindful of passing cars.
After about 1 km, you’ll reach the starting point of the Jennifer Street Boardwalk, where you can take a short detour to explore this unique area.
The boardwalk is an elevated walking path that winds through a landscape once rich with native coastal plants and trees, many of which are now endangered.
At just 350 metres long, it’s a brief but interesting side trip. The boardwalk is also wheelchair-friendly and can be accessed from Jennifer Street in Little Bay.
8. Henry Head Lookout
The final highlight of the circuit walk is the unofficial Henry Head Lookout, though the route from the boardwalk can be a bit tricky.
From Cape Banks Road, follow the walking path along Henry Head Lane, then turn right at the intersection where you’ll cross the road heading north.
After a bit of bushwalking, the track leads to a rock platform offering views of Bare Island, Henry Head, and Kurnell. While it may not be the most spectacular lookout in Sydney, it’s a pleasant spot to finish the Cape Banks circuit.
From here, the path crosses Henry Head Lane before reaching Anzac Parade, where you can walk back to Cann Park.
We enjoyed the La Perouse Circuit Walk so much that it has earned a spot on our list with best hikes in Sydney.
Malabar Headland Circuit Walk.
This track is so worth it because it is so beautiful at the end. I highly recommend this to all bushwalkers or just if you want to enjoy a little hike.
Thanks Lucy, we couldn’t agree more, it’s a fantastic walk.