Leader: Jayne Gibson

Kurnell Peninsula: Kurnell to Cronulla

30 April 2019

An 80 leaders walk

Photos from Jayne Gibson

Captain Cook's Landing Place, Kurnell

Participants:

Jayne and Rob Gibson, Tom Dowling, Adrian and Julie Jones, Richard and Joy Smith, Sarah Hurley, Jennie Kelso, Colin Helmstedt.

Walk description:

This walk passes by Cape Solander Lookout and Whale Observation Platform, Cape Baily Lighthouse, Boat Harbour Beach and Rock Platform, Wanda and Elouera beaches, finishing at Cronulla Beach. There may be some wet and muddy sections and some exposed sections. Opportunity for a swim and coffee at the end of the walk. Bring morning/afternoon tea and picnic lunch. Map: Kamay Botany Bay National Park

Report:

We were met at the Cronulla bus stop by a baby possum, which had taken refuge in the garbage bin.

We caught the 8:30 am, #987 bus to Kurnell. We started our walk by wandering along the foreshores of Kamay Botany Bay National Park to rediscover Captain James Cook who landed at Botany Bay’s Inscription Point in 1770. He and his Endeavour crew stayed in the area for eight days and had a dramatic impact on Australian history. Now heritage-listed, this reserve interprets the story of the meeting of European and Aboriginal cultures.

We then continued on our walk to Cape Solander, and followed the coastline along the cliff tops, south to Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve and around the coast to Cronulla Beach. Some of the great features of this walk were the magnificent scenery, the “hanging swamps” and Cape Baily Lighthouse. Hanging swamps are home to a number of different plants and animals and are formed on high ground. Cape Baily Lighthouse was established in 1950, the lighthouse was required so north-bound shipping could hug the coast and avoid the strong southerly currents further out to sea. The lighthouse is still used to this day and is operated using solar power.

The weather was perfect; an enjoyable day was had by all. We finished our walk with a well deserved coffee in Cronulla Mall.