The Cape Bailey Walk

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-34.0105106,151.2227396)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Captain Cook Drive Turn on to Captain Cook Drive then drive for 460 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Captain Cook Drive and drive for another 3.5 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Captain Cook Drive and drive for another 2.9 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Captain Cook Drive and drive for another 820 m Turn right onto Polo Street and drive for another 520 m
Finish	(-34.0397959,151.2116467)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the end of the Polo St, this walk heads around the metal National Parks gate and south-east along the service trail, with some power lines on the right-hand side. As the track heads further south-east, the track steadily climbs up to the top of a gentle hill and continues along until it comes to the intersection of the Cape Bailey walk and the radar service trail.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 30 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 370 m turn left, to head along Polo Trail.
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of Polo Trail & Yena Track) continue straight, to head along Polo Trail.
	After another 370 m (at the intersection of Yena Gap Trail & Polo Trail) turn left.
	After another 280 m turn right.
	After another 930 m turn right.
	After another 45 m veer left.
	After another 230 m veer right.
	After another 390 m continue straight. After another 235 m find the "Hanging Swamps" (40 m on your right). Hanging Swamps There are a number of hanging swamps that can be found along the Cape Baily walk. They are home to a number of different plants and animals like reeds and frogs. Hanging swamps are formed on high ground when rainfall seeps out of surrounding hills and accumulates in a slight depression, over time forming a swamp. Interestingly, they are sometimes difficult to see from far away as the thick build up of reeds and other plant life often cover the water.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Cape Bailey Lighthouse. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 850 m veer right.
	After another 1.4 km turn right.
	After another 35 m come to the end. A car park.

An optional side trip to Cape Bailey Lighthouse.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 95 m come to the end. About 15 m past the end is "Cape Baily Lighthouse". Cape Baily Lighthouse 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. This lighthouse can be found a stone's-throw from the Cape Baily coastal walk, about 1.5 kilometres north from the Joseph Banks Drive car park. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 95 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 95 m come to the end.

About 15 m past the end is "Cape Baily Lighthouse".

Cape Baily Lighthouse

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. This lighthouse can be found a stone's-throw from the Cape Baily coastal walk, about 1.5 kilometres north from the Joseph Banks Drive car park.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 95 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Cape Bailey Walk

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.1 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Hanging Swamps
There are a number of hanging swamps that can be found along the Cape Baily walk. They are home to a number of different plants and animals like reeds and frogs. Hanging swamps are formed on high ground when rainfall seeps out of surrounding hills and accumulates in a slight depression, over time forming a swamp. Interestingly, they are sometimes difficult to see from far away as the thick build up of reeds and other plant life often cover the water.

Cape Baily Lighthouse
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. This lighthouse can be found a stone's-throw from the Cape Baily coastal walk, about 1.5 kilometres north from the Joseph Banks Drive car park.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cronulla Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Sunday 8 September
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Light winds.
  
  Monday 9 September
  
  14°C → 23°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then tending west to southwesterly in the middle of the day.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:30am to 2:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 5 [Moderate]
  
  Tuesday 10 September
  
  13°C → 20°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds.
  
  Wednesday 11 September
  
  14°C → 22°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny day. Slight chance of a shower in the evening. Light winds.
  
  Thursday 12 September
  
  15°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Friday 13 September
  
  14°C → 17°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Saturday 14 September
  
  13°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely later in the day. Light winds becoming southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Sunday 15 September
  
  13°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Kamay Botany Bay National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Kurnell foreshore partial closure
  Transport for NSW is constructing ferry wharves at Kurnell and La Perouse. Closures will be in place until late 2024. There will be no public access to the foreshore area between Prince Charles Parade and the wharf along Monument walking track. Alternative pedestrian pathways will be in place to allow public access into Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
  For more information visit the Kamay Ferry Wharves project webpage.
  
  Closed areas: Kurnell Visitor Centre closed for upgrades
  Kurnell Visitor Centre is currently closed until further notice. The site is being prepared for a new visitor centre as part of the Kamay 2020 Project.
  Learn more about the improvements being made as part of the Kamay 2020 Master Plan Project or email the local area office.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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