If you’re looking for a nice, easy coastal walk near Sydney without the crowds (sorry Bondi to Coogee, we still love you) then make sure you head to La Perouse. The easy Cape Banks Circuit is the best walk in the area, and it takes you to a couple of fab beaches, as well as along a wild and windswept headland (which is also a great whale watching spot in season).
It’s a really relaxing trail because it is virtually all flat - any elevation gain is made on gentle undulations - which is so rare on a Sydney walk.
If you’re looking for a hike with a bit of pretty bushland, beaches and some great coastal views you should definitely give this loop track a go. Here’s what to expect from the trail, including all possible side tracks.
Cape Banks Walk
The stats
Distance: 6.9km (9.2km inc all side trips)
Elevation: 223m
Difficulty: Easy
Starting the trail
You begin the walk in La Perouse and head straight for Congwong Beach. Depending on the weather this beach either looks pretty tropical with almost turquoise and indigo water and very few waves or a lot darker with some choppiness like you can see in our photo!
Either way it’s a pretty start to the walk as you cross the beach and come to the first of the possible side trails.
Congwong Beach
It’s a 550m detour (return) to visit Little Congwong Beach which we think is really worth it. It’s a gorgeous beach which feels slightly off the beaten track and is one of the more secluded beaches in Sydney.
The water is calm and you can look across to Bare Island. It is a nudist beach but every time we’ve been, there seems to be a mix of those wearing bathers and those without and it’s a friendly and inclusive vibe.
Little Congwong Beach
After checking out the beach you retrace your steps and follow the signs for the Henry Head Walk.
Onto Henry Head
You’ll head into the bush for the next 800m and the trail undulates very slightly as you make your way along the shady track.
There are lots of birds along this stretch and we disturbed three Yellow tailed black cockatoos, which were hanging out in a bush right beside the trail.
You’ll soon come to another junction, you can continue straight onto Henry Head or take the side trail to Browns Rock.
Browns Rock
The walk to Browns Rock is only a few hundred metres each way from the junction, but it is all uphill on the way back! It’s a nice spot when you get there and it’s very popular with fishermen.
It must be a great spot because when we got down there you could see a row of cormorants lined up looking eagerly at the water and we even saw a seal!
Onto Henry Head
When you get back to the junction you take the trail for Henry Head. You’ll pass an old WWII bunker and then it’s just a few minutes before you are out of the bush and getting some good sea views. Henry Head has quite a few WWII bunkers but sadly most have been quite heavily graffitied.
It’s a great spot to look for whales between May and October and there are often White-bellied Sea Eagles here too.
Heading to Cape Banks
The next part of the trail is my favourite. You’ll walk on a mixture of boardwalk and natural rock with constant sea views to your right and pretty heathland to your left.
You can hear the frogs fairly loudly in the heath if there has been recent rain.
You’ll pass the atmospheric little Cruwee Cove which could be a nice place to stop but it always seems to be windy here!
After roughly a kilometre of this gorgeous stretch of coastal track you’ll reach the golf course. This is my least favourite part of the walk as I have an irrational fear that I will get knocked on the head by a stray ball!
Luckily in recent years they have put a better walkway in for hikers and you can cross over quickly. You’ll then be at the Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve, you can cross over the bridge and explore the little island.
It’s very rocky and there are lots of craggy bits to climb on. You get some big waves around here and it’s a good spot for sitting and taking in the scenery.
Finishing the circuit
You head up the hill and continue following the path closest to the water for around 800m when you join the Dharawal Track.
Though you will be wandering along the road, it is quiet and lined with bush on either side, and lots of bird sound so it’s not quite like walking on the road usually is.
The Cemetery Trail
After a couple of hundred metres you’ll reach a third possible detour. It’s just a few hundred metres each way along the Cemetery Trail which holds special significance for the Dharawal People.
Aboriginal ancestral remains have been reburied here and you’ll also see many tombstones of people who were laid to rest here in the 1800’s when it was the main burial site for people who died of infectious diseases.
It’s a peaceful place and certain parts felt like they were being reclaimed by nature.
The Jennifer Street Boardwalk
Your final possible side trip comes roughly 800m later when you can opt to walk the 350m Jennifer Street Boardwalk.
The boardwalk runs through a pocket of rare and endangered eastern suburbs banksia scrub, which were once abundant across coastal Sydney.
Unfortunately if you are walking this area soon after we have published this guide then you will find the bush on the right side of the boardwalk is thoroughly burnt after a recent hazard reduction burn.
We did see signs of new growth but it is very much blackened and scorched. The left side is untouched.
Finishing the trail
After returning to the road it isn’t long before you take a right hand turn back into the bush and you’ll walk for a further kilometre until you reach Anzac Parade (the end of the trail). We were walking this section at sunset and the colours coming through the bush were gorgeous.
The track crosses the road a few times and it’s very well signposted. We loved the final bridge before the road which has some huge tree ferns on either side of it.
If you’re looking for other great coastal tracks in Sydney, we have you covered in this post.
Packing suggestions for the walk
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about the Cape Banks Circuit
La Perouse is a part of Botany Bay National Park, but there are no fees for entry as this is pretty much in the city!
Getting to La Perouse
La Perouse is east of the CBD and takes about 25 minutes to drive to. There’s plenty of parking (and it’s free) so you shouldn’t have a problem getting a space.
Getting here by public transport is pretty straightforward as the L94 goes directly from Elizabeth Street (Hyde Park) to La Perouse. However, the only public transport to La Perouse is by bus.
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Are you planning on doing a hike in Sydney? Have you done the Cape Banks Circuit? Let us know in the comments below!
