Russell Barnes led our group on a delightful walk around the northern foreshore of Botany Bay. Leaving the popular La Perouse tourist area, our group of fifteen first headed part-way down the Brown’s Rock track to a point where we had views over Botany Bay and the nearby Bare Island. This small islet is the site of a heritage-listed military fort and tunnels and is connected by a footbridge to La Perouse.
Further on, from Henry Head, we watched with interest huge container ships leaving and entering Botany Bay. We also spotted a couple of surfboard riders who had been towed out by jet ski, attempting (unsuccessfully) to catch the large swell.
Our morning tea stop was at the sheltered Cruwee Cove beach.
Skirting the New South Wales Golf Club grounds, we were able to reach Cape Banks proper. From there is was possible to look north along the sandstone coastal cliffs and admire the power of the swell and the pounding waves. Some of us speculated what the sea conditions might have been when Captain Cook came to the bay entrance in April 1770.
About a kilometre north from the Cape, we took an extended lunch break, scanning the ocean for whales. Unfortunately it was not a terribly good day for spouting-spotting, and there was little cause for excitement.
From there it was a return on the same track back to our staring point.
All told, with perfect weather and a perfect location, this was an excellent way to spend Bastille Day 2024.
Many thanks for Russell for organising the walk.
