Botany Bay

The basics

To the north and south of Botany Bay, you’ll find the La Perouse and Kurnell headlands—both home to a rich variety of hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, walking tracks, picnic areas, and scenic lookouts. Many people combine a stop at Botany Bay with a visit to Sydney’s top whale-watching spot—from the lookout at Cape Solander, there’s a high chance of spotting humpback whales in the winter months.

Things to know before you go

• An obelisk at Botany Bay marks the spot where Captain Cook’s landing party came ashore.

• Since the bay itself is sheltered from the wind, it’s perfect for swimming. Lots of sea grass grows on the ocean floor, so you might want to wear water shoes.

• The runway of Sydney Airport extends out into Botany Bay, so you’re likely to hear plenty of planes flying overhead.

How to get there

From central Sydney, it’s a 40-minute drive to Captain Cook’s Landing Point via the M1 and Captain Cook Drive. If you’re taking public transportation, it’s a 2-hour trip on the T4 train line and number 987 bus, so you might want to visit as part of a tour in order to save yourself time and stress.

When to get there

Kamay Botany Bay National Park is open from early morning until mid-evening from August through May, and closes a couple of hours earlier during the winter months of June and July—this is also when you’re most likely to spot humpback whales.

Exploring the heritage sites of Kurnell

Hugging part of Botany Bay, the Kurnell area boasts a wealth of historical and cultural highlights. The easy Burrawang Walk leads you to the Captain Cook’s Landing Place monument, via a soundscape featuring Aboriginal language, laughter, and sounds, and three large bronze sculptures pay homage to the Gweagal Aboriginal people.