Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 23m
Min elevation: 5m
Total Ascent: 22m
Hike overview
Burrawang Walk is a short, wheelchair accessible stroll through the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park in New South Wales. At just 1.2 kilometres, this Grade 3 walk typically takes around 45 minutes, making it an easy option for families, visitors with limited time, or anyone wanting a gentle coastal wander with plenty of meaning along the way.
The track follows a well formed path that weaves through low coastal vegetation, opening out to glimpses of Botany Bay and the surrounding headlands. It is an easy walk underfoot, but what makes it memorable is the story it carries. This is a place of first contact between Aboriginal Australians and the crew of the HMB Endeavour in 1770, and the landscape still feels reflective and grounded in that history.
As you walk, you pass several significant sites, including the freshwater stream where the Endeavour crew replenished supplies, the meeting place associated with the first recorded encounters, Sir Joseph Banks’ Memorial, the Ferry Shelter Shed and Captain Cook’s landing place. Each location adds context to the events that unfolded here and invites you to slow down and consider the perspectives of those who stood on this shoreline more than two centuries ago.
In 2020, three large bronze sculptures were installed along the track to mark the 250th anniversary of the encounter. These works hold particular significance for the Gweagal Aboriginal people and provide a powerful focal point along the walk. They are difficult to miss and encourage quiet reflection rather than hurried observation.
Burrawang Walk is not physically demanding, but it is thoughtful. It offers a chance to combine fresh sea air with an opportunity to better understand the layered history of this coastline. If you are visiting Kurnell or exploring the wider Sydney region, it is a worthwhile addition to your day, especially if you appreciate walks that blend natural beauty with cultural depth.
Track grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 23 m
Min elevation: 5 m
Total climbing: 22 m
Total descent: -22 m
GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Explore safely
Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.
Leave a trip plan
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Planning checklists
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
Burrawang Walk traditionally begins at the Kurnell Visitor Centre, however the centre is being demolished and rebuilt during 2024 to 2025. During this period, some entry points to the walk may be closed, so it is important to check current park alerts before you go.
The most reliable starting point is Commemoration Flat picnic area. You can also access the track from outside the park along Captain Cook Drive or Prince Charles Parade. If you are driving, follow Captain Cook Drive towards Kurnell. At the T intersection, turn left, then take the next right into Cape Solander Drive. Commemoration Flat picnic area is on the left shortly after you enter the park.
Road access is via sealed roads and is suitable for 2WD vehicles in all weather conditions. Parking is available at Commemoration Flat picnic area, or outside the park along Captain Cook Drive or Prince Charles Parade. If you are entering the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park by vehicle, gates are open daily from 7am to 7.30pm year round.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Banksmeadow, Botany, Caringbah, Cronulla, Kensington, Kurnell, La Perouse, Little Bay, Maroubra, Mascot, Matraville, Miranda, Ramsgate, Sylvania, Woolooware
About the region
Kamay Botany Bay National Park is located at La Perouse and Kurnell in Sydney. Discover its rich Aboriginal culture, explore Captain Cook's Landing Place, spot native plants on a bushwalk or whales at Cape Solander.
Filled with significant sites, coastal landscapes and heritage-listed attractions, Kamay Botany Bay National Park is an easy day out in Sydney's south. Separated by the marine-rich waters of historic Botany Bay, the park's northern and southern headlands feature a unique combination of natural and cultural heritage.
Explore the southern area around Kurnell where in 1770, local Aboriginal people encountered the crew of the Endeavour. The northern area at La Perouse is just as fascinating, where French explorer Comte de Laperouse was last sighted in 1788.
This park is also blessed with several sheltered coves and beaches, if you like swimming in salt water without fighting the surf. Its diverse waters offer plenty of beautiful snorkelling and scuba diving spots suitable for all levels of experience. You'll find rocky reefs at the entrance of Botany Bay, and underwater sea grass meadows inside the bay itself.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Kamay Botany Bay National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.





