Henry Head Circuit Hike (7km)

The Henry Head Circuit offers a rich blend of coastal scenery and layered history, all set within Kamay Botany Bay National Park. It is a walk where beaches, cliffs and bushland sit alongside reminders of Australia’s military past. You move between open ocean views and sheltered coves, then suddenly find yourself standing beside gun emplacements and observation posts that once guarded the entrance to Botany Bay. It feels varied from start to finish, with just enough climbing to keep it interesting without becoming relentless.

From the southern end of Cann Park, the track drops down concrete steps towards Congwong Beach, easing you into the landscape. The sandy shoreline curves gently, and before long you reach the turn-off for Little Congwong Beach. This small, sheltered bay is known for its calm water and has long been used as an unofficial clothing optional beach. It can be busy on warm weekends and shade is limited in the afternoon, so plan accordingly.

Beyond the beach, the track begins to climb through coastal bush, alternating between timber boardwalk, sandy path and sections of exposed rock. The vegetation thickens as you gain height, with banksias and low forest offering filtered views back towards Bare Island and the bay. A worthwhile side trip leads down to Browns Rock, a well known fishing platform. It is unfenced and exposed, so take care near the edges. Sadly, litter can be an issue here. Carry out your own rubbish and, if safe, consider taking a little extra with you.

As you continue towards Henry Head, the military history becomes more apparent. The Henry Head Battery was constructed in the 1890s and later reused during World War Two. Remnants of disappearing gun emplacements, underground ammunition storage and observation posts remain scattered across the headland. The white Endeavour Tower stands prominently above the site, serving as a navigation marker rather than a traditional lighthouse. Exploring the area gives a real sense of how strategic this headland once was, though caution is needed around uneven surfaces and rusted metal.

From the battery, the track heads east across rock slabs and narrow coastal paths, with constant ocean movement to your right. The route undulates through heath and low forest before descending towards Cruwee Cove and Shelly Beach. Here the character shifts again, from exposed headland to sheltered sand and rock shelves. After crossing near the golf course and footbridge at Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve, you can take a short detour onto the northern edge of Cape Banks itself.

Cape Banks delivers expansive views over the entrance to Botany Bay. Waves crash against the sandstone cliffs, while inside the bay the water is often calm, dotted with fishing boats and passing vessels. During whale migration season, Humpback and Southern Right whales are sometimes seen close to shore. At low tide, the wreck of the SS Minmi can be spotted among the rocks. Concrete foundations from World War Two still remain, quiet reminders of the headland’s defensive role.

The route then climbs steeply away from the cliffs along a rough management trail, leading to another World War Two bunker near the Westpac helicopter facility. Concrete storage rooms sit below a circular gun base, and while the structure is fascinating, it is also weathered and damaged in places. Watch your footing and be mindful of sharp edges.

From here, the walk follows the road past views of the old Coast Hospital Cemetery. A short side trail leads into the cemetery itself, established in the 1880s to service what was once a quarantine and infectious diseases hospital. Many graves are unmarked, and some headstones are worn and difficult to read. It is a quiet, reflective place that speaks to Sydney’s public health history and the lives shaped by it. The eastern edge also contains returned ancestral remains of La Perouse Aboriginal people, making it a site deserving of care and respect.

The final section of the circuit brings you along Cape Banks Road before turning onto the Jennifer Street Boardwalk. This elevated walkway passes through the endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, once widespread across Sydney’s eastern suburbs but now reduced to small protected pockets. Walking above the scrub gives a rare chance to appreciate this unique ecological community at eye level. Interpretive signage explains its significance and the efforts being made to restore and protect it.

Emerging at Jennifer Street, the route follows suburban footpaths through Little Bay and back along Anzac Parade to Cann Park. It is an unusual but fitting end, linking coastal bushland, military history and remnant ecosystems with the surrounding community. At around 7 kilometres and typically taking about three hours, this Grade 4 circuit rewards those who enjoy variety, coastal exposure and a tangible sense of place.