The Muru and Yena Tracks form a compact 2.7 kilometre loop in the Kurnell section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, offering an easy to moderate grade 3 walk that most people complete in around an hour and a half. It is the sort of short coastal circuit that suits families, nature lovers and anyone looking for a relaxed outing with plenty to see along the way.
From Cape Solander Drive, follow the signs to the Muru Track and begin making your way towards Yena picnic area. The path gently introduces you to the shifting character of the landscape. Dry eucalypt forest gradually gives way to open sandstone heath and wind-shaped dunes, each with its own colours and textures. In spring, this stretch can be particularly rewarding, with wildflowers brightening the low heath and small birds such as scarlet robins moving quickly through the scrub. Even outside the peak flowering season, there is a quiet beauty in the resilient coastal vegetation and the scent of salt in the air.
As you approach Yena picnic area, you will briefly cross Cape Solander Drive, then follow the road for about 100 metres. The picnic area itself sits dramatically on a grassy clifftop, looking out over weathered sandstone headlands and rock platforms that extend along the coastline. Cape Solander rises to the south, and on a clear day the sweep of the coast feels expansive without being overwhelming. It is worth taking a moment here to scan the ocean. Albatross and sea eagles sometimes ride the updrafts, and dolphins or seals may be spotted offshore. Between May and November, migrating humpback whales pass by on their annual journey, often close enough to see a blow or the curve of a tail.
This is a beautiful but exposed headland, so caution is essential. Keep well back from cliff edges and avoid stepping onto the rock shelf below the picnic area. Sudden waves can surge without warning and have caused serious incidents in the past. Staying on formed tracks and respecting barriers will ensure the walk remains a safe and enjoyable experience.
To complete the loop, cross the road again and follow the Yena Track back towards the visitor centre. If you have a little extra time, consider a short detour onto the Banks-Solander Track, which branches off the Yena Track. This section highlights plant species first recorded here in 1770 by botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, adding a layer of cultural and scientific history to what is already a rewarding coastal walk.
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.
- This loop can be walked in either direction. From Cape Solander Drive to Yena picnic area via Muru Track is approximately 1.2 kilometres, while approaching via Yena Track is around 1.3 kilometres, so choose the option that best suits your preference on the day.
- Take care when crossing Cape Solander Drive near Yena picnic area. Traffic can move quickly along this stretch, particularly on weekends and during holiday periods, so wait for a clear gap and cross with caution.
Total distance: 2658 m
Max elevation: 41 m
Min elevation: 8 m
Total climbing: 49 m
Total descent: -48 m
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Getting to the trailhead: Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
Muru and Yena Tracks are located in the Kurnell section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
From Sydney, follow the Princes Highway or M1 south, then turn left onto Rocky Point Road and continue onto Captain Cook Drive. Stay on Captain Cook Drive for approximately 11 kilometres to the roundabout at the T intersection, turn right to remain on Captain Cook Drive, then take the next right onto Cape Solander Drive. Roads are fully sealed and suitable for 2WD vehicles in all weather conditions.
Parking is available at Commemoration Flat picnic area, with additional designated car parks located along Cape Solander Drive. If travelling by public transport, buses run hourly from Cronulla, which is the nearest train station, to Kurnell.
Please note that vehicle access gates to the Kurnell area are open daily from 7am to 7.30pm year round.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Banksia, Bexley, Brighton-Le-Sands, Caringbah, Carlton, Cronulla, Hurstville, Kogarah, Kurnell, Kyeemagh, La Perouse, Mascot, Miranda, Ramsgate, Rockdale, Sans Souci, Sydney, Sylvania, Woolooware
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.
Looking for more walks in or near Kamay Botany Bay National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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