Explore bushwalking tracks, beaches and Bare Island, without even going 15 kilometres from the CBD.
On the doorstep of the northern section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, La Perouse is more than just a Sydney suburb.
Many of the charms that draw tourists to Royal National Park can be found here; much closer to the city, and much closer to public transport.
A day trip to La Perouse, which is about 30-45 minutes from the city by public transport, offers coastal trails, beautiful beaches and even a historic fort – something you won’t find in the famous national park to the city’s south.
Best things to do in La Perouse in one day
Cape Banks Walking Track
How long is it? 7 kilometres return
Facilities? Toilets and water are available before walking down to the beach, where the walk begins
Snaking along the edge of the headland that makes up the northern section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, this walk feels miles away from the city, but is only about 15 kilometres from Central Station.
And at just 3.5 kilometres each way, there’s a lot packed into this one.
You’ll start at the eastern end of Congwong Beach and pass through forest, along clifftops, past old WWII structures long since covered in graffiti and, eventually, land yourself on a golf course.
Before arriving at the golf course, the walk passes across the secluded Cruwee Cove Beach. It’s made up of rough sand and thousands of tiny, colourful shells that are well worth checking out. There’s often snorkellers in the water here. (Although, we’ve not swam here, so can’t report whether it’s worth getting your hair wet for.)
Tip: The forested part of this walk tends to get muddy after rain, so it’s best not to go right after a downpour.
More info about Cape Banks Track
Map of this walk:
Other walking tracks in the area:
- Henry Head Walking Track: Starting at either the beach or trail head on Anzac Parade, this walk follows the same path as Cape Banks Walking Track, but it’s turn-around point is at Henry Head Lighthouse. Length: 4km More info
Congwong Beach
There’s a few beaches to choose from in La Perouse: Congwong, Little Congwong and Yarra Bay. You could take a dip in each one throughout the day, but if you’re just picking one, for us, it’s always going to be Congwong.
You don’t get views of the busy seaport or airport like Yarra Bay as the beach faces southeast. However, it’s still protected from large swells by the headlands. It’s waters are usually clear and the rocks nearby make for some great snorkelling. Heading along the right side of the beach, you can swim out to Bare Island. It’s home to some of Sydney’s best snorkel and dive spots.
While often overlooked for the Bondis, Manlys and Coogees of the city, Congwong is a bit of a hidden gem.Earlier this year was named as one of Australia’s top 20 beaches by Tourism Australia. It was the only beach in Sydney to do so!
Bare Island
The backdrop of many weddings, family picnics and even a Mission Impossible movie, Bare Island sits just offshore at La Perouse and is connected to the mainland via a pedestrian bridge.
It’s home to a fort built in 1885 when fears of invasion were high, and is now open to curious visitors for day tours. The waters around the island are also renowned amongst the diving community for their sea life, including Port Jackson sharks.
Tours of the island are $15 each and run every Sunday, but many additional tours also run on Saturdays.
How to get to La Perouse
Drive: Although plenty is available, parking can be difficult on a nice day. It’s a shared car park for the bushwalk, multiple beaches, Bare Island and a few nearby restaurants.
Public transport: A direct bus from Museum Station in the CBD. The 394X takes about 45 minutes to get to La Perouse from the city. You can also take the 390X direct from Bondi Junction, which takes about 35 minutes. There’s no train station at La Perouse.
When is the best time to go to La Perouse?
To swim, it’s best to visit between December and March. Otherwise, the water may be a bit too cold to swim in.
If possible, avoid going on a weekend or public holiday as the beach has been getting busier over the last few years.
It’s also best to avoid going for a swim here within a few days of bad weather, both rain and wind. The water is likely still clean enough to swim in without worrying about your safety, but it can stay a bit murky before settling back to its usual clear blue.
To bushwalk along Cape Banks Walking Track, any time of year is good to visit. As with most bushwalks, you’ll want to avoid it on a day that’s wet or as it’s quite exposed once you’re out of the forested section.
The first kilometre of the walk is through a mostly wooded area and can get a bit muddy after rain. It’s probably best to wait a day or two – or longer if it’s heavy rain – before walking after any wet weather.
