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New South Wales (Sydney Region) |
| Kurnell Peninsula | |
| From La Perouse, you can see across Botany Bay to the Kurnell Peninsula and the red buoy marking the spot where Captain James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour anchored on April 29, 1770 for an eight-day exploration. Back in England, many refused to believe that the uniquely Australian plants and animals they had recorded actually existed - the kangaroo in particular was thought to be a hoax. | |
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Cook's Landing Place is now the south head of Botany Bay National
Park, where the interesting Discovery Centre (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat
& Sun 9.30am-4.30pm; $7.50 fee per car; tel 9668 9111) looks at the
wetlands ecology of the park and tells the story of Cook's visit and its
implications for Aboriginal people. Indeed the political sensitivity of
the park has led to a search for an Aboriginal replacement name. One
suggestion has been "Gillingarie" (land that belongs to us all)
from the language of the original Dharawal people of the area. Set aside
as a public recreation area in 1899, the heath and woodland is unspoilt
and there are some secluded beaches for swimming; you may even spot
parrots and honeyeaters if you keep your eyes peeled.
To get here by public transport, take the train to Cronulla then Kurnell Bus Services #987 (tel 9524 8977 for times). On the ocean side of the Kurnell Peninsula is Sydney's longest beach: the 10km stretch begins at Cronulla and continues as deserted, dune-backed Wanda Beach. This is prime surfing territory - and the only Sydney beach accessible by train (Cronulla CityRail). From Cronulla, you can catch a ferry to Bundeena in the Royal National Park. |
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