Kamay Botany Bay National Park

Kamay Botany Bay National Park is the home to significant historical events as well as beautiful coastal scenery. It is the place in which Captain James Cook first landed in Australia and claimed the whole continent for England. The sight of the first flag raising now has several very large flags flying there including the Aboriginal flag to acknowledge their prior habitation of the country. The first European buried in Australia is also located here.

The Monument Precinct

First stop here is the Kurnell visitors centre. The area has Cook’s landing spot, where Europeans and aboriginal people first met and the flags.

In the same area is a monument to Daniel Carl Solander, the first Swede to arrive in Australia.  He was on the Endeavour Expedition with Cook, assisting Banks with the collection of botanical specimens.

The first European grave is well marked, belonging to Forby Sutherland who died of tuberculosis.

The Leap

Only a short drive around the coast is The Leap with a small roadside carpark and stairs down to a rock platform.  The short walk down is worthwhile for the interesting rock formations in the area. Be careful of the tide and slippery rocks when you are walking around.

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Cape Solander

Our final stop was at the Cape Solander Lookout for some spectacular coastal views. 

So, if you are interested in Australian colonial history, want to see some great coastal scenery, or just want to have a relaxing day out, this is a great place to visit.

From here we headed over to La Perouse and some more Australian History.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.