COASTAL WALK & EPIC WHALE WATCHING - La Perouse - Easy & mostly flat 10km

It's the start of winter, and here are 3 wonderful reasons to join us for this fun day out in the sunshine rather than hibernating:

1. tour the Sydney coast on beautiful easy flat trails to enjoy wild sea cliffs, idyllic golden beaches, emerald waters, lush forests
2. get close up views of the huge humpback whales launching out of the water with the peak of the annual migration past Sydney, and
3. freak out at the famous La Perouse reptile show, as expert handlers entertain us with close-ups of scary snakes and super cute lizards.

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THE PLAN

If you arrive early before the 10am start, come say hi to the group as we relax with coffees from about 9am at Noulis Cafe (on Anzac Parade, near corner of Goorawahl Ave, HERE) and just 100 metres from our meeting point in Cann Park for the walk.

Formal start: Meet at 10.00am in Cann Park on Anzac Parade, La Perouse (across the street from the bus stop, and next to the fenced rectangular enclosure of the Snake Show). There is a public toilet in Cann Park.

Straight away we hit the easy flat trail through Kamay Botany Bay national park, following beautiful heath bushland out to the cliffs with sweeping ocean views.

We'll stop for lunch on the exposed rocky island at Cape Banks - last year we had very close views of enormous humpback whales leaping with tremendous force right before us here. As this is the peak period of the whale migration, chances are excellent for a repeat performance.

Then the second half of the trail takes us over a rock shelf with the skeleton of an old shipwreck, the Henry Head lighthouse and spooky war relics, through a very beautiful tall lush coastal forest, and a diversion down to a secret cove with vivid emerald-coloured water.

We emerge from the forest back onto the idyllic Congwong Beach, and walk along the flat rock shelf to the wind-sculpted sandstone terraces of Bare Island with its imposing colonial era-prison ruins and sweeping views across Botany Bay. You might recognise this place from a famous movie scene with Tom Cruise.

Finally, we come out at Cann Park once more at 2.30-3.00pm, just in time to catch the famous reptile show ... get a selfie next to a guy holding a deadly snake, or stroke a beautiful harmless skink, it's all awesome and you can tell everyone at work on monday that you did a Steve Irwin.

And that's it for a lovely fun day out! Buses back to the city and eastern suburbs leave frequently from the bus stop across the street from Cann Park.

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IS THIS ACTIVITY OK FOR ME?
This event is easy grade - fine for beginner walkers with basic fitness.

The total distance of 10km is almost entirely flat, with just one very gentle ascent, and is a mix of sandy trails, paved road, flat rock platforms, and wooden board walks.

The pace will be relaxed, with lots of stops to see good stuff, and a substantial lunch break while we watch the amazing whales at Cape Banks.

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GRATUITY
Please contribute $10 cash on the day to help us cover the group's operating costs.

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TRANSPORT

By car:
La Perouse is at the end of Anzac Parade. You can get there

• from the north shore, city and eastern suburbs via the Eastern Distributor to Kensington, and then Anzac Parade
• from the west via Gardeners Rd to Kingsford, then Anzac Parade
• from the south via General Holmes drive to the airport, then Foreshore Rd, Bunnerong Rd, and Anzac Parade.

There is free parking along the end of Anzac Parade at La Perouse, but this is usually full by about 9am. If full, try the residential streets further back at Grose Street, Elaroo Ave and beyond.

By light rail and bus (operating every 10 minutes) from Central Station:

• From the Chalmers Street Light Rail stop, take the L3 light rail service departing at 8.54am, and arriving at the Juniors Kingsford Light Rail stop (just after Gardners Rd) at 9.11am
• Then at Juniors Kingsford bus stand B (stop ID 203292) take the route 390X bus (Bondi Junction to La Perouse service) leaving at 9.14am, and arriving at the Anzac Parade Terminus, La Perouse at 9.36am
• Cann Park is across the street from the bus stop.

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BRING

• Opal card for public transport
• hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent
• warm wind-proof top, long pants - it can get windy along the coast, and the temperature drops fast late in the day
• your lunch, snacks to keep you going for the day
• 1 - 2 litres to drink (there are shops at the meeting point, but after that no refills available along the way until we return to Cann Park)
• beach towel or pad to sit on the rocks at lunch break

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LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
By your RSVP to this event you agree to the conditions of membership and participation which you can read in the "WHAT WE'RE ABOUT" section HERE.