Cape Solander
Kurnell area in Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Overview
Kurnell area upgrades and closures
Parts of Kurnell area are closed while several infrastructure upgrades take place in 2024-2025. Kurnell Visitor Centre is closed while NPWS builds a new one. Parking will be affected. Learn more about the improvements being made as part of the Kamay- Botany Bay Masterplan.
Head to one of Sydney's best whale watching spots. Cape Solander, located in the Kurnell section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park is an unbeatable lookout during whale watching season.
- Type
- Lookouts
- Accessibility
- Easy
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- Opening times
If you're driving into the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park please note that gates are open:
- 7am-7.30pm (August to May)
- 7am-5.30pm (June to July)
- What to
bring - Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes
- Please note
- There are no toilets at this location. The nearest toilets are all located 2 km away at Commemoration Flat car park.
- There are unfenced cliffs at this location. Don't walk close to cliff edges because the overhanging rocks may be very thin. Please stick to the marked walking tracks and supervise children closely.
Want to go whale watching in Sydney? Cape Solander is undoubtedly one of Sydney's best whale watching spots.
June and July are the best times to see humpback whales as they migrate north to warmer waters, but they can also be spotted between May and October. If you’re lucky you won’t even need to look far – whales have been known to swim as close as 200m from the coast.
Named after botanist Daniel Solander, Cape Solander features a lookout with a special viewing platform – the perfect vantage point – along with information on whales seen in Sydney waters. If you plan on a coastal walk through the park, then Cape Solander is a good starting point. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching or simply gazing at the clear horizon.
You can also learn more about the significance of the whale in local Aboriginal culture in this State Library video interview with Wallangang Elder, Glen Timbery .
Take a virtual tour of Cape Solander captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Tours and events at this location
-
Food truck in Kamay Botany Bay
Grab a bite to eat or something to drink from the Travelling Barista food truck in Kamay Botany Bay National Park. You’ll find them parked at Cape Solander and Commemoration Flat picnic area.
-
Whales and wildflowers guided walk: Cape Solander
Walk alongside a NPWS Discovery Guide on a 2-hour guided tour of the magnificent sandstone cliffs at Cape Solander. Keep a look out for both whales and wildflowers as you learn about the Kurnell area in Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
Also see
-
Cape Baily walking track
If you love the panoramic ocean views from the sandstone cliffs of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Cape Baily walking track is for you. Close to Cronulla, it's a great place to spot whales, dolphins and native birds.
-
Cape Baily Lighthouse
Cape Baily Lighthouse is a scenic stop along Cape Baily track in the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, near Cape Solander.
-
Muru and Yena tracks
Mura and Yena tracks form a short 2.5km loop walk and pass by Yena picnic area, in the Kurnell area. Enjoy coastal views, birds and wildflowers.
Subscribe to Naturescapes
Subscribe to our Naturescapes e-newsletter which is packed with the latest information, experiences and events in NSW national parks. Your next park adventure starts here.
Whale watching top spots
NSW national parks have the best vantage points to see whales during their annual migration, which takes place from May to November. Plan your next coastal adventure.
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Kurnell Visitor Centre
- CLOSED TO VISITORS. Email and phone contact only. Monday to Friday, 10am to 3.30pm. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 9.30am to 4pm. Closed Christmas holiday.
- 02 9668 2010
- npws.sydneysouth@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 21 Cape Solander Drive, Kurnell NSW 2231
Park info
- in the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
7am–7.30pm August to May. 7am–5.30pm June to July.
Areas may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day applies in the Kurnell area only. The park has coin-operated pay and display machines - please bring correct coins. The park also has credit card accepting payment facilities.
Buy annual pass
What's nearby:
Things to do (181)
- Aboriginal culture (15)
- Beach (3)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (45)
- Cafes and kiosks (3)
- Canoeing/paddling (20)
- Cultural heritage (5)
- Cycling (6)
- Educational activities (2)
- Environmental appreciation/study (1)
- Fishing (14)
- Historic heritage (45)
- Horse riding (1)
- Other experiences (5)
- Photography (2)
- Picnics and barbecues (54)
- Sailing, boating and cruises (5)
- Sightseeing (65)
- Snorkelling and scuba (5)
- Surfing (1)
- Swimming (24)
- Visitor centres (3)
- Walking (70)
- Waterfalls (8)
- Waterhole (1)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (12)