Cape Solander

Cape Solander is a natural historic site, located near the small town of Kurnell, New South Wales, situated in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.^[1] The location is known for whale watching, the whale species to be seen including the humpback whale, southern right whale, and the grey whale.^[1]

Cape Solander
A view of Cape Solander
Location	Sydney, New South Wales
Nearest city	Kurnell
Coordinates	34°0′59″S 151°13′54″E
Owner	NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Website	https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/cape-solander

Fatalities caused by falling from the cliffs have occurred at this location.^[2][3]

Overview

Cape Solander's whale-watching platform and car park

Cape Solander is located on the Kurnell Peninsula, on the southern side of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park. The cape was named after Swedish botanist Daniel Solander who landed with Captain James Cook at Kurnell near the cape's location.^[4] It marks the start of the Cape Baily Walking Track, that heads over to the Cape Baily Lighthouse. Around the cape, there are several other landmarks such as Tabbigai Gap, Blue Hole Gorge, and Yena Track.^[5]

Aboriginal heritage

Cape Solander is home to the Gweagal and Goorawal Aboriginal People.^[6]

Description

The iconic white rocks that surround the cliffside of Cape Solander, that look like the rocks in Wedding Cake Rock, are Hawkesbury Sandstone, which is commonly occurring in the Sydney area.^[7][1] At the parking area, there is a $2.5M whale-watching platform for tourists to use when whales migrate in winter.^[8][9]

Access

Cape Solander can be easily accessed from the Sydney CBD by driving west on Parramatta Road then heading South on King Georges Road. After, turn on Captain Cook Drive and enter Kamay Botany Bay Nat'l Park.^[10]

Accidents

2018

In 2018, an American Mormon missionary slipped and fell to his death while posing for a selfie at the cliffs.^[11][2]

2024

In June of 2024, two women died when they were swept off the rocks near Cape Solander while walking. A third woman managed to climb onto the rocks to safety.^[3][12]

Activities

Cape Solander is a popular place for whale-watching with 300,000 tourists coming from all around the world for this activity.^[8] This place is also popular for bushwalking, with the nearby Muru and Yena trails close by, with also the Cape Baily Walking Track, which stretches down to Cape Baily Lightstation, Voodoo Point and Potter Point.^[13][1]