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Aboriginal sites in the park include rock engravings, occupational
sites such as middens, burials and axe griding grooves. All
Aboriginal sites must be left undisturbed and are protected under
the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. European Heritage •
Botany Bay National Park is significant as
the site of two of the earliest landings of European explorers on
the east coast of Australia. In 1770 the English explorer James
Cook, landed on the southern side of the bay at Kurnell. In 1788 the
Frenchman Comte de Laperouse, landed on the northern side at La
Perouse, just six days after the arrival of the First Fleet, which
was under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip. the bay appeared
unsuitable for settlement, so the English left Botany Bay and
arrived in what is now known as Sydney Harbour on 26 January 1788.
Today, you can visit Captain Cooks landing place memorials at
Kurnell. At La Perouse you can visit Cable Station (now the
Laperouse Museum), Bare Island Fort, Macquarie Watchtower, and the
Henry Head and Cape Banks fortifications.
 Flora and Fauna
Flora •
The La Perouse section of the park contains
endangered flora community known as the Eastern Suburbs Banksia
Scrub. These can be viewed from the Jennifer Street Boardwalk.
Of the plants that can be seen along the various walking tracks
include different types of banksias, the large smooth barked apple (Angophora),
old man banksia, coast tea-tree, grass trees, christmas bush, Sydney
golden wattle, bangalay and the cabbage tree palms.
Wetlands •
Nearby to the Botany Bay National Park are
the Towra Point Nature Reserve and the Towra Point Aquatic Reserve,
between them they support 50% of the mangroves that remain in the
Sydney region and 95% of saltmarsh habitats near Sydney. The
endangered green and golden bell frog has been sighted here. A
permit is required before entering Towra Point Nature Reserve,
information available from the Botany Bay
National Park Discovery Centre, South Sydney.
Wildlife •
Many birds can be seen in the area
including the many variety of parrots, yellow-tailed black
cockatoos, honeyeaters, and sea eagles. Other wildlife include the
eastern long-necked tortoise, red-bellied black snakes, brush-tail
possums, ringtailed possums, grey-headed flying foxes, the
endangered green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) and the
tinkling froglet (Crinia tinnula). The park also offers an
ideal whale watch location during the northerly and southerly
migration.
Source: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Blue Mountains National Park Visitor Guide.
Information can be found at the Botany Bay Discovery Centre,
Laperouse Museum and Visitor Centre: |
