12 walkers arrived at Bondi Junction to catch the express bus to La Perouse. Had a small hiccup due to slight delays in trains arriving at Bondi Junction. 11 walkers made it to the allotted bus, some just in time. While one walker (me) caught the next bus which was only 10 minutes later. All met up at La Perouse. La Perouse is at the southern end of the eastern suburbs. It has a small coastal town feel to it with a large open grassed area on the headland, a few small shops and beaches and bushland to the east. A stark contrast to the highly urbanised eastern suburbs that we passed through on the way.
La Perouse Headland - Macquarie Watchtower 
Park Map 
Group photo at the start of the walk
Since it had been a long trip down and was mid morning, we had a short walk easterly across Congwong Beach and had morning tea on the rocks at the end of the beach. This had a great view of Bare Island Fort at the end of La Perouse headland. The fort was built in 1885 as protection from backdoor invasion and was in operation till 1911. From a sign we saw, later in our walk, we learned it was fortunate it was never needed. It was so badly built, if under attack the soldiers outside of the fort would be safer than those inside.
Congwong Beach
Morning tea view of Congwong Beach, Bare Island and La Perouse
At Morning Tea 
Warning sign - we complied 
Local enjoying the sun
After morning tea, we took the Congwong Beach Trail north. Then turning right onto the Henry Head track, we walked through bushland to Henry Head. The first part of the track is on crown land and is not very well maintained. With some wet weather in the previous days, it was quite muddy. As we got into the areas maintained by national parks the state of the track improved. The bushland is very pretty and is a bird watchers paradise with many species including fairy wrens and pardalotes. We heard many bird calls and had glimpses of little wrens darting though the bushes.
On the track 
View of Bare Island 
Drinks Break
We stopped for lunch at Henry Head. This has magnificent views back to La Perouse, across to the southern headland of Botany Bay and out to sea. There are old gun emplacements from World War II on the headland.
Lunch with a view 
Lunch perch 
Container Ship arriving
Bare Island and La Perouse with Port Botany behind
One of the WW2 gun emplacements
After lunch and an inspiring reciting of a speech from Shakepeare's Henry V by leader Nick, we walked back to La Perouse via the fire trail and road (Henry Head Lane); past the NSW Golf Course club house.
We were all ready for a welcome coffee or milkshake at the Boatshed.
Main Street of La Perouse
Arriving at the Boat Shed Cafe
Coffee time
On the way back to the bus, we stopped by the grave of Claude Reveveurs the first european to be buried in Australia. He was a member of French expedition to the Pacific lead by the man the suburb was named after - Jean-Francois de Galaup, comte de Laperouse. They arrived in Botany Bay in January 1788 just days before the First Fleet landed in Sydney. Claude died in February. The French left in March never to be seen again -tragically lost at sea. There is a Laperouse museum in the park, as well, but unfortunately it is closed until later in the month.
Grave of Claude Reveveurs
Sign on grave
French connection
We took the bus to Kingsford and changed to the new light rail for the trip to Central which is a better transport option for travel to La Perouse. From 1902 to 1961 the trams went all the way to La Perouse.
The original tram
Many thanks to all walkers for an enjoyable day.
Leaders: Nick B and Annette Ell
Walkers: David S, Don B, Don W, Lyn T, Lyndy, Margaret P, Michael F, Robyn Mi, Theresa W, Coralie (visitor)
First Aid: Lyndy
Words : Annette Ell
Photos: Annette Ell 11,14,17,18,19,20 Don W 1,4,15 Margaret P 2,5,16,21,22 Robyn Mi 3,6,10,12 Lyndy 13 David S 7,8,9,23