Congwong Bay is part of Botany Bay National Park(La Perouse), 25 minutes south of the Sydney CBD, and 15 minutes from Sydney Airport.
La Perouse is unique in Sydney for its mix of historic, natural heritage and cultural treasures. It is a small settlement of around 400 with 30% of the population of Aboriginal descent. A small number of those people are descendants of the original custodians who saw Cook, Banks, Phillip and Laperouse walk these shores. Cook referred to Congwong Bay in his diary and Banks recorded collecting shells on Bare Island. The following is a link to the National Parks and Wildlife draft Headland Plan of Management which contains interesting information and historic photographs of the headland: Plan of Management
During the 1930s Congwong Bay was famous for its Depression Camps. In the 1950s the area behind Congwong Bay was sandmined for the constructiion of Sydney Airport. Over the past decade the area has been rehabilitated and in 2000 major pathways were constructed – including the connecting path between Congwong and Little Congwong Beaches- to make it more accessible. Locals have been involved in water quality testing, bush regeneration, Clean Up Australia Day, tours and other activities to enhance visitor appreciation of the area.
In 2000, the opening of the Olympic Arts Festival was held in Congwong Bay .
Opening ceremony (photo by Trevor Cornell) shows Congwong Beach in foreground, Kurnell landing place in backgound with Bare Island.
