West Head Lookout

Great Mackerel Beach

Akuna Bay

Bobbin Head

Parsley Bay, Brooklyn

Lovett Bay

Aboriginal rock engravings, America Track

America Bay from America Bay Walking Track

Cottage Point Inn

Barrenjoey headland from West Head Lookout

Refuge Bay waterfall and beach

Outdoor dining at The Kiosk, Bobbin Head

Kayaking on Cowan Creek

Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park protects a large area of natural beauty on the northern perimeter of metropolitan Sydney, encompassing the central and lower regions of the Hawkesbury River on its southern side. Ferries, hire boats and houseboats make the park’s intricate shoreline totally accessible, their deep waters are ideal for boating. The park may also be explored by a maze of walking tracks, some accessible by wheelchair, which lead to waterfalls, secluded bays and beaches and examples of ancient Aboriginal rock art.

Apple Tree Bay

Where It Is?: 30 km north of Sydney

How to Get There:

By ferry: regular ferries operate from Snapperman Beach at Palm Beach, on the eastern side of Pittwater, to a number of locations on the western shore. More information, timetables etc >>

By train: for the eastern section around Brooklyn, take the Central Coast Line train from Sydney's Central Station. Alight at Hawkesbury River station, which is at Brooklyn. Ferries to Patonga, Dangar Island and the River Postman leave from Brooklyn. Hire boats are available here. Make sure the train you catch stops at Hawkesbury River station as not every train does.
For Apple Tree Bay and Bobbin Head, travel on the North Shore line and alight at Mt Kuring-Gai station. Follow Mt Kuringai Track from the end of Hawrood Avenue (opposite the station) to Berowra Track, where you turn right towards Apple Tree Bay (3.7 km walk). Bobbin Head is a further 1.2 km walk along the road.
Alternatively, alight at Berowra Station and follow the Berowra Walking Track from the station. This is 4 hour/8 km walk which follows the eastern shore of Cowan Creek.

By motor vehicle: for the eastern section around Brooklyn, take the Old Pacific Highway north from Hornsby (not the Sydney Newcastle Freeway), taking the Brooklyn turnoff when you reach the Hawkesbury River. Ferries to Patonga, Dangar Island and the River Postman leave from Brooklyn. Hire boats are available here.
For Bobbin Head and Apple Tree Bay, take Bobbin Head Road off Pacific Highway at Pymble. Hire boats are available at Bobbin Head. Park entry fees apply.
For Cottage Point, Illawong Beach, Akuna Bay and West Head, take McCarrs Creek Road off Mona Vale Road at Terrey Hills. Alternatively, approach McCarss Creek Road from Church Point, then left into West Head Road. Park entry fees apply.

Things To See and Do:

Bushwalks: There is a maze of well posted walking tracks throughout the National Park. The easiest and most accessible are the 16 walking tracks that commence at various places along West Head Road. From 400 metres to 9 km return in length, they offer a variety of scenery, from bays and water views to Aboriginal rock art, waterfalls, heathlands and ironbark forests as well as varying degrees of difficulty. A free walking track guide is available from the park's visitors centres within the park.
Detailed walking tracks >>

Aboriginal rock art and occupation sites: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park covers part of the Guringai people's traditional lands. Before the colonisation of Australia in 1788, this nation of Aboriginal people lived from Broken Bay in the north to Sydney Harbour in the south. The national park has great cultural and spiritual importance for them - both in its general landscape, and in the many Aboriginal sites found in the park. Local park staff work in partnership with Aboriginal people, protecting and managing the park's Aboriginal heritage.
More than 800 Aboriginal sites have been recorded in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. They include rock engravings, burial sites, axe grinding grooves and places that show evidence of Aboriginal occupation. Walking track notes and signage in the park identify where the more accessible sites are and their significance to the Aboriginal tribes that created them.
More information >> | Aboriginal Heritage Track Walk

The Basin: accessible by ferry from Palm Beach, cycle or on foot from tracks within the National Park, The Basin is the most popular location on the western shores of Pittwater because of its facilities for campers, boatspeople and day trippers. The bay known as Coasters Retreat was the base from which colonial boats navigating the Hawkesbury would leave and enter. There are two calm water swimming spots, making them ideal for children. Aboriginal rock carvings are close by on the West Head Road. As it lies within Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, park entry fees apply.

Great Mackerel Beach: a secluded spot, thanks to he fact that it is surrounded by private property. In fact, only that park of the beach below the high water mark is crown land, the rest is private property. Access is only by boat (ferry from Palm Beach) or on foot via the many tracks which lead here.

Towlers Bay: a quiet and peaceful bay and small beach are on offer surrounded by bushland. There are a few houses at neighbouring Morning Bay.

Lovett Bay and neighbouring Elvina Bay are popular holiday/retirement villages. There is a picturesque waterfall on the way to the Flat Rock and The lookout, a short walk from the Lovett Bay Wharf.

West Head Lookout: situated at the end of West Head Road, this lookout offers panoramic views across Broken Bay to Lion Island and Barrenjoey Headland, and down Pittwater. The lookout is the starting point for a series of walking paths that lead to the beaches and bays of Pittwater (and the Palm Beach ferry) which pass waterfalls and Aboriginal rock art. West Head was a military outpost during World War II.

Coal and Candle Creek: offers postcard scenery and secure anchorage in the many coves. Akuna Bay hosts a marina with visitor berths so you can use the showers and other facilities for a moderate fee. There is a small general store, a restaurant, coffee shop, liquor store. Illawong Bay has a boat launching ramp, swimming and picnic facilities.

Refuge and America Bays: two adjacent areas that are generally regarded as among the best cruising anchorages anywhere. They are extensive, calm bays wrapped around by steep sided hills. Refuge Bay has a waterfall right on the beach which is used year round as a freshwater shower by boaties. America Bay also has a waterfall, but set back in the bush. Accessible only by boat or by walking tracks off West Road Road.

Bobbin Head: lies at the headwaters of Cowan Creek. This waterway winds through the Ku-ring-gai National Park and is totally protected with many inlets and bays, some with public moorings. A ferry from Palm Beach calls in about mid-day and stays about one hour. Features a cafe, barbecue and picnic facilities, hire boats and a marina. Walking tracks lead from Bobbin Head to Apple Tree Bay, Duffys Forest, Berowra, North Turramaurra and St Ives.

Cottage Point: an isolated outpost on Cowan Creek, idylically located in the middle of beautiful waterside bushland. The eateries here have developed an enviable reputation and are visited by motorists, passing sailors and float planes alike. In 1899, the area south of Cottage point was the subject of a bizarre plan to build Australia's Capital there. To be called Pacivica, the plans called for the town to replicate London, with castles, a tower and a suspension bridge giving access from Sydney via Bobbin Head.

Brooklyn: a charming, easy going fishing and holiday village that is an ideal base or starting point from which to explore or otherwise enjoy the central Hawkesbury River region. It has become a focal centre for both holidaymakers and daytrippers in seach of the peace and tranquility afforded by this picturesque section of the river. Brooklyn is accessible by road (Old Pacific Highway) or train (alight at Hawkesbury River Station on the Central Coast line). Ferries to Patonga, Dangar Island and the River Postman leave from Brooklyn. Hire boats are available here.

More information: website

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