Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Introducing Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

This 15, 000-hectare national park (per car $11; sunrise-sunset), 24km north of the city centre, borders Broken Bay’s southern edge and Pittwater’s western shore. It has the classic Sydney mixture of sandstone, bushland and water vistas, plus walking tracks, horse-riding trails, picnic areas, Aboriginal rock engravings and spectacular views of Broken Bay, particularly from West Head at the park’s northeastern tip.

The Kalkari visitor centre (02-9457 9300; www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au; Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd; 9am-5pm) runs guided tours. It’s about 2.5km into the park from the Mt Colah entrance. The road descends from Kalkari to Bobbin Head picnic area and Bobbin Head Information Centre (02-9472 8949; www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au; Bobbin Head Rd; 10am-4pm) at the old Bobbin Head Inn on Cowan Creek, then climbs to the Turramurra entrance. Contact Halvorsen (02-9457 9011; www.halvorsenmarina.com.au; 8am-5pm) at Bobbin Head for information on boat hire. Sharks in Broken Bay make for a risky swim, but there’s a netted area at the Basin if you simply must cool off.

Recommended walks include the America Bay Trail and the Gibberagong and Sphinx tracks. The best places to see Aboriginal engravings are on the Basin Trail and the Garigal Aboriginal Heritage Walk at West Head. There’s a mangrove boardwalk at Bobbin Head.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009