Ku-ring-gai Chase National park is a huge park with dozens of walking tracks and a rich Aboriginal history. It is full of sheltered beaches and coves, has superb views and wide expanses of blue water. There are heathlands to walk through, and mangroves to see. This is where the Hawkesbury River meets the sea.

Before you do any walks, though, check out the views from West Head, which is at the very end of West Head Road.

Just near the lookout is a track that’ll take you to West Head Beach. This is a small, picturesque and quiet beach that lends itself to a nice picnic lunch, a good book, a swim and some relaxation. It gets plenty of sun till about lunchtime, and then shade in the afternoon. It’s a steep path down to this beach which means you’ll get a bit of a work out on the way up.

The Resolute Track has Aboriginal rock engravings and hand stencils. You can reach this spot by parking at the Resolute Beach picnic spot. A two kilometre track will lead you past sweeping and stunning views of Pittwater, before ending at Resolute Beach. (It's a steep track down so beware!) Take plenty of water, and a picnic lunch.

At Bobbin Head there is a Visitors' Centre, picnic ground and marina.

If you have kids, take them for a picnic at The Basin, and while you are there, take a swim in the ocean. You can get to The Basin by ferry from Palm Beach wharf. More information is available in the next entry (Pittwater Heaven) in Day Trips. Click here for more details.

The Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park was placed on the National Heritage List in 2006.

www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

 

GETTING THERE

There three ways to access Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - taking a ferry, your own boat; or driving there.

If your drive - there is an entry point on McCarrs Creek Rd, near West Head Road. Entry fees apply and include a map.

If you have your own boat - there are plenty of coves to explore.

The ferry option begins at Palm Beach Wharf on Barrenjoey Rd with Pittwater Ferries.

To get there, take the L90 bus from City Railway Square and get off at Palm Beach Public Wharf. The trip takes 90 – 120 minutes depending on traffic.

First ferries leave at 9am, (8am during school holidays). Finishing times vary according to the day of the week. Mon – Thurs the last ferry leaves Palm Beach public wharf at 5pm, Fridays it’s 8pm, weekends it’s 6pm.

Tickets to the Basin and Mackerel Beach are – adult single/return  $6.20/$12.40. Tickets for children, pensioners, seniors and the unemployed are single/return $3.10/$6.20. ( Palm Beach Ferries  (02 9974 2411) www.palmbeachferry.com.au

 
For further information on directions: go to www.whereis.com/whereis/directions.do