8 Best Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Walks 

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney's north makes for a great escape from the city.  

This 14,882-hectare protected land is Australia's second-oldest national park, and it offers scenic walks and idyllic beaches.

Enjoy beautiful waterways, eucalypt forests, patches of rainforest, sandstone cliffs and secluded beaches. 

There are over 350 Aboriginal sites in the park, some of which you'll sight along the walks.

You can visit the fascinating, historic army battery on the West Head Army Track (below).

And you'll most likely sight a few swamp wallabies.

Experience our 8 favourite walks in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in this guide.

Getting There & Visitor Information

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is open from sunrise to sunset.

The entrance to Bobbin Head and Appletree Bay is open from 6am to 8pm during daylight saving hours and to 5.30pm the rest of the year.

The gate to West Head is open from 6am to 8.30pm during daylight savings hours and to 6pm the rest of the year.

Entry costs $12 per vehicle per day.

Some of the walks listed below can also be accessed by boat, train or ferry from Palm Beach. You can moor your boat for free on Cowan Waters at one of the many yellow buoys marked with a NSW National Parks logo.

Dogs are not allowed in the national park.

If you’d like to camp in the park overnight, there's a campground at The Basin, which is accessible via ferry from Palm Beach or The Basin walking trail. 

Tracks are sometimes closed for maintenance. Check the local alerts here. 

Top Walks in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

1. Resolute Beach Loop Walk

Located on West Head, Resolute Beach loop walk takes you to stunning, isolated beaches and Aboriginal sites.

Pack your swimmers and put on those hiking shoes!

You’ll experience the best of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has to offer.

See panoramic views of Pittwater and Barrenjoey Headland from West Head Lookout.

Visit Aboriginal engravings and historical sites, including the Red Hands Aboriginal Rock Art Site.

Swim in the inviting cyan-blue water of Resolute Beach and West Head Beach tucked in the bushland of Ku-ring-gai Chase.

Explore Great Mackerel Beach, an isolated beachside suburb only accessible by boat or bushwalking.

And enjoy a picnic at Resolute Picnic Area after your walk.

The Resolute Beach loop walk is one of the most enjoyable hikes in the national park.

You can access the walk by car or ferry from Palm Beach.

>> Find out more about the Resolute Beach loop walk

2. Jerusalem Bay Track (Cowan to Brooklyn)

Although technical and challenging with plenty of steep hills, the first section from Cowan to Jerusalem Bay is exciting and scenic.

The second half of the walk can get a little boring along the fire trail, but the fresh seafood and fish and chips at the end in Brooklyn makes it a pretty rewarding walk.

Enjoy great water views from the highest viewpoints.

It might be better to walk in winter because it gets hot along the fire trail. If you want to walk in summer, start from Brooklyn early in the morning to keep the sun behind you.

>> Find out more about the Jerusalem Bay Track

3. Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head loop track 

The Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head loop track starts at the Sphinx Memorial, a sandstone monument carved by a returned soldier to commemorate WWI veterans.

Winding through thick mangroves along Cowan Creek, the walk is rocky and challenging but rewards you with beautiful scenery.

Once at Bobbin Head, you can enjoy some food at the marina.

The return section is along a less exciting fire trail.

>> Find out more about the Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head loop track

4. Mount Ku-ring-gai track to Berowra Station 

The best thing about this walk is the endless water views – the track follows Cowan Creek for most of the way.

There’s a steep descend at the beginning of the walk and a strenuous climb at the end; otherwise, the path is relatively flat.

Getting there by public transport is easy – the walking track begins at Mount Kuring-gai Station and ends at Berowra Station.

Also, on the walk, you can take an optional detour to Apple Tree Bay, a popular boating area with toilets and a café open on weekends.

>> Find out more about the Mount Ku-ring-gai track to Berowra Station walk

5. America Bay Track 

If you feel like a short and easy walk with rewarding views at the end, check out the America Bay track.  It’s a perfect walk with kids but beware of the unfenced cliff edges. Children will enjoy the refreshing water holes along the way.

The walk starts from Box Head and takes you to a hilltop overlooking the peaceful America Bay. A detour also leads to Aboriginal engravings.

>> Find out more about the America Bay track

6. Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk

Short and sweet, the ascent takes you to Barrenjoey Lighthouse at the top of the headland, where you get postcard-perfect views of the stunning Palm Beach and Pittwater.

Two tracks lead to the top – one is longer and easier (800 m) and the other is shorter and steeper (400 m).

This small section of the national park on Barrenjoey Headland is separated from the main area of Ku-ring-gai Chase by Pittwater.

The walk is next to the town of Palm Beach, so you can enjoy swimming at the beach, shopping and dining before or after your hike.  

You can get to Palm Beach by bus from Sydney, ferry from the Central Coast or ferry from The Basin or Great Mackerel Beach in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

>> Find out more about the Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk

7. Flint and Steel Beach Loop Walk

Flint and Steel Beach circuit walk takes you down to the Hawkesbury River, where you’ll enjoy great views and a beautiful hidden beach.

Located at the northern end of Box Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the walking track passes impressive palm and grass trees. It takes you slightly off the beaten path for a bit of an adventure.

Down at the bay, you’ll pass the McGaw’s ruins and enjoy the tranquillity and beautiful views across the Hawkesbury River to Little Patonga Beach.

You’ll then follow the path along the river’s edge and enjoy more stunning views.

You’ll arrive at Flint and Steel Beach, a perfect place to swim and relax.

>> Find out more about the Flint and Steel Beach loop walk

8. West Head Army Track 

The short and steep West Head Army track is home to the fascinating historic army battery used to protect the waterways from a possible naval invasion during World War II.

The walk takes you down to the water’s edge, where the battery observation post, gun emplacements and ammunition magazine are located.

Enjoy the fantastic views of Pittwater and Broken Bay from West Head Lookout before your walk and at the hill’s base.

>> Find out more about West Head army track