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America Bay Waterfall

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.9 km Return

76 m

Moderate track
This short walk is a great way to see a slice of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has on offer. The track visits some historic Aboriginal engravings, and enjoys water views, heath and forest environments. The America Bay track also throws in a waterfall for your enjoyment – from the top of the fall, walkers won’t see much of the fall itself, however the outlook is lovely and the walk very enjoyable.

Maps for the America Bay Waterfall walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
Broken Bay 1:25 000 Map Series 91301N BROKEN BAY NSW-91301N
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map 1:40 000 Map Series CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map
Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 SYDNEY 9130

Cross sectional view of the America Bay Waterfall bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the America Bay Waterfall

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length 1.9 km
Time 45 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track 		AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 840m of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 90m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 930m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 930m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 840m of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 90m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 930m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 930m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the America Bay Waterfall walk.
America Bay Track (to beach)
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This short walk has a great range of scenery, making it a great choice if you have only a short time in this National Park. This track one of two ways to access America Bay – the other is by boat. The track cuts straight through the bush from West Head Rd to pass historic Aboriginal engravings and a large cliff with a small waterfall, which also gives an impressive view of the bay.

Total climbing: 130m

2.2 km Return
1 hr 15 mins

Hard track


Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the America Bay Waterfall walk.
Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout
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This relatively flat walk takes you through some woodland forests, open shrub and rock platforms to a lookout. There are great views over the Basin, and out to Narrabeen and north up the Pitt Water. The track is well defined, and the views are well worth the walk.

Total climbing: 176m

7.6 km Return
3 hrs

Moderate track

Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout
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This relatively flat walk takes you through some woodland forest, open shrub and rock platforms to a lookout. The views look over Narrabeen and along Pittwater. The track is well defined, and the views are well worth the walk.

Total climbing: 150m

6.8 km Return
2 hrs 30 mins

Moderate track

Challenger Track
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The Challenger Track is a simple track which heads through the heath and some forest to arrive at a pleasant lookout. Starting at West Head Rd, the track follows a ridge out to a rocky outcrop where views over the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay reveal Patonga and Brooklyn.

Total climbing: 59m

3 km Return
1 hr 15 mins

Moderate track

Topham Track
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This is a pleasant walk along an old management trail, off West Head Rd. Following the ridge top you will pass through a variety of vegetation types including some dense heath and some tall scribbly gums which occasionally give way to a wide view over the park. There is a nice lookout at the end of the walk with views to Cowan Waters, through the trees.

Total climbing: 127m

3.8 km Return
1 hr 30 mins

Moderate track

Basin to Mackerel
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This scenic walk gives an excellent excuse for a ferry ride in Sydney’s northern beaches region. The ferry leaves from Palm Beach Ferry Terminal, and crosses Pittwater to The Basin Wharf. The walk then heads around to Mackerel Beach and passes an optional side trip to some historic and interesting Aboriginal engravings. The scenic water views are complemented by the on-water views from a second ferry back to Palm Beach from Mackerel Wharf.

Total climbing: 200m
Note: There is no car transport option to or from this walk.

4.5 km One way
1 hr 45 mins

Hard track

Mackerel Beach
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This walk takes one of two main tracks down to Mackerel Beach. The track leaves West Head Rd, passing some historic Aboriginal engravings before descending to the beach. The track loops around the small community of Mackerel Beach to come back down the beach and return to West Head Rd. A nice An optional side trip to Currawong Beach makes a nice addition to this walk.

Total climbing: 299m

8.2 km Return
3 hrs

Hard track

The Basin Track and Mackerel Track
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This walk is a great way to see some popular areas in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk from West Head Rd travels to The Basin campsite, and the ferry takes you over to Mackerel Beach. Before returning to West Head Rd, the walk also gives the option to head down to Currawong Beach. There is plenty to do at the beach, with swimming and picnic areas, and clearings for other games.

Total climbing: 226m

5.9 km Circuit
3 hrs

Hard track

The Basin
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The Basin Track is the only land access to The Basin, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park’s only campsite. The walk follows mostly management trail and heads across the plateau away from West Head Rd, with a great side trip to Aboriginal rock engravings and The Basin Dam. This is a nice walk, heading through the heath of the plateau and down through the forest to the large campsite and facilities of The Basin. The Basin itself is a great place for a swim or overnight stay. There is a ferry service from the Basin.

Total climbing: 218m

5.6 km Return
2 hrs 30 mins

Moderate track

Willunga Trig Walk
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On this walk you will visit the highest point in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. At the top of the hill is an old trig point and some stunning panoramic view. On a clear day, there is an uninterrupted 180-degree view across large parts of the park, including Pittwater to the east and distant glimpses of Sydney city on the horizon, far to the south.

Total climbing: 62m

1.4 km Return
40 mins

Moderate track

Towlers Bay Walk
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This walk explores another ridge of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and heads down a steep hill to the Towler’s Bay community. You can explore the village and the ferry wharf before walking past the Youth Hostel on the walk back up. The Youth Hostel is available for an overnight stay, but book ahead. Please remember you are visiting a small community please respect the privacy of the local people.

Total climbing: 402m

8.4 km Circuit
4 hrs

Moderate track

Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop
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This walk is another great walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, accessed by ferry. From the Mackerel Beach wharf, this walk uses the Resolute Loop track to round the headland, enjoying a few secluded beaches and excellent, historic Aboriginal sites. This walk features Mackerel Beach and community, with an alternative route through the town which is well worth the walk.

Total climbing: 384m
Note: There is no car transport option to or from this walk.

5.4 km Circuit
3 hrs

Hard track

Mackerel Beach Community
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This short walk is a great way to see the beautiful Mackerel Beach and community. After a short ferry ride from Palm Beach, the walk heads up the grassed streets of Mackerel, leading to the lagoon. The track is mainly sandy beach or grass stretches, with the area behind the lagoon winding through a bushland area to bring the track back to Mackerel Beach. This loop is a great short walk, and only a hop, skip and jump away from Palm Beach.

Total climbing: 38m
Note: There is no car transport option to or from this walk.

1.4 km Circuit
45 mins

Moderate track


Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The America Bay Waterfall walk starts and ends at the Int. West Head Rd and America Bay Trk (gps: -33.60094, 151.27234)
Your main transport option to Int. West Head Rd and America Bay Trk is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)



Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Comments

 


Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/abw


Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂