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Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

6.8 km Return

150 m

Moderate track
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.

Maps for the Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout 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 Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout

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 6.8 km
Time 2 hrs 30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track 		AS 2156.1 Gradient Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
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

This whole walk, 3.4km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 2.5km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 890m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 3.4km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 2.5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 890m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 3.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout 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


Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout walk.
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

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

America Bay Waterfall
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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.

Total climbing: 76m

1.9 km Return
45 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

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

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

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

Salvation Loop Track
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This walk makes a circuit from West Head Rd around the Salvation Loop track in Ku-ring-gai Chase NP. The walk passes through wet heathland vegetation and around a hanging swamp. The thick heath vegetation along the track means that the views are mostly restricted, however it is still a nice walk with wildflowers in spring, plenty of scribbly gums and some rock outcrops to explore. The full length of this walk is on road or well-defined management trail.

Total climbing: 80m

4 km Circuit
1 hr 30 mins

Moderate track

Wallaroo Track
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This is a nice walk in the Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, passing through a mix of thick heath vegetation and more open forest. There are some great views over Cowan Waters from the end of the track.

Total climbing: 352m

9.3 km Return
3 hrs 45 mins

Hard track


Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout walk starts and ends at the West Head road (start) (gps: -33.607808, 151.26982)
Your main transport option to West Head road (start) 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/btttbl


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 🙂