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Barrenjoey Headland Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.3 km Return

110 m

Hard track
This is a fantastic walk for those wanting a great walk on Sydney’s northern beaches. Features of this track include views of the central coast, Palm Beach and the South Pacific Ocean, and historic remnants of old lighthouses. Currently some track repairs are underway, however once completed this walk will revert to a circuit track.

Maps for the Barrenjoey Headland Walk 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 Barrenjoey Headland Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Barrenjoey Headland Walk

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 2.3 km
Time 1 hr 30 mins
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track 		AS 2156.1 Gradient Very steep (4/6)
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 680m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 480m is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 790m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 370m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 680m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 480m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 840m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 310m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 790m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 370m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Barrenjoey Headland Walk walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Barrenjoey Headland Walk walk.
Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop
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The Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop is a walk which explores a large part of the West Head. The journey starts and finishes with a ferry across Pittwater. The walk heads around West Head, taking in views on the Broken Bay side, with Lion Island featuring as a prominent sight. The walk follows sections of road that connect some fantastic bush tracks together. This is a solid day walk if allowing time to relax and have a dip at one of the many beaches along the way.

Total climbing: 422m

8.6 km Circuit
5 hrs

Hard track

West Head Lookout
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This walk is all about the stunning views from the edge of West Head. After the lovely drive through the bushland along the West Head Rd you will love this gentle stroll down to what feels like the edge of the earth. There are great views across the Pittwater to Barenjoey Head as well as across the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. You will find plenty of information signs explaining some of the rich histories of the area, including about the gun emplacements that were built into the side of the cliffs here to protect from enemy ship invasion. Make a day of it by packing a picnic lunch and visiting Resolute picnic ground (and toilets) about 900m back along the road.

Total climbing: 18m

238 m Return
10 mins

Easy 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

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

Koolewong Track
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Probably the best word to describe this walk is ‘cute’. The circuit walk starts with a few steep steps, but soon flattens out, following a well-defined track through an open forest, via some natural sandstone sculptures. The lookout is notable for wonderful views to Patonga, Lion Island and out through the entrance of Broken Bay at Barrenjoey. A seat at the lookout is well placed to encourage people to stop and enjoy.

Total climbing: 32m

810 m Circuit
30 mins

Moderate track

Red Hands Cave
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This is a short walk down to Red Hands Cave from the Resolute Picnic Area. The walk loops from the picnic area through the heath and down to the overhang of the cave. The Aboriginal rock art is quite faded but is estimated to be over 2000 years old. This makes for an interesting historic walk, great as an appetiser before a picnic lunch at Resolute Picnic Area.

Total climbing: 9m

403 m Circuit
30 mins

Moderate track

Aboriginal Heritage Track
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The Aboriginal Heritage Track takes in one of the most popular rock art sites in Ku-ring-gai National Park, and an amazing Aboriginal engraving site. The walk leads out from Resolute Picnic Area to pass by the caves and then continues down the management trail to the engravings. The walk then returns to the picnic area. It is a great way to see historic Aboriginal art in the Sydney region.

Total climbing: 27m

1.1 km Circuit
45 mins

Moderate track

Resolute Track
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The Resolute Track, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and Resolute Beach. The return-style walk starts from Resolute picnic area and heads down to Resolute Beach, passing a Red Hands Cave and an Aboriginal engraving site. The Resolute Track uses management trails and bush tracks which have views over the sea as they pass through heath, rainforest and bushland.

Total climbing: 201m

3.7 km Return
1 hr 30 mins

Hard track

Headland track (Resolute track)
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This walk is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and up to three of Ku-ring-gai Chase’s beaches. The circuit walk visits Red Hands Cave and some historic engravings, in addition to enjoying expansive views over Pittwater, with Barrenjoey Headland as a feature. The walk includes Resolute and West Head beaches and the option of a side trip to Mackerel Beach as well. To top it all off, this walk has an added bonus of a WWII gun emplacement to explore.

Total climbing: 243m

3.5 km Circuit
1 hr 45 mins

Hard track

West Head Lookout Track
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From Resolute Picnic Area, this walk heads out to West Head Lookout, with magnificent views across the Hawkesbury River and Lion Island. The track is a direct route which passes through classic Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park bushland. This walk offers a great way to avoid competing for parking at West Head Lookout, while enjoying more of the park.

Total climbing: 96m

1.9 km Return
1 Hr

Moderate track

Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop
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This track creates a loop between Flint and Steel Beach and Bay by traversing the headland between them. The walk explores Flint and Steel Beach and the McGaw ruins, while providing scenic views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island.

Total climbing: 227m

2.8 km Circuit
1 hr 30 mins

Very experienced only

Flint and Steel track
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This walk follows a scenic route to the secluded Flint and Steel Beach, which provides views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island, Patonga and Box Head. The walk passes through palm, pine and grass tree forests. There is a great diversity of flora and some fantastic sandstone rock formations along the way.

Total climbing: 209m

2.1 km Return
1 Hr

Moderate track


Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Barrenjoey Headland Walk walk starts and ends at the Barrenjoey Carpark (Palm Beach) (gps: -33.585449, 151.32536)
Your transport options to Barrenjoey Carpark (Palm Beach) are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. Parking fees apply in the area.
(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/t


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 🙂