Birrawanna Track
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs
4.4 km Return
262 m
Moderate track
Bobbin Inn Cafe
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old ‘Bobbin Inn’ building[1], is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining[2], and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 – 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 – 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170.
The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 – 4pm (closed 12 – 12:30pm lunch).
Ramp access[3][4] available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
Bobbin Head
Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old ‘Bobbin Inn’[5], built in the 1930s – it is now the park information center and cafe[6]. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east).
Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park[7] and dotted with picnic tables[8][9], electric BBQs[10], shelters and a large playground[11]. There are toilets[12] nearby, and ‘The Station’ is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables[13][14] that can be booked NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park)[16] area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter[17], surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters[18], each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups.
The eastern side of Bobbin Head is dominated by the Empire Marina[19] and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant[20] and public toilets[21].
(0km) Bobbin Head Kiosk → Int of Birrawanna and Regional Office tracks
1.1 km
32 mins
156m
-14m
Moderate track
From behind ‘Bobbin Inn’[22], this walk follows the brick paved footpath[23], away from the water and Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd to the stone steps marked[24] with a ‘Welcome to the Birrawanna Track’ sign[25] (about halfway between the ‘Gibberagong Centre’ and ‘Bobbin Inn’). From here this walk head up the sandstone steps[26] then along the rocky track as it starts to zig-zag uphill for about 60m to then follow a metal handrail up some steps[27]. About 30m from the top of these steps, this walk heads through a tunnel formed under a sandstone overhang[28] then just another 30m later the track leads to a flat sandstone rock platform beside a large angophora with filtered views over Cowan Creek[29].
Here the track bends left then continues to wind up a series of timber[30] and stone[31] steps for about 300m where the track mostly flattens out[32] for about 100m before head fairly gently uphill again[33] for another 80m to pass an intersection with an informal track[34] in a casuarina forest (on your left).
Soon after this intersection, this walk leads between to piles of disused stone blocks[35] and continues following the clear track up through the tall wooded forest for 400m to a three-way intersection (where a sign points back down to ‘Bobbin Head’[36]).
(1.06km) Int of Birrawanna and Regional Office tracks → Int of Birrawanna track and powerline service trail
230 m
6 mins
23m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Kalkari’ sign[37] gently uphill along the sandy track. This track winds uphill, up a number of timber steps[38] for just shy of 250m where the track flattens out and leads under a set of power lines[39]. Just shy of 20m past these power lines this walk comes to a four-way intersection (where a ‘Bobbin Head’ arrow post[40] points back along the track).
(1.29km) Int of Birrawanna track and powerline service trail → Kalkari Discovery Centre
920 m
19 mins
40m
-29m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Kalkari Visitor Centre’ sign[41] along the track, over the metal pipe[42] and away from from power lines[43]. The track gently undulates through the wooded forest following the occasional timber step[44] for just over 350m to come to the NW corner of the Kalkari enclosure fence[45]. Here the walk follows the fence[46] for 150m to step step up onto a rock platform[47] and continue along the fence[48] for just shy of 400m
to the SW corner enclosure[49]. This walk now follows the short track to car park[50] then walks through the car park, past the ‘Kalkari Bush Discovery Track’ map[51] to the entrance of ‘Kalkari’[52].
Kalkari Discovery Centre
Kalkari Discovery Centre[53] is in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, on Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road, Mt Colah. The discovery center is staffed by volunteers from Chase Alive. The center boasts some interesting flora and fauna displays inside[54], and out the back is a large enclosure with emu, kangaroos and other native animals roaming around. Take time to explore the wheelchair-accessible circuit within the fence. There are toilets at the centre. For information, phone 02 9472 9300. There are picnic tables, seats and drinking fountain at the front. There is a large car parking area at the front of the centre with two designated mobility parking bays.
Maps for the Birrawanna Track 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.
| Hornsby | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91304S HORNSBY | NSW-91304S |
| 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 Birrawanna Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Birrawanna Track
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 | 4.4 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| 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 1.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 1.1km has short steep hills.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 2.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 2km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 230m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 1.2km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.1km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 2.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 230m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Birrawanna Track walk starts and ends at the Bobbin Head Kiosk (gps: -33.659699, 151.15912)Your transport options to Bobbin Head Kiosk are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/y
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 🙂
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