Bobbin Head Boardwalk
Download & Print Map and Notes15 mins
552 m Return
17 m
Very easy
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’[1], built in the 1930s – it is now the park information center and cafe[2]. 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[3] and dotted with picnic tables[4][5], electric BBQs[6], shelters and a large playground[7]. There are toilets[8] nearby, and ‘The Station’ is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables[9][10] that can be booked NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park)[12] area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter[13], surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters[14], 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[15] and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant[16] and public toilets[17].
Bobbin Inn Cafe
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old ‘Bobbin Inn’ building[18], is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining[19], 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[20][21] available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
(0km) South End of Bobbin Head Park → Cockle Creek viewing platform
160 m
3 mins
6m
-8m
Very easy
From the far southern end of the Bobbin Head car park, this walk follows the footpath behind the ‘Gibberagong Track. Mangrove Boardwalk.’ sign[22] (away from the car park and picnic tables) for about 20m to the sheltered ‘Welcome to the Mangrove Boardwalk & Gibberagong Track’ information sign[23]. Here the walk continues along the patterned concrete path beside the water for just under 20m to pass a bench seat where the path bends right. After just shy of 20m the path leads past another bench seat to find a sandstone cave (with a 1.9m clearance[24])with a ‘Rock Solid?’ information sign[25]. Here the path bends left and crosses Cockle Creek on a cable-stayed foot bridge[26]. Enjoy the great water and cliff views from the bridge. The walk now follows the fenced timber boardwalk for about 25m to come to a viewing area[27] marked with a ‘Teeming with life’ information sign[28].
(0.16km) Cockle Creek viewing platform → End of the Mangroves Boardwalk
120 m
2 mins
3m
0m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the viewing area[33], this walk follows the timber boardwalk away from the fenced area initially keeping the main view of water to your left. This section of boardwalks does not have handrails or side capping. Over the next 100m the boardwalk winds among the mangroves and saltmarsh[34] and past the ‘Natural Recycler’[35] and ‘Land Developers?’[36] information signs to come to the end of the boardwalk[37], marked with a ‘More? You want more?’ information sign[38]. There is a turning area for wheelchairs at the end of the boardwalk.
Maps for the Bobbin Head Boardwalk 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 Bobbin Head Boardwalk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bobbin Head Boardwalk
Accessibility summary information for the Bobbin Head Boardwalk
Parking: There are 1 designated accessible parking areas on this walk.
Toilets: There are 1 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 3 places to sit on this walk. They are on average 20m apart, with a maximum gap of 30m.
Hazards: There are 4 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Wheelchair Rough There is a single ramp to access the path from the car park. The concrete ramp is 1.2m wide. The ramp is in a marked parking bay and may be blocked by a car. Found about 0m into the walk.
Wheelchair Steep The bridge over Cockle Creek is 1.8m wide, has 1m high handrail and a timber decking. The steepest section is 5.3° (1:10 or 9.2% grade). The bridge is 40m long. Found about 100m into the walk.
Trip Hazard Approximately 120m of elevated timber boardwalk has no handrails, edge capping or markings – there is a risk of falling from the boardwalk. The board walk is 1.7m wide, with approximately 2cm gaps between boards. Found about 160m into the walk.
Trip Hazard A section of board is missing leaving a 7cm gap in the boardwalk. Other gaps on this section of the walk may develop. Found about 260m into the walk.
Toilets: There are 1 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 3 places to sit on this walk. They are on average 20m apart, with a maximum gap of 30m.
Hazards: There are 4 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Wheelchair Rough There is a single ramp to access the path from the car park. The concrete ramp is 1.2m wide. The ramp is in a marked parking bay and may be blocked by a car. Found about 0m into the walk.
Wheelchair Steep The bridge over Cockle Creek is 1.8m wide, has 1m high handrail and a timber decking. The steepest section is 5.3° (1:10 or 9.2% grade). The bridge is 40m long. Found about 100m into the walk.
Trip Hazard Approximately 120m of elevated timber boardwalk has no handrails, edge capping or markings – there is a risk of falling from the boardwalk. The board walk is 1.7m wide, with approximately 2cm gaps between boards. Found about 160m into the walk.
Trip Hazard A section of board is missing leaving a 7cm gap in the boardwalk. Other gaps on this section of the walk may develop. Found about 260m into the walk.
Accessibility Details
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 | 552 m | ||
Time | 15 mins | ||
. | |||
Grade 1/6 Very easy |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Flat, no steps (1/6) |
Quality of track | Smooth and hardened path (1/6) | ||
Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
Infrastructure | Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
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, 280m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 280m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
This whole walk, 280m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 280m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 280m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 280m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Bobbin Head Boardwalk walk starts and ends at the South End of Bobbin Head Park (gps: -33.663293, 151.15709)Your main transport option to South End of Bobbin Head Park 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
Short URL = http://wild.tl/bhb
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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