Bobbin Head track
Download & Print Map and Notes
1 hr 45 mins
5 km One way
94 m
Moderate track
(0km) Int of Bobbin Head Road and the Bobbin Head track → Int of Bobbin Head and Sphinx service tracks
60 m
1 mins
2m
0m
Moderate track
From Bobbin Head Road, about 100 north of the toll booth, the walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head Track’ sign up through the metal gate and along the dirt management trail for a short while to the signposted intersection of the ‘Sphinx track’ (a management trail).
(0.06km) Int of Bobbin Head and Sphinx service tracks → Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site
1.5 km
25 mins
19m
-17m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head Trail’ sign[1] gently up along the wide trail, keeping the power lines[2] (through the trees) to your right. This trail was part of original road down to Bobbin Head, now closed to traffic it gently undulates along the ridge past some scribbly gums and among the tall heath for just over 400m to pass under some power lines[3]. Just over 150m later this walk veers left at the Y-intersection[4] and continues along the trail for another 300m to pass under the same set of power lines again[5]. Just shy of 150m later the trail passes under two sets of high tension power lines[6][7]. From here the trail bends right and continues for almost 300m pass under the smaller set of power lines[8] again, then just 90m later the trail leads to an intersection with a short track[9] (on the left) that leads to the the signposted ‘The Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site’[10].
Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site
The Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site, is signposted[11] off the side of the old Bobbin Head Road and is home to a series of engravings on a sandstone rock platform. The engravings are behind a series timber log barriers[12] designed to reduce further wear on these faint engravings, please stay off the engravings area. If you look carefully you may see the engravings of a wallaby, gliding possum, bird, goanna the Information board also shows there are two emus[14]. More info.
(1.55km) Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site → Water Tank
1.3 km
22 mins
21m
-28m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the trail north east, away from the power lines, initially keeping the engraving site on your left[15]. The walk continues along the ridge top for 400m passing through a mixed eucalypt forest[16] to pass a small bulldozed clearing[17] (on your left), then just 500m later the trail leads under a set of power lines[18] again. The trail leads gently downhill for about 80m to pass a larger clearing and turning area[19] to head more steeply downhill along the trail for just shy of 250m, following a metal pipe[20], to come alongside a large disused concrete water tank[21].
(2.8km) Water Tank → int. near gate on Bobbin head trail
1.4 km
31 mins
28m
-140m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From beside of the water tank, this walk heads fairly steeply downhill along the wide trail[22] following a metal pipe[23]. After about 170m the trail bends sharply right[24] and passes a faint track (that follows the pipeline[25]) then 60m later the trail bends sharply left[26].
The trail continues in a similar way winding downhill for 400m to pass under the power lines[27] again, then over the next 100m the trail bends bends left again to pass under the same set of power lines again, this time with good views over Cowan Creek[28]. Over the next 250m the trail bends sharply right[29]
then sharply left[30], where it passes under the same set of power lines[31] once again. The trail continues to wind downhill for another 250m to pass under the same set of power lines again[32]. Here the trail continues for another 80m to come to a locked gate with a ‘Service Trail’ sign[33] (on your left), where there is a track ahead marked with a ‘Bobbin Head’ sign[34].
(4.21km) int. near gate on Bobbin Head trail → Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks
200 m
8 mins
5m
-48m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head’ sign[35], down the rocky track and series of stone steps[36]. The track soon flattens out on a rock platform[37] with views over Cowan Creek and the marina[38]. Here the track bends right then winds downhill passing more pleasant rock formations[39] for about 60m where this track then follows parallel (just above another track) for a short distance before heading down a set of concrete steps[40] to a T-intersection with the signposted ‘Warrimoo Track’[41].
(4.41km) Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks → Empire Marina
170 m
3 mins
6m
-5m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head Picnic Area’ sign[42] along the mostly flat track following the foreshore, keeping the water and boats to your right. After about 30m this walk follows a fence and handrail[43] behind a dry dock[44] for 40m. Here the track narrows a bit to head between the rock face and buildings[45] for 100m to turn right at a ‘Warrimo Track’ sign[46] and a yellow painted walker (on the ground). Here the walk heads through the hallway, past the public toilets[47] to the water front of Empire Marina, beside the ‘Kiosk’[48] (on your right).
Empire Marina – Galley Foods cafe
Empire Marina, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, provides facilities and services for people on boats and on foot. The marina is home to “Galley Foods” kiosk and restaurant. The kiosk provides a variety of food priced between $4-$16, and is open from 8:30am to 5pm seven days. The restaurant requires reservations, and is open for lunch Thurs-Mon, breakfast on the weekend, and in dinner on Fridays and Saturdays in summer. Phone 9457 0477 More info.
(4.58km) Empire Marina → Bobbin Inn
420 m
8 mins
13m
-10m
Very easy
Turn left: From beside the Kiosk at Empire Marina[49], this walk follows the concrete path keeping keeping the water just to your right[50]. After about 20m this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head Picnic Area’ sign[51] along the elevated path past a series of information signs [52][53][54][55][56][57][58] about the local heritage, beside the car park for 150m to leave the marina through the lockable gate[59]. This gate is locked outside of ‘park operating hours’[60], that is 8pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and 5.30pm to 6am at other times of the year. Here the walk passes a sign pointing back to the ‘Warrimmo Track’[62] and continues along the waterside then through the car park for another 60m to find another sign pointing back to ‘Warrimoo Track’, next to the ‘Pay Here’ station[63].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the driveway[64] out of the car park a short distance to the intersection with Bobbin Head Road, just beside the bridge. Here there is a toilet block[65] (ahead and on the left), a shelter and phone both[66] (just to your left).
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath beside the road over the wide bridge[67], crossing Cowan Creek[68]. On the far side of the bridge, this walk continues beside the road along side ‘Orchard Park’[69] to pass a side road (on the left)[70]. Just 60m later along the main road (Ku-ring-gai Chase Road) this walk comes to the end of a small set of car parks just beside the ‘Bobbin Inn’ building[71] (on your left), home to cafe and ‘information centre’.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the driveway[64] out of the car park a short distance to the intersection with Bobbin Head Road, just beside the bridge. Here there is a toilet block[65] (ahead and on the left), a shelter and phone both[66] (just to your left).
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath beside the road over the wide bridge[67], crossing Cowan Creek[68]. On the far side of the bridge, this walk continues beside the road along side ‘Orchard Park’[69] to pass a side road (on the left)[70]. Just 60m later along the main road (Ku-ring-gai Chase Road) this walk comes to the end of a small set of car parks just beside the ‘Bobbin Inn’ building[71] (on your left), home to cafe and ‘information centre’.
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’[72], built in the 1930s – it is now the park information center and cafe[73]. 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[74] and dotted with picnic tables[75][76], electric BBQs[77], shelters and a large playground[78]. There are toilets[79] nearby, and ‘The Station’ is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables[80][81] that can be booked NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park)[83] area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter[84], surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters[85], 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[86] and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant[87] and public toilets[88].
Bobbin Inn Cafe
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old ‘Bobbin Inn’ building[89], is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining[90], 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[91][92] available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
Maps for the Bobbin Head 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 Bobbin Head track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bobbin Head 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 | 5 km | ||
| Time | 1 hr 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
3km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.6km has short steep hills. The remaining (420m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
4.4km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 420m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (200m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 3.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.7km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 3.6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.4km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 3.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.6km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Bobbin Head track walk starts at the Int of Bobbin Head Road and the Bobbin Head track (gps: -33.687867, 151.15228)Your transport options to Int of Bobbin Head Road and the Bobbin Head track are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
The Bobbin Head track ends at the Bobbin Inn (gps: -33.659696, 151.15912)
Your main transport option to Bobbin Inn is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/10
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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