Cockle Creek Lookout Return

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]

[Toilet Accessible]

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) Bobbin Inn Cafe → Bottom of the Birrawana track steps

160 m
4 mins
30m
0m

Easy track

From the ‘Bobbin Inn’ cafe[22], this walk heads to the front of the building to the ‘Information Centre’ main entrance. From here this walk follows the ‘Birrawana Loop Track’[23] alongside the road a few meters to find a metal ‘Welcome to the Cockle Creek Lookout Track’ sign and map[24]. Now the walk follows the track behind the safety barrier (keeping the road to your right) for about 70m to cross a small culverted creek[25] and pass a few old a couple of picnic tables[26] in a shaded and mossy gully. This walk continues for another 30m behind the safety barrier[27] to come to the bottom of the signposted ‘Birrawanna Track’[28] steps.

(0.16km) Int of Birrawana track and Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road → Int of Birrawana and Cockle Creek Lookout tracks

300 m
7 mins
38m
-10m

Hard track

Veer left: From beside Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road[29], this walk heads down a few steps to cross a small flat concrete bridge[30], to then follow the ‘Birrawanna Track’ sign[31] up the timber steps. This walk leads quite steeply up the track as it zig-zags up a series of timber and rock steps[32][33] for just over 300m to find the top of small rocky ridge[34]. Here the walk leads down a series of timber steps[35] for about 50m to cross a moist gully[36] that is home to a disused telegraph pole[37]. Now this walk follows the clear rocky track leads uphill[38] for just shy of 200m to come to a faint intersection at the top of the ridge[39] (where the lookout track is on your right).

(0.45km) Int of Birrawana and Cockle Creek Lookout tracks → Cockle Creek Lookout

110 m
3 mins
1m
-15m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the rocky track, east along the top of the ridgeline towards the rocky outcrop[40]. After about 50m this walk passes through a gap between two large rock outcrops[41], then around another rock to wind gently down the hill for just shy of 50m to come to an unfenced rock ledge overlooking Cockle Creek[42].

Cockle Creek Lookout

Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.

Maps for the Cockle Creek Lookout Return 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 Cockle Creek Lookout Return bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cockle Creek Lookout Return

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	1.1 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
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

300m of this walk is very steep and another 160m is flat with no steps. The remaining (110m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 410m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 160m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 410m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 160m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 410m of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 160m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 570m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 450m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 110m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Cockle Creek Lookout Return walk starts and ends at the Bobbin Inn Cafe (gps: -33.659696, 151.15912)
Your main transport option to Bobbin Inn Cafe 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

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/cclr

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 🙂