Elvina Bay Circuit
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs 30 mins
4.5 km Circuit
201 m
Hard track
(0km) Elvina Track carpark → Int of Elvina and Engravings Tracks
160 m
3 mins
0m
-1m
Easy track
From Elvina Track car park[1] (on West Head Rd, 1.3km north of General San Martin Dr), this walk follows the management trail around the ‘Elvina Track’ locked gate[2], then past the ‘Elvina Track’ map sign[3] (on the left). This walk continues along the management trail tending right[4] through the scrubby bush[5]. About 70m after leaving the locked gate, the walk comes to an intersection with a narrow track[6] (on your right).
(0.16km) Int of Elvina and Engravings Tracks → Rock Platform
90 m
2 mins
2m
0m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection[7], this walk leaves the management trail and heads slightly uphill along the narrow track[8] through low heath. After about 50m, the track leads right at a faint Y-intersection[9] and soon comes to the northern edge of a large rock platform[10]. Upon reaching the rock platform, there is a small eucalyptus[11] on your right and further left there is an engraving of an emu[12]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Aboriginal Engraving Rock Platform
On the northern end of the rock platform are rock carvings of an emu, large fish and a giant whale. Further to the south, the rock platform contains rock carvings of shields, wallabies, fish, eels, and other shapes that are not easily classified. The entire rock platform appears to have a rare erosional feature called tessellation. This occurs over many thousands of years, resulting in a rock surface that is eroding at different rates, creating divot holes and depressions. More info.
(0.16km) Int of Elvina and Engravings Tracks → Int of Elvina and Fredericks Tracks
130 m
2 mins
0m
-2m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection[15], this walk heads east following the management trail gently downhill, while keeping the lower heath on your right[16]. After about 45m, the trail leads over a water bar (hump) then comes to an intersection[17] with a faint track on the left. This faint track looks like a water course and is marked with a cairn[18].
(0.29km) Int of Elvina and Fredericks Tracks → Int of Elvina Track and Wirringulla Avenue
1.7 km
34 mins
16m
-151m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection[19], this walk follows the management trail east[20], soon tending left, then leading gently downhill over a number of water bars[21]. The trail levels out after about 200m, giving distant views of the ocean (on your right)[22]. This walk continues for a further 400m to find more distant views of the ocean (on the left)[23]. Here the walk turns sharply to the right[24], narrows and steepens for 500m with a noticeable change in vegetation. The vegetation changes from small scrubby eucalyptus to she oak and larger eucalyptus. The trail then comes to a yellow painted steel post[25] (on the left) with distant water views (to the left)[26]. Here the trail is concreted[27] for about 110m, as the trail steepens, winding down through two switch backs[28]. From here the dirt trail continues moderately steeply down over several dirt humps[29] to come to a T-intersection[30] with power lines overhead and directly ahead a house and ocean views.
(1.96km) Int of Elvina Track and Wirringulla Avenue → Top of Elvina Bay Park
410 m
9 mins
14m
-34m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection[31], this walk follows the management trail that heads gently downhill[32], keeping the power lines and water to your right. The trail continues amongst houses and bush for about 400m to come to an intersection with a footpath[33] (on your right). From here you can see an open grassy area[34] and rope swing down to the right.
Elvina Bay Park
Elvina Bay Park is located on the western shores of the Pittwater, with views out to Elvina Bay and Scotland Island. A good place to stop and rest, Elvina Bay park has two park benches, grassy areas and a great rope swing. There is also a public jetty and ferry wharf. Elvina Bay has a bush fire brigade building[36] and notably this area encountered the 1994 bush fires . (No drinking water or public toilets are available here). More info.
(2.38km) Top of Elvina Bay Park → Int of Wirringulla Avenue and Fredericks Track
350 m
7 mins
15m
-6m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail downhill, passing a wide trail (on the right) and crossing a culverted creek after about 25m. This walk continues to follow the trail past houses to the left and right for about 170m, before crossing another culverted creek. This walk then tends right, moderately uphill for about 120m (with ocean views to the right) before leveling out and passing a green electricity box (on the right). This walk continues for about 15m to the intersection with a faint track on the left (opposite the German-looking white house and concrete electricity pole).
(2.72km) Int of Wirringulla Avenue and Fredericks Track → Waterfall
530 m
15 mins
65m
-23m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail downhill, keeping the houses on your right. This walk follows the trail, passing a side trail (on the right) after about 40m, continuing left and gently uphill. This walk follows the trail for about 30m to a Y-intersection, continuing left and moderately steeply uphill (keeping power lines to the right). This walk continues along the narrowing trail for about 280m (with views of houses and Lovetts Bay on the right), until coming to the end of the management trail (where there is a narrow track ahead and a ‘No Dogs’ sign).
Continue straight: From the end of the management trail, this walk follows the narrow track[38], keeping the hill to the left (with branches and rocks over the track[39]). This walk continues along the track[40] for about 180m, until coming to the waterfall, where a short scramble[41] is required to climb down to the waterfall[42]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Continue straight: From the end of the management trail, this walk follows the narrow track[38], keeping the hill to the left (with branches and rocks over the track[39]). This walk continues along the track[40] for about 180m, until coming to the waterfall, where a short scramble[41] is required to climb down to the waterfall[42]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Lovett Bay Waterfall
This waterfall is a 25m single fall waterfall, which falls onto large rocks and sand at its base. The waterfall is set in moist bush, with ferns and moss surrounding it. This waterfall is a good place to sit on a hot day. (Be careful while climbing down and up the large rocks, if accessing the base of the waterfall). More info.
Fredericks Grave
Frederick’s Grave is the grave site of Frederick Oliver. This grave site consists of a sandstone head stone and foot stone. The Olivers made their home in the area, cutting valuable timber and establishing an orchard. This grave of one of their children, Frederick, who was accidentally killed in 1867. More info.
(2.74km) Fredericks Grave → Int of Fredericks and Grasstree Tracks
310 m
13 mins
78m
-4m
Hard track
(3.05km) Int of Fredericks and Grasstree Tracks → Lovetts Bay Viewpoint
110 m
2 mins
0m
-12m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection[50], this walk follows the track east[51] and slightly uphill initially, where the track levels out, while swishing through grass trees[52](and passing a television aerial[53]) for about 100m. The track then continues for about 20m to find an unfenced cliff[54] and viewpoint[55]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Lovetts Bay Viewpoint
This unfenced viewpoint offers fabulous views of much of the Pittwater and surrounding area, including Lovetts Bay to the north, Scotland Island to the east and Bayview to the south. There are significant steep drops and a large chasm at the viewpoint – care should be taken.
(3.05km) Int of Fredericks and Grasstree Tracks → Int of Fredericks and Lovetts Pool Tracks
110 m
3 mins
12m
-5m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection[56], this walk follows the track west and slightly uphill for about 40m to a Y-intersection[57] (to the right is an unfenced lookout[58]). This walk continues to the left, following the track west for about 70m, until coming to a Y-intersection[59] (with an eroded track leading gently down to the right[60], to Lovetts Pool).
(3.16km) Int of Fredericks and Lovetts Pool Tracks → Lovett Pools
170 m
4 mins
7m
-6m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the eroded track[61] north-west gently downhill. The track leads directly away from the large angophora trees[62] through the dense banksia forest[63]. After about 150m, the track leads to a small creek bed on a large sandstone platform[64]. (Another faint track leads further downstream on the south side of the creek and visits the pools[65]). Be aware of the many unfenced and slippery cliff edges[66]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Lovett Pools
Lovett Pools is the informal name for a lovely set of water holes[67] and cascades[68][69] at the top of a cliff, above Lovett Bay[70]. The unnamed creek works its way along a sandstone platform forming a couple of larger pools and a series of cascades. There are also many smaller carved holes[71] in the rock, adding interest for the budding geologists. The creek flows over a large cliff[72] forming a tall waterfall just before the Pittwater. The rocks are slippery and there are many cliff edges, please take care.
(3.16km) Int of Fredericks and Lovetts Pool Tracks → Elvina Track carpark
1.4 km
27 mins
62m
0m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection[73], this walk follows the eroded track west and gently uphill over exposed roots[74]. This walk continues along the track through scrubby bush, passing a large heath clearing[75] after about 430m (on the left). This walk then continues to follow the track for about 500m, until coming to a T-intersection with a management trail[76].
Turn right: From the intersection[77], this walk follows the management trail gently uphill[78] and over a water bar (hump), while keeping the lower heath to the left. After about 45m, the trail comes to an intersection[79] with a faint track on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection[80], this walk follows the management trail, while keeping the taller heath[81] on your right. The management trail tends left through the scrubby bush[82] then heads around the locked gate[83] to find the ‘Elvina Track’ car park[84] (on West Head Rd, 1.3km north of General San Martin Dr).
Turn right: From the intersection[77], this walk follows the management trail gently uphill[78] and over a water bar (hump), while keeping the lower heath to the left. After about 45m, the trail comes to an intersection[79] with a faint track on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection[80], this walk follows the management trail, while keeping the taller heath[81] on your right. The management trail tends left through the scrubby bush[82] then heads around the locked gate[83] to find the ‘Elvina Track’ car park[84] (on West Head Rd, 1.3km north of General San Martin Dr).
Maps for the Elvina Bay Circuit 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.
| Mona Vale | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91301S MONA VALE | NSW-91301S |
| 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 Elvina Bay Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Elvina Bay Circuit
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 | 4.5 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
Around 2.3km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 2.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
2.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.1km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 440m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 350m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
3km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 1.5km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (20m) has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 1.4km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (110m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 4.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
3km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 1.5km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (20m) has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Elvina Bay Circuit walk starts and ends at the Elvina Track carpark (gps: -33.643268, 151.26214)Your main transport option to Elvina Track carpark is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/z
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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