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Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.8 km Circuit

227 m

Very experienced only
This track creates a loop between Flint and Steel Beach and Bay by traversing the headland between them. The walk explores Flint and Steel Beach and the McGaw ruins, while providing scenic views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island.* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

Maps for the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop 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.
Broken Bay 1:25 000 Map Series 91301N BROKEN BAY NSW-91301N
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 Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop

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 2.8 km
Time 1 hr 30 mins
.




Grade 6/6



Very experienced only 		AS 2156.1 Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track Rough unclear track (5/6)
Signs No directional signs (5/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure No facilities provided (5/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 1.6km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 1.2km is very steep.

Quality of track

1.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 820m follows a rough unclear track. The remaining (370m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

900m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 820m Has no directional signs. Whilst another 660m is clearly signposted and the remaining 370m has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 1.8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 980m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.4km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 820m has no facilities provided.

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop walk.
Flint and Steel Bay (to White Horse Beach)
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This is a nice walk to White Horse Beach on Flint and Steel Bay. The return-style walk passes McGaw’s ruins and and the old water catchment. From White Horse Beach, there are scenic views across the Hawkesbury River. The ruins are a nice addition to the walk – although overgrown, they add a touch of recent history to the walk.

Total climbing: 159m

1.9 km Return
1 Hr

Hard track

Flint and Steel track
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This walk follows a scenic route to the secluded Flint and Steel Beach, which provides views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island, Patonga and Box Head. The walk passes through palm, pine and grass tree forests. There is a great diversity of flora and some fantastic sandstone rock formations along the way.

Total climbing: 209m

2.1 km Return
1 Hr

Moderate track

Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop
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The Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop is a walk which explores a large part of the West Head. The journey starts and finishes with a ferry across Pittwater. The walk heads around West Head, taking in views on the Broken Bay side, with Lion Island featuring as a prominent sight. The walk follows sections of road that connect some fantastic bush tracks together. This is a solid day walk if allowing time to relax and have a dip at one of the many beaches along the way.

Total climbing: 422m

8.6 km Circuit
5 hrs

Hard track


Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop walk.
Red Hands Cave
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This is a short walk down to Red Hands Cave from the Resolute Picnic Area. The walk loops from the picnic area through the heath and down to the overhang of the cave. The Aboriginal rock art is quite faded but is estimated to be over 2000 years old. This makes for an interesting historic walk, great as an appetiser before a picnic lunch at Resolute Picnic Area.

Total climbing: 9m

403 m Circuit
30 mins

Moderate track

Aboriginal Heritage Track
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The Aboriginal Heritage Track takes in one of the most popular rock art sites in Ku-ring-gai National Park, and an amazing Aboriginal engraving site. The walk leads out from Resolute Picnic Area to pass by the caves and then continues down the management trail to the engravings. The walk then returns to the picnic area. It is a great way to see historic Aboriginal art in the Sydney region.

Total climbing: 27m

1.1 km Circuit
45 mins

Moderate track

Resolute Track
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The Resolute Track, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and Resolute Beach. The return-style walk starts from Resolute picnic area and heads down to Resolute Beach, passing a Red Hands Cave and an Aboriginal engraving site. The Resolute Track uses management trails and bush tracks which have views over the sea as they pass through heath, rainforest and bushland.

Total climbing: 201m

3.7 km Return
1 hr 30 mins

Hard track

Headland track (Resolute track)
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This walk is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and up to three of Ku-ring-gai Chase’s beaches. The circuit walk visits Red Hands Cave and some historic engravings, in addition to enjoying expansive views over Pittwater, with Barrenjoey Headland as a feature. The walk includes Resolute and West Head beaches and the option of a side trip to Mackerel Beach as well. To top it all off, this walk has an added bonus of a WWII gun emplacement to explore.

Total climbing: 243m

3.5 km Circuit
1 hr 45 mins

Hard track

West Head Lookout Track
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From Resolute Picnic Area, this walk heads out to West Head Lookout, with magnificent views across the Hawkesbury River and Lion Island. The track is a direct route which passes through classic Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park bushland. This walk offers a great way to avoid competing for parking at West Head Lookout, while enjoying more of the park.

Total climbing: 96m

1.9 km Return
1 Hr

Moderate track

Koolewong Track
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Probably the best word to describe this walk is ‘cute’. The circuit walk starts with a few steep steps, but soon flattens out, following a well-defined track through an open forest, via some natural sandstone sculptures. The lookout is notable for wonderful views to Patonga, Lion Island and out through the entrance of Broken Bay at Barrenjoey. A seat at the lookout is well placed to encourage people to stop and enjoy.

Total climbing: 32m

810 m Circuit
30 mins

Moderate track

West Head Lookout
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This walk is all about the stunning views from the edge of West Head. After the lovely drive through the bushland along the West Head Rd you will love this gentle stroll down to what feels like the edge of the earth. There are great views across the Pittwater to Barenjoey Head as well as across the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. You will find plenty of information signs explaining some of the rich histories of the area, including about the gun emplacements that were built into the side of the cliffs here to protect from enemy ship invasion. Make a day of it by packing a picnic lunch and visiting Resolute picnic ground (and toilets) about 900m back along the road.

Total climbing: 18m

238 m Return
10 mins

Easy track

Mackerel Beach
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This walk takes one of two main tracks down to Mackerel Beach. The track leaves West Head Rd, passing some historic Aboriginal engravings before descending to the beach. The track loops around the small community of Mackerel Beach to come back down the beach and return to West Head Rd. A nice An optional side trip to Currawong Beach makes a nice addition to this walk.

Total climbing: 299m

8.2 km Return
3 hrs

Hard track

The Basin Track and Mackerel Track
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This walk is a great way to see some popular areas in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk from West Head Rd travels to The Basin campsite, and the ferry takes you over to Mackerel Beach. Before returning to West Head Rd, the walk also gives the option to head down to Currawong Beach. There is plenty to do at the beach, with swimming and picnic areas, and clearings for other games.

Total climbing: 226m

5.9 km Circuit
3 hrs

Hard track

The Basin
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The Basin Track is the only land access to The Basin, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park’s only campsite. The walk follows mostly management trail and heads across the plateau away from West Head Rd, with a great side trip to Aboriginal rock engravings and The Basin Dam. This is a nice walk, heading through the heath of the plateau and down through the forest to the large campsite and facilities of The Basin. The Basin itself is a great place for a swim or overnight stay. There is a ferry service from the Basin.

Total climbing: 218m

5.6 km Return
2 hrs 30 mins

Moderate track

Mackerel Beach Community
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This short walk is a great way to see the beautiful Mackerel Beach and community. After a short ferry ride from Palm Beach, the walk heads up the grassed streets of Mackerel, leading to the lagoon. The track is mainly sandy beach or grass stretches, with the area behind the lagoon winding through a bushland area to bring the track back to Mackerel Beach. This loop is a great short walk, and only a hop, skip and jump away from Palm Beach.

Total climbing: 38m
Note: There is no car transport option to or from this walk.

1.4 km Circuit
45 mins

Moderate track

Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop
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This walk is another great walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, accessed by ferry. From the Mackerel Beach wharf, this walk uses the Resolute Loop track to round the headland, enjoying a few secluded beaches and excellent, historic Aboriginal sites. This walk features Mackerel Beach and community, with an alternative route through the town which is well worth the walk.

Total climbing: 384m
Note: There is no car transport option to or from this walk.

5.4 km Circuit
3 hrs

Hard track


Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop walk starts and ends at the Flint and Steel carpark (gps: -33.578863, 151.28879)
Your main transport option to Flint and Steel carpark 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

Comments

 


Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

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


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 🙂