Kalkari Discovery trail
Download & Print Map and Notes
30 mins
798 m Circuit
25 m
Very easy
(0km) Kalkari car park → Kalkari Discovery Centre
30 m
1 mins
0m
0m
Very easy
From the Kalkari Discovery Centre car park[1] (on Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd), this walk heads up the short ramp[2] towards the Visitor Centre[3]. At the top of the ramp this walks goes between 2 bollards[4] (1.3m apart, 93cm high), past the picnic table, seats and toilets to the front door[5] of the Discovery Centre. From here the walk heads through the front door (80cm wide, expandable to 1.7m with a 3cm step[6]) into the Visitor Centre with the information desk[7] (on your right).
Kalkari Discovery Centre
Kalkari Discovery Centre[8] is in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, on Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road, Mt Colah. The discovery center is staffed by volunteers from Chase Alive. The center boasts some interesting flora and fauna displays inside[9], and out the back is a large enclosure with emu, kangaroos and other native animals roaming around. Take time to explore the wheelchair-accessible circuit within the fence. There are toilets at the centre. For information, phone 02 9472 9300. There are picnic tables, seats and drinking fountain at the front. There is a large car parking area at the front of the centre with two designated mobility parking bays.
(0.03km) Kalkari Discovery Centre → Kalkari picnic area
40 m
1 mins
1m
0m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the front desk[10] (inside the Kalkari Discovery Centre), this walk leads through the back glass door[11] into the fence enclosure area. The wide concrete path leads for about 35m past the information sign[12] and sheltered 3D map[13] to find short picnic tables and seats[14][15] at the Kalkari picnic area[16].
(0.07km) Kalkari picnic area → Pond intersection
70 m
1 mins
3m
0m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the picnic tables and seats[21][22] at the Kalkari picnic area[23], this walk leads along the concrete path, past the sheltered information sign[24] (on your left). This walk then winds along the path gently uphill for 20m, past the ‘Tallowwood’[25] and ‘White Bottlebrush’[26] signs to a timber bridge (2.2m wide)[27] with timber handrails (1m high)[28]. Continue across the bridge over the pond[29] to reach a 3-way intersection[30], marked with a ‘Kalkari Bush Discovery Track’ sign[31].
(0.14km) Pond intersection → Lookout intersection
110 m
2 mins
0m
-12m
Very easy
Veer right: From the intersection[32], this walk follows the ‘one way’ arrow (marked on the ‘Kalkari Bush Discovery Track’ sign[33]) along the concrete path, directly away from the pond, over a small rise then gently downhill. Over the next 60m this walk passes the ‘Sweet Pittosporum’ sign[34] and comes to a seat[35] (on your left). From the seat this walk continues for another 30m to a 3-way intersection[36], marked with a ‘Sydney Red Gum’ sign[37].
(0.25km) Lookout intersection → The Kalkari Lookout
20 m
1 mins
0m
-9m
Very easy
Kalkari Lookout
The Kalkari Lookout is a timber fenced platform[40] with fantastic views over Cockle Creek[41] and Bobbin Head area. There are a series of seats providing different ways of enjoying this space. The timber fence is 1m tall and provides a view through the slats[42]. A lovely place to sit and enjoy this amazing national park.
(0.25km) Lookout intersection → Eastern loop int.
110 m
2 mins
5m
-1m
Very easy
Turn left: From the intersection[43], this walk meanders gently uphill, following the concrete path directly away from the lookout, leaving the main valley and fence to your right[44]. This walk then heads downhill, past the ‘Old Man Banksia’[45] and ‘Black She-Oak’[46] signs for 100m, over a rise, to come to a 3-way intersection[47] marked with a ‘No hiding place’ sign[48] (on the left).
(0.35km) Eastern loop int. → Western loop int.
110 m
2 mins
0m
-5m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk leads gently uphill along the concrete path, following the NPWS arrow sign[49] and under the power lines[50]. This path bends sharply left and goes up and over a rise for the next 80m, past the ‘Grasstrees’ sign[51] (on the left) to the 3-way intersection with a dirt path with timber steps[52] (on the right), just before the scribbly gum tree with the ‘Die’ sign[53] next to it.
(0.46km) Western loop int. → The Kalkari Outlook
30 m
1 mins
0m
-2m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the intersection[54], this walk heads along the concrete path past the scribbly gum tree (with the ‘Die’ sign[55]) and towards the clearing and the fence[56]. The path soon bends left and then leads gently downhill for the next 10m to the seat[57] on the fenced concrete platform (on the right).
Kalkari Outlook
The Kalkari Outlook is a fenced lookout[58] with views over one of the Kalkari fenced enclosures. At times you will be able to see kangaroos grazing in the clearing. There are two seats with views over the outlook. The lower end of the platform is natural rock[59] and the fence is about 90cm high[60].
(0.49km) The Kalkari Outlook → Pond intersection
180 m
4 mins
16m
-1m
Very easy
Veer left: From the Kalkari Outlook[61], this walk follows the concrete path uphill and directly away from the view. This walk winds through the open forest (near a house) passing signs for a ‘Grey Gum’[62], a ‘Dwarf Apple’[63] and a ‘Scribbly Gum’[64], to pass straight through the 4-way intersection under the power lines[65]. From here this walk leads gently downhill for 25m to a 3-way intersection[66], marked with a ‘Kalkari Bush Discovery Track’ sign[67].
(0.66km) Pond intersection → Kalkari car park
140 m
3 mins
0m
-4m
Very easy
Turn right: From the intersection[68], this walk heads towards the timber fenced bridge (2.2m wide)[69] with timber handrails (1m high)[70], away from the face of the ‘Kalkari Bush Discovery Track’ sign[71]. This walk then winds for 20m gently downhill, leaving the pond on your right, passing the ‘White Bottlebrush’[72], ‘Tallowwood’[73] signs and a sheltered information sign[74] (on your right) to reach the picnic tables and seats[75][76] at the Kalkari picnic area[77].
Continue straight: From picnic tables and seats[78][79] at the Kalkari picnic area[80], this walk leads along the wide concrete path toward the Kalkari Discovery Centre[81]. After 35m this walk leads through the glass back door[82], straight to the front desk[83] (inside of the Kalkari Discovery Centre).
Continue straight: From the information desk[84] at the Kalkari Discovery Centre[85] this walk leads down the hallway[86] (on the car park side) to the front door (80cm wide, expandable to 1.7m with a 3cm step[87]). Walk heads through the door, veers right (away from the toilets) then past seats and picnic table, down the short ramp[88], between 2 bollards[89] (1.3m apart, 93cm high), to the car park[90] (on Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd).
Continue straight: From picnic tables and seats[78][79] at the Kalkari picnic area[80], this walk leads along the wide concrete path toward the Kalkari Discovery Centre[81]. After 35m this walk leads through the glass back door[82], straight to the front desk[83] (inside of the Kalkari Discovery Centre).
Continue straight: From the information desk[84] at the Kalkari Discovery Centre[85] this walk leads down the hallway[86] (on the car park side) to the front door (80cm wide, expandable to 1.7m with a 3cm step[87]). Walk heads through the door, veers right (away from the toilets) then past seats and picnic table, down the short ramp[88], between 2 bollards[89] (1.3m apart, 93cm high), to the car park[90] (on Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd).
Maps for the Kalkari Discovery trail 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 Kalkari Discovery trail bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Kalkari Discovery trail
Accessibility summary information for the Kalkari Discovery trail
Parking: There are 1 designated accessible parking areas on this walk.
Toilets: There are 0 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 7 places to sit on this walk. They are on average 80m apart, with a maximum gap of 270m.
Hazards: There are 0 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Toilets: There are 0 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 7 places to sit on this walk. They are on average 80m apart, with a maximum gap of 270m.
Hazards: There are 0 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Accessibility Details
Found 0m into this walk
Found 10m into this walk
Found 20m into this walk
Found 20m into this walk
Found 70m into this walk
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 | 798 m | ||
| Time | 30 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, 800m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 800m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
This whole walk, 800m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 800m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 800m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 800m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Kalkari Discovery trail walk starts and ends at the Kalkari car park (gps: -33.665258, 151.14905)Your main transport option to Kalkari car park is by;
Car. Parking fees apply in the area.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/kdt
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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