Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop
Download & Print Map and Notes
3 hrs
5.4 km Circuit
384 m
Hard track
(0km) Mackerel Beach Wharf → Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach
1 km
21 mins
37m
-32m
Moderate track
From the wharf, this walk follows the tarmac pavement to the the corner beneath a large, yellow ‘Submarine Cable’ sign. The track then turns right, heading along a grassy pathway of Monash Ave. The walk continues along this for approximately 300m to a bridge.
Continue straight: From the bridge, this walk crosses the bridge and leads along the grassy path of Diggers Crescent. The walk turns right after approximately 100m, then continues another 100m to a large shed, the ‘Mackerel Beach Bush Fire Brigade’ shed.
Continue straight: ****Warning: This section of track has been reported as overgrown and no longer passable**** From the shed, this walk passes along the left side of the shed, to a small grassy clearing near a lagoon. The walk travels alongside the lagoon for approximately 300m, tending right with the lagoon to open onto a sandy creek bed behind the beach. This walk then continues to the right side of the creek, to continue to the two palm trees on this end of Mackerel Beach. A boulder below the two trees is painted with a black arrow. Now Turn right to rejoin the main walk .
Continue straight: From the bridge, this walk crosses the bridge and leads along the grassy path of Diggers Crescent. The walk turns right after approximately 100m, then continues another 100m to a large shed, the ‘Mackerel Beach Bush Fire Brigade’ shed.
Continue straight: ****Warning: This section of track has been reported as overgrown and no longer passable**** From the shed, this walk passes along the left side of the shed, to a small grassy clearing near a lagoon. The walk travels alongside the lagoon for approximately 300m, tending right with the lagoon to open onto a sandy creek bed behind the beach. This walk then continues to the right side of the creek, to continue to the two palm trees on this end of Mackerel Beach. A boulder below the two trees is painted with a black arrow. Now Turn right to rejoin the main walk .
(0km) Mackerel Beach Wharf → Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach
350 m
6 mins
5m
-1m
Easy track
Turn sharp left: From the wharf, the walk heads along the beach (keeping the water to your right) for approximately 300m, to the only palm trees on this end of the beach. Below the palm trees is a boulder with a black arrow painted on it.
Mackerel Beach
Mackerel Beach, also known as Great Mackerel Beach, is a 600m stretch of sand facing east over Pittwater. The beach is backed by a lagoon and a small community of houses. Mackerel Beach has a wharf with public ferry access. Mackerel Beach and its southern neighbour, Little Mackerel or Currawong Beach, were originally purchased for farming in 1823 by John Clarke. The land was then subdivided and more than a hundred houses were built, many of which still stand today.
(0.35km) Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach → Int. Resolute AND West Head Beach Tracks
700 m
20 mins
86m
-58m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the palm trees and boulder painted with a black arrow, this walk heads up the hill into the bush, away from the beach. The track climbs to pass a ‘Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park’ sign before meandering along the hillside in an easterly direction, up the hill for approximately 400m. The track then rounds the headland to lead beneath a rocky headland for some time to a signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Resolute’ Beach arrow along the hillside to an un-signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Resolute’ Beach arrow along the hillside to an un-signposted intersection.
(1.05km) Int. Resolute AND West Head Beach Tracks → Resolute Beach
100 m
3 mins
0m
-25m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill towards the water, following the creek line to the beach. The track winds down the hill for approximately 30m to a small creek waterfall. The track is hidden in parts by grasses for approximately 20m before it heads down a few flights of stairs to where the track reaches the beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Resolute Beach
Resolute Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small stretch of sand sitting on the West Head Peninsula between steep headlands. The easterly aspect of the beach overlooks Barrenjoey Headland across the Pittwater.
(1.05km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk → Int. Resolute AND West Head Beach Tracks
630 m
20 mins
76m
-66m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk keeps the water on the right of the track as it follows the hillside around through a creek. The track then turns right, following the coast. The track rises up the hill closer to the cliffline as it heads around a spur. When passing this spur, a gun emplacement is passed (below to the right of the track). The track continues for approximately 200m, undulating around the hillside to the intersection with some steps on the right (which go down to West Head Beach).
(1.68km) Int. West Head Beach and West Head Lookout → West Head Beach
100 m
3 mins
0m
-33m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the staircases to the beach, approximately 100m below.
At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.
West Head Beach
West Head Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small stretch of sand sitting on the West Head Peninsula. The beach has an easterly aspect, facing out of steep hills over Pittwater to the Barrenjoey Headland.
(1.68km) Int. West Head Beach and West Head Lookout → West Head Lookout
350 m
13 mins
76m
-5m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, keeping the water to the right of the track. The walk then turns up two flights of stairs. These staircases pass a small creek waterfall on the right, and a prominent overhang on the left. The track then continues to climb up the ridge, with many sections of cut rock steps. In time, the walk flattens out and continues past an informal, unfenced lookout on a rock landing approximately 100m before this walk reaches the stone-fenced West Head Lookout.
West Head Lookout
West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large paved sandstone viewing area[1] with fantastic views and some interesting interpretive signs[2][3][4][5][6]. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island[7] to Patonga (Central Coast) also across the Pittwater to Barrenjoey Headland[8] and out to sea. The lookout has a series of bench seats and a low (50cm[9]) stone wall. A lovely place to just sit and soak up the views, and history of the area.
(2.03km) West Head Lookout → Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk
820 m
20 mins
70m
-19m
Moderate track
Turn left: From West Head Lookout, this walk follows the sign to ‘Resolute Picnic Area’ along a bush track, which keeps the hill above on the right. The track continues along the hillside to pass a sign pointing to ‘Resolute Picnic Area’ before the track climbs up steps. The track passes a creek on the left and rock formations on the right as the steps lead to the signposted ‘Red Hands Cave’ intersection.
(2.84km) Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk → Resolute Picnic Area
130 m
3 mins
6m
-1m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads along the rocky outcrop keeping it on the left as it heads up the stairs for approximately 30m into Resolute Picnic Area. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Resolute Picnic Area
Resolute picnic area, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large grassed area with benches, shelter, interpretive signs, electric BBQ’s and an environmentally-friendly toilet block. The picnic area does not have drinking water, but does have a pay phone and wheelchair-accessible bathroom with baby-changing area. Resolute picnic area is a great place for lunch, with Red Hands Cave, West Head and Resolute Beach and West Head Lookout tracks starting from the picnic area. The picnic area has adequate parking and a bus turn-around area.
(2.84km) Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk → Red Hands Cave
20 m
0m
-1m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads down the hill, following the rocky outcrop to the right of the track. The walk follows this for approximately 30m to the interpretation signs for Red Hands Cave.
Red Hands Cave
Red Hands Cave, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small rock overhang just near Resolute Picnic Area. The red hands are made by ochre, clay, being blown over an outspread hand. This Aboriginal rock art has been given an estimation of approximately 2000 years in age.
(2.87km) Red Hands Cave → Int. West Head Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk
130 m
2 mins
5m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From Red Hands Cave, this walk heads along the bottom of the rocky outcrop, keeping it to the right of the track. The walk then ascends some stairs, passing up and around the rock shelf. After this, the track turns left as it continues, climbing slightly to the signposted intersection with the service trail.
(3km) Int. West Head Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk → Engravings
360 m
6 mins
1m
-17m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill for a short time, to the information sign on the left of the track.
Engavings
The engravings on West Head were made by the indigenous Guringai people. The engravings depict a man, shark/whale and two eels.
(3.36km) Engravings → Int. Headland Track and Engravings Bushtrack
190 m
4 mins
0m
-18m
Hard track
Turn left : From the engraving of the man, this walk heads off the rock shelf near a vegetation-covered sign indicating the ‘Headland Track’. The track winds through dense scrub for about 200m to the intersection with the management trail, the Headland Track.
(3.55km) Int. Headland Track and Engravings Bushtrack → Int. Headland Track and Resolute Beach Trk
680 m
14 mins
8m
-51m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill towards the water for some time. After a few turns in the service trail, the track winds down a steep slope for approximately 300m to the intersection, where there is a sign indicating the way to ‘Resolute Beach’.
(4.23km) Int. Headland Track and Resolute Beach Trk → Int. Cave Trk and Resolute Beach Trk
60 m
2 mins
2m
-12m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down a flight of stairs following the sign to ‘Resolute Beach’. The walk then turns left down more steps to head below a small cliffline, and comes to a sign at an intersection with a track on the left (which heads down to a cave).
(4.29km) Int. Cave Trk and Resolute Beach Trk → Cave
20 m
1 mins
2m
0m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the rock formations, following the hillside. The track then enters an overhang of a cave. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.
(4.29km) Int. Cave Trk and Resolute Beach Trk → Mackerel Beach Wharf
1.1 km
29 mins
55m
-135m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill for approximately 50m towards the sea. The track then heads down a flight of stairs and continues down another staircase to the intersection, marked ‘Mackerel’ and ‘Resolute’ beaches.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the signpost to ‘Mackerel’ heading along the hillside beneath a rocky outcrop on the headland. The track then meanders along the hillside, undulating slightly for approximately 400m to pass a ‘Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park’ sign. From the sign, the walk then heads down to two palm trees and a boulder painted with a black arrow on the beach.
Continue straight: From the arrow painted boulder, the walk heads along the beach, keeping the water to the left. After approximately 300m, the walk comes to the wharf in the middle of the beach.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the signpost to ‘Mackerel’ heading along the hillside beneath a rocky outcrop on the headland. The track then meanders along the hillside, undulating slightly for approximately 400m to pass a ‘Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park’ sign. From the sign, the walk then heads down to two palm trees and a boulder painted with a black arrow on the beach.
Continue straight: From the arrow painted boulder, the walk heads along the beach, keeping the water to the left. After approximately 300m, the walk comes to the wharf in the middle of the beach.
Maps for the Mackerel Beach and Resolute 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 Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mackerel Beach and Resolute 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 | 5.4 km | ||
| Time | 3 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| 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
3.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 850m has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 630m is very steep and the remaining 360m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
2.6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.3km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (540m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
2.8km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 1.8km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (820m) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 4.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1km 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
3.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (1km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop walk starts and ends at the Mackerel Beach Wharf (gps: -33.59039, 151.30075)Your main transport option to Mackerel Beach Wharf is by;
Ferry. Palm Beach Ferry service operates hourly from 9am to about 8pm – check their timetable for more info. The ferry starts at Palm Beach and goes via Bennett’s, Bonnie Doon, The Basin, Currawong then Mackerel. Ph: 9974 2411 (get details)Important Note: There is no car transport option to the start of this walk.
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mbarl
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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