Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop
Download & Print Map and Notes
5 hrs
8.6 km Circuit
422 m
Hard track
(0km) Palm Beach → Mackerel Beach Wharf
1.9 km
28 mins
2m
0m
Easy track
From the Palm Beach ferry terminal, the walk uses the ferry to cross Pittwater to the Mackerel Beach wharf. After getting off the ferry, walk goes to the beach end of the wharf. The 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 More info.
(1.89km) Mackerel Beach Wharf → Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk
1 km
25 mins
90m
-53m
Moderate track
Turn right: 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.
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 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.
(2.9km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk → Cave
140 m
5 mins
47m
-2m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads up a staircase for approximately 30m. The track then turns after the set of stairs. The track leads up the hill to the signposted intersection, with the cave to the right of the track in the cliffs.
Veer right: 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 Turn left .
Veer right: 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 Turn left .
(2.9km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk → Int. Resolute AND West Head Beach Tracks
40 m
1 mins
1m
-6m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Resolute’ Beach arrow along the hillside to an un-signposted intersection.
(2.94km) 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.
(2.94km) 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).
(3.57km) 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.
(3.57km) 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.
(3.92km) 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.
(4.74km) 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. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
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.
(4.74km) 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.
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.
(4.87km) Resolute Picnic Area → Flint and Steel carpark
1.1 km
24 mins
28m
-56m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads away from ‘Resolute Day Visitor Area’, keeping it behind and to the left. The walk continues to undulate and wind along the road for approximately 600m, to the unsignposted track on the left, marked by a green metal gate.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill towards the ‘Crest’ road sign. The walk continues down the steep hill to the signposted intersection of ‘Flint and Steel’ car park.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill towards the ‘Crest’ road sign. The walk continues down the steep hill to the signposted intersection of ‘Flint and Steel’ car park.
(5.97km) Flint and Steel carpark → Flint and Steel beach
1.1 km
29 mins
36m
-173m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the back of the car park, the walk follows the ‘Flint and Steel Track’ sign along the bush track heading down through the bush. The walk drops down some stairs and turns right at the old ‘Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park’ sign, then left down the side of the hill. After about 100m, the walk continues down a set of stairs and then down the bush track to the signposted intersection.
Veer right: From intersection, this walk follows the ‘Flint and Steel Beach 700m’ arrow through a palm grove, along the ridge, with views across Hawkesbury River to Lion Island. The track runs parallel to rock formations on the left before winding its way through the trees and down the boardwalk, with the large rocks to the left. Soon the track heads through some pine trees and comes to an intersection of a bush track, near some large boulders on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track heading straight down the hill towards the beach, splitting for a about 10m before coming to a rock shelf above the waterline. From here, the track turns right and follows this rock shelf for about 20m, onto Flint and Steel Beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.
Veer right: From intersection, this walk follows the ‘Flint and Steel Beach 700m’ arrow through a palm grove, along the ridge, with views across Hawkesbury River to Lion Island. The track runs parallel to rock formations on the left before winding its way through the trees and down the boardwalk, with the large rocks to the left. Soon the track heads through some pine trees and comes to an intersection of a bush track, near some large boulders on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track heading straight down the hill towards the beach, splitting for a about 10m before coming to a rock shelf above the waterline. From here, the track turns right and follows this rock shelf for about 20m, onto Flint and Steel Beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.
Flint and Steel Beach
Flint and Steel Beach, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a small north-east facing stretch of sand. The beach is hemmed in by prominent headlands on either side and backed by a grassy hill. A seat on the hill lends views over the Hawkesbury River to Patonga and Lion Island, with Box Head in the background.
(5.97km) Flint and Steel carpark → Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd
1.5 km
27 mins
36m
-25m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the smaller hill, keeping the Flint and Steel car park to the right. The walk winds along the road for some time before coming to an area where old metal fence posts mark the intersection on the right-hand side of the road.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south along West Head Road, keeping the metal fence poles behind and to the right. The track continues to wind down the road for approximately 700m to meet the Basin car park and intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south along West Head Road, keeping the metal fence poles behind and to the right. The track continues to wind down the road for approximately 700m to meet the Basin car park and intersection.
(7.44km) Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd → Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry
360 m
7 mins
13m
-3m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the car park, this walk follows the management trail around the green gate, keeping West Head Rd on the right. The walk continues along the trail, which tends to the left, and soon comes to a signposted intersection with the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ track on the right.
(7.81km) Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry → Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Exit
110 m
2 mins
3m
-1m
Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ sign into the heath and away from the management trail. The track tends left, to a ramp after approximately 10m. The track follows the wooden edging over the rock surface, between the engravings, heading to the signposted intersection on the management trail again. Now Veer right to rejoin the main walk .
The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings
The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large rock surface scattered with Aboriginal engravings. The engravings depict men, fish, hopping wallabies and a club. The engravings are marked with interpretive signs which outline where on the rocks the engravings are and how they were made.
(7.81km) Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry → Mackerel Trk Clearing
1.8 km
33 mins
14m
-94m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south up the hill (keeping the engravings on the right) to the next signposted intersection with the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ track on the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk winds gently uphill along the management trail, keeping the engravings track initially on the right. The management trail then comes to the intersection with the signposted ‘Mackerel service trail’[10] on the left.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the sea, following the arrow sign ‘Mackerel Service Trail’. The track meanders down the wide spur for approximately 1km, to then lead along a narrower area of the spur and into a saddle. The track continues to undulate to a clearing with a view over Mackerel Beach and Pittwater Bay.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk winds gently uphill along the management trail, keeping the engravings track initially on the right. The management trail then comes to the intersection with the signposted ‘Mackerel service trail’[10] on the left.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the sea, following the arrow sign ‘Mackerel Service Trail’. The track meanders down the wide spur for approximately 1km, to then lead along a narrower area of the spur and into a saddle. The track continues to undulate to a clearing with a view over Mackerel Beach and Pittwater Bay.
(9.59km) Mackerel Trk Clearing → Mackerel Beach Wharf
900 m
20 mins
12m
-94m
Hard track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ridge down towards the sea. The track winds down the ridge, passing numerous large green water tanks to the left of the track, as the walk continues for approximately 50m to a lookout on a large boulder. The track heads down the left side of the boulder, winding steeply down the hillside to houses. The walk then leads to a small gate on the track in front of a brown wooden house.
Turn left: From the gate, this walk heads through the gate, then winds between and under the houses for approximately 200m, coming to a gate before the beach.
Veer left: From the gate, this walk heads onto the beach and continues for approximately 300m across the beach to the wharf in the middle of the beach.
Turn left: From the gate, this walk heads through the gate, then winds between and under the houses for approximately 200m, coming to a gate before the beach.
Veer left: From the gate, this walk heads onto the beach and continues for approximately 300m across the beach to the wharf in the middle of the beach.
(10.49km) Mackerel Beach Wharf → Palm Beach
1.9 km
28 mins
0m
-2m
Easy track
Turn right: From Mackerel Beach wharf, this walk uses the ferry to cross Pittwater to the Palm Beach wharf. After arriving at the Palm Beach wharf, the walk goes into the car park. The 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 More info.
Maps for the Mackerel Beach, West Head 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, West Head Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mackerel Beach, West Head 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 | 8.6 km | ||
| Time | 5 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
5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 4.1km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 2.6km has short steep hills and the remaining 630m is very steep.
Quality of track
7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.6km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 1.5km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 960m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.2km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 12km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 850m requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 12km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 4.1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (670m) 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, West Head Loop walk starts and ends at the Palm Beach (gps: -33.595749, 151.31911)Your transport options to Palm Beach are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. Parking fees apply in the area.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mbwhl
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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