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Smiths Creek

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

5.3 km Return

254 m

Moderate track
This return walk to Smiths Creek offers a quiet spot to sit by a creek or explore open grasslands, while being surrounded by Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. There is plenty of shade available to cool off on a hot day, before climbing back up the wide trail to Terrey Hills and the start of the walk.

Maps for the Smiths Creek 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 Smiths Creek bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Smiths Creek

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 5.3 km
Time 2 hrs 30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track 		AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
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

Around 2.6km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 65m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 2.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 2.6km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 65m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 2.6km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Smiths Creek walk.
Perimeter Trail
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This Perimeter Trail walk contours gently around the northern side of Terrey Hills on a wide mostly level trail, with occasional views across Ku-Ring-Gai National Park. However, it is the side trips that make this walk truly worthwhile – if you are only going to do one side trip, the lookdown into Cowan Creek from Wilkins Viewpoint is fabulous. With a variety of side trip options and easy access to the start and finish, this walk is well worth considering.

Total climbing: 214m

7.2 km One way
2 hrs 45 mins

Moderate track

The Perimeter Trail to Smiths Creek
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This walk to Smiths Creek follows a wide trail for most of the way, however it is well worth the walk, for Smiths Creek is a lovely spot with open grasslands and a creek to explore. The optional side trip to Wilkins Viewpoint is also worthwhile, with a fabulous view into Cowan Creek – consider including it on the return journey, to break up the walk home.

Total climbing: 576m

16.1 km Return
6 hrs

Moderate track


Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Smiths Creek walk.
Nerang Viewpoint
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At Nerang Viewpoint, the ground drops away to the north, giving views across to the neighboring forested ridges. This is a short and quiet walk and feels ‘off the beaten track’. Initially this walk follows a wide trail, but this soon changes to a foot track following a broad ridge north through scribbly gums and wild flowers. The track has some small uphill and downhill sections and is eroded in places.

Total climbing: 92m

2.4 km Return
1 Hr

Hard track

Duffy’s Track and Slade Lookout
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A less frequented track, this rough, steep bush track abounds with wildlife including goannas and black snakes. Slade Lookout is definitely worth the short trip along the management trail to see good views over the marina at Bobbin Head. The mangroves at Duffy’s Wharf (Cowan Creek) are also teeming with wildlife.

Total climbing: 214m

2.5 km Return
1 hr 30 mins

Moderate track

The Slade Lookout Track
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This is a short walk along a popular horse riding trail, going to a great lookout over Bobbin Head. The lookout is a lovely spot, so allow time just to sit on the boulders and enjoy the view.

Total climbing: 55m

1.6 km Return
45 mins

Moderate track

Centre Track
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This interesting walk explores a rocky ridge top of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk is through heathland that flowers in a mass of colour in spring. The track also visits a tessellated pavement and some Aboriginal engravings.

Total climbing: 195m

6.7 km Return
2 hrs 30 mins

Moderate track

The Perimeter Trail to Wilkins Viewpoint
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This Perimeter Trail walk to Wilkins Viewpoint, near Terrey Hills offers a beautiful view into the waters of Cowan Creek. The setting and views at Wilkins Viewpoint are worth the walking, which is mostly along wide trails. This is a good walk in which to see some typical Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park scenery.

Total climbing: 137m

5.5 km Return
2 hrs

Moderate track

The Wilkins Track
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This walk follows a well-defined management trail to one of the best views of Cowan Creek in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. At the halfway point, there is a great spot to sit, relax and enjoy the scenery and the surrounds.

Total climbing: 130m

5.2 km Return
1 hr 45 mins

Moderate track

Bobbin Head Boardwalk
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This is a short and pretty walk that can be enjoyed by everyone. It makes a nice addition to a picnic or paddle at Bobbin Head. Starting from the southern end of the Bobbin Head picnic area, you will enjoy great views of Cockle Creek from the bridge, then meander along the boardwalk through the mangroves. There are information signs to help you learn more about the environment and plenty of opportunities to see the mangroves and crabs up close.

Total climbing: 17m

552 m Return
15 mins

Very easy

Bobbin Head Rainforest walk
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This pleasant walk starts from the southern end of Bobbin Head, and enjoys blend of mangrove and rainforest environs. The well-signposted track gives you the opportunity to see the mangrove wildlife up close, and also a historic Aboriginal axe grinding stone and some temperate rainforest.

Total climbing: 82m

1.6 km Return
40 mins

Moderate track

Kalkari and Birrawanna Loop Tracks
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This great circuit walk enjoys some views of Cowan Creek and explores the many ferns through the open forest. The walk starts at the Kalkari Discovery Centre and follows the Birrawanna Loop Track down to Bobbin Head, a large picnic area with kiosk, toilets, BBQ’s and more. The walk then continues up through the bush to the National Park Regional Office, before returning to the Kalkari.

Total climbing: 298m

5.2 km Circuit
2 hrs 15 mins

Hard track

Kalkari Discovery trail
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This pleasant walk starts with a wander through the interesting Kalkari Discovery Center. Enjoy the displays and chat with the volunteers before heading out the back door to find the rest of the walk. The walk follows the concrete path past more information signs and a lovely pond. As you wander through the large fenced enclosure keep an eye out for wallabies, bush turkeys and other animals. The main lookout provides stunning views and well worth spending time to enjoy.

Total climbing: 25m

798 m Circuit
30 mins

Very easy

Birrawanna Track
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This pleasant walk starts near the kiosk at Bobbin Head, climbing the sandstone stairs and then follows a defined track to the Kalkari Discovery Centre. Kalkari is well worth spending some time exploring, with opportunities to learn about and mix with the local flora and fauna.

Total climbing: 262m

4.4 km Return
2 hrs

Moderate track

Cockle Creek Lookout Return
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This is a great walk for visitors looking for a reasonably short adventure after lunch. The leisurely walk starts from the cafe and information centre at Bobbin Head and follows the Warrimoo Track up the hill to the Cockle Creek Lookout, before returning along the same route.

Total climbing: 94m

1.1 km Return
1 Hr

Hard track


Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Smiths Creek walk starts and ends at the Booligal Rd (gps: -33.673757, 151.20853)
Your transport options to Booligal Rd are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(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/tsct


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 🙂