Sphinx, Warrimoo and Bobbin Head tracks
Download & Print Map and Notes
4 hrs
9.6 km Circuit
499 m
Moderate track
Sphinx Memorial
Private Shirley spent one and a half years carving this monument whilst a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital. William Shirley was in hospital, being treated after serving in WW1. Shirley died in 1929, leaving this memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades.
“To my glorious comrades of the A.I.F
by the late W. Shirley
No 5756 Pte. 13th Battalion
Died 27th August 1928” More info.
(0.06km) Int of Sphinx Memorial Track and Sphinx service trail → Int of Sphinx walking Track and Service trail
10 m
0m
-1m
Easy track
(0.07km) Int of Sphinx walking Track and management trail → Int of Sphinx walking and Warrimoo Tracks
1.1 km
25 mins
17m
-140m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Sphinx Walking Track’ sign[6] fairly steeply down the series of timber steps[7]. This walk follows the rocky track[8] and timber steps[9] for 300m to flatten out and pass between two tall eucalyptus[10], then just shy of 150m later this walk comes to a shallow sandstone overhang[11] (on your right). The mostly flat track continues along the side of the valley for about 30m[12] to then head down a series of and carved stone and timber steps[13] for 50m to cross a usually small creek on a sandstone rock platform[14]. From here the track leads gently downhill along the side of the valley among the grass trees[15] for almost 200m to cross a smaller often dry creek on a sandstone rock platform[16]. Here the track gently undulates along the side of the hill crossing a few pleasant rock platforms[17] for 130m to pass under the high tension power lines[18]. Now the track begins to zig-zags quite steeply in places, for almost 250m, down a series of timber and stone steps[19] to a T-intersection[20] in a flat ferny forest. Here there is a ‘Sphinx Track – Nth. Turramurra’ sign[21] pointing back up the rocky track.
(1.12km) Int of Sphinx walking and Warrimoo Tracks → Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks
3.7 km
1 hr 32 mins
242m
-245m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head’ arrow on the ‘Warrimoo Track’ sign[22] along the clear track that leads through the mostly flat ferny section, keeping Cowan Creek some distance to your right. After about 100m the track leaves the ferns and passes under a set of high tension power lines[23] where the track undulates along the side of the hill close to Cowan Creek[24] crossing a few small gullies for about 900m to then pass along a long natural sandstone wall[25]. About 150m after this wall the track leads just below a notable sandstone overhang[26] (up to your left) where the track then starts to head downhill for just over 100m
to a fairly open grassy salt marsh[27]. The walk stays just to the left of the salt marsh then leads along the edge of a section of mangroves[28] for 100m where the track bends left[29] and leads along side the creek for another 100m to then cross a creek at a wide rocky gully[30]. This is a pleasant cool spot with the usually small creek flowing over the sandstone rock platform with naturally carved holes[31]. For the next 200m the track undulates gently along the foreshore through the casuarina forest[32] to come to a tall overhang[33] that is on a rock platform right on the edge of Cowan Creek, a pleasant place to rest. This section of track may become covered with water at high tide.
From the tall overhang the track continues along the shortening natural rock wall[34] for about 150m
to then lead along another section of mangroves[35] for 150m. About 60m past the mangroves the track crosses a short flat timber bridge[36], then over the next 200m the track crosses a mossy gully and densely forested gully[37] where the rocky track climbs[38] over a rise, past some large smooth bark angophora’s[39] then down to another tall and long rock wall[40] and some more pleasant water views[41].
Just 20m past this rock wall the track bends left[42] and leads alongside the edge of the mangroves[43] for 200m, were again the track may be covered with water at high tides. From the end of the mangroves the rocky track climbs[44] for about 200m before continuing along the water side through a casuarina forest[45] as the track gently undulates over some rocky sections passing some pleasant water views[46] for 400m to pass below another fairly large sandstone cave/overhang[47] (up the hill to your left). Over the next 250m the track leads through a grassy section[48] beside the creek before crossing a shallow gully over a scattering of sandstone blocks[49][50]. Over the next 300m the mostly flat track leads through a tall wooded forest[51] filled with ferns and crossing a few middens[52] to come to an three-way intersection, just before the marina, marked with a ‘Warrimoo Ave & Sphinx Memorial’ sign[53] pointing back along the track.
(4.83km) Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks → Empire Marina
170 m
3 mins
6m
-5m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head Picnic Area’ sign[54] along the mostly flat track following the foreshore, keeping the water and boats to your right. After about 30m this walk follows a fence and handrail[55] behind a dry dock[56] for 40m. Here the track narrows a bit to head between the rock face and buildings[57] for 100m to turn right at a ‘Warrimo Track’ sign[58] and a yellow painted walker (on the ground). Here the walk heads through the hallway, past the public toilets[59] to the water front of Empire Marina, beside the ‘Kiosk’[60] (on your right). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Empire Marina – Galley Foods cafe
Empire Marina, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, provides facilities and services for people on boats and on foot. The marina is home to “Galley Foods” kiosk and restaurant. The kiosk provides a variety of food priced between $4-$16, and is open from 8:30am to 5pm seven days. The restaurant requires reservations, and is open for lunch Thurs-Mon, breakfast on the weekend, and in dinner on Fridays and Saturdays in summer. Phone 9457 0477 More info.
(4.83km) Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks → int. near gate on Bobbin Head trail
200 m
8 mins
48m
-5m
Moderate track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up the concrete steps[61] away from the face of the ‘Warrimoo Track’ sign[62]. The track immediately bends right and follows just above the other track for a short distance before winding uphill passing some pleasant rock formations[63] for just over 60m to a rock platform[64] with views over Cowan Creek and the marina[65]. Here the track bends left and winds up some more stone steps[66] to an intersection with a wide trail, where a sign points back down to ‘Bobbin Head’[67].
(5.03km) int. near gate on Bobbin head trail → Water Tank
1.4 km
31 mins
140m
-28m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail uphill, this trail was part of original road down to Bobbin Head and is now closed to traffic. After about 80m the trail leads under a set of power lines[68] then continues to wind uphill for 250m to bend sharply right[69], passing under the same set of power lines[70] again. Over the next 250m the trail bends sharply left[71] then passes under the same set of power lines yet again, this time with a good view over Cowan Creek[72] (to your left). The trail bends right to pass under the power lines[73] again just 100m later then continues winding up in a similar way for just over 600m to head up a short steeper section[74] to find an old concrete water tank beside the trail[75] (on your left).
(6.44km) Water Tank → Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site
1.3 km
22 mins
28m
-21m
Easy track
Continue straight: From beside the water tank, this walk follows the wide trail uphill[76] following a metal pipe[77] for almost 250m where the trail mostly flattens out at a large cleared turning area[78]. Here the trail continues for another 80m to pass under a set of power lines[79] then about 500m later the trail leads past a small bulldozed clearing[80] (on your right). This walk continues following the trail along the ridge line for 400m passing through a mixed eucalypt forest [81] to come to an intersection with a short track[82] (on your right) that leads to the signposted ‘The Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site’[83] (about 90m before some power lines).
Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site
The Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site, is signposted[84] off the side of the old Bobbin Head Road and is home to a series of engravings on a sandstone rock platform. The engravings are behind a series timber log barriers[85] designed to reduce further wear on these faint engravings, please stay off the engravings area. If you look carefully you may see the engravings of a wallaby, gliding possum, bird, goanna the Information board also shows there are two emus[87]. More info.
(7.69km) Bobbin Head Track Aboriginal Engraving Site → Int of Bobbin Head and Sphinx service tracks
1.5 km
25 mins
17m
-19m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the trail south west, towards the power lines, initially keeping the engraving site on your right[88]. After 90m the
trail bends and passes under a set of power lines[89] then continues for almost 300m to head under two sets of high tension power lines[90][91]. The trail then continues for almost 150m to pass under the same set of smaller power lines again[92] then 300m later this walk ignores another trail[93] (on you left) to continue straight on the main trail. About 150m later the trail then leads under the same set of smaller power lines[94] once again to gently undulate along the ridge among the tall heath then a few scribbly gums for just over 400m to come to a three-way intersection, marked with a ‘Bobbin Head Trail’ sign[95] pointing back along the walk.
(9.18km) Int of Bobbin Head and Sphinx service tracks → Int of Sphinx Memorial Track and Sphinx service trail
370 m
9 mins
1m
-31m
Easy track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Sphinx Trail’[96] along the wide trail for about 20m to the pass under some power lines[97], clearly visible from the intersection. The walk continues gently down along this trail[98] for just over 100m to pass a faint track[99] (on your right). From there the trail begins to steepen and leads more distinctly downhill[100] for just over 150m where the trail then bends right[101] to cross the culverted creek[102]. About 20m after, this walk comes to an intersection with an asphalt path (on your right) marked with a sign pointing back along the trail to the ‘Bobbin Head Walking Tack’[103].
(9.54km) Int of Sphinx Memorial Track and Sphinx fire trail → Sphinx Memorial
60 m
1 mins
6m
0m
Easy track
Maps for the Sphinx, Warrimoo and Bobbin Head tracks 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 Sphinx, Warrimoo and Bobbin Head tracks bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Sphinx, Warrimoo and Bobbin Head tracks
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 | 9.6 km | ||
| Time | 4 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (About 10m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 4.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (480m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 3.2km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 4.8km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 4.8km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3.2km 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 Sphinx, Warrimoo and Bobbin Head tracks walk starts and ends at the Sphinx Memorial (gps: -33.688678, 151.15581)Your transport options to Sphinx Memorial are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/swbh
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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