The Basin Track and Mackerel Track
Download & Print Map and Notes
3 hrs
5.9 km Circuit
226 m
Hard track
(0km) Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd → Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry
360 m
7 mins
13m
-3m
Moderate track
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.
(0.36km) 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 Turn sharp left 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.
(0.36km) Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry → Int. Basin Trk and Euro Trk
1.5 km
27 mins
14m
-62m
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’[1] on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the wide management trail up the hill, not following the ‘Mackarel Service Trail’ signs arrow. The track winds left up the hill and leads up to a high point on a hill with views of the sea. The track then undulates across a saddle and up another hill. The track then leads down the hill for a little while to the sign marked intersection 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’[1] on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the wide management trail up the hill, not following the ‘Mackarel Service Trail’ signs arrow. The track winds left up the hill and leads up to a high point on a hill with views of the sea. The track then undulates across a saddle and up another hill. The track then leads down the hill for a little while to the sign marked intersection on the right.
(1.89km) Int. Basin Trk and Euro Trk → Dam
870 m
18 mins
25m
-42m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the flat, wide Euro track (un-signposted) that heads off the main management trail. The track winds along the hillside as it contours around the hill to the right. After passing a rocky platform, the track comes to the dam and a view into the valley. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
The Basin Dam
The Basin Dam, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large pool of water dammed by a wall, well above The Basin’s lagoon. The dam is reasonably deep, however it is used as a water supply. This is a nice spot to enjoy the views into the valley.
(1.89km) Int. Basin Trk and Euro Trk → The Basin Campsite
780 m
18 mins
8m
-115m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill following the sign to ‘The Basin .7km’. The walk winds sharply and steeply down a trail that becomes cement partway along. The walk continues down to the open grass of the large camping area.
Beechwood Function and Convention Centre
Beechwood Function and Convention Centre, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a historic building situated next to The Basin camping area. The cottage was built in 1882 by convicts, pirates and sailors living in the area at the time. The cottage is now a venue for hire, with space and equipment to cater for 60 people.
More info.
The Basin campground
The Basin Campsite, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large grassed campsite overlooking Pittwater. The Basin is the only place you can camp in the National Park. However, it has capacity to sleep 400 people and many facilities to adequately cope. The Basin is accessible by has ferry and management trail, but there is no car access. There are numerous facilities such as drinking water, flush toilets, picnic tables, electric and wood barbecues, in addition to cold showers, an amenities block and a soft drink vending machine. There is a large lagoon for swimming, and some nice walks to explore.
(2.67km) The Basin Campsite → The Basin Wharf
130 m
2 mins
0m
-3m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the start of the cement road, this walk heads through the campsite, leading past the large dumpster bins on the left. The track heads past the white poles to the wooden shelter near the water – the Basin Wharf.
(2.81km) The Basin Wharf → Mackerel Beach Wharf
2.1 km
32 mins
2m
0m
Easy track
Continue straight: From The Basin Wharf, this walk takes the ferry across Pittwater to Mackerel Beach Wharf. The Palm Beach Ferry service operates hourly from 9am to about 8pm – check their timetable for more info. The ferry starts from Palm Beach and goes via Bennett’s, Bonnie Doon, The Basin, Currawong then Mackerel. PH: 9974 2411. (There is no EFTPOS on board, please carry cash) More info.
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.
(4.9km) Mackerel Beach Wharf → Mackerel North Gate
290 m
6 mins
17m
-3m
Easy track
Turn left : From the wharf, this walk heads south along the beach, keeping the water on the left, for approximately 300m to the gate just behind a boulder and timber stairs on the beach. (one of the last obvious staircases)
(5.19km) Mackerel North Gate → Mackerel South Gate
180 m
4 mins
18m
-5m
Hard track
Veer right: From the gate, this walk heads up the sandstone path through the line of houses. The footpath continues through and under some houses for approximately 200m, contouring with the hillside to a gate which opens onto the bush.
(5.37km) Mackerel South Gate → Currawong Beach
270 m
7 mins
17m
-26m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the gate, this walk heads down the headland away from the house. The track drops down some small rock slopes to continues down the hill side for approximately 200m to Currawong Beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Currawong Beach
Currawong Beach, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a 400m stretch of sand looking east over Pittwater. The beach is situated between The Basin and Mackerel Beach. Currawong Beach has a wharf which allows for access via the water. Backing the beach is Currawong Beach Cottages and some steep hills. ‘Little Mackerel Beach’ was purchased in 1949 by the NSW Labour Council for their members. The resort was called Currawong, which is now the common name for the beach.
(5.37km) Mackerel South Gate → Mackerel Trk Clearing
440 m
10 mins
59m
-4m
Hard track
Turn right: From the gate, this walk heads steeply up the hill. The track climbs up the hillside to the right of a large cube-like boulder (which, itself, makes a great viewpoint). The track then continues up the spur for approximately 50m, passing numerous large, green water tanks on the right of the track. Then the walk leads up the ridge through a ferny area to a clearing at the end of a service track, the intersection.
(5.8km) Mackerel Trk Clearing → Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd
2.1 km
40 mins
97m
-27m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the clearing with views of Mackerel Beach, this walk heads away from the views of the water, down into a saddle to rise up the widening ridge. The track meanders up the wide ridge for a while before meeting a signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads downhill along the wide basin management trail, to the signposted intersection with a track on the left, which heads to the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’[2].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north down the hill (keeping the engravings on the left) to the next signposted intersection with the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ track on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the slight hill away from the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ (initially with the engravings on the left). (If you pass a second ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ sign you have gone the wrong way). The track tends right then heads around a gate, just before coming to the Basin Track car park on West Head Road.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads downhill along the wide basin management trail, to the signposted intersection with a track on the left, which heads to the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’[2].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north down the hill (keeping the engravings on the left) to the next signposted intersection with the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ track on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the slight hill away from the ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ (initially with the engravings on the left). (If you pass a second ‘Aboriginal Engravings’ sign you have gone the wrong way). The track tends right then heads around a gate, just before coming to the Basin Track car park on West Head Road.
Maps for the The Basin Track and Mackerel Track 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 The Basin Track and Mackerel Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Basin Track and Mackerel Track
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 | 5.9 km | ||
| Time | 3 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| 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, 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
2.8km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 2.6km has short steep hills. The remaining (2.5km) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 610m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (130m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
3.7km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 3.6km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (610m) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 180m requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3.5km 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 The Basin Track and Mackerel Track walk starts and ends at the Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd (gps: -33.590099, 151.28222)Your main transport option to Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/tbtamt
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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