Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Basin to Mackerel hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Basin to Mackerel
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
1 Hrs 45 mins
4.5 km
205 m
One way
10.4 km NNE of Terrey Hills
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Track: Hard
This track is an excellent excuse for a ferry ride. The ferry leaves from Palm Beach Ferry Terminal to The Basin Wharf. The track heads up the hill and around to Mackerel Beach as it passes a side trip to some excellent Aboriginal engravings. The scenic water views are complimented by the on water views from the ferry back to Palm Beach from Mackerel Wharf.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
You can promote your organisation on the web and in the bush by sponsoring a set of Wildwalks tracknotes. Sponsorship starts from $10 per/month. This program is unique and will offer a great return on your investment.
Catch the ferry to The Basin
Palm Beach Ferry service opertates hourly from 9am to about 8pm check their timetable for more info. The ferry starts at Palm Beach and goes via Benntt's, Bonnie Doon, before arrinving at The basin Please check with the ferry operator for latest info on services --> Link to timetable
(0 km) The Basin Wharf to The Basin Campsite Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
From the wharf the track heads north past the white poles and the large dumpster bins on the right. The track then continues approximately 50m to the cement road at the northern end of the campsite.
The Basin Campsite
Alt = 1
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 in the National Park. However, with a capacity for 400 people and many facilities it can adequately cope. The Basin has ferry and service trail access, but no car access. There are numerous facilities such as drinking water, flush toilets, picnic tables, electric/gas/wood barbecues and a coke vending machine.
Beechwood Function and Convention Centre
Alt = 1
Beechwood Function and Convention Centre, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a historical builing 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 hired venue with space and equipment to cater for 60 people. More info
(0.13 km) The Basin Campsite to Int. Basin Trk and Mackerel Trk Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 2 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 175 m
Descent = -18 m
From camping area the track heads north up the cement road. The track then heads steeply up the hill north east for approximately 500m to turn left sharply. The track then becomes dirt as it continues approximately 300m north west up the hill to the signs at an intersection. From the intersection the track heads north east up the hill. The track winds left up the hill and leads up to a highpoitn on a knoll with views of the sea. The track then heads in a westerly direction for approximately 500m to climb right, across a saddle and up a knoll. The track then heads north west down a hill for a little while to the sign marked intersection.
(2.15 km) Int. Basin Trk and Mackerel Trk to Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail, bushtrack
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -4 m
From the intersection the track heads west winding down hill for approximately 150m to the sign marked 'Aboriginal Engravings'. From the intersection the track heads west from the metal 'Aboriginal Engraving' sign. The track tends right, north east, as it follows the wooden edging over the rock surface, between the engravings to a ramp. The track continues for approximately 10m to the intersection.
The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings
Alt = 163
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.
(2.15 km) Int. Basin Trk and Mackerel Trk to Mackerel Trk Clearing Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 1.5 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -94 m
From the intersection the track heads east to the sea with burnt bush on the right and unburnt heath on the left. The track meanders down the wide spur for approximately 1km. The track then leads along a narrower area of the spur and into a saddle. The track then continues to undulate south east to the a clearing with a view of Mackerel Beach.
(3.63 km) Mackerel Trk Clearing to Mackerel South Gate Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -59 m
From the intersection the track follows the spur east out to sea. The track winds down the spur passing numerous large green water tanks to the left of the track as it 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 track then leads to a small gate on the track before a brown wooden house.
(4.06 km) Mackerel South Gate to Currawong Beach Optional Side Trip: Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -33 m
From the gate the track heads south heading around and down the headland. The track drops down some small rock slopes to continues down the hill side for approximately 200m to the Currawong Beach.
Currawong Beach
Alt = 3
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 its only transport via the water. Backing the beach is Currawong Beach Cottages and 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.
Currawong Beach Cottages
Alt = 3
The Currawong Beach Cottages is a small settlement that was purchased by the Labour Council of NSW in 1949. The areas cottages, tennis court, and golf course is now managed by Unions NSW. More info
(4.06 km) Mackerel South Gate to Mackerel North Gate Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -20 m
From the gate the track heads south through houses contouring with the hillside. The track winds through and under some houses for for approximately 200m to a gate befroe the beach.
Mackerel Beach
Alt = 2
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 was 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.
(4.24 km) Mackerel North Gate to Mackerel Beach Wharf Walk: Easy - beach
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -17 m
From the track heads onto the beach and continues north for approximately 300m to the wharf in the middle of the beach.
(4.53 km) Mackerel Beach Wharf to Mackerel Beach Wharf Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack, servicetrail, bushtrack, bushtrack
Distance = 1.4 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -38 m
From the wharf the track heads south following the tarmac pavement to the the corner beneath a 'Submarine Cable' sign. The track then turns right heading west along a grassy pathway, Monash Ave. The track continues along this for approximately 300m to a bridge. The track crosses the bridge and leads along the grassy path of Diggers Crescent. The track turns right after approximately 100m to continue another 100m to a large shed, the Mackerel Beach Bush Fire Brigade shed. From the shed the track passes along the left side of the shed to a small grassy clearing near a lagoon. The track passes through the lagoon to continue along the waters edge or near to the edge. The track leads for approximately 300m tending right with the lagoon to open onto a sandy creek bed behind the beach. The track then continues to the right side of the creek, to continue north east to the two palm trees on the northern end of Mackerel Beach. A boulder below the two trees is painted with a black arrow. From the boulder the track heads south, water on the left, along the beach for approximately 300m to the wharf in the middle of the beach.
Catch the ferry to Mackerel
Palm Beach Ferry service opertates hourly from 9am to about 8pm check their timetable for more info. The ferry starts at Palm Beach and goes via Benntt's, Bonnie Doon, The basin, Currawong before arriving at Mackerel. Please check with the ferry operator for latest info on services --> Link to timetable
Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
A largely untouched wilderness on the northern boundary of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP is one of Australia's oldest national parks. Here at the head of the Hawkesbury River, you'll find Aboriginal engravings and sites, as well as sandstone escarpments,
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
