This scenic walk gives an excellent excuse for a ferry ride in Sydney's northern beaches region. The ferry leaves from Palm Beach Ferry Terminal, and crosses Pittwater to The Basin Wharf. The walk then heads around to Mackerel Beach and passes an optional side trip to some historic and interesting Aboriginal engravings. The scenic water views are complemented by the on-water views from a second ferry back to Palm Beach from Mackerel Wharf.
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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 --> Timetable
(0 km)
The Basin Wharf
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The Basin Campsite Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 132 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
From the Basin wharf, this walk heads towards and past the white poles and the large dumpster bins on the right. The walk then continues approximately 50m to the cement road near the information sign of the campsite.
The Basin Campsite
Alt = 1 m
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.
Beechwood Function and Convention Centre
Alt = 1 m
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
(0.13 km)
The Basin Campsite
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Int. Basin Trk and Mackerel Trk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.01 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 175 m
Descent = -18 m
From the camping area, this walk heads up the cement road, following the sign 'West Head Road 2.4km' on the information board. The walk heads steeply up the hill for approximately 500m then turns left sharply. The track then becomes dirt as it continues approximately 300m up the hill to the signposted intersection. From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill following the sign to 'West Head Rd 1.9km'. The track continues to climb up the hill, winding as it does so for some time. As the track passes over the hill, it undulates over two hills with views of the sea behind. The track then winds steeply down the hill for approximately 300m to an intersection on the right, marked by a sign saying 'Mackarel Service Trail'.
(2.15 km)
Int. Basin Trk and Mackerel Trk
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Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 326 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -4 m
From the intersection, the track heads down hill along the wide basin service trial to the sign posted intersection with a track off to the left heading to the 'Aboriginal Engravings'. From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Aboriginal Engravings' sign into the heath and away from the service trail. The track tends right as it follows the wooden edging over the rock surface, between the engravings, to a ramp. The track continues for approximately 10m to the signposted intersection.
The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings
Alt = 163 m
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
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Mackerel Trk Clearing Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.48 km
Time = 28 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -94 m
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.
(3.63 km)
Mackerel Trk Clearing
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Mackerel South Gate Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 437 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -59 m
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.
(4.06 km)
Mackerel South Gate
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Currawong Beach Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 262 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -33 m
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.
Currawong Beach
Alt = 3 m
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.
Currawong Beach Cottages
Alt = 3 m
The Currawong Beach Cottages is a small settlement that was purchased by the Labour Council of NSW in 1949. The cottages, tennis court and golf course are now managed by Unions NSW. More info
(4.06 km)
Mackerel South Gate
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Mackerel North Gate Track: Hard - footpath
Length = 176 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -20 m
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.
Mackerel Beach
Alt = 2 m
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.
(4.24 km)
Mackerel North Gate
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Mackerel Beach Wharf Walk: Easy - beach
Length = 291 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -17 m
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.
(4.53 km)
Mackerel Beach Wharf
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Mackerel Beach Wharf Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 1.41 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -38 m
From the wharf, this walk follows the tarmac pavement to the the corner beneath a large, yellow 'Submarine Cable' sign. The track then turns right, heading along a grassy pathway of Monash Ave. The walk continues along this for approximately 300m to a bridge. From the bridge, this walk crosses the bridge and leads along the grassy path of Diggers Crescent. The walk turns right after approximately 100m, then continues another 100m to a large shed, the 'Mackerel Beach Bush Fire Brigade' shed. From the shed, this walk passes along the left side of the shed, to a small grassy clearing near a lagoon. The walk travels alongside the lagoon for approximately 300m, tending right with the lagoon to open onto a sandy creek bed behind the beach. This walk then continues to the right side of the creek, to continue to the two palm trees on this end of Mackerel Beach. A boulder below the two trees is painted with a black arrow. From the arrow painted boulder, the track heads along the beach, keeping the water to the left. The track leads (for approximately 300m) to the wharf in the middle of the beach.
Catch the ferry to Mackerel beach
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 Please check with the ferry operator for latest info on services --> Timetable
Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport Timetables
To the start of the walk
Catch a 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 Get Timetable Catch a ferry to Mackerel beach 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 Get Timetable
From the end of the walk
Sorry there are no public transport options from the end of this walk
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 10 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
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
not too much longer now :)