This great circuit walk enjoys a variety of landscapes in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk starts at the historic Sphinx war memorial and follows a series of popular walking tracks that loop around Bobbin Head, including historic Aboriginal engravings, temperate rainforest and a lookout. As the track passes through Bobbin Head, it provides a great opportunity to take a break and pick up a snack at the kiosk before continuing on the return leg.
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
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 km)
Sphinx Memorial
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Int of Sphinx Memorial Track and Sphinx service trail Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 61 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
From the Sphinx memorial, this walk follows the asphalt trail heading down the hill and through the bush to the intersection with the Sphinx fire trail.
(0.06 km)
Int of Sphinx Memorial Track and Sphinx service trail
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Int of Sphinx walking Track and Service trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 19 m
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk heads south-east (with the asphalt path on the right) for about 15m until coming to an intersection with the bush track signposted as the 'Sphinx Track'.
(0.08 km)
Int of Sphinx walking Track and Service trail
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Int of Sphinx walking and Warrimoo Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 895 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -108 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sphinx Walking Track' arrow down the long hill using the wooden and rock steps, until crossing a small creek and flattening out. Along the flat, the track is a rough bush track, scattered with small boulders, and after about 150m it is possible to see out over Cowan Creek. After a short while, the track once again begins to descend steeply into the valley, winding down to the signposted intersection with the 'Warrimoo Track' just above the waterline.
(0.98 km)
Int of Sphinx walking and Warrimoo Tracks
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Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 3.43 km
Time = 1 hr 31 mins
Climb = 252 m
Descent = -269 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bobbin Head' arrow along the rocky track as it heads through the ferns, undulating gently while the keeping Cowan Creek to the right. In time, this walk comes to the intersection of the Sphinx Track, just as the boats at the wharf come into view. Along this section of the walk, there are many large rock features above the track on the left and on the other side of the creek.
(4.41 km)
Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks
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Empire Marina Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 154 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -12 m
From the intersection, this walk heads towards the marina, keeping Cowan Creek on the right as it passes behind the docking stations and joins onto an asphalt path. This walk follows the path along the side of the long building, passing a few roller doors until it turns right, following the track markers through a short hallway to the wharf on the other side of the building.
Empire Marina - Galley Foods cafe
Alt = 6 m
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
(4.56 km)
Empire Marina
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Bobbin Head Kiosk Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath,road,road
Length = 413 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -10 m
From the wharf, this walk follows the waters edge, keeping Cowan Creek on the right as it continues past the car park on the concrete footpath. The walk passes through a metal gate to the larger car park on the other side. From here, the walk heads through the car park to the signpost pointing to Bobbin Head Wharf, Empire Marina and the Warrimoo Track. From the intersection, this walk follows the road out of the car park, to the end of the vehicle bridge crossing Cockle Creek. From the intersection, this walk crosses the road bridge to the other side (using the footpath) and continues straight ahead to the large building that houses the cafe and tourist information centre.
Bobbin Head
Alt = 9 m
Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old "Bobbin Inn", built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and kiosk. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east).
Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and children's play equipment. There are toilets nearby, and two large shelters can be booked through the NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups. The eastern side of Bobbin head is dominated by the Empire Marina and public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets. More info
Bobbin Inn Cafe, Bobbin Head
Alt = 16 m
At the centre of Bobbin Head, this cafe offers inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. The old sandstone building is also home to the information centre and was once the Bobbin Inn. Opening hours are 9am - 4.30 Monday to Friday and 8am - 5pm on weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170.
(4.97 km)
Bobbin Head Kiosk
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South End of Bobbin Head Park Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 465 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -11 m
From the kiosk, this walk heads across the grass, following the road towards the bridge until it crosses the entrance to the car park at the pedestrian crossing. From here, the walk continues along the concrete footpath, keeping the water on the left as it passes the picnic tables and large playground, as well as the canoe ramp and the mangroves, coming to the southern part of the picnic area, near a large information sign.
(5.44 km)
South End of Bobbin Head Park
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End of the Mangroves Boardwalk Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - duckboard
Length = 252 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -9 m
From the southern end of Bobbin Head picnic area, this walk follows the concrete footpath (keeping the water on the left) around to the Cockle Creek bridge which it crosses. The walk then continues along the boardwalk on the other side for a short distance, coming to a square viewing platform looking out across Bobbin Head. From the viewing platform, the track follows the boardwalk, heading away from Bobbin Head, keeping the water on the left as it follow the boardwalk through the mangroves. The walk passes a few information signs about the surrounding environment before coming to the end of the boardwalk at the bottom of a set of rock steps.
(5.69 km)
End of the Mangroves Boardwalk
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Aboriginal Axe Grindings Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 311 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -17 m
From the end of the boardwalk, this walk heads up through the cleft in the rock platform via the steps, then continues along the bush track. The walk climbs up several short sets of both wooden and rock steps before coming to the Aboriginal Axe Grindings information sign on the left side of the track.
Aboriginal Axe Grindings
Alt = 11 m
This protected site clearly shows 23 oval-shaped grooves that were worn by Indigenous Australian people, making axe heads from hard rock. Using a blank axe head, the Aboriginal people would use this rock platform, with water from the nearby creek, to sharpen the stone into a useful tool. The rubbing ground the axe head to a sharp edge and left behind these tell-tale signs. More info
(6 km)
Aboriginal Axe Grindings
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Int of Bobbin Head and Rainforest tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 17 m
Time =
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
With the Axe Grindings on the left of the bush track, this walk heads south for a short distance to the 'Rainforest 500m' signpost.
(6.02 km)
Int of Bobbin Head and Rainforest tracks
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Bobbin Head Rainforest Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 218 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -5 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rainforest' arrow along the narrow bush track, with spaced-out wooden steps through the scrub and the grass trees for a short while, before it winds down a small set of wooden steps to a wide creek surrounded by rainforest.
Bobbin Head Rainforest
Alt = 22 m
A well-protected piece of rainforest is found just a short walk from the popular Bobbin Head picnic area in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The rainforest is distinct when compared to much of the dry eucalypt forests that dominate the area. The rainforest is beside a small creek, just below Bobbin Head Road, and is a safe haven for many birds that frequent the area.
(6.02 km)
Int of Bobbin Head and Rainforest tracks
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Gibberagong waterhole Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 3.02 km
Time = 1 Hr
Climb = 126 m
Descent = -79 m
From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Wahroonga' arrow along the bush track. The track follows Cockle Creek as it winds through the bottom of the valley. This section of track is a well managed bush track with plenty of rock overhangs and views of the creek, however there are various obstacles along the way, including boulders and small creek crossings. The track continues along the side of Cockle Creek for a long while until reaching a small rock platform overlooking a wide point in Cockle Creek, with a small beach on the other side.
Gibberagong waterhole
Alt = 58 m
This small informal lookout is perched on an unfenced rock overlooking Cockle creek and the "Gibberagong waterhole", about 200m north of the junction with Lovers Jump creek. This secluded and shady spot is a great place to sit and enjoy the the creek and the view of the sandy bank on the other side. If you sit quietly enough you may see lyrebirds scratching through the bush by the creek.
(9.04 km)
Gibberagong waterhole
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Int of Gibberagong and Murrua Link Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 52 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -5 m
From the rock platform, the walk follows the bush track, keeping Cockle Creek on the right. The track crosses another small creek and continues through the bush for a short distance to the intersection with a faint bush track (heading up the hill on the left). The intersection is marked with a white dot painted at eye level, on the creek side of a tree (not very clear).
(9.09 km)
Int of Gibberagong and Murrua Link Tracks
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End of Murrua Road Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.46 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 122 m
Descent = -10 m
From the intersection, this walk heads south-east up the hill. Although the marked trail is quite narrow, the surrounding vegetation is sparse. Once on the ridgeline, this track merges with a disused management trail and continues for a short while before coming to an intersection with another management trail, which is the Murrua Trail. From here, the walk turns right and follows the trail through the pleasant eucalypt forest for a while, passing a few overgrown trails before continuing through a National Park gate (signposted 'Murrua Trail' to the end of Murrua Road.
(10.55 km)
End of Murrua Road
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Sphinx Memorial Walk: Easy - road,footpath
Length = 1.66 km
Time = 28 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -35 m
From the intersection, this walk follows Murrua Road to the first intersection, turning left onto McTaggart Road. The walk then turns right onto Kirkpatrick Street, continuing past the oval to the end, where it turns right onto Du Faur Street and then left onto Bobbin Head Road. From here, the walk follows this road past the high school and all the houses, coming to the National Parks and Wildlife Service toll booth. From the toll booth, this walk follows the 'Sphinx War Memorial' sign through the metal gates and along the road. The walk continues down the long gentle hill until coming to an intersection with an asphalt path, at the information sign on the left of the road. From the intersection, this walk heads downhill, north-east along the footpath, until reaching the Sphinx Memorial picnic ground (the Sphinx will be just off to your right).
Catch the bus from Sphinx Memorial
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip 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 12 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,
Beware the feint side track noted at the 9.04km mark as the Gibberagong waterhole to Int of Gibberagong and Murrua Link Tracks. Despite multiple attempts and backtracking, we could not find it, nor the tree with the white marker. There did appear to be quite a lot of storm and flood activity around the area it was supposed to be.
Consequently, whilst following the main Gibberagong track out is easy, the exit is in Grosvenor St, Wharoonga North. If you're expecting to come out at the Sphinx car park, it is a 6 - 7km walk back along bitumen road - rather arduous with hiking boots on!
Apart from that, an absolutely fabulous walk with lots of everything.
About the turn at 9.04km - as of now (Dec2009) there is quite visible arrow, scratched on the tree (left side of the track). After the turn track is not so well visible, but there are white marks (dots or circles) on trees along the way up to the top of the hill, also someone put stone “pyramids” as well.
It was nice to watch turtles in the Gibberagong waterhole.
I did the walk on 20/12/09 and got lost at the same point near the waterhole. I couldn't see any markers near what appeared to be a dead end to the trial and back tracked a little too. I just turned left (away from the river) and made my own way up the hill (that was hard work) and then stumbled on a tree with a faint white circle near the ridge and saw a stone pyramid a head on me. Was back on track from there. You have to climb up a long way before seeing the tree with markings.
Same as the 1st post - couldnt find the feint side track noted at the 9.04km mark. Even teamed up with a walker who knows the area extremely well and the both of us couldn't find it.
Ended up coming out at Grosvenor St, Wharoonga North, which would have taken absolute ages to get back to the Sphinx trail, if the guy wouldn't have been so kind to lift me.
Great walk though, but it really needs a sign at the 9.04km mark
Same as the 1st post - couldnt find the feint side track noted at the 9.04km mark. Even teamed up with a walker who knows the area extremely well and the both of us couldn't find it.
Ended up coming out at Grosvenor St, Wharoonga North, which would have taken absolute ages to get back to the Sphinx trail, if the guy wouldn't have been so kind to lift me.
Great walk though, but it really needs a sign at the 9.04km mark
Did the walk on 22/05/2010 and same problem as the others. At 9.04km, the turn off onto the Murrua Link Track is not 1 minute, or 100m from the rock platform. It is more like 10 minutes and 500m+, and you pass a number of rock faces on the way. As someone else noted, there is a red gum tree with an arrow carved into the trunk on your left hand side, which is just passed a stream (as mentioned in the notes). At the top of the ridge, I went right when I got to the old track/fire trail which led me back to a road not far from Bobbin Head road and the starting point.
Thanks for all the feddback, I will plan to get back down there in next month (or early july) and see if I can make these notes clearer - seems that things have changed a bit.
Matt :)
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
not too much longer now :)