Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Headland track (Resolute track) hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Headland track (Resolute track)
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
1 Hrs 45 mins
3.5 km
233 m
Circuit
13.3 km NNE of Terrey Hills
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Track: Hard
This loop walk takes in expansive views over the Pittwater with the Barrenjoey Headland as a feature. The track includes the two beaches of Resolute and West Head with the option of a third beach with the Mackerel Beach side trip. The track passes an Aboriginal art and an occupation site in different caves. With all the great views and beaches the track has an added bonus of a WWII gun emplacement to explore.
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.
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Resolute picnic area, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large grassed area with benches, shelter, interpretive signs, electric BBQ's and an environmentally friendly toilet block. The picnic area does not have drinking water but has a pay phone and baby changing areas in the toilets with disabled access. Resolute picnic area is a great place for lunch with Red Hands Cave, West Head and Resolute Beach and West Head Lookout tracks starting from the picnic area. The picnic area has adequate parking and a bus turn around area.
(0 km) Resolute Picnic Area to Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -6 m
From Resolute Picnic Area the track heads out the far northern end of the picnic area. The track then descends a flight of stairs to the intersection at the bottom.
(0.13 km) Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk to Red Hands Cave Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0 km
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
From the intersection the track heads south west down the hill following the line of the rocky outcrop. The track follows this for approximately 30m to the interpretation signs for Red Hands Cave.
Red Hands Cave
Alt = 163
Red Hands Cave, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small rock overhang just near Resolute Picnic Area. The red hands are made by ochre, clay, being blown over a spread out hand. This Aboriginal rock art has been given an estimation of approximately 2000 years in age.
(0.13 km) Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk to West Head Lookout Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -73 m
From the intersection the track follows steps down the hill heading north east. The track passes a sign indicating Resolute Picnic Area and West Head lookout as the track flattens out. The track continues to undulate east for approximately 200m before turning left, north east, towards West Head lookout.
West Head Lookout
Alt = 105
West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large sandstoned viewing area with many interpretive signs. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island, Patonga Sport and Recreation, Box Headland and across to the Barrenjoey Headland.
(0.95 km) West Head Lookout to Int. West Head Beach and West Head Lookout Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -70 m
From West Head Lookout the track leads south east down the hill for 100m. The track then heads past a natural lookout on the left to conintue down the hill for approximately 300m. The track then descends two sets of stairs passing a prominant overhang on the right and a small creek waterfall on the left. From the stairs the track continues south to the sign marked intersection for West Head Beach.
(1.34 km) Int. West Head Beach and West Head Lookout to West Head Beach Optional Side Trip: Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -34 m
From the intersection the track heads east down the staircases to the beach approximately 100m below.
West Head Beach
Alt = 7
West Head Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small stretch of sand sitting on the West Head Peninsula. The beach has an easterly aspect facing out of steep hills over Pittwater to the Barrenjoey Headland.
(1.34 km) Int. Resolute & West Head Beach Tracks to Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 54 m
Descent = -61 m
From the intersection the track heads south east below the prominant rock faces for 200m as it undulates around the contour of the hill. The track slowly turns right follwoing the curve of the spur to pass a gun emplacement on the left. The track then continues south west descending from the cliff line above the track to the right. The track then passes through a creek from which approximately another 30m of tracks leads to the intersection.
(1.94 km) Int. Resolute & West Head Beach Tracks to Resolute Beach Optional Side Trip: Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -30 m
From the intersection the track follows the creek line east towards the beach. The track winds down the hill for approximately 30m to a small creek waterfall. The track is hidden in parts by grasses for approximately 20m before it heads down a few flights of stairs to where the track reaches the beach.
Resolute Beach
Alt = 3
Resolute Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small stretch of sand sitting on the West Head Peninsula between steep headlands. The eastern aspect of the beach overlooks Barrenjoey Headland across the Pittwater.
(1.94 km) Int. Resolute & West Head Beach Tracks to Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -5 m
From the intersection the track heads south east for 30m following the contour of the hill around and up to the intersection.
(1.97 km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk to Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 59 m
Descent = -84 m
From the intersection the track heads south, contouring beneath a rocky outcrop on the headland. The track then meanders along the hillside in a westerly direction undulating slightly for approximately 400m. The track apsses a Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park sign before descending to two palm trees and a boulder painted with a black arrow.
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.
(1.97 km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk to Int. Cave Trk and Resolute Beach Trk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 51 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection the track heads up a staircase for approximately 30m. The track then turns south west after the set of stairs. The track then leads west for approximately 50m up the hill to the intersection marked by the sign for the cave.
(2.09 km) Int. Cave Trk and Resolute Beach Trk to Cave Optional Side Trip: Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0 km
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection follow the contour of the hill north towards the rock formations on the left.
(2.09 km) Int. Cave Trk and Resolute Beach Trk to Int. Headland Track and Resolute Beach Trk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = 0 m
From the cave intersection the track heads south east following the steps up the hill below a small cliff line. Then the track heads south west up more steps to the Headland Track intersection.
(2.14 km) Int. Headland Track and Resolute Beach Trk to Int. Headland Track and Engravings Bushtrack Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 51 m
Descent = -8 m
From the intersection the track heads north west up the hill for 300m. The track then winds up a steep slope and then continues on for some time to the intersection.
(2.83 km) Int. Headland Track and Engravings Bushtrack to Engravings Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = 0 m
From the service trail the track heads north for 200m through dense scrub. The track rises onto a rock shelf, clear of vegetation at the engravings.
Engavings
Alt = 151
The engravings on West Head were made by the indigenous Guringai people. The engravings depict a man, shark or whale and two eels.
(3.01 km) Engravings to Resolute Picnic Area Track: Moderate - bushtrack, servicetrail
Distance = 0.5 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -3 m
From the engravings the track follows the service trail north up a hill for approximately 170m to the intersection marked by the Red Hands Cave sign. From the intersection the track heads north up the sandy track. The track continues for approximately 100m to the picnic area.
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
