Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
3 Hrs
5.4 km
372 m
Circuit
12.1 km NNE of Terrey Hills
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Track: Hard
This walk is another great walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park accessed by ferry. From the Mackerel Beach wharf the track uses the Resolute Loop track to round the headland taking in quite a few secluded beaches and excellent Aboriginal sites. This walk features Mackerel Beach and its community with an alternative route through the town which is well worth the walk.
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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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
(0 km) Mackerel Beach Wharf to Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach Alternative ROUTE: Track: Moderate - bushtrack, servicetrail, bushtrack ( Show detail)
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -33 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.
(0 km) Mackerel Beach Wharf to Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -1 m
From the wharf the track heads north along the beach for approximately 300m to the the only palm trees on the north end of the beach. Below the palm trees is a boulder with a black arrow painted on it.
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.
(0.35 km) Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach to Int. Resolute & West Head Beach Tracks Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 89 m
Descent = -62 m
From the palm trees and black arrow painted boulder the track heads up the hill to a Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park sign. The track then meanders along the hillside in an easterly direction up the hill for approximately 400m. The track then rounds the headland to lead north west, contouring beneath a rocky headland for some time to a sign marked intersection. From the intersection the track heads north west for 30m following the contour of the hill around and down to the intersection.
(1.03 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.
(1.03 km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk to Int. Resolute & West Head Beach Tracks Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 61 m
Descent = -54 m
From the intersection the track heads north through a creek. The track then turns right, east, following the coast. The track rises up the hill closer to the cliff line as it follows around a spur. When passing this spur a gun emplacement is passed on the right. The track continues north for 200m undulating around the contour of the hill to the intersection.
(1.63 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.
(1.63 km) Int. West Head Beach and West Head Lookout to West Head Lookout Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 70 m
Descent = -11 m
From the intersection the track heads north up the hill for approximately 30m. The track then turns north west up two flights of stairs. These staircases pass small creek waterfall on the right and a prominant overhang on the left. The track then continues to climb up the ridge with many sections of cut rock steps. Steps continue the track up the ridge to where it flattens out. The track heads continues past a natural lookout on a rock landing approximately 100m before the trail reaches the actual lookout. From the rock landing the track then continues north west up the hill to 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.
(2.02 km) West Head Lookout to Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 73 m
Descent = -14 m
From West Head lookout the track heads south west for a while before changing west for approximately 200m. A sign indicating the Resolute Picnic Area and West Head Lookout is passed on the right before the track climbs north west up steps. The track passes a creek on the left and rock formations on the right as the steps lead south west to the Red Hands Cave intersection.
(2.84 km) Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk to Resolute Picnic Area Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -1 m
From the intersection the track heads north west up the stairs for approximately 30m to Resolute Picnic Area.
Resolute Picnic Area
Alt = 169
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.
(2.84 km) Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk to Red Hands Cave 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.
(2.86 km) Red Hands Cave to Int. West Head Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
From Red Hands Cave the track heads south west for approximately 20m. The track then ascends some stairs passing up and around a rock shelf. The track then turns left as it continues, slightly climbing to the intersection with the service track.
(3 km) Int. West Head Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk to Engravings Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -17 m
From the intersection the track heads south down the hill for approximately 170m to the sign on the left indicating 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.
(3.35 km) Engravings to Int. Headland Track and Engravings Bushtrack Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -18 m
From the engraving of the man, the track heads south off the rock shelf near a vegetation covered sign indicating the Headland Track. The track winds through dense srub for 200m to the intersection with the service trail, Headland Track.
(3.54 km) Int. Headland Track and Engravings Bushtrack to Int. Headland Track and Resolute Beach Trk Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -51 m
From the intersection the track heads south east for some time. The track winds down a steep slope after a few turns in the service trail to where the track continues for approximately 300m to the sign indicating the intersection to Resolute Beach.
(4.22 km) Int. Headland Track and Resolute Beach Trk to Int. Cave Trk and Resolute Beach Trk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -10 m
From the intersection the track heads north east down a flight of stairs. The track then turns left, north west, down more steps. The track continues for approximately 40m as it continues to descend below a small cliff line to the sign indicating the cave intersection.
(4.27 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.
(4.27 km) Int. Cave Trk and Resolute Beach Trk to Mackerel Beach Wharf Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 60 m
Descent = -140 m
From the intersection the track heads east down the hill for approximately 50m. The track then descends a flight of stairs and continues north east down a staircase to the intersection, marked Makeral and Resolute beahes. 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. 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 from Mackerel
Palm Beach Ferry service opertates hourly from 9am to about 8pm check their timetable for more info. From Mackerel ferry warf the boat head straight for Palm Beach. 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
