Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Mackerel Beach Community
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Map Scale 500 meters
Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here

Broken Bay

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91301N

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map

1:40 000 Map Series

CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map

Sydney

1:100 000 Map Series

9130

Photo Gallery

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Mackerel Beach Community bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mackerel Beach Community bushwalking track

Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	1.4km
		Time	45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Track: Moderate	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing

Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk.
Gradient
800m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 360m has short steep hills. The remaining (230m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
Around 810m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 580m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
Around 810m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 580m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 1.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 940m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 450m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes

Wildwalks
The State Goverment is allowing Recreational Hunting in our National Parks This poses a serious threat to the environement and visitor safety Help stop the madness by writing a quick letter. Thanks for your help

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

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.

(0 km) Mackerel Beach Wharf to Digger Crescent Bridge Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 361 m	Time = 6 mins
	Climb = 4 m	Descent = -1 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.

(0.36 km) Digger Crescent Bridge to Mackerel Beach Bush Fire Brigade Shed Walk: Easy - servicetrail	Length = 229 m	Time = 4 mins
	Climb = 9 m	Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: 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.

(0.59 km) Mackerel Beach Bush Fire Brigade Shed to Mackerel Beach Wharf Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 801 m	Time = 17 mins
	Climb = 25 m	Descent = -35 m
Continue straight: ****Warning: This section of track has been reported as overgrown and no longer passable**** 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. Turn right: From the arrow painted boulder, the walk heads along the beach, keeping the water to the left. After approximately 300m, the walk comes to the wharf in the middle of the beach.

Catch the ferry from Mackerel beach
Palm Beach Ferry service operates hourly from 9am to about 8pm - check their timetable for more info. From The Basin ferry wharf, the ferry heads back to Palm Beach. Ph: 9974 2411 Please check with the ferry operator for latest info on services --> Timetable

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Public Transport Timetables
	To the start of the walk 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 Catch a ferry to Palm Beach Palm Beach Ferry service operates hourly from 9am to about 8pm - check their timetable for more info. From The Basin ferry wharf, the ferry heads back to Palm Beach. Ph: 9974 2411 Get Timetable

Near by

Campsites in the park
The Basin campground


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Paddlecraft	3B / 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview	02 9997 8015	7.7 km
Outdoor Shack	1131 Pittwater Rd , Collaroy	(02) 9981 6933	15.7 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor	1024 Pittwater Rd , Collaroy	(02) 9971 8711	16.3 km
Kellys Camping & Outdoors	826 Pittwater Rd , Dee Why	(02) 9972 0061	18.5 km
Mannings Sports	172 Mann St , Gosford	(02) 4325 1617	18.8 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Mackerel Beach Community.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Mackerel Beach Community Click to re-center search
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	15 km (to the W)
8	MDC08	Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG	17 km (to the N)
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	25 km (to the SW)
3	VMB2	Tower Street BATEAU BAY	28 km (to the NNE)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	42 km (to the WSW)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 50 minutes ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

Sunny. 10.5°C (feels like 7.3°) 9 km/h from the W (gusting 11) 59% humidity     (as at 19/08:35am) Sun 8°|17° Sunny. Mon 8°|18° Mostly sunny. Tue 9°|21° Mostly sunny. Wed 10°|16° A little rain.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
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,
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Closure information last downloaded Sunday 19th of May 2013 08:00 AM
CLOSED AREAS
Basin Trail upgrade works (Ends Friday 31 May)

The Basin Trail will be closed from the Mackerel Service Trail to the Basin Campground in order to undertake upgrade works. The Basin Aboriginal engravings and the Mackerel Track will remain accessible. All access to the Basin Campground during this period is by water only. Services include Palm Beach Ferries, Barrenjoey Boating Service, Peninsular Water Taxis & Pink Water Taxis or access is available to private boats.
Locations affected:The Basin track and Mackerel track, The Basin picnic area, The Basin campground
Upgrade of Barrenjoey Headland Access Trail - Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Access to the headland is via the Smugglers Walking Track ONLY. Please be advised that this track is steep in sections and people should be moderately fit and prepared with good walking shoes, hat and WATER before embarking. It is anticipated that the works will be completed towards the end of June - weather dependant.

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