This Perimeter Trail walk contours gently around the northern side of Terrey Hills on a wide mostly level trail, with occasional views across Ku-Ring-Gai National Park. However, it is the side trips that make this walk truly worthwhile - if you are only going to do one side trip, the lookdown into Cowan Creek from Wilkins Viewpoint is fabulous. With a variety of side trip options and easy access to the start and finish, this walk is well worth considering.
Cross sectional view of the Perimeter Trail bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Perimeter Trail 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
7km
Time
2 hrs 45 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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
4.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.7km has short steep hills. The remaining (75m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 140m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 4.9km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 2.3km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 4.9km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.3km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 7km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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
(0 km)
Int of Cullamine Rd & Bulara St
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Int of Cullamine Rd & Perimeter Track Walk: Easy - road
Length = 136 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection[1], this walk follows the unsealed public road[2] gently downhill away from the 'Callamine Trail' sign[3] for about 150m (crossing a culverted creek halfway[4]). This walk turns left at a three-way intersection[5], coming to a locked gate[6] with a 'Perimeter Trail 7.1km One-Way' sign[7].
(0.14 km)
Int of Cullamine Rd & Perimeter Track
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Int Perimeter and Long Tracks Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 757 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -23 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[8], this walk follows the management trail [9]around the locked gate with 'Perimeter Track 7.1km One-Way' sign[10]. This walk continues on the trail (passing an information sign[11] after about 30m) for about 300m. This walk continues to follows the trail for about 400m, until coming to a signposted (The Long Trail) three-way intersection (on the left) This intersection is reached about 10m after a track on the right is passed.
(0.89 km)
Int of Perimeter & Long Tracks
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Int of Perimeter & Wilkins Tracks Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 1.25 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 33 m
Descent = -22 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[12], this walk follows the management trail east, with the hill on the right for about 500m. Then this walk bends left and continues for about 700m, until coming to the three-way intersection, with a 'Wilkins Track' sign[13] (on the left).
(2.15 km)
Int of Perimeter & Wilkins Tracks
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Wilkins Track Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 612 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -21 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently downhill past the 'Wilkins Track' sign [14](on the right). Then this walk continues along the sandy trail, passing around the 'Walkers Only Beyond This Point' sign[15] after about 600m. This walk then follows the bush track[16] for about 10m to Wilkins Viewpoint and views [17]into Smith Creek and the surrounding bushland. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Wilkins Track Lookout
Alt = 184 m
The Wilkins Track Lookout of Terrey Hills, offers good views over Cowan Creek[18] after a short, mostly level walk. Wilkins Track Lookout consists of an unfenced level sandstone platform[19] with the ground dropping away dramatically to the north, offering fabulous views through trees down over Cowan Creek.
(2.15 km)
Int of Perimeter AND Wilkins Tracks
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Int of Perimeter AND Golf Course Tracks Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.3 km
Time = 44 mins
Climb = 58 m
Descent = -75 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[20], this walk follows the management trail gently downhill, keeping the hill on the right. After about 800m, the walk finds 'Authorised Horse Tracks' signs and tracks [21](on the right). Then this walk continues left, following the trail for about 1.2km to find a narrow track[22] (on the right). This walk then crosses a concrete ford[23] and continues to follow the trail for about 280m, until coming to a three-way intersection with another wide trail[24][25] (on the left). At this intersection, you can see Terrey Hills Country Club Golf Course behind a ring wire fence (on the right).
(4.44 km)
Int of Perimeter & Golf Course Tracks
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Int of Perimeter & Smiths Creek Track Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.02 km
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 46 m
Descent = -44 m
Veer left: From the intersection[26], this walk follows the management trail slightly downhill[27] and away from the golf course for about 600m, until coming to a three-way intersection, with a management trail on the right. Veer left: From the intersection[28], this walk follows the management trail east, gently downhill. Then the walk continues along the trail for about 400m, with obscured views (on the left) and houses in the distance [29](on the right), until coming to a four-way intersection with a management trail[30].
(5.46 km)
Int of Perimeter & Smiths Creek Track
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Smiths Creek Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.57 km
Time = 53 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -210 m
Turn left : From the intersection[31], this walk follows a level management trail north[32], passing a locked gate with 'Ku-Ring-Chase National Park, Smith Creek West Trail, 2.5km One-Way' sign on it[33]. The walk continues along this trail, with views to the left after about 800m[34]. This walk follows the trail gently downhill, steepening[35] after about 600m through switchbacks[36] to Smith Creek[37]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Smiths Creek
Alt = 7 m
Smiths Creek of Terrey Hills, offers a refreshing rest by a creek and secluded grasslands[38] to explore. Camping[39] has occurred here previously, however be aware that the creek water is salty and not drinkable.
(5.46 km)
Int of Perimeter & Smiths Creek Track
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Int of Perimeter and Booralie Tracks Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 663 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -20 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail east and gently uphill. Then this walk continues to follow the trail, undulating gently up and down[40] over water bars[41], with houses in the distance (on the right). The walk follows the trail for about 700m, until coming to a three-way intersection[42], with another management trail (on the right).
(6.12 km)
Int of Perimeter & Booralie Track
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Int of Perimeter & Nerang Trails Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 989 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -26 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[43], this walk follows the management trail east, with views on the left[44] and houses on the right[45]. The walk continues along the trail, over water bars and closed culverts[46], for about 1000m, until coming to a three-way intersection with a sandy track on the left[47] (just before coming to a right-hand bend in the trail).
(7.11 km)
Int of Perimeter & Nerang Trails
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Nerang Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.12 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -64 m
Turn left : From the intersection[48], this walk follows the sandy eroded[49] track north, coming to a heath clearing[50] after about 170m (ignoring side tracks[51] after about 60m). This walk follows the trail into the bush, keeping the high ground to the left for about 900m until coming to flat rocks[52] and the Nerang View Point. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Nerang Lookout
Alt = 128 m
Upon arriving at Nerang Lookout of Terrey Hills, the ground drops away to the north, offering filtered views through Banksia trees[53]. Nerang Lookout is an unfenced sandstone platform, with large boulders scattered about. These large boulders create small attractive chasms[54]. Nerang Lookout is a relaxed and pleasant spot to appreciate a typical bush setting within Ku-Ring-Gai National Park.
(7.11 km)
Int of Perimeter & Nerang Trails
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Nerang Av Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 73 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[55], this walk follows the management trail as it immediately bends right. The walk continues, while keeping a creek[56] on your left for about 70m, until coming to a locked gate[57](at the northern end of Nerang Rd in Terrey Hills).
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 47 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National ParkLink 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 feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Closure information last downloaded Saturday 25th of May 2013 10:00 PM 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.
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Track: Moderate
1 km
not too much longer now :)