Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs

7.6 km Return

176 m

Moderate track

This relatively flat walk takes you through some woodland forests, open shrub and rock platforms to a lookout. There are great views over the Basin, and out to Narrabeen and north up the Pitt Water. The track is well defined, and the views are well worth the walk.

(0km) West Head road (start) → Int. of Towlers Bay & Bairne Tracks

2.5 km

46 mins

50m

-63m Moderate track

The track starts just shy of 6.2 km along West Head Road from Coal and Candle Drive, at post number 8. The Bairne management trail meanders westwards along the top of the ridge. The trail is very well defined and pretty flat, it heads through woodlands and open terrain. It then intersects with an unnamed track that heads south (to Towlers Bay lookout). The Bairne trail continues north-east, to an intersection, marked by 'Soldier Point' and 'Portugese track' signs to the left.

(3km) Int. of Towlers Bay & Bairne Tracks → Lookout (end)

1.3 km

23 mins

11m

-52m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection with the unnamed track, the walk follows the management trail east. After a few hundred metres, the walk bends to the left at an intersection, staying on the main track and ignoring the track branching to the right. The walk is mostly through low scrub. The walk continues until the track tends North west and down a steep section (the track continues down a steep section to Bonnie Doon). There are a few nice places to enjoy glimpses of The Basin through the trees, and a few grassy areas and rocky platforms that would make a nice lunch spot

Maps for the Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Broken Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	91301N BROKEN BAY	NSW-91301N
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	1:40 000 Map Series	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout

Altitude analysis for Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

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

		Length	7.6 km
		Time	3 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

This whole walk, 3.8km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 3.8km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 3.8km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 3.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 3.8km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout walk.

Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout

6.8 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This relatively flat walk takes you through some woodland forest, open shrub and rock platforms to a lookout. The views look over Narrabeen and along Pittwater. The track is well defined, and the views are well worth the walk.

Total climbing: 150m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout walk.

Topham Track

3.8 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This is a pleasant walk along an old management trail, off West Head Rd. Following the ridge top you will pass through a variety of vegetation types including some dense heath and some tall scribbly gums which occasionally give way to a wide view over the park. There is a nice lookout at the end of

Total climbing: 127m

Moderate track

America Bay Track (to beach)

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This short walk has a great range of scenery, making it a great choice if you have only a short time in this National Park. This track one of two ways to access America Bay - the other is by boat. The track cuts straight through the bush from West Head Rd to pass historic Aboriginal engravings and a

Total climbing: 130m

Hard track

America Bay Waterfall

1.9 km Return, 45 mins

This short walk is a great way to see a slice of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has on offer. The track visits some historic Aboriginal engravings, and enjoys water views, heath and forest environments. The America Bay track also throws in a waterfall for your enjoyment - from the top of the f

Total climbing: 76m

Moderate track

Willunga Trig Walk

1.4 km Return, 40 mins

On this walk you will visit the highest point in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. At the top of the hill is an old trig point and some stunning panoramic view. On a clear day, there is an uninterrupted 180-degree view across large parts of the park, including Pittwater to the east and distant glimps

Total climbing: 62m

Moderate track

Towlers Bay Walk

8.4 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This walk explores another ridge of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and heads down a steep hill to the Towler's Bay community. You can explore the village and the ferry wharf before walking past the Youth Hostel on the walk back up. The Youth Hostel is available for an overnight stay, but book ahe

Total climbing: 402m

Moderate track

Basin to Mackerel

4.5 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This scenic walk gives an excellent excuse for a ferry ride in Sydney's northern beaches region. The ferry leaves from Palm Beach Ferry Terminal, and crosses Pittwater to The Basin Wharf. The walk then heads around to Mackerel Beach and passes an optional side trip to some historic and interesting A

Total climbing: 200m

Hard track

Challenger Track

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

The Challenger Track is a simple track which heads through the heath and some forest to arrive at a pleasant lookout. Starting at West Head Rd, the track follows a ridge out to a rocky outcrop where views over the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay reveal Patonga and Brooklyn.

Total climbing: 59m

Moderate track

Mackerel Beach

8.2 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk takes one of two main tracks down to Mackerel Beach. The track leaves West Head Rd, passing some historic Aboriginal engravings before descending to the beach. The track loops around the small community of Mackerel Beach to come back down the beach and return to West Head Rd. A nice An opt

Total climbing: 299m

Hard track

The Basin Track and Mackerel Track

5.9 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is a great way to see some popular areas in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk from West Head Rd travels to The Basin campsite, and the ferry takes you over to Mackerel Beach. Before returning to West Head Rd, the walk also gives the option to head down to Currawong Beach. There is

Total climbing: 226m

Hard track

The Basin

5.6 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

The Basin Track is the only land access to The Basin, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park's only campsite. The walk follows mostly management trail and heads across the plateau away from West Head Rd, with a great side trip to Aboriginal rock engravings and The Basin Dam. This is a nice walk, heading th

Total climbing: 218m

Moderate track

Salvation Loop Track

4 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk makes a circuit from West Head Rd around the Salvation Loop track in Ku-ring-gai Chase NP. The walk passes through wet heathland vegetation and around a hanging swamp. The thick heath vegetation along the track means that the views are mostly restricted, however it is still a nice walk wit

Total climbing: 80m

Moderate track

Wallaroo Track

9.3 km Return, 3 hrs 45 mins

This is a nice walk in the Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, passing through a mix of thick heath vegetation and more open forest. There are some great views over Cowan Waters from the end of the track.

Total climbing: 352m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout walk starts and ends at the West Head road (start) (gps: -33.607808, 151.26982)

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

Park Information

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

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,

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