Lovetts Pools

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 15 mins

3 km Return

75 m

Hard track

This walk takes you to a small but picturesque waterhole above Lovett Bay. You start with a short walk along a management trail, with an optional side track to an Aboriginal engraving site. Then continuing along the wide trail a little further, you'll turn left and following a couple of fainter tracks through the heath to the sandstone platform and creek. At the pool, there are a series of small cascades and a view over Lovett Bay, a lovely place for lunch before retracing your steps back to the car.

Wild flower (Grevillea Speciosa) near West Head Rd

Coral Heath (Epacris microphylla) in early spring on Elvina Track

Elvina Track near intersection with top of Fredricks track

Fredericks track intersection with management trail

Grey Spider Flower (Grevillea buxifolia) on Elvina Track

Pink Spider Flwoer (Grevillea sericea) in spring on Elvina Track

Wildflowers (Pink wax flower - Eriostemon australis) at Lovetts Pools

View over the Pittwater from Lovetts Pools

(0km) Elvina Track carpark → Int of Elvina and Engravings Tracks

160 m

3 mins

-1m Easy track

From Elvina Track car park[1] (on West Head Rd, 1.3km north of General San Martin Dr), this walk follows the management trail around the 'Elvina Track' locked gate[2], then past the 'Elvina Track' map sign[3] (on the left). This walk continues along the management trail tending right[4] through the scrubby bush[5]. About 70m after leaving the locked gate, the walk comes to an intersection with a narrow track[6] (on your right).

(0km) Int of Elvina and Engravings Tracks → Rock Platform

90 m

2 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[7], this walk leaves the management trail and heads slightly uphill along the narrow track[8] through low heath. After about 50m, the track leads right at a faint Y-intersection[9] and soon comes to the northern edge of a large rock platform[10]. Upon reaching the rock platform, there is a small eucalyptus[11] on your right and further left there is an engraving of an emu[12]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Aboriginal Engraving Rock Platform

On the northern end of the rock platform are rock carvings of an emu, large fish and a giant whale. Further to the south, the rock platform contains rock carvings of shields, wallabies, fish, eels, and other shapes that are not easily classified. The entire rock platform appears to have a rare erosional feature called tessellation. This occurs over many thousands of years, resulting in a rock surface that is eroding at different rates, creating divot holes and depressions. More info.

(0km) Int of Elvina and Engravings Tracks → Int of Elvina and Fredericks Tracks

130 m

2 mins

-2m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection[15], this walk heads east following the management trail gently downhill, while keeping the lower heath on your right[16]. After about 45m, the trail leads over a water bar (hump) then comes to an intersection[17] with a faint track on the left. This faint track looks like a water course and is marked with a cairn[18].

(0km) Int of Elvina and Fredericks Tracks → Int of Fredericks and Lovetts Pool Tracks

1.1 km

22 mins

-59m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection[19], this walk follows the narrow track[20] gently downhill (that initially looks like a water course), heading north though scrubby bush. This walk continues to follow the track, passing a large heath clearing[21] after about 500m (on the right). This walk then continues to follow the track, until coming to a three-way intersection[22] at about 430m (with an eroded track leading gently downhill to the left[23], to Lovetts Pool).

(1km) Int of Fredericks and Lovetts Pool Tracks → Lovett Pools

170 m

4 mins

-6m Hard track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the eroded track[24] north-west gently downhill. The track leads directly away from the large angophora trees[25] through the dense banksia forest[26]. After about 150m, the track leads to a small creek bed on a large sandstone platform[27]. (Another faint track leads further downstream on the south side of the creek and visits the pools[28]). Be aware of the many unfenced and slippery cliff edges[29].

Lovett Pools

Lovett Pools is the informal name for a lovely set of water holes[30] and cascades[31][32] at the top of a cliff, above Lovett Bay[33]. The unnamed creek works its way along a sandstone platform forming a couple of larger pools and a series of cascades. There are also many smaller carved holes[34] in the rock, adding interest for the budding geologists. The creek flows over a large cliff[35] forming a tall waterfall just before the Pittwater. The rocks are slippery and there are many cliff edges, please take care.

Maps for the Lovetts Pools 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.

Mona Vale	1:25 000 Map Series	91301S MONA VALE	NSW-91301S
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 Lovetts Pools bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Lovetts Pools

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	3 km
		Time	1 hr 15 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

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, 1.5km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

1.1km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 290m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (170m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 1.2km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 290m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.2km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 290m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.4km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 170m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

1.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 290m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (170m) has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Lovetts Pools walk.

Elvina Bay Aboriginal Engraving Walk

508 m Return, 15 mins

This walk offers good examples of local aboriginal rock engravings on an attractive elevated rock platform, with views into the distance. From the car park, the walk travels through mostly flat, scrubby bush, before gently rising through heath onto a tessellated rock platform. Rock engravings are

Total climbing: 3m

Moderate track

Elvina Bay Circuit

4.5 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk takes you down to an isolated waterside community, where you can amble along, looking at homes and a historic Grave Site. From Elvina Track Car Park, the vegetation changes from scrubby bush to she oak and large eucalyptus as you decend to the waters edge. The walking is mostly along a man

Total climbing: 201m

Hard track

Elvina Track Walk

4.8 km Return, 2 hrs

On this walk, you will explore the isolated community of Elvina Bay, accessible only by boat or on foot. Starting at the Elvina Track car park, you follow a mostly level management trail, before descending steeply through she oaks and large eucalyptus to the coast and houses. At Elvina Bay Park, y

Total climbing: 218m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Lovetts Pools walk.

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

Yeomans Track

9.9 km Return, 3 hrs 30 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 good views over Cowan Waters from the end of the track and an optional side trip to a large rock outcrop with interesting texture and shapes.

Total climbing: 335m

Hard 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

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

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

Centre Track

6.7 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This interesting walk explores a rocky ridge top of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk is through heathland that flowers in a mass of colour in spring. The track also visits a tessellated pavement and some Aboriginal engravings.

Total climbing: 195m

Moderate track

Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout

7.6 km Return, 3 hrs

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.

Total climbing: 176m

Moderate track

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

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

Nerang Viewpoint

2.4 km Return, 1 Hr

At Nerang Viewpoint, the ground drops away to the north, giving views across to the neighboring forested ridges. This is a short and quiet walk and feels 'off the beaten track'. Initially this walk follows a wide trail, but this soon changes to a foot track following a broad ridge north through sc

Total climbing: 92m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Lovetts Pools walk starts and ends at the Elvina Track carpark (gps: -33.643268, 151.26214)

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.

Current Alerts

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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