Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

5 hrs

8.6 km Circuit

422 m

Hard track

The Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop is a walk which explores a large part of the West Head. The journey starts and finishes with a ferry across Pittwater. The walk heads around West Head, taking in views on the Broken Bay side, with Lion Island featuring as a prominent sight. The walk follows sections of road that connect some fantastic bush tracks together. This is a solid day walk if allowing time to relax and have a dip at one of the many beaches along the way.

Stairs from West Head Beach up to the Lookout

Barrenjoey Headland from West Head Lookout

Barrenjoey Headland from above Mackerel Beach

(0km) Palm Beach → Mackerel Beach Wharf

1.9 km

28 mins

0m Easy track

From the Palm Beach ferry terminal, the walk uses the ferry to cross Pittwater to the Mackerel Beach wharf. After getting off the ferry, walk goes to the beach end of the wharf. The 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 More info.

(2km) Mackerel Beach Wharf → Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk

1 km

25 mins

90m

-53m Moderate track

Turn right: From the wharf, the walk heads along the beach (keeping the water to your right) for approximately 300m, to the only palm trees on this end of the beach. Below the palm trees is a boulder with a black arrow painted on it.
Continue straight: From the palm trees and boulder painted with a black arrow, this walk heads up the hill into the bush, away from the beach. The track climbs to pass a 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park' sign before meandering along the hillside in an easterly direction, up the hill for approximately 400m. The track then rounds the headland to lead beneath a rocky headland for some time to a signposted intersection.

(3km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk → Cave

140 m

5 mins

47m

-2m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads up a staircase for approximately 30m. The track then turns after the set of stairs. The track leads up the hill to the signposted intersection, with the cave to the right of the track in the cliffs.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the rock formations, following the hillside. The track then enters an overhang of a cave. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left .

(3km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk → Int. Resolute AND West Head Beach Tracks

40 m

1 mins

-6m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Resolute' Beach arrow along the hillside to an un-signposted intersection.

(3km) Int. Resolute AND West Head Beach Tracks → Resolute Beach

100 m

3 mins

-25m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill towards the water, following the creek line to 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. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

(3km) Int. Resolute Bch Trk and Mackerel Bch Trk → Int. Resolute AND West Head Beach Tracks

630 m

20 mins

76m

-66m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk keeps the water on the right of the track as it follows the hillside around through a creek. The track then turns right, following the coast. The track rises up the hill closer to the cliffline as it heads around a spur. When passing this spur, a gun emplacement is passed (below to the right of the track). The track continues for approximately 200m, undulating around the hillside to the intersection with some steps on the right (which go down to West Head Beach).

(4km) Int. West Head Beach and West Head Lookout → West Head Beach

100 m

3 mins

-33m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the staircases to the beach, approximately 100m below. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

(4km) Int. West Head Beach and West Head Lookout → West Head Lookout

350 m

13 mins

76m

-5m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, keeping the water to the right of the track. The walk then turns up two flights of stairs. These staircases pass a small creek waterfall on the right, and a prominent overhang on the left. The track then continues to climb up the ridge, with many sections of cut rock steps. In time, the walk flattens out and continues past an informal, unfenced lookout on a rock landing approximately 100m before this walk reaches the stone-fenced West Head Lookout.

West Head Lookout

West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large paved sandstone viewing area[1] with fantastic views and some interesting interpretive signs[2][3][4][5][6]. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island[7] to Patonga (Central Coast) also across the Pittwater to Barrenjoey Headland[8] and out to sea. The lookout has a series of bench seats

[Seat]

and a low (50cm[9]) stone wall. A lovely place to just sit and soak up the views, and history of the area.

(4km) West Head Lookout → Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk

820 m

20 mins

70m

-19m Moderate track

Turn left: From West Head Lookout, this walk follows the sign to 'Resolute Picnic Area' along a bush track, which keeps the hill above on the right. The track continues along the hillside to pass a sign pointing to 'Resolute Picnic Area' before the track climbs up steps. The track passes a creek on the left and rock formations on the right as the steps lead to the signposted 'Red Hands Cave' intersection.

(5km) Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk → Red Hands Cave

20 m

-1m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads down the hill, following the rocky outcrop to the right of the track. The walk follows this for approximately 30m to the interpretation signs for Red Hands Cave. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Red Hands Cave

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 an outspread hand. This Aboriginal rock art has been given an estimation of approximately 2000 years in age.

(5km) Int. West Head Lookout Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk → Resolute Picnic Area

130 m

3 mins

-1m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads along the rocky outcrop keeping it on the left as it heads up the stairs for approximately 30m into Resolute Picnic Area.

Resolute Picnic Area

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 does have a pay phone and wheelchair-accessible bathroom with baby-changing area. 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.

(5km) Resolute Picnic Area → Flint and Steel carpark

1.1 km

24 mins

28m

-56m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads away from 'Resolute Day Visitor Area', keeping it behind and to the left. The walk continues to undulate and wind along the road for approximately 600m, to the unsignposted track on the left, marked by a green metal gate.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill towards the 'Crest' road sign. The walk continues down the steep hill to the signposted intersection of 'Flint and Steel' car park.

(6km) Flint and Steel carpark → Flint and Steel beach

1.1 km

29 mins

36m

-173m Moderate track

Veer right: From the back of the car park, the walk follows the 'Flint and Steel Track' sign along the bush track heading down through the bush. The walk drops down some stairs and turns right at the old 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park' sign, then left down the side of the hill. After about 100m, the walk continues down a set of stairs and then down the bush track to the signposted intersection.
Veer right: From intersection, this walk follows the 'Flint and Steel Beach 700m' arrow through a palm grove, along the ridge, with views across Hawkesbury River to Lion Island. The track runs parallel to rock formations on the left before winding its way through the trees and down the boardwalk, with the large rocks to the left. Soon the track heads through some pine trees and comes to an intersection of a bush track, near some large boulders on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track heading straight down the hill towards the beach, splitting for a about 10m before coming to a rock shelf above the waterline. From here, the track turns right and follows this rock shelf for about 20m, onto Flint and Steel Beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.

Flint and Steel Beach

Flint and Steel Beach, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a small north-east facing stretch of sand. The beach is hemmed in by prominent headlands on either side and backed by a grassy hill. A seat on the hill lends views over the Hawkesbury River to Patonga and Lion Island, with Box Head in the background.

(6km) Flint and Steel carpark → Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd

1.5 km

27 mins

36m

-25m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the smaller hill, keeping the Flint and Steel car park to the right. The walk winds along the road for some time before coming to an area where old metal fence posts mark the intersection on the right-hand side of the road.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south along West Head Road, keeping the metal fence poles behind and to the right. The track continues to wind down the road for approximately 700m to meet the Basin car park and intersection.

(7km) Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd → Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry

360 m

7 mins

13m

-3m Moderate track

Veer left: From the car park, this walk follows the management trail around the green gate, keeping West Head Rd on the right. The walk continues along the trail, which tends to the left, and soon comes to a signposted intersection with the 'Aboriginal Engravings' track on the right.

(8km) Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry → Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Exit

110 m

2 mins

-1m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Aboriginal Engravings' sign into the heath and away from the management trail. The track tends left, to a ramp after approximately 10m. The track follows the wooden edging over the rock surface, between the engravings, heading to the signposted intersection on the management trail again. Now Veer right to rejoin the main walk .

The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings

The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large rock surface scattered with Aboriginal engravings. The engravings depict men, fish, hopping wallabies and a club. The engravings are marked with interpretive signs which outline where on the rocks the engravings are and how they were made.

(8km) Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry → Mackerel Trk Clearing

1.8 km

33 mins

14m

-94m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south up the hill (keeping the engravings on the right) to the next signposted intersection with the 'Aboriginal Engravings' track on the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk winds gently uphill along the management trail, keeping the engravings track initially on the right. The management trail then comes to the intersection with the signposted 'Mackerel service trail'[10] on the left.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the sea, following the arrow sign 'Mackerel Service Trail'. The track meanders down the wide spur for approximately 1km, to then lead along a narrower area of the spur and into a saddle. The track continues to undulate to a clearing with a view over Mackerel Beach and Pittwater Bay.

(10km) Mackerel Trk Clearing → Mackerel Beach Wharf

900 m

20 mins

12m

-94m Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ridge down towards the sea. The track winds down the ridge, passing numerous large green water tanks to the left of the track, as the walk continues for approximately 50m to a lookout on a large boulder. The track heads down the left side of the boulder, winding steeply down the hillside to houses. The walk then leads to a small gate on the track in front of a brown wooden house.
Turn left: From the gate, this walk heads through the gate, then winds between and under the houses for approximately 200m, coming to a gate before the beach.
Veer left: From the gate, this walk heads onto the beach and continues for approximately 300m across the beach to the wharf in the middle of the beach.

(10km) Mackerel Beach Wharf → Palm Beach

1.9 km

28 mins

-2m Easy track

Turn right: From Mackerel Beach wharf, this walk uses the ferry to cross Pittwater to the Palm Beach wharf. After arriving at the Palm Beach wharf, the walk goes into the car park. The 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 More info.

Maps for the Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop 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 Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop

Altitude analysis for Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop

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	8.6 km
		Time	5 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		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	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		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

5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 4.1km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 2.6km has short steep hills and the remaining 630m is very steep.

Quality of track

7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.6km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 1.5km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 960m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.2km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 12km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 850m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 12km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 4.1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (670m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop walk.

Red Hands Cave

403 m Circuit, 30 mins

This is a short walk down to Red Hands Cave from the Resolute Picnic Area. The walk loops from the picnic area through the heath and down to the overhang of the cave. The Aboriginal rock art is quite faded but is estimated to be over 2000 years old. This makes for an interesting historic walk, great

Total climbing: 9m

Moderate track

Aboriginal Heritage Track

1.1 km Circuit, 45 mins

The Aboriginal Heritage Track takes in one of the most popular rock art sites in Ku-ring-gai National Park, and an amazing Aboriginal engraving site. The walk leads out from Resolute Picnic Area to pass by the caves and then continues down the management trail to the engravings. The walk then retur

Total climbing: 27m

Moderate track

Mackerel Beach Community

1.4 km Circuit, 45 mins

This short walk is a great way to see the beautiful Mackerel Beach and community. After a short ferry ride from Palm Beach, the walk heads up the grassed streets of Mackerel, leading to the lagoon. The track is mainly sandy beach or grass stretches, with the area behind the lagoon winding through a

Total climbing: 38m

Moderate track

Flint and Steel Bay (to White Horse Beach)

1.9 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a nice walk to White Horse Beach on Flint and Steel Bay. The return-style walk passes McGaw's ruins and and the old water catchment. From White Horse Beach, there are scenic views across the Hawkesbury River. The ruins are a nice addition to the walk - although overgrown, they add a touch o

Total climbing: 159m

Hard track

West Head Lookout Track

1.9 km Return, 1 Hr

From Resolute Picnic Area, this walk heads out to West Head Lookout, with magnificent views across the Hawkesbury River and Lion Island. The track is a direct route which passes through classic Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park bushland. This walk offers a great way to avoid competing for parking at W

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Flint and Steel track

2.1 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk follows a scenic route to the secluded Flint and Steel Beach, which provides views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island, Patonga and Box Head. The walk passes through palm, pine and grass tree forests. There is a great diversity of flora and some fantastic sandston

Total climbing: 209m

Moderate track

Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop

2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This track creates a loop between Flint and Steel Beach and Bay by traversing the headland between them. The walk explores Flint and Steel Beach and the McGaw ruins, while providing scenic views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island.

Total climbing: 227m

Very experienced only

Headland track (Resolute track)

3.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and up to three of Ku-ring-gai Chase's beaches. The circuit walk visits Red Hands Cave and some historic engravings, in addition to enjoying expansive views over Pittwater, with Barrenjoey Headland as a feature. The walk includes Resolute an

Total climbing: 243m

Hard track

Resolute Track

3.7 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

The Resolute Track, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and Resolute Beach. The return-style walk starts from Resolute picnic area and heads down to Resolute Beach, passing a Red Hands Cave and an Aboriginal engraving site. The Resolute Track uses manage

Total climbing: 201m

Hard 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

Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop

5.4 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is another great walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, accessed by ferry. From the Mackerel Beach wharf, this walk uses the Resolute Loop track to round the headland, enjoying a few secluded beaches and excellent, historic Aboriginal sites. This walk features Mackerel Beach and communit

Total climbing: 384m

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

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

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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop walk.

Barrenjoey Headland Walk

2.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This is a fantastic walk for those wanting a great walk on Sydney's northern beaches. Features of this track include views of the central coast, Palm Beach and the South Pacific Ocean, and historic remnants of old lighthouses. Currently some track repairs are underway, however once completed this wa

Total climbing: 110m

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

West Head Lookout

238 m Return, 10 mins

This walk is all about the stunning views from the edge of West Head. After the lovely drive through the bushland along the West Head Rd you will love this gentle stroll down to what feels like the edge of the earth. There are great views across the Pittwater to Barenjoey Head as well as across the

Total climbing: 18m

Easy track

Koolewong Track

810 m Circuit, 30 mins

Probably the best word to describe this walk is 'cute'. The circuit walk starts with a few steep steps, but soon flattens out, following a well-defined track through an open forest, via some natural sandstone sculptures. The lookout is notable for wonderful views to Patonga, Lion Island and out thr

Total climbing: 32m

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

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

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

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

Pearl Beach to Warrah Lookout

5.1 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk follows a wide trail then a track to the fantastic views from Warrah Lookout. From Pearl Beach, this walk follows the roads to the lower end of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail. Continuing up this trail, the walk passes some sandstone caves and further on, enjoys the fenced Warrah Lookou

Total climbing: 189m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop walk starts and ends at the Palm Beach (gps: -33.595749, 151.31911)

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Car. Parking fees apply in the area.<br /> (get details)

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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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