Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

IUCN Category II (National Park)
Map of Australia
Map of Australia
Location New South Wales
Nearest city Sydney
Coordinates 33°39′3.6″S 151°12′3.6″E / -33.651, 151.201
Area 154 km²
Established October 1, 1967
Visitors 2 Million (in 2001)
Governing body NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ku-ring-gai Chase is a national park in New South Wales (Australia), 25 km north of Sydney located largely within the Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Warringah and Pittwater municipal areas. Ku-ring-gai Chase is also officially classed as a suburb by the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales.

The park is one of the most accessible in Australia, and this combined with its beautiful river and bushland setting make it one of the most popular. It has picnic, boating, fishing and walking possibilities, and is famous for its beautiful Aboriginal Rock Engravings. The park is located where the Hawkesbury River meets the Tasman Sea.

Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park was added to the list of the National Heritage in December, 2006.[1]

Contents

[edit] Facilities

[edit] Bobbin Head

Main article: Bobbin Head

Bobbin Head is a scenic area that is a "near-urban" part of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Bobbin Head is easily reached by taking Bobbin Head Road through North Turramurra, New South Wales or Kuringai Chase Road from near Hornsby, New South Wales. Located on Cowan Creek, this is a large and popular family picnic area. It is good for fishing, and is the starting point for walks.

Facilities at Bobbin Head include a marina, picnic areas with gas (coin operated) barbecues, a small store / takeaway food shop at the marina, and a lunch-time restaurant in what used to be the Bobbin Head Inn, which also contains a National Parks information center. The area also contains many fire trails and a mangrove boardwalk. Aboriginal engravings can be observed along some of the hiking trails.

  • Extensive Parking
  • Shop
  • Kiosk
Cowan Creek, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Cowan Creek, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
  • Flush toilets
  • Children's Play Equipment
  • Picnic tables including some under shelters
  • Jetty
  • Boat hire

[edit] Appletree Bay

  • Paved parking area, including trailer parking
  • Boat launch ramp & jetty
  • Flush Toilets
  • Picnic Tables
  • Barbecues

[edit] The Basin

A popular camping/picnic site with a small beach Pittwater. This is the only place in the entire National Park where camping is allowed. Access is either by West Head Rd via The Basin Track or on a ferry from Palm Beach Wharf. Camping is $14 per person per night for adults and $7 for children. Park entry via car is $11.00 per day.

  • Flush Toilets
  • Camp sites for 400 people
  • Public Phone
  • Drink vending machine
  • Cold showers
  • Picnic Tables
  • Electric/Gas/Wood Barbecues

[edit] West Head

West Head Lookout.
West Head Lookout.
Barrenjoey Headland and Station Beach viewed from West Head
Barrenjoey Headland and Station Beach viewed from West Head

West Head is a headland at the north eastern tip of the National Park. A lookout, with views of Barrenjoey, Palm Beach and Broken Bay, has been built on West Head[2].

[edit] Barrenjoey

Barrenjoey is a locality of Palm Beach[3]. It is a headland and unusual amongst the National Park's features as it is not joined to the rest of the Park by land but separated by 1 kilometer of water, the Pittwater.

Barrenjoey was chosen in 1956 by the Government of Australia as a bordering side of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park as thanks for the efforts of the mayor towards the peaceful assimilation and integration of the native Australian aborigines who were originally the sole inhabitants of the Barrenjoey area.

[edit] The Sphinx

This is a walk going by a big sphinx statue commemorating the war.

[edit] Cottage Point


[edit] Entry Points

[edit] By Road

Ku-ring-gai Chase Road 
near F3 Freeway Mt Colah Exit.
Bobbin Head Road 
near Lady Davidson Hospital and Ku-ring-gai High School
West Head Road 
from McCarrs Creek Road off Mona Vale Road
Barrenjoey Headland Track 
from Station Beach Track off Barrenjoey Road

[edit] On Foot

Jerusalem Bay Track (The Great North Walk)
Cross the F3 Freeway into the park on a footbridge next to Cowan Station
Unnamed Track, Cowan
An unnamed track starts at the Old Pacific Highway, near the Cowan Works Depot, a tower and a nursery, just south of the 'Pie in the Sky' Cafe. The track goes to a locked gate, then through an underpass across the F3 Freeway, then joins the Jerusalem Bay Track
The Great North Walk, Brooklyn
Tracks from End of Bridge Street???? and Brooklyn Road on the south east side of the rail bridge

[edit] By Boat


[edit] Entry Costs

Vehicle entry fees

A vehicle day pass costs $11.

The Basin campground

Fees: $14.00 per adult per night, $7.00 per child per night. If arriving at The Basin by water the landing fee is included in the price of the campsite booking.

Other fees

If arriving at the Basin by water for a day visit, there is a landing fees of $3 per adult and $2 per child. Annual pass holders must also pay landing fees.

[edit] Walks

The view from West Head Lookout.
The view from West Head Lookout.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Wild magazine, Jul-Sep 2007
  2. ^ Gregory's Street Directory, 59th Edition 1995, Map 109
  3. ^ UBD Street Directory, 40th Edition 2003, Map 78

There are many great walking tracks in Ku-ring-gai, especially through the Duffys Forest and Terrey Hills area. Meeting at Cowan creek, you can come from the other side at Turramurra.

[edit] See also


[edit] External links