Get driving directions

From Turramurra:

• Enter the park from Bobbin Head Road, at North Turramurra.
• This is a good route to Bobbin Head and Appletree Bay.

From Mt Colah or Asquith:

• Enter the park from Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, off the Pacific Motorway. Or from Belmont Parade if you are driving from Mount Colah.
• This gives you easy access to the large parking areas and picnic facilities at Bobbin Head and Appletree Bay.

From Terrey Hills or Church Point:

• Enter the park from McCarrs Creek Road.
• This leads to Liberator General San Martin Drive, where you'll find the picnic areas and facilities of Illawong Bay and Akuna Bay.
• It also gives access to West Head Road, West Head.

Please note, you cannot reach The Basin campground or Barrenjoey Lighthouse directly by car.

Parking Show more

• Apple Tree picnic area See on map
• Basin Aboriginal art site See on map
• Bobbin Head Visitor Centre See on map
• d'Albora Akuna Bay See on map
• Elvina trail See on map
• Flint and Steel track See on map

Road quality

• Sealed roads

Vehicle access

• 2WD vehicles

By bike

Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.

By public transport

For information about public transport options, visit the NSW transport info website.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park offers an exceptional visit all year round. You're sure to find a walk, tour, activity or attraction to appeal, regardless of the season.

Spring

If you're interested in wildflower displays, set aside a day in August or September to stroll through the park's blooming heathlands.

Summer

Bring your fishing gear and go camping at The Basin.

Winter

Barrenjoey Head (on the other side of Pittwater, but still in the park) is an excellent spot for whale watching. Take the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk between May and August or celebrate International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend in August.

Boat moorings

• NSW National Parks provides free, courtesy moorings available to all recreational boat users on Cowan Waters in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Domestic Commercial Vessels may use courtesy moorings with NPWS consent.
• Vessels must not be left unattended on a courtesy mooring.
• Only one vessel can be attached to each mooring at a time, for a maximum of 24 hours. Attaching other vessels to the moored vessel is not allowed.
• Vessels cannot exceed 14 metres in length. 
• There's no need to book, just moor your boat at any of the available yellow buoys marked with a NSW National Parks logo.
• There are 54 moorings in 17 locations and the NPWS mooring locations are shown as a black number inside a yellow circle on this map provided by Department of Roads and Maritime Safety.

Amenities

• d'Albora Akuna Bay
• Empire Marina Bobbin Head
• Kalkari Discovery Centre
• The Basin campground
• The Basin picnic area

Toilets Show more

• Apple Tree picnic area
• Birrawanna walking track
• Bobbin Head
• Bobbin Head Visitor Centre
• d'Albora Akuna Bay
• Empire Marina Bobbin Head
• Gibberagong walking track
• Great North walk – Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
• Resolute picnic area
• The Basin campground
• The Basin picnic area

Picnic tables Show more

• Akuna Bay
• Apple Tree picnic area
• Bobbin Head
• Bobbin Head Visitor Centre
• d'Albora Akuna Bay
• Empire Marina Bobbin Head
• Gibberagong walking track
• Resolute picnic area
• Sphinx Memorial
• The Basin campground
• The Basin picnic area

Barbecue facilities Show more

• Akuna Bay
• Apple Tree picnic area
• Bobbin Head
• d'Albora Akuna Bay
• Empire Marina Bobbin Head
• Resolute picnic area
• The Basin campground
• The Basin picnic area

Boat ramp

• Akuna Bay
• Apple Tree picnic area
• d'Albora Akuna Bay

Cafe/kiosk

• Akuna Bay
• Bobbin Head Visitor Centre
• Empire Marina Bobbin Head

Drinking water Show more

• Apple Tree picnic area
• Bobbin Head
• d'Albora Akuna Bay
• Empire Marina Bobbin Head
• The Basin campground
• The Basin picnic area

Public phone

• Bobbin Head
• d'Albora Akuna Bay
• Empire Marina Bobbin Head
• The Basin campground

Showers

• The Basin campground

• Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park factsheet
• Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park map (8MB pdf)

Park entry fees:

$12 per vehicle per day. You can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.

Vehicles over 8 seats: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day). Students on educational programs: $1.10 per student. Teachers/educational supervisors: free (1 adult per 10 students).

Other fees:

A $3 per adult, $2 per child landing fee may apply for day visitors to The Basin campground. Please pay at the campground wharf. Landing fees are included in your camping fees.

Group bookings:

Under the Plan of Management for this park, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 40 or more people planning to visit this park. Contact the park office before your visit.

• All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
• Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)

• Explore Pittwater guided tour Explore the magic of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park from the land and on the water when you join Pittwater Eco Adventures on this incredible tour.
• Waratah walking track The long, yet gentle, Waratah walking track takes in wildflowers and scenic water views over Akuna and Yeomens Bay in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

• Aboriginal cultural tours at The Basin Join Guringai Tours for a fascinating day of short walks with Traditional Custodians in beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It a great way to immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture near Sydney.
• Aboriginal Heritage walk Take the fascinating Aboriginal Heritage walk highlighting rock art and engravings of the Aboriginal people of West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Connecting to Country at Bobbin Head Click each point on the map to watch our video series. These stories share our Aboriginal cultural heritage and the importance of protecting the natural environment in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Eco cruises at Pittwater and Broken Bay Sail around Pittwater and Broken Bay on an overnight journey with Eco Sailing Cruises. It's a unique way to explore the stunning beaches, walking tracks and lookouts of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Ku-ring-gai Chase guided bushwalks Explore the highlights of beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with the friendly guides of Go Beyond Tours. See wildlife and stunning scenery and discover Aboriginal heritage on this day tour near Sydney.
• The Basin track and Mackerel track The Basin track and Mackerel track offer stunning ocean views, as well as one of Sydney's best Aboriginal Art sites. You can also enjoy a picnic and swim, or catch a ferry to other scenic spots on Pittwater.

• Eco cruises at Pittwater and Broken Bay Sail around Pittwater and Broken Bay on an overnight journey with Eco Sailing Cruises. It's a unique way to explore the stunning beaches, walking tracks and lookouts of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Elvina trail Elvina trail in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a pleasant walk from West Head Road down to Elvina Bay, with expansive views along the way.
• Explore Pittwater guided tour Explore the magic of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park from the land and on the water when you join Pittwater Eco Adventures on this incredible tour.
• Great North walk stage 7: Hawkesbury panorama Stage 7 of the Great North walk shows off the spectacular diversity of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Discover ridges and rainforests on the 13km walk from Cowan to Hawkesbury River stations.
• Ku-ring-gai corporate leadership experiences Unlock your team's leadership skills, increase wellbeing and reconnect with nature with Gone Bush Adventures. Your guides will take you on a tour in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park that’s tailor-made to suit your team's requirements.
• Morning guided kayak tours of Pittwater Soak up the stunning natural beauty of Pittwater estuary on a guided outing with Pittwater Kayak Tours. After paddling, enjoy a swim and short bushwalk in beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• The Basin track and Mackerel track The Basin track and Mackerel track offer stunning ocean views, as well as one of Sydney's best Aboriginal Art sites. You can also enjoy a picnic and swim, or catch a ferry to other scenic spots on Pittwater.
• West Head lookout Enjoy incredible views from West Head lookout, regarded as one of Sydney's best in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Photograph Pittwater and Barrenjoey Head, or take a short walk from here.

• Akuna Bay Boating enthusiasts love Akuna Bay. Use the public barbecue and enjoy a picnic at Akuna Bay Marina. It's the ideal spot to recharge after you've been out sailing.
• Bobbin Head Visit Bobbin Head picnic area in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and enjoy a barbecue or a spot of fishing for a great daytrip from Sydney.
• Deluxe camping experience at The Basin Enjoy a hassle-free getaway with help from the EcoTreasures camping set up service. They’ll pitch your tent at The Basin campground and provide all the gear you need for a peaceful and relaxed nature escape.
• Eco cruises at Pittwater and Broken Bay Sail around Pittwater and Broken Bay on an overnight journey with Eco Sailing Cruises. It's a unique way to explore the stunning beaches, walking tracks and lookouts of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Hawkesbury farm-to-plate oyster tasting tours If you’re a seafood lover, venture out onto the Hawkesbury’s sparkling waters with Sydney Oyster Tours. You’ll taste delicious seafood and learn all about oyster cultivation.
• Ku-ring-gai Chase electric hydrofoil experience Fly across water on this exhilarating electric hydrofoil experience in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Enjoy stunning views and learn new skills with Fliteschool Manly.
• Ku-ring-gai corporate leadership experiences Unlock your team's leadership skills, increase wellbeing and reconnect with nature with Gone Bush Adventures. Your guides will take you on a tour in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park that’s tailor-made to suit your team's requirements.
• Northern Beaches half-day birding tour Embark on a birding adventure in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with Aussie Bird Tours. You’ll visit lagoons, wetlands and waterfalls to observe a variety of birds in their natural habitat.

Animals

• 

  Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta)

  A nocturnal marsupial and one of the smaller Australian native animals, the long-nosed bandicoot is found across eastern Australia. Populations in the Sydney region have dwindled since European settlement, leaving only endangered colonies in inner western Sydney and at North Head, near Manly. The long-nosed bandicoot has grey-brown fur and a pointed snout which it uses to forage for worms and insects.

• 

  White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

  White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

Plants

• 

  Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)

  Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.

• 

  Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)

  An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.

• 

  Scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma)

  Easily identifiable Australian native plants, scribbly gum trees are found throughout NSW coastal plains and hills in the Sydney region. The most distinctive features of this eucalypt are the ‘scribbles’ made by moth larva as it tunnels between the layers of bark.

• 

  Grey mangrove (Avicennia marina)

  Grey mangrove is the most common and widespread mangrove found within intertidal zones across Australia, and throughout the world. Growing to a height of 3-10m, they thrive best in estuaries with a mix of fresh and salt water. They excrete excess salt through their long thick leaves, and absorb oxygen through their aerial root system.