Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Getting there and parking
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/Asquith: Enter the park from Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, off the Pacific Highway. 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 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 and The Basin.
Park entry points
- Bobbin Head Road access See on map
- Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road access See on map
- McCarrs Creek Rd access See on map
Parking
- Apple Tree picnic area See on map
- Basin Aboriginal art site See on map
- Bobbin Head Information Centre See on map
- d'Albora Marinas at Akuna Bay 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.
Best times to visit
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.
Facilities
Amenities Show more
- d'Albora Marinas at 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 Information Centre
- d'Albora Marinas at 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 Information Centre
- d'Albora Marinas at 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
Boat ramp
Cafe/kiosk
Drinking water Show more
- Apple Tree picnic area
- Bobbin Head
- d'Albora Marinas at Akuna Bay
- Empire Marina Bobbin Head
- The Basin campground
- The Basin picnic area
Public phone
Showers
Maps and downloads
Fees and passes
Park entry fees:
$12 per vehicle per day. Bus: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day). There is no daily entry fee for teachers/educational supervisors (1 adult per 10 children).
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Please note that spear guns and hand spears are not permitted in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. They may not be carried through the park and must not be used within 100m of a beach in the national park.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Gathering firewood and the use of heat beads is not permitted.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the OEH pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Contact
- in the Sydney and surrounds region
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- The entrance to Bobbin Head and Appletree Bay is closed from 8pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 5.30pm to 6am at other times of the year.
- Gates to West Head are closed from 8.30pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 6pm to 6am at other times of the year.
- No vehicle access to The Basin campground or to Barrenjoey Headland
Park entry fees:
$12 per vehicle per day. Bus: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day). There is no daily entry fee for teachers/educational supervisors (1 adult per 10 children).
Buy an annual pass.-
- Sydney North (Bobbin Inn, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park)
(02) 9472 8949
Contact hours: 10am-4pm daily. 9am-4pm during summer school holidays (closed 12pm-12:30pm) (closed Christmas Day) - Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Bobbin Head Road, Mount Colah
- Email: bobbin.head@environment.nsw.gov.au
Fax: (02) 9457 0113
- Sydney North (Bobbin Inn, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park)
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- The Basin (Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park)
13000 PARKS (13000 72757)
- The Basin (Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park)
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- Sydney North (Kalkari Discovery Centre)
(02) 9472 9300
(02) 9472 9301
Contact hours: 9am to 5pm daily (closed Christmas Day) - Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah
- Email: snr.discovery@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Sydney North (Kalkari Discovery Centre)
Visitor centre
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Bobbin Head Information Centre
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Bobbin Head Road, Mount Colah - 10am-4pm daily. 9am-4pm during summer school holidays (closed 12pm-12:30pm) (closed Christmas Day)
- (02) 9472 8949
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Kalkari Discovery Centre
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah - 9am to 5pm daily (closed Christmas Day)
- (02) 9472 9300
- (02) 9472 9301
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Kalkari Discovery Centre
Nearby towns
Hornsby (5 km)
A suburb in Sydney's upper north shore, Hornsby is conveniently located for easy access to Lane Cove National Park, Berowra Valley Regional Park, and the heritage-listed Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - Australia's second-oldest national park. Explore walking and cycling tracks and Aboriginal sites, as well as marinas, cafes and picnic areas.
Sydney City Centre (26 km)
No trip to Sydney is complete without spending some time in the city’s beautiful parks. Whether it’s in central areas like Hyde Park or the Royal Botanic Gardens or further out in Centennial Parklands, there’s plenty of green space to go out and enjoy.
Gosford (50 km)
Gosford is a great destination for a family day trip or holiday. It's situated on Brisbane Water National Park and surrounded by state forests, lakes and beaches.