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Aboriginal Heritage walk

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Fri 20 September 2024, 11.25am

Applies from Wed 18 Sep 2024, 6.05pm to Sat 5 Oct 2024, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Sep 2024, 11.25am.

Closed areas: Mackerel trail closed for maintenance works

Mackerel trail and a section of Basin trail are partially closed from Monday 23 September to Friday 4 October 2024 while trail maintenance is undertaken. The closed section of the Basin trail is between West Head Road and Mackerel trail.

Walkers should follow signage and be cautious due to heavy machinery on the trail.

The Basin campground and picnic area remain open.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Applies from Tue 13 Aug 2024, 9.16am to Fri 18 Oct 2024, 9.17am. Last reviewed: Sun 8 Sep 2024, 7.38am.

Other planned events: 1080 pest management in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting an aerial baiting program using dried meat baits containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program will occur between Wednesday 18 and Friday 20 September 2024 in West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Do not touch baits. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.

Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Fox baiting in this reserve is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.

For more information, contact the local park office on: 

Forestville: 02 9451 3479 (business hours)

NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)

 

Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Thu 29 Aug 2024, 6.07pm.

Closed areas: North Mackerel track closed and Mackerel trail partially closed

North Mackerel track is permanently closed due to a potential risk of rockfalls and unstable cliff edges in the Great Mackerel Beach area.

The only designated land access to or from Great Mackerel Beach is via Mackerel track to the north, which intersects with Resolute track.

Due to land instability and risk to personal safety, there is no through or return access to or from the following places:

  • The south end of Great Mackerel Beach via The Basin or Mackerel trail
  • The west of Great Mackerel Beach via North Mackerel track, which is closed.

Please be aware of the risks associated with visiting natural areas, including rock falls, unstable edges, falling branches and interactions with wildlife.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Mon 23 Sep 2024, 2.24pm to Tue 2 Sep 2025, 2.25pm. Last reviewed: Mon 23 Sep 2024, 2.26pm

Closed parks: Muogamarra Nature Reserve closed

Muogamarra Nature Reserve is only open to the public for 6 weeks every year, around spring time.

Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access is restricted at other times to approved educational and research activities only.

For more information about the reserve, call the NPWS Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or the NPWS North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 18 Sep 2024, 6.05pm to Sat 5 Oct 2024, 9.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Sep 2024, 11.25am

Closed areas: Mackerel trail closed for maintenance works

Mackerel trail and a section of Basin trail are partially closed from Monday 23 September to Friday 4 October 2024 while trail maintenance is undertaken. The closed section of the Basin trail is between West Head Road and Mackerel trail.

Walkers should follow signage and be cautious due to heavy machinery on the trail.

The Basin campground and picnic area remain open.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 13 Aug 2024, 9.16am to Fri 18 Oct 2024, 9.17am. Last reviewed: Sun 8 Sep 2024, 7.38am

Other planned events: 1080 pest management in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting an aerial baiting program using dried meat baits containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program will occur between Wednesday 18 and Friday 20 September 2024 in West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Do not touch baits. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.

Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Fox baiting in this reserve is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.

For more information, contact the local park office on: 

Forestville: 02 9451 3479 (business hours)

NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)

 

Affects 1 park and 21 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 14 Aug 2024, 1.32pm to Thu 31 Oct 2024, 1.33pm. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Sep 2024, 9.48am

Closed areas: Section of Perimeter trail closed for upgrade

A section of Perimeter trail is closed from Monday 19 August to Thursday 31 October 2024 while a causeway is constructed and culverts replaced. The closed section is between Nerang track and the Perimeter trail entrance off Booralie Road.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 4 Jul 2024, 9.33am to Thu 31 Oct 2024, 9.34am. Last reviewed: Wed 17 Jul 2024, 11.07am

Closed areas: Barrenjoey access trail closed on weekdays

Barrenjoey access road is closed on weekdays from Monday 8 July 2024 to Thursday 31 October 2024 due to construction works. Pedestrian access to Barrenjoey Lighthouse will be via Smugglers track.

The Smugglers track is a grade 3 walking track – mostly stairs. It is a steeper and more challenging walk to the top of the headland. Please consider your ability prior to ascent.

For further information please call the local area office.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 7 Apr 2022, 11.17am to Tue 31 Dec 2024, 8.00pm. Last reviewed: Thu 22 Aug 2024, 1.13pm

Closed areas: Brieses fire trail partial closure

The section of Brieses fire trail between Mooney Mooney Creek and Old Mooney Dam trail is closed until further notice due to a landslip, making it unsafe for vehicles.

Signs are in place around closed areas. This area will re-open as soon as it is safe and repair works have been completed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 21 May 2024, 11.41am. Last reviewed: Tue 3 Sep 2024, 7.45pm

Closed areas: Warrah Trig Road closed to vehicles

Warrah Trig Road is closed to vehicles due to a recent increase in illegal activities throughout the area.

The road will remain closed until investigations are completed and further recommendations are made.

The road is open to pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 15 Dec 2022, 4.29pm. Last reviewed: Thu 29 Aug 2024, 6.07pm

Closed areas: North Mackerel track closed and Mackerel trail partially closed

North Mackerel track is permanently closed due to a potential risk of rockfalls and unstable cliff edges in the Great Mackerel Beach area.

The only designated land access to or from Great Mackerel Beach is via Mackerel track to the north, which intersects with Resolute track.

Due to land instability and risk to personal safety, there is no through or return access to or from the following places:

  • The south end of Great Mackerel Beach via The Basin or Mackerel trail
  • The west of Great Mackerel Beach via North Mackerel track, which is closed.

Please be aware of the risks associated with visiting natural areas, including rock falls, unstable edges, falling branches and interactions with wildlife.

For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Affects 1 park and 8 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 31 Jan 2024, 8.00am to Fri 28 Feb 2025, 8.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 8 Aug 2024, 8.23am

Safety alerts: Ironbark Road access to picnic area - last 850m 4WD only

The last 850m of Ironbark Road (Crown Road) to access Ironbark picnic area is currently limited to 4WD vehicles only.

This section is not suitable for conventional 2WD vehicles due to a severely eroded hill along the Crown Road.

Visitors to this section of the park travelling by conventional 2WD vehicles will need to walk the last 850 metres to access the park and Ironbark picnic area.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 29 Sep 2014, 1.49pm to Mon 11 Aug 2025, 11.58am. Last reviewed: Thu 19 Sep 2024, 9.22am

Closed areas: No access to Old Wagstaffe trail through private property

There is no public access to Old Wagstaffe trail through private property. Signs show where public access is not permitted. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Central Coast area office on 02 4320 4200.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/aboriginal-heritage-walk/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

    • Gates to West Head are closed from 8.30pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 6pm to 6am the rest of the year.
    • Gates to Sphinx Memorial carpark are closed overnight from 7pm.
  • 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).

    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.

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info

Emergency services

For all NSW fires visit the Rural Fire Service

For the latest information on wildfires in your area please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service.

View all alerts for NSW