Ku-Ring-Gai Chase
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This national park is 25 km north of Sydney and accessible by car, rail and boat. Located at the southern end of the Hawkesbury River, Ku-ring-gai boasts many walking and hiking trails, scenic picnic spots and a bit of Aborginal history in rock carvings throughout the park.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
45 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
13
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Oscar Smith
Newcastle, Australia2,555 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
Great place to catch up with friends. Nice bushwalk around the Bobbin Head area and it was also good for kayaking
Written January 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom9,563 contributions
Jun 2020
If you are looking for something other than mainstream Sydney tourist spots, this is a brilliant place. The park covers a massive area which includes including coastline, rainforest, natural bushland, the Hawkesbury River and Aboriginal rock paintings and engravings.
Whilst I have mostly gone to the Bobbin Head side, I recently went to the West Head lookout with a friend so this review is about the West head side of the park.
We had a fabulous day. Highlights included the West Head lookout with its stunning views across to Palm Beach, the echidna who waddled across the path in front of us and spotting a lyre bird. They are notoriously shy birds and difficult to see in the wild so this was a real surprise.
There are 15 different West Head walking trails which range from level, easy walks to difficult, steep tracks. We did the Challenger trail and the Flint & Steel Trail.
The Challenger trail was very easy and had a wide, open, flat path. It would be suitable for even small children. It was lined with towering eucalypts and this is where we saw the echidna and lyre bird.
The Flint & Steel Beach trail was much narrower and was quite steep because it takes you all the way down through the bush to the beach. Although steep and sometimes uneven, the path was not slippery and was reasonably easy. If you have dodgy knees or unsteady footing, then I would avoid it but otherwise, it’s fine. You can park at the trail head and follow the signs from there. However watch out for a point where the track splits. To get to the beach, you will need to take the track down to the right. The beach itself is small but stunning. Apart from a couple of fishermen in an old dinghy, we were the only ones there. A curious collection of driftwood huts along the sand intrigued us (I suspect that they would have delighted children). They looked like driftwood versions of those portable beach sun shelters that pop up everywhere now. We guessed that they’d been built over time by fishermen and gradually added to (see photos).
GETTING THERE: A car is definitely the easiest way to get there. You can catch public transport but it wouldn't be easy and I’d not recommend it.
WHAT TO TAKE: Take all the usual things like water, sunscreen, reasonably good walking shoes, a hat and if you’re there in summer, I’d take insect repellent too. Take food or snacks with you. You can’t buy anything at West Head (although you can at Bobbin Head).
COST: There is a $12 daily admission fee to the National Park. It’s only per car (not per person) and parking inside is free. If you are planning on going to other NSW National Parks, then it could be worth buying the annual pass instead. There are 45 parks in NSW and a few different levels of passes so it’s worth checking this out before you pay for the day pass.
ASK FOR A MAP: When you drive through the main gates at West Head, make sure you ask for a free map. It’s just a simple sheet but it shows you all of the walking trails and the different levels of difficulty as well as the location of the picnic area and the toilet block. At the same time, you can ask if any of the trails are closed – usually one or two are.
Whilst I have mostly gone to the Bobbin Head side, I recently went to the West Head lookout with a friend so this review is about the West head side of the park.
We had a fabulous day. Highlights included the West Head lookout with its stunning views across to Palm Beach, the echidna who waddled across the path in front of us and spotting a lyre bird. They are notoriously shy birds and difficult to see in the wild so this was a real surprise.
There are 15 different West Head walking trails which range from level, easy walks to difficult, steep tracks. We did the Challenger trail and the Flint & Steel Trail.
The Challenger trail was very easy and had a wide, open, flat path. It would be suitable for even small children. It was lined with towering eucalypts and this is where we saw the echidna and lyre bird.
The Flint & Steel Beach trail was much narrower and was quite steep because it takes you all the way down through the bush to the beach. Although steep and sometimes uneven, the path was not slippery and was reasonably easy. If you have dodgy knees or unsteady footing, then I would avoid it but otherwise, it’s fine. You can park at the trail head and follow the signs from there. However watch out for a point where the track splits. To get to the beach, you will need to take the track down to the right. The beach itself is small but stunning. Apart from a couple of fishermen in an old dinghy, we were the only ones there. A curious collection of driftwood huts along the sand intrigued us (I suspect that they would have delighted children). They looked like driftwood versions of those portable beach sun shelters that pop up everywhere now. We guessed that they’d been built over time by fishermen and gradually added to (see photos).
GETTING THERE: A car is definitely the easiest way to get there. You can catch public transport but it wouldn't be easy and I’d not recommend it.
WHAT TO TAKE: Take all the usual things like water, sunscreen, reasonably good walking shoes, a hat and if you’re there in summer, I’d take insect repellent too. Take food or snacks with you. You can’t buy anything at West Head (although you can at Bobbin Head).
COST: There is a $12 daily admission fee to the National Park. It’s only per car (not per person) and parking inside is free. If you are planning on going to other NSW National Parks, then it could be worth buying the annual pass instead. There are 45 parks in NSW and a few different levels of passes so it’s worth checking this out before you pay for the day pass.
ASK FOR A MAP: When you drive through the main gates at West Head, make sure you ask for a free map. It’s just a simple sheet but it shows you all of the walking trails and the different levels of difficulty as well as the location of the picnic area and the toilet block. At the same time, you can ask if any of the trails are closed – usually one or two are.
Written July 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daisy
Greater Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Jul 2019 • Family
$12 entry and $12 to park... Can you just drive through?? Nope, you still must pay $12 to drive through. What has happened to Sydney?!
Also, the water tends to smell bad.
Also, the water tends to smell bad.
Written July 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrDavetheSarks
Melbourne, Australia20,220 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
Like a lot of Sydney's national parks this one is also pretty massive. Numerous ways to get here, including by train, and even a ferry. Lots of aboriginal rock art scattered about the place, as well as some old coastal fortresses
Written May 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bronislava T
North Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
Great track, with an amazing stop at one of the coffee shops for a lunch. Not many people walking there as the track is quite long. Great to walk with friend, breathtaking views around...
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz R
Devon, UK7 contributions
Dec 2017
This was a very easy transition from the urbanisation of Sydney to something closer to the great outdoors. A very good information centre with very helpful staff gave us options to choose from. On a very hot day we were able to sample Aboriginal carvings, local flora and fauna and stunning views overlooking the river, all within 2km. Further along from a stunning view point we saw a sea eagle. There are a number of advertised excursions which include river tours but we saw all of the above for the 12 dollar entrance fee to the park which lasts for 24 hours.
Written January 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
erikbuice
Fairfax County, VA12 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
Parents: a fantastic day; fascinating, historical (while culturally very respectful), and classy with great food. Each family member had their own favorite moment. Highly recommended!
(Age 16): Amazing experience!! The overlook was remarkable with breathtaking views, the boat ride had lovely scenery and the Aboriginal rock engraving sight was rare and beautiful. I enjoyed the commentary throughout, the history was fascinating and the entire day was unforgettable.
(Age 10) That was so fun! The boat ride was so relaxing and it had amazing scenery and amazing watermelon snack. The marks on the ground were supercool !😆🇦🇺🐨
(Age 16): Amazing experience!! The overlook was remarkable with breathtaking views, the boat ride had lovely scenery and the Aboriginal rock engraving sight was rare and beautiful. I enjoyed the commentary throughout, the history was fascinating and the entire day was unforgettable.
(Age 10) That was so fun! The boat ride was so relaxing and it had amazing scenery and amazing watermelon snack. The marks on the ground were supercool !😆🇦🇺🐨
Written August 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve W
5 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
My wife and I very much enjoyed our day with Sydney Out Back. Paul and Brian were fantastic guides as well as Don on the cruise segment of the trip. We learned a great deal about Australian history in general and the Aboriginal story in particular. The two cannot really be separated. The park was quite beautiful and filled with awe inspiring vistas. We also visited some Aboriginal sites both on land and on water where we learned of their cosmology and their cultural history. Very enjoyable day!
Written January 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
indy-kular
Birmingham, UK1 contribution
Dec 2016 • Couples
Initially picked up from four seasons hotel, there were just 11 of us including the tour guide and driver which was great, makes the whole tour feel more tailored and personal. The tour included seeing some aboriginal paintings and formations, things that are not accessible by the public, which was a fantastic addition to the overall well planned tour. We headed on to west head lookout for one of the best view points of Sydney, incredible scenery especially as weather conditions were perfect on the day. Finished the day on a cruise through some of the national parks most scenic areas, even managing to see wild Eagles in flight. The guide Paul was just incredible, also Bryan the driver was fantastic, both had great knowledge, managed to involve everyone. To be honest the guides alone made the trip, we could have sat in a cafe and learnt some interesting facts about the aborigines but these guys have really organised a great tour, I would highly recommend this to anybody. Thanks to the guys for a great day
Written December 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerrie P
Perth, Australia480 contributions
Oct 2016
I visited this park today for the first time and I was not disappointed. The bushland, wildlife and walking tracks were wicked!!! Managed to see a big lizard, parrots, wallabies & some beautiful flowers.
We had a picnic lunch down at Bobbin heads and it was so pretty & looked like something on a postcard. Plenty of bins and toilets dotted around the entire grounds. Playgrounds for children & lots of different walking tracks. The nature in the park is outstanding & I was truly taken back by the breath taking views and surroundings. The water is so so clear and you can buy a bag of fish food for $3 and feed the thousands of fish that swim near the cafe.
This is a must see.
We had a picnic lunch down at Bobbin heads and it was so pretty & looked like something on a postcard. Plenty of bins and toilets dotted around the entire grounds. Playgrounds for children & lots of different walking tracks. The nature in the park is outstanding & I was truly taken back by the breath taking views and surroundings. The water is so so clear and you can buy a bag of fish food for $3 and feed the thousands of fish that swim near the cafe.
This is a must see.
Written October 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ealm80
Sydney, Australia
Were do you pick up us if we book monday 10 september? We live in Darlinghurst
LDM47
St. Augustine, FL14 contributions
I need directions on how to arrive at Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Nat'l Park by public transport from Wynward
Station Sydney CBD by Bus or Train. And if there are multiple entrances into the park, which one is
best? Which trails are best within the park? How much is the entrance fees?
Thanks so much for your time...
LDM47
St. Augustine, FL14 contributions
Hi, My husband and I will be staying in SydneyCBD and want to take public transport to Ku-ring-gai Natl Park, Would you please tell us what bus or train numbers to ride and what stop to get off at. Is it best to see the Kalkari Discovery Centre ? What entrance station is best? Thanks so much...
LDM47
St. Augustine, FL14 contributions
I need directions on how to arrive at Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park by public transport
from Wynward Sydney CBD by Bus. And if there are multiple entrances into the park,
which one is best? What trails are best within the park?
Thanks so much...
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Claim your listingKU-RING-GAI CHASE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Ku-Ring-Gai Chase
- Hotels near Ku-Ring-Gai Chase:
- (13.91 km) Meriton Suites North Ryde
- (15.09 km) Narrabeen Sands Hotel by Nightcap Plus
- (15.19 km) Quest Macquarie Park
- (2.63 km) Mt. Kuring-Gai Motel
- (14.25 km) Marramarra Lodge
- Restaurants near Ku-Ring-Gai Chase:
- (0.88 km) Bobbin Inn Cafe Bobbin Head
- (6.41 km) A Chef Secrets
- (1.14 km) Waterside Bistro
- (6.22 km) Cottage Point Inn
- (13.51 km) Cafe Lyon