Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Just 25 kilometres north of Sydney’s CBD, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a stunning wilderness of rugged sandstone bushland, deep river valleys, and tranquil waterways. This ancient landscape, rich in Aboriginal heritage, offers a perfect escape into nature without straying far from the city. The park’s dramatic Hawkesbury Sandstone plateaus, pockets of rainforest, and endless walking trails make it a favourite for hikers, kayakers, and wildlife enthusiasts. With over 800 Aboriginal rock engravings and art sites, it’s also a living cultural museum.

Highlights & What to See

• West Head Lookout: One of the most iconic views in Sydney – a sweeping panorama of Broken Bay, the Hawkesbury River, and on clear days, the distant Blue Mountains. The lookout is also the gateway to the Resolute Picnic Area and historic Aboriginal engraving sites, including a life-size whale carving.
• Aboriginal Heritage Walk at Basin Track: A gentle 1.5 km loop that leads you past some of the best-preserved rock art in the Sydney region, including kangaroos, fish, and ancestral figures. Interpretive signs explain the stories behind the carvings.
• Barrenjoey Lighthouse: Perched on the northern tip of the park, this historic lighthouse (accessible via a steep but rewarding walk) offers 360-degree views of Palm Beach and the Central Coast. Combine with a swim at Palm Beach.
• Kayaking on the Hawkesbury River: Paddle through serene, car-free waterways past sandstone cliffs and secluded beaches. Rentals are available at Cottage Point or Bobbin Head, and the calm waters are ideal for beginners.
• Bobbin Head: A historic picnic area with a marina, walking tracks (including the Mangrove Boardwalk), and the Bobbin Head Cycleway – a flat, family-friendly path along the water.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend a full day exploring the park’s highlights, but you could easily linger for two days if you plan to hike longer trails or kayak. A half-day is enough for a quick visit: drive to West Head Lookout, do the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, and have a picnic at Resolute. For a deeper experience, start early, hike the 6 km Great North Walk section from Cowan to Brooklyn, or hire a kayak for a few hours. If you’re self-driving, the park’s sealed roads make it easy to hop between lookouts and picnic spots.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Palm Beach: Just a 10-minute drive from West Head, this iconic beach (home of TV’s Home and Away) offers surf, calm swimming, and the Palm Beach Wharf for ferries to the Central Coast.
• Central Coast: A 30-minute drive north takes you to the Central Coast’s beaches (Avoca, Terrigal) and the Bouddi National Park coastal walk.
• Hawkesbury River Region: Explore the historic river towns of Brooklyn and Wisemans Ferry, or take a river cruise from Brooklyn to see the park from the water.
• Berowra Valley National Park: A quieter bushwalking alternative just west of Ku-ring-gai Chase, with excellent birdwatching and the Great North Walk.
• Lane Cove National Park: A smaller, easily accessible park on the Lane Cove River, perfect for a short canoe trip or a barbecue after visiting Ku-ring-gai Chase.

Please check official sources for current details.