Kalkari and Birrawanna Loop Tracks

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.6655223,151.149099)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp then drive for 530 m Keep right onto Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp and drive for another 3.4 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the front of the 'Kalkari' centre, this walk heads gently downhill through the car park, keeping the Ku-ring-gai Chase Road to your left, to walk past the 'Kalkari Bush Discovery Track' map to the 'Birrawanna Track' sign at the far end of the car park. This walk now follows the 'Birrawanna Track' sign to the SW corner of the Kalkari enclosure fence and follows the fence for just shy of 400m to step down off a rock platform and continue along the fence for another 150m to the NW corner of the enclosure fence. Here the walk leaves the fence and follows the track as it gently undulates through the wooded forest following the occasional timber step for just over 350m to come to a clear four-way intersection where a sign points back to the 'Kalkari Visitor Centre'.
From the intersection this walk follows the 'Bobbin Head' arrow post east along the track as it almost immediately passes under a set of power lines. The track starts to wind downhill, down a number of timber steps for about 250m where the sandy track flattens out again to come to a three-way intersection marked with a 'Kalkari' sign point back up the hill.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Kalkari Discovery Centre (about 35 m back from the start). Kalkari Discovery Centre Kalkari Discovery Centre is in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, on Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road, Mt Colah. The discovery center is staffed by volunteers from Chase Alive. The center boasts some interesting flora and fauna displays inside, and out the back is a large enclosure with emu, kangaroos and other native animals roaming around. Take time to explore the wheelchair-accessible circuit within the fence. There are toilets at the centre. For information, phone 02 9472 9300. There are picnic tables, seats and drinking fountain at the front. There is a large car parking area at the front of the centre with two designated mobility parking bays. Toilet Accessible (about 15 m back from the start). Toilet Accessible Shared male/female wheelchair accessible toilet. Entrance is 87cm wide (with 2cm step up), hand basin 85cm high, toilet seat 42cm high with a handrail, in a 1.57x1.64m room. The toilet is located behind a locked gate. After another 20 m find the "Toilet" (10 m on your right). Toilet Separate male and female toilet blocks. Each block has entrance 101cm wide, hall is 91cm wide, 2 hand basins 87cm high, 2 toilet seats 42cm high. Male toilet has a urinal. No handrails. After another 20 m find the "Potable Water" (on your left). Potable Water A drinking fountain, 1m high, not working in June 2016. Then pass the "Kalkari Carpark" (9 m on your right). After another 20 m find the "Kalkari Picnic Area" (10 m on your right). Kalkari Picnic Area Out the back of the Kalkari Visitor Center is a fenced animal enclosure and a small seating area. There are some information signs and some seats. There is also a covered 3D terrain map of the area.
	Turn right. Then find the "Parking Accessible" (on your right). Parking Accessible There are many car parking bays at the front of the Kalkari Visitor Center. There are two marked mobility parking bays, they are 3m wide and 5m deep with a rough asphalt surface.
	After another 35 m turn right. After another 35 m turn right, to head along Birrawanna Track. After another 460 m find the "Kalkari Outlook" (70 m on your right). Kalkari Outlook The Kalkari Outlook is a fenced lookout with views over one of the Kalkari fenced enclosures. At times you will be able to see kangaroos grazing in the clearing. There are two seats with views over the outlook. The lower end of the platform is natural rock and the fence is about 90cm high.
	After another 370 m (at the intersection of Birrawanna Track & Birrawanna Trail) continue straight, to head along Birrawanna Track.
	After another 225 m continue straight, to head along Birrawanna Track.
	After another 430 m veer left, to head along Birrawanna Track. After another 195 m head down the 35 steps (about 30 m long) After another 9 m head down the 50 steps (about 60 m long) After another 25 m head down the 21 steps (about 25 m long) After another 80 m head down the 18 steps (about 9 m long) After another 30 m head down the 26 steps (about 30 m long) Then head down the 19 steps (about 15 m long) After another 15 m head down the 8 steps (about 5 m long) After another 15 m head down the 46 steps (about 7 m long) After another 30 m head up the 48 steps (about 40 m long) Then head up the 12 concrete steps (about 5 m long) After another 10 m find the "Bobbin Inn Cafe" (25 m on your left). Bobbin Inn Cafe At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
	Turn right. After another 200 m pass the picnic table (10 m on your left). Then find the "Toilet Accessible" (15 m on your right). Toilet Accessible Two accessible unisex toilet toilets. There are handrails, a basin with running water. Door is 90cm wide. Access is via concreate path from the carpark. The toilet is located at the edge of 'The Station' BBQ area.
	After another 4 m turn left. After another 135 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your left).
	Continue straight.
	After another 45 m turn left, to head along Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road. After another 75 m find the "Bobbin Head" (25 m on your left). Bobbin Head Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old 'Bobbin Inn', built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east). Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and a large playground. There are toilets nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables that can be booked NPWS. The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups. The eastern side of Bobbin Head is dominated by the Empire Marina and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets.
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of Apple Tree Bay Road & Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road) turn left, to head along Birrawanna Track (a walking track). After another 10 m pass the "Bobbin Head Inn" (15 m on your left). Then pass the "National Parks Information Centre" (10 m on your left). Mo-Su 10:00-16:00 Then pass the "Welcome to Cockle Creek Lookout Track". After another 115 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long) After another 15 m pass the "Birrawana Loop Track" (6 m on your right). Then head up the 30 steps (about 10 m long) After another 10 m head up the 28 steps (about 7 m long) After another 20 m head up the 60 steps (about 30 m long) Then pass the toilet (60 m on your right). After another 20 m head up the 12 steps (about 10 m long) After another 60 m cross the ford.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Cockle Creek Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 165 m veer left, to head along Birrawanna Track. After another 370 m cross the ford.
	After another 7 m turn sharp left, to head along Birrawanna Track. After another 140 m pass the "Birrawana Loop Track". After another 175 m head up the 17 steps (about 10 m long) After another 45 m head up the 36 steps (about 45 m long) After another 15 m head up the 17 steps (about 10 m long)
	After another 145 m veer left, to head along Birrawanna Track.
	After another 450 m turn right, to head along Birrawanna Track.
	After another 225 m (at the intersection of Birrawanna Trail & Birrawanna Track) continue straight, to head along Birrawanna Track. After another 830 m to find the "Kalkari Carpark".
	Veer right.
	After another 9 m continue straight. After another 40 m turn left. After another 35 m pass the "Kalkari Discovery Centre" (5 m on your left). After another 20 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Cockle Creek Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	Continue another 115 m to find Cockle Creek Lookout at the end. "Cockle Creek Lookout". Cockle Creek Lookout Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 115 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

Continue another 115 m to find Cockle Creek Lookout at the end.

"Cockle Creek Lookout".

Cockle Creek Lookout

Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 115 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Kalkari and Birrawanna Loop Tracks

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.5 km
Time	2 h 15 min to 4 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.8 km apart with the largest gap of 2.8 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Entity\|toilet	30 m	Toilet
Toilet	2.7 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Kalkari Discovery Centre
Kalkari Discovery Centre is in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, on Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road, Mt Colah. The discovery center is staffed by volunteers from Chase Alive. The center boasts some interesting flora and fauna displays inside, and out the back is a large enclosure with emu, kangaroos and other native animals roaming around. Take time to explore the wheelchair-accessible circuit within the fence. There are toilets at the centre. For information, phone 02 9472 9300. There are picnic tables, seats and drinking fountain at the front. There is a large car parking area at the front of the centre with two designated mobility parking bays.

Bobbin Head
Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old 'Bobbin Inn', built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east). Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and a large playground. There are toilets nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables that can be booked NPWS. The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups. The eastern side of Bobbin Head is dominated by the Empire Marina and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets.

Bobbin Inn Cafe
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.

Cockle Creek Lookout
Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Hornsby Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 15 March
  
  34°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the outer west early this morning. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the afternoon then becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High]
  
  Sunday 16 March
  
  23°C → 36°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h in the morning then tending northerly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.
  
  Monday 17 March
  
  16°C → 22°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Winds northerly 20 to 30 km/h shifting southerly 25 to 40 km/h early morning then decreasing to 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.
  
  Tuesday 18 March
  
  14°C → 24°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds.
  
  Wednesday 19 March
  
  14°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Thursday 20 March
  
  18°C → 31°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 21 March
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Gibberagong bridge closed for maintenance
  Gibberagong bridge at Bobbin Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, will be closed for maintenance from Wednesday 19 March to Friday 21 March 2025 inclusive, weather permitting. There will be no through access on the Gibberagong track from either side of the bridge. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on (02) 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Some trails closed for vegetation maintenance 14 March to 4th April 2025
  Some trails are closed from Friday 14 March to Friday 4 April 2025 due to vegetation maintenance works.
  These trails are closed:
  
  Perimeter trail
  
  Long trail
  
  Cowan trail
  
  Wilkins trail
  
  Smith Creek West trail
  
  Follow directions as per signage and Contractors.
  
  Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between 1 February 2025 and 31 July 2025 in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. 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). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Forestville 9451 3479 or Lane Cove 8448 0400 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  Closed areas: Major works in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
  Major works are currently being undertaken to upgrade the sewerage system in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. As a result, there may be small delays experienced on Ku-ring-gai Chase Road on weekdays.
  There will also be a partial closure of the Apple Tree Bay picnic area, with the back section being inaccessible to the public during these works. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure
  Berowra walking track is partially closed until further notice from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track. There is a threat of rockfalls due to slope instability caused by recent weather events. NPWS is in the process of carrying out necessary repair works.
  The Berowra walking track from Berowra Station to Mt Ku-ring-gai is open for use.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).
  
  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.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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