Red Hands Cave Circuit
Guringai Country

10 min to 30 min

480 m
circuit

↑ 12 m
↓ -12 m

Moderate track
This is a short walk down to Red Hands Cave from the Resolute Picnic Area. The walk loops from the picnic area through the heath and down to the overhang of the cave. The Aboriginal rock art is quite faded but is estimated to be over 2000 years old. This makes for an interesting historic walk, great as an appetiser before a picnic lunch at Resolute Picnic Area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Resolute Picnic Area. | Photo by admin
Track from Resolute Picnic Area. | Photo by admin
Sign post at Red Hands Cave intersection. | Photo by admin
Track through heath. | Photo by admin
Red hand at Red Hands Cave. | Photo by admin
Track to Resolute Picnic Area. | Photo by admin
Downloads GPX PDF

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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.5779146,151.2998212)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Mona Vale Road, A3
  • Turn on to then drive for 30 m
  • Turn slight left onto McCarrs Creek Road and drive for another 25 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McCarrs Creek Road and drive for another 5 km
  • Turn left onto West Head Road and drive for another 350 m
  • Turn slight left onto West Head Road and drive for another 12.3 km
  • Turn right and drive for another 15 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 3 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From Resolute Picnic Area, this walk follow the signs for 'Red Hands Cave' away from the picnic area. The track heads down the sandy service trail for approximately 100m to the intersection marked by the sign on the left.
From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Red Hands Cave 0.85km' away from the service trail. The track heads slightly downhill before turning right. The track then drops down some stairs, passing around and down a rock shelf to continue to an overhanging rock - Red Hands Cave. The cave is fenced off and marked with informative signs.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 35 m to find the car park.
After another 15 m find the "Resolute Picnic Area" (5 m on your left).
Resolute Picnic Area
Resolute Picnic Area

Resolute picnic area, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large grassed area with benches, shelter, interpretive signs, electric BBQ's and an environmentally-friendly toilet block. The picnic area does not have drinking water, but does have a pay phone and wheelchair-accessible bathroom with baby-changing area. Resolute picnic area is a great place for lunch, with Red Hands Cave, West Head and Resolute Beach and West Head Lookout tracks starting from the picnic area. The picnic area has adequate parking and a bus turn-around area.
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Resolute picnic area, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large grassed area with benches, shelter, interpretive signs, electric BBQ's and an environmentally-friendly toilet block. The picnic area does not have drinking water, but does have a pay phone and wheelchair-accessible bathroom with baby-changing area. Resolute picnic area is a great place for lunch, with Red Hands Cave, West Head and Resolute Beach and West Head Lookout tracks starting from the picnic area. The picnic area has adequate parking and a bus turn-around area.

After another 15 m turn right.
After another 10 m continue straight.
After another 95 m turn left.
After another 155 m find the "Red Hands Cave" (6 m on your right).
Red Hands Cave
Red Hands Cave

Red Hands Cave, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small rock overhang just near Resolute Picnic Area. The red hands are made by ochre, clay, being blown over an outspread hand. This Aboriginal rock art has been given an estimation of approximately 2000 years in age.
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Red Hands Cave, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small rock overhang just near Resolute Picnic Area. The red hands are made by ochre, clay, being blown over an outspread hand. This Aboriginal rock art has been given an estimation of approximately 2000 years in age.

Turn left.
After another 75 m turn right.
After another 10 m turn left.
After another 65 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Red Hands Cave Circuit


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 480 m
Time 10 min to 30 min
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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Articles
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