Headland Track (Resolute Track)

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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	(-33.5780175,151.3005133)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Mona Vale Road, A3, Terrey Hills. 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 65 m Turn right onto West Head Track and drive for another 3 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Resolute Picnic Area car park, the walk heads through the picnic area, away from the road, to follow the 'Red Hands Track 50m' sign. The walk then descends a flight of stairs to the intersection at the bottom.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along West Head Track. Find the Resolute Picnic Area at the start. 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. Turn left.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Red Hands Cave. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Resolute Track.
	After another 390 m continue straight, to head along Resolute Track. After another 400 m pass the sign (on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to West Head Lookout. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Veer right, to head along Resolute Track.
	After another 100 m turn right, to head along Resolute Track. After another 195 m continue straight, to head along Resolute Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to West Head Beach. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 65 m continue straight, to head along Resolute Track. After another 245 m pass the shelter (on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Resolute Beach. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 330 m continue straight, to head along Resolute Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 25 m turn right, to head along Resolute Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to an Aboriginal occupation cave. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 125 m turn sharp left, to head along Resolute Track.
	After another 75 m (at the intersection of Headland Track & Resolute Track) turn sharp right, to head along Headland Track (a vehicle track).
	After another 680 m turn right. After another 165 m find the "Engravings - West Head Track" (on your right). Engravings - West Head Track The engravings on West Head were made by the indigenous Guringai people. The engravings depict a man, shark/whale and two eels.
	After another 20 m turn right, to head along West Head Track.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of West Head Track & Resolute Track) veer right, to head along West Head Track. After another 135 m (at the intersection of West Head Track & Resolute Track) continue straight, to head along West Head Track. After another 40 m pass the toilet (75 m on your left). After another 65 m pass the BBQ (15 m on your left). A picnic table.
	After another 10 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Red Hands Cave.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Resolute Track. After another 35 m come to "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.
	Continue another 0 m to find Red Hands Cave at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to West Head Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 80 m come to the end. About 15 m past the end is "West Head Beach". West Head Beach West Head Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small stretch of sand sitting on the West Head Peninsula. The beach has an easterly aspect, facing out of steep hills over Pittwater to the Barrenjoey Headland. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 80 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Resolute Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 85 m come to the end. About 15 m past the end is "Resolute Beach". Resolute Beach Resolute Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small stretch of sand sitting on the West Head Peninsula between steep headlands. The easterly aspect of the beach overlooks Barrenjoey Headland across the Pittwater. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 85 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Palm Trees North end of Mackerel Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 530 m continue straight.
	After another 95 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 620 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to an Aboriginal occupation cave.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 45 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 45 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to West Head Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 10 m veer right. After another 35 m find the "Seat" (15 m on your left). Seat A series of 4 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 43cm deep and 2.1m wide with no backrest or armrest. Then find the "Lion Island View" (20 m on your left). Lion Island View The upper viewing platform at West Head Lookout provides great views framed by trees to Lion Island and surrounding waterways. There are a few bench seats and some information signs about the 'West Head Battery'. A lovely spot among the eucalypt and angophora forest. After another 15 m find the "Seat" (7 m on your right). Seat A series of 3 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 43cm deep and 2.1m wide with no backrest or armrest. Then find the "Seat" (7 m on your right). Seat A series of 3 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 28cm deep, 2.1m wide, a 38cm back rest and no armrest. Then pass the sign (on your right). Then come to "West Head Lookout". West Head Lookout West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large paved sandstone viewing area with fantastic views and some interesting interpretive signs. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island to Patonga (Central Coast) also across the Pittwater to Barrenjoey Headland and out to sea. The lookout has a series of bench seats and a low (50cm) stone wall. A lovely place to just sit and soak up the views, and history of the area.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 10 m veer right.

After another 35 m find the "Seat" (15 m on your left).

Seat

A series of 4 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 43cm deep and 2.1m wide with no backrest or armrest.

Then find the "Lion Island View" (20 m on your left).

Lion Island View

The upper viewing platform at West Head Lookout provides great views framed by trees to Lion Island and surrounding waterways. There are a few bench seats and some information signs about the 'West Head Battery'. A lovely spot among the eucalypt and angophora forest.

After another 15 m find the "Seat" (7 m on your right).

Seat

A series of 3 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 43cm deep and 2.1m wide with no backrest or armrest.

Then find the "Seat" (7 m on your right).

Seat

A series of 3 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 28cm deep, 2.1m wide, a 38cm back rest and no armrest.

Then pass the sign (on your right).

Then come to "West Head Lookout".

West Head Lookout

West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large paved sandstone viewing area with fantastic views and some interesting interpretive signs. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island to Patonga (Central Coast) also across the Pittwater to Barrenjoey Headland and out to sea. The lookout has a series of bench seats and a low (50cm) stone wall. A lovely place to just sit and soak up the views, and history of the area.

The end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Headland Track (Resolute Track)

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	3.3 km
Time	1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 1.5 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 3.3 km from the start.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 910 m apart with the largest gap of 2.5 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	850 m + 45 m	Seat
Seat	850 m + 55 m	Seat
Seat	850 m + 60 m	Seat
Shelter	1.5 km	[shelter]
Toilet	3.3 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

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.

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.

West Head Lookout
West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large paved sandstone viewing area with fantastic views and some interesting interpretive signs. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island to Patonga (Central Coast) also across the Pittwater to Barrenjoey Headland and out to sea. The lookout has a series of bench seats and a low (50cm) stone wall. A lovely place to just sit and soak up the views, and history of the area.

West Head Beach
West Head Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small stretch of sand sitting on the West Head Peninsula. The beach has an easterly aspect, facing out of steep hills over Pittwater to the Barrenjoey Headland.

Resolute Beach
Resolute Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a small stretch of sand sitting on the West Head Peninsula between steep headlands. The easterly aspect of the beach overlooks Barrenjoey Headland across the Pittwater.

Mackerel Beach
Mackerel Beach, also known as Great Mackerel Beach, is a 600m stretch of sand facing east over Pittwater. The beach is backed by a lagoon and a small community of houses. Mackerel Beach has a wharf with public ferry access. Mackerel Beach and its southern neighbour, Little Mackerel or Currawong Beach, were originally purchased for farming in 1823 by John Clarke. The land was then subdivided and more than a hundred houses were built, many of which still stand today.

Engravings - West Head Track
The engravings on West Head were made by the indigenous Guringai people. The engravings depict a man, shark/whale and two eels.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mona Vale Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Tuesday 8 October
  
  Cloudy.
  
  Cloudy. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h decreasing to 15 to 20 km/h in the late evening. Winds near the coast reaching up to 35 to 45 km/h during the afternoon.
  
  Wednesday 9 October
  
  15°C → 17°C
  Cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southerly 15 to 20 km/h turning easterly in the afternoon.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:30am to 3:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 6 [High]
  
  Thursday 10 October
  
  14°C → 22°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Friday 11 October
  
  17°C → 21°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the evening. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Saturday 12 October
  
  16°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the evening.
  
  Sunday 13 October
  
  15°C → 19°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely later in the day. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Monday 14 October
  
  15°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Tuesday 15 October
  
  17°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 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: Sphinx Trail emergency repair works
  There will be emergency surface repair works on the Sphinx trail from Tuesday 8 October 2024 until Thursday 10 October 2024, weather permitting.
  Please follow all signage and instruction from NPWS staff and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact the North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400
  
  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)
  
  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.
  
  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.
  
  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 August 2024 and 31 January 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: 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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