The Basin

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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 At the intersection of Basin Trail & West Head Road (-33.5902039,151.2821655)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions From

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park, this walk follows the management trail around the green gate, keeping West Head Rd on the right. The walk continues along the trail, which tends to the left, and soon comes to a signposted intersection with the 'Aboriginal Engravings' track on the right.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Basin Trail & West Head Road Start heading along Basin Trail (a vehicle track). Find the car park at the start. After another 15 m head through/around the gate.
	The starting point of an alternate route. An alternate route to Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Exit. To take the alternate route turn right here. Details below. After another 320 m (from the Basin Trail) continue straight, to head along Basin Trail. After another 80 m (from the Basin Trail) continue straight, to head along Basin Trail.
	After another 210 m (at the intersection of Basin Trail & Mackerel Trail) continue straight, to head along Basin Trail.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Dam. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1.2 km (at the intersection of Basin Trail & Euro Track) veer left, to head along Basin Trail. After another 770 m come to the "The Basin Campground" (10 m on your left). W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au There is a fee to use this campsite. This campsite has showers. After another 9 m pass the sign (on your right). Then pass the "The Basin" (15 m on your right).
	After another 20 m (from the Basin Trail) continue straight. After another 30 m find the "Beechwood Function and Convention Centre" (25 m on your right). Beechwood Function and Convention Centre Beechwood Function and Convention Centre, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a historic building situated next to The Basin camping area. The cottage was built in 1882 by convicts, pirates and sailors living in the area at the time. The cottage is now a venue for hire, with space and equipment to cater for 60 people. After another 25 m find the "The Basin Campsite" (20 m on your left). The Basin Campsite The Basin Campsite, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large grassed campsite overlooking Pittwater. The Basin is the only place you can camp in the National Park. However, it has capacity to sleep 400 people and many facilities to adequately cope. The Basin is accessible by has ferry and management trail, but there is no car access. There are numerous facilities such as drinking water, flush toilets, picnic tables, electric and wood barbecues, in addition to cold showers, an amenities block and a soft drink vending machine. There is a large lagoon for swimming, and some nice walks to explore. After another 35 m pass a "22" (on your left). After another 55 m pass the "Wharf" (7 m on your left).
	(The Basin Wharf) Continue another 15 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.8 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to Dam.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Euro Track & Basin Trail Start heading along Euro Track (a vehicle track). After another 870 m come to "The Basin Dam". The Basin Dam The Basin Dam, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large pool of water dammed by a wall, well above The Basin's lagoon. The dam is reasonably deep, however it is used as a water supply. This is a nice spot to enjoy the views into the valley.
	Continue another 0 m to find from the Euro Track at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 870 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

At the intersection of Euro Track & Basin Trail Start heading along Euro Track (a vehicle track).

After another 870 m come to "The Basin Dam".

The Basin Dam

The Basin Dam, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large pool of water dammed by a wall, well above The Basin's lagoon. The dam is reasonably deep, however it is used as a water supply. This is a nice spot to enjoy the views into the valley.

Continue another 0 m to find from the Euro Track at the end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 870 m to the main route.

An alternate route to Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Exit.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Basin Trail Start (a walking track). After 70 m find the "The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings" (on your right). The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large rock surface scattered with Aboriginal engravings. The engravings depict men, fish, hopping wallabies and a club. The engravings are marked with interpretive signs which outline where on the rocks the engravings are and how they were made.
	Continue another 30 m to find from the Basin Trail at the end. At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

From the Basin Trail Start (a walking track).

After 70 m find the "The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings" (on your right).

The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings

The Basin Track Aboriginal Engravings, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large rock surface scattered with Aboriginal engravings. The engravings depict men, fish, hopping wallabies and a club. The engravings are marked with interpretive signs which outline where on the rocks the engravings are and how they were made.

Continue another 30 m to find from the Basin Trail at the end.

At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Basin

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	5.6 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 2 h 45 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
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)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.9 km apart with the largest gap of 2.9 km.

Shelter: There is one 2.8 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 2.6 km from the start.

Seat: There is one 2.8 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	2.6 km	The Basin Campground
Toilet	2.6 km	The Basin
Campsite	2.7 km	The Basin Campsite
Seat	2.8 km	22
Shelter	2.8 km	Wharf

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

The Basin Dam
The Basin Dam, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large pool of water dammed by a wall, well above The Basin's lagoon. The dam is reasonably deep, however it is used as a water supply. This is a nice spot to enjoy the views into the valley.

The Basin Campsite
The Basin Campsite, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large grassed campsite overlooking Pittwater. The Basin is the only place you can camp in the National Park. However, it has capacity to sleep 400 people and many facilities to adequately cope. The Basin is accessible by has ferry and management trail, but there is no car access. There are numerous facilities such as drinking water, flush toilets, picnic tables, electric and wood barbecues, in addition to cold showers, an amenities block and a soft drink vending machine. There is a large lagoon for swimming, and some nice walks to explore.

Beechwood Function and Convention Centre
Beechwood Function and Convention Centre, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a historic building situated next to The Basin camping area. The cottage was built in 1882 by convicts, pirates and sailors living in the area at the time. The cottage is now a venue for hire, with space and equipment to cater for 60 people.

Get more information
Wildwalks | The Basin track and Mackerel track - National Parks & Wildlife Service | How to hike the basin trail (solo) - Jess on her Travels | The Basin Trail Walk - EcoTreasures | The Basin campground - Hiking Sydney | The Basin and Mackerel Circuit - Walk my World | Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mona Vale Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Sunday 22 December
  
  24°C
  Becoming mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy morning, clearing to a mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 11 [Extreme]
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  20°C → 24°C
  Mostly sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. The chance of fog in the outer west in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower in the early afternoon. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h in the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the late afternoon.
  
  Tuesday 24 December
  
  17°C → 21°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Wednesday 25 December
  
  18°C → 23°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Thursday 26 December
  
  18°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  20°C → 31°C
  Possible late shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning.
  
  Saturday 28 December
  
  23°C → 27°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting east to southeasterly during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
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