Flint and Steel 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	(-33.5788805,151.2887895)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From 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 11.2 km Turn left and drive for another 3 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the back of the car park, the walk follows the 'Flint and Steel Track' sign along the bush track heading down through the bush. The walk drops down some stairs and turns right at the old 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park' sign, then left down the side of the hill. After about 100m, the walk continues down a set of stairs and then down the bush track to the signposted intersection.....

This side trip takes you to the White Horse Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the car park at the start.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to the White Horse Beach. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 315 m continue straight.
	Continue another 660 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 990 m to get back to the start. About 20 m past the end is "Flint and Steel Beach". Flint and Steel Beach Flint and Steel Beach, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a small north-east facing stretch of sand. The beach is hemmed in by prominent headlands on either side and backed by a grassy hill. A seat on the hill lends views over the Hawkesbury River to Patonga and Lion Island, with Box Head in the background.
	At the intersection of Flint & Steel Bay Track & Flint and Steel Track Start heading along Flint & Steel Bay Track (a walking track). After 370 m find the "McGaw Ruins" (30 m on your right). McGaw Ruins The McGaw ruins are situated north-west of White Horse Beach, on West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The property was originally owned by John Miller, who also owned large areas of West Head. The property was sold to Mr Eardley McGaw in 1928, on the condition that he built a house there. Mr McGaw built a two-storied house with several other smaller buildings, including a wharf. Mr McGaw and his wife lived there until he became ill, when they moved to Narrabeen and NSW National Parks took over management of the land. The house and other buildings were lost during a 1971 bushfire, leaving the sandstone foundations and ruins to be grown over with vegetation.
	After another 25 m (at the intersection of Flint & Steel Bay Track & Unmarked track) continue straight, to head along Flint & Steel Bay Track. After another 200 m come to "White Horse Beach". White Horse Beach White Horse Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a 30m stretch of sand sitting on the coast of Flint and Steel Bay between rocky boulders. The beach, backed by a steep hill, provides north-westerly views over the Hawkesbury from Patonga, Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centre and up the river towards Brooklyn.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 590 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Flint and Steel track

Grading

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

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
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	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

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Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mona Vale Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Monday 16 June
  
  17°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of fog and frost in the west this morning. Light winds.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Tuesday 17 June
  
  10°C → 18°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Patches of morning frost in the west. Light winds.
  
  Wednesday 18 June
  
  9°C → 16°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  Thursday 19 June
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Patches of morning frost in the west. Light winds.
  
  Friday 20 June
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  Saturday 21 June
  
  11°C → 18°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds.
  
  Sunday 22 June
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northerly 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
  Other planned events: Brooklyn Dam trail maintenance
  Surface works will be carried out on the Brooklyn Dam trail and Brooklyn Dam South trail until Friday 20 June 2025, weather permitting.
  Walkers permitted but there may be delays. Please follow all signage and instructions 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 incidents: Apple Tree Bay carpark maintenance
  Apple Tree Bay carpark in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park will be undergoing maintenance from Wednesday 4 June to Monday 30 June 2025. There may be minor delays experienced. Please follow directions. For more information phone the local Area office on (02) 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure
  Berowra walking track is partially closed from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track until further notice. 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).
  
  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: 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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