Waratah Track

3 h 30 min to 5 h 15 min

10 km
return

↑ 276 m
↓ -276 m

Hard track
This is a nice walk in the Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, passing through a mix of thick heath vegetation and more open forest. There are some good views over Cowan Waters from the end of the track and an optional side trip to a large rock outcrop with interesting texture and shapes. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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West Head Rd near Salvation picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Salvation picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Salvation Creek from West Head Rd. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Salvation Loop north track head. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Banksia Ericifolia on the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Along the Salvation Loop. | Photo by admin, 2009.
A splash of colour on the Salvation Loop. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Wildflowers on the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Dense heath along the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Eucalypt beside the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
View over the Salvation Loop hanging swamp. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rocky outcrop on the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
A nice view over the trees. | Photo by admin, 2009.
A rocky management trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Glimpses of a distant Cowan Waters. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Grasstrees and gums. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Trees and shadows. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Fire scars. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Slow growing. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Beautiful patterns and shapes. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Textured rock near the end of Yeomans track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Features in the rock near the end of Yeomans track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Grooves in the rocky outcrop. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Views from the end of Yeomans track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
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 (-33.6268362,151.2581018)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom 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 4.7 km
  • Turn right and drive for another 25 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the 'Salvation Picnic Area' (on West Head Rd, about 3.6km north from the intersection with General San Martin Dr), the walk follows the road, crossing the bridge over Salvation Creek, leaving the picnic area on the right, and soon arrives at the northern trackhead of the 'Salvation Loop Track'.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Salvation Picnic Area (about 5 m back from the start).
Salvation Picnic Area
Salvation Picnic Area

The Salvation Picnic Area is beside West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. The picnic area has three picnic benches and a car park. There are no other facilities. This is a convenient point to start/finish the nearby Salvation Loop, Wallaroo and Yeomans walks.
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The Salvation Picnic Area is beside West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. The picnic area has three picnic benches and a car park. There are no other facilities. This is a convenient point to start/finish the nearby Salvation Loop, Wallaroo and Yeomans walks.

After another 30 m turn right, to head along West Head Road.
After another 90 m find the "Salvation Loop hanging swamp" (30 m on your left).
Salvation Loop hanging swamp
Salvation Loop hanging swamp

The Salvation Loop hanging swamp is enclosed within the Salvation Loop Track, off West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. This area of hanging swamp (swamp formed in a depression on high ground, usually near a cliff) and wet heathland is dificult to see from the surrounding Salvation Loop track due to the drier, tall, dense heath vegetation surrounding it. It may, however, reward the patient, or lucky, observer with the plant and animal life associated with this habitat type, such as reeds and frogs.
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The Salvation Loop hanging swamp is enclosed within the Salvation Loop Track, off West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. This area of hanging swamp (swamp formed in a depression on high ground, usually near a cliff) and wet heathland is dificult to see from the surrounding Salvation Loop track due to the drier, tall, dense heath vegetation surrounding it. It may, however, reward the patient, or lucky, observer with the plant and animal life associated with this habitat type, such as reeds and frogs.

After another 215 m (at the intersection of Salvation Track & West Head Road) turn left, to head along Salvation Track (a vehicle track).
After another 35 m head through/around the gate.
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Wallaroo Track & Salvation Track) veer right, to head along Wallaroo Track.
After another 1.7 km (at the intersection of Yeomans Branch Track & Wallaroo Track) continue straight, to head along Yeomans Branch Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to the rocky outcrop at end of the track. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 1.5 km continue straight, to head along Yeomans Branch Track.
After another 15 m come to "Yeomans Track view".
Yeomans Track view
Yeomans Track view

The Yeomans Track view is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This viewpoint is an informal, unfenced lookout from a rock outcrop. You get limited views, through the trees, over parts of Cowan Waters, including Yeomans Bay.
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The Yeomans Track view is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This viewpoint is an informal, unfenced lookout from a rock outcrop. You get limited views, through the trees, over parts of Cowan Waters, including Yeomans Bay.

Turn around here and retrace the main route for 5 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to the rocky outcrop at end of the track.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 65 m come to "Yeomans rock outcrop".
Yeomans rock outcrop
Yeomans rock outcrop

The Yeomans rock outcrop is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The unfenced and unmarked area has some interesting textures in the rock and nice views of Cowan Waters, making it a good place to have lunch and explore, at the end of Yeomans Track.
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The Yeomans rock outcrop is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The unfenced and unmarked area has some interesting textures in the rock and nice views of Cowan Waters, making it a good place to have lunch and explore, at the end of Yeomans Track.

The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Waratah Track


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 10 km
Time 3 h 30 min to 5 h 15 min
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
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)
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Articles
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