West Head Lookout 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	(-33.5779146,151.2998212)
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 1 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. Find the toilet at the start. Find the helipad at the start. After 30 m find the "Resolute Picnic Area" (5 m on your left). 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. After another 25 m pass the BBQ (15 m on your right).
	After another 8 m (from the West Head Track) turn right, to head along West Head Track (a vehicle track). After another 10 m (from the West Head Track) turn left (a walking track).
	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 (from the Resolute Track) continue straight, to head along Resolute Track. After another 10 m find the "Red Hands Cave" (30 m on your right). 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.
	After another 380 m (from the Resolute Track) continue straight, to head along Resolute Track. After another 400 m pass the sign (on your right). From the Resolute Track continue straight. Keep left.
	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. After another 5 m 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. Turn around here and retrace the main route for 980 m to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to Red Hands Cave.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Resolute Track Start heading along Resolute Track (a walking 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.

Turn map

Directions & comments

From the Resolute Track Start heading along Resolute Track (a walking 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.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

West Head Lookout Track

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	2 km
Time	50 min to 1 h

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)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 0 m from the start.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 490 m apart with the largest gap of 980 m.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	0 m	[toilet]
Seat	960 m	Seat
Seat	970 m	Seat
Seat	970 m	Seat

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.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mona Vale Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Saturday 14 June
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds.
  
  Sunday 15 June
  
  10°C → 18°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the morning, mainly in the west. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Monday 16 June
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  Tuesday 17 June
  
  10°C → 19°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  Wednesday 18 June
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. 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
  
  8°C → 18°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  Saturday 21 June
  
  9°C → 19°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  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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