Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Water, safety and supplies

It's great to enjoy bushwalking, picnicking or cycling in national parks and reserves. However, these are natural environments so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of any children in your care.

Make sure you're prepared for all weather conditions. The park's landscapes range from exposed headlands to sheltered rainforest gorges and weather can vary considerably.

Where drinking water is available

Apple Tree picnic area

Wheelchair access: medium

Assistance may be required to access this area.

Apple Tree picnic area is only an hour’s drive from Sydney and one of the gateways to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park’s many walking trails, waterways and lookouts. Apple Tree picnic area provides an easily accessible spot to park your car and re-energise, before you head off into the park and explore. You can buy drinks and food at the café or make use of the shaded picnic tables and barbecues. The Berowra walking track begins at this point, but if you have a boat, you can also set sail from Apple Tree picnic area’s boat ramp.

Activities: picnics and barbecues, motor boating, sailing, walking

Location:  shown on Bobbin Head map

Getting there: On entering Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

• Take Bobbin Head Road through North Turramurra, or Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah near Hornsby.

Road access: Unsealed road/trail - 2WD vehicles.

Facilities: picnic tables, gas/electric barbecues, flush toilets, drinking water, boat ramp, carpark, trackhead/access point

Beechwood Cottage

Originally built in 1882, Beechwood Cottage harks back to an era when sailors, convicts and even pirates lived in these parts. Now it’s your turn to add to the region’s colourful history and hire this beautifully restored historic cottage in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Situated on the western shores of Pittwater, near The Basin picnic area, this charming venue is available for conferences, functions and weddings. With delightful water views and a tranquil bush setting it’s a perfect venue for hire for relaxed and informal get togethers. It has a large function room, a well-equipped kitchen and wide shady verandahs. There’s even a fenced yard where kids can run around.

There’s plenty of equipment to cater for up to 60 guests inside the cottage, however larger groups may choose to take advantage of the spacious grounds with room for a marquee.

Activities: walking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, birdwatching, picnicking, playing and socialising

Getting there: Beechwood Cottage is in the West Head precinct of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. To get there:

• Catch the ferry which departs hourly, on the hour between 9am and 5pm, from Palm Beach Wharf.
• Drive or ride your mountain bike through the park to West Head, then walk or cycle along the 2.8km Basin track to The Basin.
• If you own a boat, anchor in the sheltered bay opposite the picnic and campground.

Road access: Unsealed road/trail - no motor vehicle access.

Opening hours: The Beechwood Cottage is:

• open sunrise – 10pm (Monday – Sunday) 

Facilities: venue, boat ramp, drinking water, flush toilets, trackhead/access point, electric power

Venue hire: See details

Contact: The Basin and Beechwood Cottage (Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park), Phone: 02 9974 1011

Bobbin Head

Wheelchair access: medium

Assistance may be required to access this area

• The southern part of Bobbin Head wheelchair accessible

Located in the west of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Bobbin Head is a large area offering lots of attractions and facilities. As well as being a great place to bushwalk, paddle or go fishing, Bobbin Head is the perfect waterfront picnic spot.

The area features barbecues, picnic tables, shelters and plenty of green space for an impromptu frisbee session or a spot of cricket. There’s also a children’s playground that’s sure to be a hit with kids and you can pick up a coffee at the Bobbin Head Inn Café or tuck into some beautiful Mediterranean cuisine at Galley Foods Restaurant and Kiosk.

Visit Empire Marina Bobbin Head to hire a run-a-bout with fishing licence, or follow any of the number of walking tracks and collect maps and brochures from Bobbin Inn Visitor Centre. Stroll the mangrove boardwalk behind the picnic area and see if you can spot some of the park’s many birds.

Activities: fishing, picnics and barbecues, motor boating, sailing

Location:  shown on Bobbin Head map

Getting there: On entering Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, take Bobbin Head Road through North Turramurra, or Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah near Hornsby.

Road access: Sealed road - 2WD vehicles.

Facilities: picnic tables, gas/electric barbecues, flush toilets, drinking water, public phone

Vehicle entry fee: $11 per vehicle per day. If you're arriving by bus or taxi you'll need to pay daily entry fees of $4.40 adults, $2.20 children; there is no daily entry fee for teachers/educational supervisors (1 adult per 10 children)

Contact: Sydney North (Bobbin Inn, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park), Phone: 02 9472 8949

The Basin campground

Wheelchair access: medium

Assistance may be required to access this area.

• Wheelchair access is by ferry only
• Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Activities: walking, paddling, liloing, swimming, picnicking, playing and socialising, camping

Location:  shown on West Head and The Basin map

Getting there: The Basin campground is on the western foreshores of Pittwater in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. To get there

• Take the ferry which departs on the hour between 9am - 5pm from Palm Beach Wharf
• If you own a boat, anchor in the sheltered bay opposite the picnic and campground.
• Drive or ride your mountain bike through the park along West Head Road, then walk or cycle along the 2.8km Basin Track to The Basin.

Road access: Sealed road - 2WD vehicles.

Opening hours: The campground is open from sunrise to sunset. Entry to the campground after sunset is for pre-booked campers only.

Facilities: amenities block, cold showers, flush toilets, gas/electric barbecues, wood barbecues (firewood supplied), drinking water, picnic tables, public phone

Vehicle entry fee: $11 per vehicle per day. Please note vehicle entrance fees are not included in your accommodation or camping fees. Purchase at the local office or buy an annual pass online.

Camping fees: All campsites - site fee - $28 per night (2 person inclusive); $14 per night per additional adult (16 years+); $7 per night per additional child (5-15 years); infants free (0-4 years).

Other fees: Landing fees: If you’re arriving at The Basin by water for a day visit, you’ll need to pay landing fees of $3 per adult, $2 per child. Annual pass holders must pay landing fees. If you’re arriving by bus or taxi and walking or cycling to The Basin, you’ll need to pay daily entry fees of $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child.

Online bookings: use a secure payment facility to book online

Alternatively, please contact the Customer Experience Team on 13000 PARKS (13000 72757).

NB: All reservations incur a booking fee of 2.5% in addition to the total amount payable

The Basin picnic area

When you need a city escape, gather the crew and set sail for The Basin picnic area, nestled in the bush on the eastern shores of West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Accessed by walking track from West Head or ferry across Pittwater, there’s something for everyone at this popular spot.

With lovely views of the water and heaps of activities, you’ll be hard pressed deciding what to do first. The kids will love swimming and paddling at the sheltered beach and inland lagoon and if you’re keen to explore on foot, there’s nearby Bairne walking track. When it’s time for lunch, unpack the picnic hamper or spark up the barbecue and tuck in.

After a day of relaxing, it might be hard to pack up and leave this idyllic oasis. If you want to make a weekend of it and stay overnight at the adjacent The Basin campground. Be sure to book ahead, as this is a popular place to stay in spring and summer.

Activities: walking, paddling, liloing, swimming, fishing, birdwatching, picnics and barbecues

Getting there: The Basin picnic area is in the western foreshores of Pittwater at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. To get there:

• Take the ferry which departs hourly, on the hour, 9am - 5pm from Palm Beach Wharf
• If you own a boat, anchor in the sheltered bay opposite the picnic area.
• Drive or ride your mountain bike through the park to West Head Road, then walk or cycle along the 2.8km Basin track to The Basin.
  

Road access: Sealed road - 2WD vehicles.

Facilities: picnic tables, amenities block, gas/electric barbecues (free), wood barbecues (firewood supplied), drinking water, flush toilets, trackhead/access point