Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Paddling, sailing and boating

Paddling

To many people, the waterways in and around Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park are one of the area's greatest assets. The park is a tangle of sunken river valleys, where tree-covered headlands loom above wide estuaries and sheltered coves. On weekends, you'll find houseboats, yachts, cruisers, dinghies and even canoes making their way around the blue, clear waters.

There are two canoe launch ramps:

• Apple Tree Bay, adjacent to the motor boat ramp
• Bobbin Head, in the Gibberagong area (southern end of the picnic area) adjacent the mangrove boardwalk.

Motor boating

There are two marinas within the park: Akuna Bay and Bobbin Head. You'll also find motor boat ramps at:

• Akuna Bay - the ramp is adjacent to the marina with parking opposite
• Apple Tree Bay - follow the road leading from the Bobbin Inn, plenty of parking provided.

Boating facilities

Akuna Bay

Wheelchair access: easy

This area is fully wheelchair accessible. Access is available from the carpark to the marina and aafe.

Set sail for beautiful Akuna Bay, tucked away at the end of Coal and Candle Creek. The popular d'Albora Marina can also be reached by road via the scenic Liberator General San Martin Drive.

Make the most of the marina’s great facilities and bring your picnic hamper. The public barbecue and seating area is a lovely, family-friendly space with shaded tables. Or, if you feel like letting someone else prepare your breakfast or lunch, pop into the marina’s Driftwood Cafe.

At d'Albora Marina, you’ll find wet berths and a dry stack area for small boats. There are also boat hire facilities, shops, a restaurant and function centre and plenty of parking for cars and boat trailers.

• d'Albora Marinas Akuna Bay 
• Driftwood Cafe Akuna Bay

Activities: motor boating, paddling, sailing and boating, sailing, fishing, picnicking, playing and socialising

Getting there: On entering Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, follow McCarrs Creek Road and turn onto Liberator General San Martin Drive. Akuna Bay is part way along the scenic Coal and Candle creek.

Road access: Sealed road - 2WD vehicles.

Opening hours: The picnic tables and barbecue are open seven days a week between 8.30am and 5pm. Driftwood Cafe is closed on Tuesdays.

Facilities: picnic tables, gas/electric barbecues, cafe/kiosk, boat ramp

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

Paddling, sailing and boating: events and activities