Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Birrawanna Track
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Map Scale 1 km
Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here

Hornsby

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91304S

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map

1:40 000 Map Series

CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map

Sydney

1:100 000 Map Series

9130

Photo Gallery

Terrain

Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Birrawanna Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Birrawanna Track bushwalking track

Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	4.4km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Track: Moderate	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing

Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk.
Gradient
Around 1.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 1.1km has short steep hills.

Quality of track
This whole walk, 2.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs
Around 2km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 230m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required
Around 1.2km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.1km requires some bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 2.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 2km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 230m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes

Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.

Wildwalks
The State Goverment is allowing Recreational Hunting in our National Parks This poses a serious threat to the environement and visitor safety Help stop the madness by writing a quick letter. Thanks for your help

Catch the bus to Bobbin Head Kiosk
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk. (Links currently not working sorry) Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Drive to Bobbin Head Kiosk
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk. Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Bobbin Inn Cafe, Bobbin Head	Alt = 16 m
At the centre of Bobbin Head, this cafe offers inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. The old sandstone building is also home to the information centre and was once the Bobbin Inn. Opening hours are 9am - 4.30 Monday to Friday and 8am - 5pm on weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170.

Bobbin Head	Alt = 9 m
Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old "Bobbin Inn", built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and kiosk. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east). Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and children's play equipment. There are toilets nearby, and two large shelters can be booked through the NPWS. The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups. The eastern side of Bobbin head is dominated by the Empire Marina and public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets. More info

(0 km) Bobbin Head Kiosk to Int of Birrawanna and Regional Office tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 1.06 km	Time = 32 mins
	Climb = 156 m	Descent = -14 m
From behind 'Bobbin Inn'[1], this walk follows the brick paved footpath[2], away from the water and Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd to the stone steps marked[3] with a 'Welcome to the Birrawanna Track' sign[4] (about halfway between the 'Gibberagong Centre' and 'Bobbin Inn'). From here this walk head up the sandstone steps[5] then along the rocky track as it starts to zig-zag uphill for about 60m to then follow a metal handrail up some steps[6]. About 30m from the top of these steps, this walk heads through a tunnel formed under a sandstone overhang[7] then just another 30m later the track leads to a flat sandstone rock platform beside a large angophora with filtered views over Cowan Creek[8]. Here the track bends left then continues to wind up a series of timber[9] and stone[10] steps for about 300m where the track mostly flattens out[11] for about 100m before head fairly gently uphill again[12] for another 80m to pass an intersection with an informal track[13] in a casuarina forest (on your left). Soon after this intersection, this walk leads between to piles of disused stone blocks[14] and continues following the clear track up through the tall wooded forest for 400m to a three-way intersection (where a sign points back down to 'Bobbin Head'[15]).

(1.06 km) Int of Birrawanna and Regional Office tracks to Int of Birrawanna track and powerline service trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 230 m	Time = 6 mins
	Climb = 23 m	Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Kalkari' sign[16] gently uphill along the sandy track. This track winds uphill, up a number of timber steps[17] for just shy of 250m where the track flattens out and leads under a set of power lines[18]. Just shy of 20m past these power lines this walk comes to a four-way intersection (where a 'Bobbin Head' arrow post[19] points back along the track).

(1.29 km) Int of Birrawanna track and powerline service trail to Kalkari Discovery Centre Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 921 m	Time = 19 mins
	Climb = 40 m	Descent = -29 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Kalkari Visitor Centre' sign[20] along the track, over the metal pipe[21] and away from from power lines[22]. The track gently undulates through the wooded forest following the occasional timber step[23] for just over 350m to come to the NW corner of the Kalkari enclosure fence[24]. Here the walk follows the fence[25] for 150m to step step up onto a rock platform[26] and continue along the fence[27] for just shy of 400m to the SW corner enclosure[28]. This walk now follows the short track to car park[29] then walks through the car park, past the 'Kalkari Bush Discovery Track' map[30] to the entrance of 'Kalkari'[31].

Kalkari Discovery Centre	Alt = 184 m
Kalkari Discovery Centre is in the Ku-Ring-gai Chase National Park, on Ku-Ring-gai Chase Road, Mt Colah. The discovery center is staffed by volunteers from Chase Alive, a local environmental group. The center boasts some interesting flora and fauna displays inside, and out the back is a large enclosure with emu, kangaroos and other native animals roaming around. Take time to explore the wheelchair-accessible circuit within the fence. There are toilets at the centre. For information, phone 02 9472 9300 More info

Catch the bus from Bobbin Head Kiosk
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk. (Links currently not working sorry) Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Drive from Bobbin Head Kiosk
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Public Transport Timetables
	To the start of the walk From Castle Hill Chatswood Dural Epping Gosford Hornsby Katoomba Manly Parramatta Penrith Strathfield Sutherland Sydney		From the end of the walk To Castle Hill Chatswood Dural Epping Gosford Hornsby Katoomba Manly Parramatta Penrith Strathfield Sutherland Sydney
Driving Directions
	To the start of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive from:		From the end of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive to:

Near by

Campsites in the park
The Basin campground


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Kathmandu	236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby	(02) 9476 1399	7.4 km
CampHikeClimb	20 George St, Hornsby	(02) 9476 5767	7.4 km
Paddlecraft	3B / 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview	02 9997 8015	12.9 km
All Camping Supplies	12 Railway Pde, Thornleigh	(02) 9481 0473	10.9 km
Mountain Equipment	72 Archer St , Chatswood	(02) 9419 6955	15.4 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Birrawanna Track.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Birrawanna Track Click to re-center search
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	5 km (to the NNW)
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	10 km (to the SSW)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	27 km (to the WSW)
8	MDC08	Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG	28 km (to the NNE)
1	SYD01	12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE	35 km (to the S)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 51 minutes ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

Rain, heavy at times. 12.0°C (feels like 12.2°) 2 km/h from the E 100% humidity     (as at 23/09:00am)

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
A largely untouched wilderness on the northern boundary of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP is one of Australia's oldest national parks. Here at the head of the Hawkesbury River, you'll find Aboriginal engravings and sites, as well as sandstone escarpments,
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Closure information last downloaded Thursday 23rd of May 2013 12:00 PM
CLOSED AREAS
Basin Trail upgrade works (Ends Friday 31 May)

The Basin Trail will be closed from the Mackerel Service Trail to the Basin Campground in order to undertake upgrade works. The Basin Aboriginal engravings and the Mackerel Track will remain accessible. All access to the Basin Campground during this period is by water only. Services include Palm Beach Ferries, Barrenjoey Boating Service, Peninsular Water Taxis & Pink Water Taxis or access is available to private boats.
Locations affected:The Basin track and Mackerel track, The Basin picnic area, The Basin campground
Upgrade of Barrenjoey Headland Access Trail - Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Access to the headland is via the Smugglers Walking Track ONLY. Please be advised that this track is steep in sections and people should be moderately fit and prepared with good walking shoes, hat and WATER before embarking. It is anticipated that the works will be completed towards the end of June - weather dependant.

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