Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop
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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

Broken Bay

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91301N

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

Cross sectional view of the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop 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	2.8km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 6/6 Route: Unmanaged	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
		Signs	No directional signs (5/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)

*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 1.6km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 1.2km is very steep.

Quality of track
1.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 820m follows a rough unclear track. The remaining (370m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs
900m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 820m Has no directional signs. Whilst another 660m is clearly signposted and the remaining 370m has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required
Around 1.8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 980m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
Around 1.4km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 1.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 820m has no facilities provided.

Track Notes

Wildwalks
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Drive to Flint and Steel carpark
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|

(0 km) Flint and Steel carpark to Signpost at saddle Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 332 m	Time = 8 mins
	Climb = 1 m	Descent = -57 m
From the back of the car park, the walk follows the 'Flint and Steel Track' sign along the bush track heading down through the bush. The walk drops down some stairs and turns right at the old 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park' sign, then left down the side of the hill. After about 100m, the walk continues down a set of stairs and then down the bush track to the signposted intersection.

(0.33 km) Signpost at Saddle to Flint and Steel beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 742 m	Time = 21 mins
	Climb = 35 m	Descent = -116 m
Veer right: From intersection, this walk follows the 'Flint and Steel Beach 700m' arrow through a palm grove, along the ridge, with views across Hawkesbury River to Lion Island. The track runs parallel to rock formations on the left before winding its way through the trees and down the boardwalk, with the large rocks to the left. Soon the track heads through some pine trees and comes to an intersection of a bush track, near some large boulders on the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track heading straight down the hill towards the beach, splitting for a about 10m before coming to a rock shelf above the waterline. From here, the track turns right and follows this rock shelf for about 20m, onto Flint and Steel Beach.

Flint and Steel Beach	Alt = 4 m
Flint and Steel Beach, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a small north-east facing stretch of sand. The beach is hemmed in by prominent headlands on either side, and backed by a grassy hill. A seat on the grassy hill offers views over the Hawkesbury River to Patonga and Lion Island, with Box Head in the background.

(1.07 km) Flint and Steel beach to Spur above Flint and Steel Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 156 m	Time = 4 mins
	Climb = 24 m	Descent = -3 m
Turn around: Keeping the Hawkesbury River on the right, this walk follows the waterline onto a rockshelf, leaving the beach as it winds around to a track. The walk follows this track as it winds up the hill, splitting for about 10m before rejoining and continuing up to the intersection with another track, near some large boulders.

(1.23 km) Spur above Flint and Steel Beach to McGaw Ruins Route: Unmanaged - notrack	Length = 819 m	Time = 18 mins
	Climb = 30 m	Descent = -45 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track that heads through the boulders. The track continues along the side of the ridge for a short while before dropping down to the waterline (which is on the right). The track continues along the shore for a while, between the thick lantana-covered forest, dotted with impressive grass trees, and the Hawkesbury River. The track passes the McGaw's Ruins and comes to an intersection with a track just on the other side.

McGaw Ruins	Alt = 13 m
The McGaw ruins are situated north-west of White Horse Beach, on West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The property was originally owned by John Miller, who also owned large areas of West Head. The property was sold to Mr Eardley McGaw in 1928, on the condition that he built a house there. Mr McGaw built a two-storied house with several other smaller buildings, including a wharf. Mr McGaw and his wife lived there until he became ill, when they moved to Narrabeen and NSW National Parks took over management of the land. The house and other buildings were lost during a 1971 bushfire, leaving the sandstone foundations and ruins to be grown over with vegetation.

(2.05 km) McGaw Ruins to White Horse Beach Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 223 m	Time = 5 mins
	Climb = 6 m	Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: Keeping the Hawkesbury River to the left of the track, this walk follows the waterline away from the beach and along the shore for a short while before coming to the unsignposted McGaw ruins. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)

White Horse Beach	Alt = 4 m
White Horse Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a 30m stretch of sand sitting on the coast of Flint and Steel Bay between rocky boulders. The beach, backed by a steep hill, provides north-westerly views over the Hawkesbury from Patonga, Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centre and up the river towards Brooklyn.

(2.05 km) McGaw Ruins to Signpost at Saddle Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 374 m	Time = 14 mins
	Climb = 80 m	Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the McGaw ruins, this walk heads up the hill and away from the Hawkesbury River. The track climbs up the side of the valley and passes a water collection cave on the right, and soon after this, climbs up to the signposted intersection.

(2.42 km) Signpost at saddle to Flint and Steel carpark Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 332 m	Time = 8 mins
	Climb = 57 m	Descent = -1 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading up the hill and away from the 'Flint and Steel' signpost. The walk climbs up a staircase that heads past an old 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park' sign and comes to the back of Flint and Steel car park.

Drive from Flint and Steel carpark
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

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)
Paddlecraft	3B / 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview	02 9997 8015	9 km
Outdoor Shack	1131 Pittwater Rd , Collaroy	(02) 9981 6933	17 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor	1024 Pittwater Rd , Collaroy	(02) 9971 8711	17.7 km
Kellys Camping & Outdoors	826 Pittwater Rd , Dee Why	(02) 9972 0061	19.7 km
Mannings Sports	172 Mann St , Gosford	(02) 4325 1617	17.8 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop Click to re-center search
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	14 km (to the WSW)
8	MDC08	Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG	16 km (to the N)
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	25 km (to the SW)
3	VMB2	Tower Street BATEAU BAY	27 km (to the NE)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	42 km (to the WSW)

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 12 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

Shower or two. 11.9°C (feels like 9.1°) 11 km/h from the - 71% humidity     (as at 20/08:35pm) Thu       ° Shower or two. Fri 9°|17° Possible shower. Sat 8°|16° A few showers. Sun 9°|16° Rain, possibly heavy.

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 20th of June 2013 09:00 PM
CLOSED AREAS
Basin Trail upgrade works (Ends Thursday 20 June)

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. It is anticipated that the trail will be open for the long weekend. Following the long weekend there are a number of minor maintenance works to occur. During this period there will be public access with advance warning signs to be installed above and below work sites. People are asked to adhere to signage and be concious of work vehicles on the trail during this period. work sites signposted
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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