Aboriginal Heritage Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.1 km Circuit

27 m

Moderate track

The Aboriginal Heritage Track takes in one of the most popular rock art sites in Ku-ring-gai National Park, and an amazing Aboriginal engraving site. The walk leads out from Resolute Picnic Area to pass by the caves and then continues down the management trail to the engravings. The walk then returns to the picnic area. It is a great way to see historic Aboriginal art in the Sydney region.

Sign post at Red Hands Cave intersection

Barrenjoey Headland from Aboriginal engravings site

(0km) Resolute Picnic Area → Red Hands Cave

150 m

3 mins

-7m Moderate track

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.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down the hill, following the rocky outcrop to the right of the track. The walk follows this for approximately 30m to the interpretation signs for 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.

(0km) Red Hands Cave → Int. West Head Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk

130 m

2 mins

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From Red Hands Cave, this walk heads along the bottom of the rocky outcrop, keeping it to the right of the track. The walk then ascends some stairs, passing up and around the rock shelf. After this, the track turns left as it continues, climbing slightly to the signposted intersection with the service trail.

(0km) Int. West Head Trk and Red Hands Cave Trk → Engravings

360 m

6 mins

-17m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill for a short time, to the information sign on the left of the track.

Engavings

The engravings on West Head were made by the indigenous Guringai people. The engravings depict a man, shark/whale and two eels.

(1km) Engravings → Resolute Picnic Area

480 m

8 mins

20m

-3m Moderate track

Turn around: From the engravings, this walk follows the service trail up a hill, away from the information sign. The walk continues up the hill to the intersection with a signpost for Red Hands Cave.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the sandy service trail, leaving the 'Red Hands Cave 0.85km' sign and track behind on the right. The track continues for approximately 100m to the picnic area.

Maps for the Aboriginal Heritage Track walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Broken Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	91301N BROKEN BAY	NSW-91301N
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	1:40 000 Map Series	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Aboriginal Heritage Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Aboriginal Heritage Track

Altitude analysis for Aboriginal Heritage Track

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

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

		Length	1.1 km
		Time	45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

720m of this walk is flat with no steps and another 270m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (130m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 720m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 400m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.1km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.1km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 840m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 290m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Aboriginal Heritage Track walk.

Red Hands Cave

403 m Circuit, 30 mins

This is a short walk down to Red Hands Cave from the Resolute Picnic Area. The walk loops from the picnic area through the heath and down to the overhang of the cave. The Aboriginal rock art is quite faded but is estimated to be over 2000 years old. This makes for an interesting historic walk, great

Total climbing: 9m

Moderate track

West Head Lookout Track

1.9 km Return, 1 Hr

From Resolute Picnic Area, this walk heads out to West Head Lookout, with magnificent views across the Hawkesbury River and Lion Island. The track is a direct route which passes through classic Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park bushland. This walk offers a great way to avoid competing for parking at W

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Headland track (Resolute track)

3.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and up to three of Ku-ring-gai Chase's beaches. The circuit walk visits Red Hands Cave and some historic engravings, in addition to enjoying expansive views over Pittwater, with Barrenjoey Headland as a feature. The walk includes Resolute an

Total climbing: 243m

Hard track

Resolute Track

3.7 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

The Resolute Track, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and Resolute Beach. The return-style walk starts from Resolute picnic area and heads down to Resolute Beach, passing a Red Hands Cave and an Aboriginal engraving site. The Resolute Track uses manage

Total climbing: 201m

Hard track

Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop

5.4 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is another great walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, accessed by ferry. From the Mackerel Beach wharf, this walk uses the Resolute Loop track to round the headland, enjoying a few secluded beaches and excellent, historic Aboriginal sites. This walk features Mackerel Beach and communit

Total climbing: 384m

Hard track

Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop

8.6 km Circuit, 5 hrs

The Mackerel Beach, West Head Loop is a walk which explores a large part of the West Head. The journey starts and finishes with a ferry across Pittwater. The walk heads around West Head, taking in views on the Broken Bay side, with Lion Island featuring as a prominent sight. The walk follows section

Total climbing: 422m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Aboriginal Heritage Track walk.

Koolewong Track

810 m Circuit, 30 mins

Probably the best word to describe this walk is 'cute'. The circuit walk starts with a few steep steps, but soon flattens out, following a well-defined track through an open forest, via some natural sandstone sculptures. The lookout is notable for wonderful views to Patonga, Lion Island and out thr

Total climbing: 32m

Moderate track

West Head Lookout

238 m Return, 10 mins

This walk is all about the stunning views from the edge of West Head. After the lovely drive through the bushland along the West Head Rd you will love this gentle stroll down to what feels like the edge of the earth. There are great views across the Pittwater to Barenjoey Head as well as across the

Total climbing: 18m

Easy track

Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop

2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This track creates a loop between Flint and Steel Beach and Bay by traversing the headland between them. The walk explores Flint and Steel Beach and the McGaw ruins, while providing scenic views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island.

Total climbing: 227m

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

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,

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