America Bay Track (to beach)

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 15 mins

2.2 km Return

130 m

Hard track

This short walk has a great range of scenery, making it a great choice if you have only a short time in this National Park. This track one of two ways to access America Bay - the other is by boat. The track cuts straight through the bush from West Head Rd to pass historic Aboriginal engravings and a large cliff with a small waterfall, which also gives an impressive view of the bay.

Creek running into America Bay Waterfall

(0km) Int. West Head Rd and America Bay Trk → Int. America Bay Trk and Aboriginal Engravings Trk

90 m

1 mins

-2m Moderate track

From the road, this follows the 'America Bay Track' sign into the bush following the clear track to soon come to an intersection marked with a pole (and a track leading off to the right)

(0km) Int. America Bay Trk and Aboriginal Engravings Trk → America Bay Aboriginal Engravings

60 m

1 mins

-4m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north, tending right for a short time to come to a rock surface, with Aboriginal engravings. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

America Bay Aboriginal Engravings

The engravings, just off the America Bay track, depict a woman over a whale, with sharks or fish surrounding. These engravings are situated in a small flat rock clearing - be careful not to step on the engravings or mark the rock surface.

(0km) Int. America Bay Trk and Aboriginal Engravings Trk → America Bay Waterfall

840 m

16 mins

-73m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads west following the white arrow. After about 700m the track comes to and then crosses a small creek. The track, with creek now on the left, continues downstream to come to a rocky surface which is followed to the unfenced cliffs, which make the waterfall.

America Bay Waterfall

America Bay Waterfall, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large 30m cliff, over which a creek cascades. From the top of the fall, views over America Bay can be enjoyed.

(1km) America Bay Waterfall → America Bay Beach

180 m

6 mins

-50m Hard track

Turn around: From the waterfall, this walk heads south, over to an opening in the cliff. The walk then heads steeply down some large stone steps, then continues another 200m down the steep track before coming to the rocky creek behind America Bay Beach. The track then follows the creek west (downstream) out to the beach.

America Bay Beach

America Bay Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a rocky beach with little sand, and is wedged into the south-eastern corner of America Bay. The beach has a north-westerly aspect and is backed by a creek and waterfall. The hills surrounding America Bay Beach are quite steep.

Maps for the America Bay Track (to beach) 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 America Bay Track (to beach) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the America Bay Track (to beach)

Altitude analysis for America Bay Track (to beach)

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	2.2 km
		Time	1 hr 15 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 1km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 90m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 930m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 180m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.1km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 840m of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 270m 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

This whole walk, 1.1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the America Bay Track (to beach) walk.

America Bay Waterfall

1.9 km Return, 45 mins

This short walk is a great way to see a slice of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has on offer. The track visits some historic Aboriginal engravings, and enjoys water views, heath and forest environments. The America Bay track also throws in a waterfall for your enjoyment - from the top of the f

Total climbing: 76m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the America Bay Track (to beach) walk.

Bairne Track to the Basin Lookout

7.6 km Return, 3 hrs

This relatively flat walk takes you through some woodland forests, open shrub and rock platforms to a lookout. There are great views over the Basin, and out to Narrabeen and north up the Pitt Water. The track is well defined, and the views are well worth the walk.

Total climbing: 176m

Moderate track

Bairne Track to Towlers Bay Lookout

6.8 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This relatively flat walk takes you through some woodland forest, open shrub and rock platforms to a lookout. The views look over Narrabeen and along Pittwater. The track is well defined, and the views are well worth the walk.

Total climbing: 150m

Moderate track

Challenger Track

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

The Challenger Track is a simple track which heads through the heath and some forest to arrive at a pleasant lookout. Starting at West Head Rd, the track follows a ridge out to a rocky outcrop where views over the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay reveal Patonga and Brooklyn.

Total climbing: 59m

Moderate track

Topham Track

3.8 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This is a pleasant walk along an old management trail, off West Head Rd. Following the ridge top you will pass through a variety of vegetation types including some dense heath and some tall scribbly gums which occasionally give way to a wide view over the park. There is a nice lookout at the end of

Total climbing: 127m

Moderate track

Basin to Mackerel

4.5 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This scenic walk gives an excellent excuse for a ferry ride in Sydney's northern beaches region. The ferry leaves from Palm Beach Ferry Terminal, and crosses Pittwater to The Basin Wharf. The walk then heads around to Mackerel Beach and passes an optional side trip to some historic and interesting A

Total climbing: 200m

Hard track

Mackerel Beach

8.2 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk takes one of two main tracks down to Mackerel Beach. The track leaves West Head Rd, passing some historic Aboriginal engravings before descending to the beach. The track loops around the small community of Mackerel Beach to come back down the beach and return to West Head Rd. A nice An opt

Total climbing: 299m

Hard track

The Basin Track and Mackerel Track

5.9 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is a great way to see some popular areas in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk from West Head Rd travels to The Basin campsite, and the ferry takes you over to Mackerel Beach. Before returning to West Head Rd, the walk also gives the option to head down to Currawong Beach. There is

Total climbing: 226m

Hard track

The Basin

5.6 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

The Basin Track is the only land access to The Basin, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park's only campsite. The walk follows mostly management trail and heads across the plateau away from West Head Rd, with a great side trip to Aboriginal rock engravings and The Basin Dam. This is a nice walk, heading th

Total climbing: 218m

Moderate track

Willunga Trig Walk

1.4 km Return, 40 mins

On this walk you will visit the highest point in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. At the top of the hill is an old trig point and some stunning panoramic view. On a clear day, there is an uninterrupted 180-degree view across large parts of the park, including Pittwater to the east and distant glimps

Total climbing: 62m

Moderate track

Towlers Bay Walk

8.4 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This walk explores another ridge of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and heads down a steep hill to the Towler's Bay community. You can explore the village and the ferry wharf before walking past the Youth Hostel on the walk back up. The Youth Hostel is available for an overnight stay, but book ahe

Total climbing: 402m

Moderate 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 Community

1.4 km Circuit, 45 mins

This short walk is a great way to see the beautiful Mackerel Beach and community. After a short ferry ride from Palm Beach, the walk heads up the grassed streets of Mackerel, leading to the lagoon. The track is mainly sandy beach or grass stretches, with the area behind the lagoon winding through a

Total climbing: 38m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The America Bay Track (to beach) walk starts and ends at the Int. West Head Rd and America Bay Trk (gps: -33.600940, 151.27234)

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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