Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

5.3 km One way

364 m

Hard track

Exploring Cockle Creek at water level and Ku-ring-gai National Park from the ridge, this is an enjoyable short walk to Mt Kuring-gai. Pop into the cafe at Bobbin Head for a cup of coffee or a light meal. The short side trip to the lookout up on the ridge offers an amazing view. As there are no buses to Bobbin Head, you will need to plan a car shuffle or ring a taxi.

Glimpse of Bobbin Head from Apple Tree Bay Road

Road between Bobbin Head and Apple Tree Bay

Looking across Apple Tree Bay from the boat ramp

Picnic area on the north side of Apple Tree Bay

Rocky gully crossing north of Apple Tree Bay

Historic steps near the Intersection of Berowra and Mt Ku-ring-gai tracks

Intersection of Berowra and Mt Ku-ring-gai tracks

On Mt Ku-ring-gai track above Berowra track

View from Near the bottom of Mt Kuring-gai Track

Steps between rocks on the Mt Kuring-gai Track

Wide flat track north of int of viewpoint and Mt Kuring-gai Tracks

View from the Viewpoint off Mt Kuring-gai Track

Gate at the top of the Mt Kuring-gai track

Welcome to Ku-ring-gai Chase national park

Eastern end of Mt Kuring-gai rail and freeway footbridge

Mt Ku-ring-gai Walking Tack sign at station

Bobbin Inn Cafe

At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building[1], is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining[2], 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. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access[3][4] available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.

(0km) Bobbin Inn → Int of Apple Tree Bay Road and Harbour to Hawkesburry Track

1.2 km

27 mins

64m

-67m Easy track

From Bobbin Inn[5], this walk heads to the front of the building to the 'Information Centre'[6] to turn right and cross Bobbin Head Road[7]. Here the walk follows the 'Apple Tree Bay' signs[8] through the car park[9] and between the toilet block[10] (on your left) and 'The Pavillion'[11] (on your right) for just over 100m to pass over a speed bump between six sandstone pillars[12]. The walk continues to follow the sealed road gently uphill for [13] 900m passing a few speed bumps to the top of the rise where the road bends left[14]. Here the walk continues downhill along the road for just over 150m to and intersection at the bottom of the signposted 'Regional Office' track[15] (on your left).

(1km) Int of Apple Tree Bay Road and Harbour to Hawkesbury Track → Apple Tree Bay Kiosk

170 m

3 mins

-3m Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection at the bottom of the signposted 'Regional Office' track[16], this walk follows the sealed road gently downhill keeping the water and main valley to your right. After about 30m the road leads past a footpath (to a small gated marina[17], on your right) to continue down the road for 150m to the Apple Tree Bay car park[18]. Just across from the entrance this walk comes to a Kiosk and 'Welcome to Apple Tree Bay' sign[19].

(1km) Apple Tree Bay → Int of Mt Kuring-gai and Berowra Tracks

940 m

26 mins

82m

-66m Moderate track

Turn right: From the kiosk[20], this walk heads across the eastern end of the car park[21], keeping the water to your right for just shy of 100m to pass the top of the boat ramp[22] and find the sheltered 'Information' sign[23]. Here the walk crosses Apple Tree Creek on the timber bridge[24] to find a small clearing and picnic area where this walk turns right following the 'Berowra Track' sign[25]. The walk soon leaves the metal fence and follows the rocky track and stone steps[26] for about 100m where the track then mostly flattens out[27] for another 100m to cross a small rock gully and grove of sassafras[28]. The track then crosses another gully and continues along the shore for just over 200m leaving the Apple Tree Bay where the track veers left over a small rise using some timber steps[29]. From here this walk continues along the shoreline in a similar manor for 300m to come to a constructed stone wall[30] and series of disused stone steps (on your left)[31]. This is the site of the historic Woodnutts Boatshed that was built in 1910. The rusting water tank and a few other relics remain[33]. Here the walk continues along the clear track along the shoreline for another 40m to the intersection at the bottom of the signposted 'Mt Ku-ring-gai Track'[34] (on your left).

(2km) Int of Mt Kuring-gai and Berowra Tracks → Int of Lookout and Mt Kuring-gai Tracks

1.9 km

49 mins

190m

-13m Hard track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'MT Ku-ring-gai Track' sign[35] up the rock and timber steps and past the small overhang[36]. The track leads fairly steeply up for 80m to then bend sharply right[37] and continue fairly steeply for another 200m to pass a natural rock wall[38] (on your left). Just 20m past this wall the track comes to a small flat area[39] with good views over Cowan Creek[40]. Here the walk continues more gently uphill along the rocky ridge line[41] for 300m where the track completely flattens out to pass along the side of a small hill[42] (on your left). Over the next 600m the track leads down across a saddle then up along the ridge to bend right onto[43] an exposed rock platform[44]. From there the sandy track soon bends left again to follow the ridge uphill for 100m to pass a small sandstone overhang[45] then continue up a long set of stone steps[46] where the sandy track mostly flattens out again[47]. Soon the track starts heading up more stone steps [48] for about 400m to pass between a large boulder (on your left) and along rock wall (on your right)[49]. At the end of this rock wall the track bends right and leads up the stone steps through the cleft in the rock[50] where the then mostly flat wide sandy track leads gently uphill for 250m to find a three-way intersection[51] marked with a NPWS arrow post[52].

(4km) Int of viewpoint and Mt Kuring-gai Tracks → Apple Tree Bay Viewpoint

110 m

2 mins

-14m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, the walk heads east away from the main trail[53] to follow the wide sandy track gently downhill. The track begins to narrow[54] and after about 100m the now rocky track comes to an unfenced rock platform[55] with good views down over Apple Tree Bay and down along Cowan Creek valley[56]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

(4km) Int of Lookout and Mt Kuringai Tracks → Corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street

650 m

11 mins

-12m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the face of the face of the NPWS arrow post[57] to head south west over a small rise and along the sandy management trail. The trail passes through open wooded forest for just over 600m to pass a 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - Mt Kuring gai Track' sign[58] as the trail bends right where this walk heads around the green metal National Park gate[59]. Here the walk heads past a few houses to find the intersection of 'Harwood Ave' and 'Young St'[60] (Mt Kuring-gai).

(5km) Corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street → Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station

400 m

8 mins

19m

-1m Easy track

Continue straight: From the corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street, this walk follows Harwood Ave downhill along the footpath. The footpath then leads up past a 'Seaview St'[61] and across 'Low St'[62] to continue to the end of Harwood Ave to find a footbridge[63]. Here the walk crosses the the F3 freeway using the caged foot bridge[64] to head down the steps into a concrete tunnel[65]. Part way through the tunnel this walk comes to an intersection at the bottom of the steps at Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station. Here there is a sign that points back to 'Mt Ku-ring-gai Walking Track'[66]

Maps for the Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay 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.

Hornsby	1:25 000 Map Series	91304S HORNSBY	NSW-91304S
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 Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay

Altitude analysis for Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay

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	5.3 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

2.7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.9km is very steep. The remaining (580m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

2.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.7km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (650m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 3.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.9km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 3.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.9km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 3.3km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.9km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay walk.

Apple Tree Bay Birrawanna Loop

3.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This walk enjoys some great views and quiet bushland in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. From Apple Tree Bay, the walk soon heads over the hill and loops down to Bobbin Head, with the option of a bite to eat at the kiosk before returning along a similar but different route to Apple Tree Bay. The wal

Total climbing: 281m

Hard track

Berowra to Bobbin Head

8.7 km One way, 4 hrs

Following Cowan Creek, this walk is one of the most pleasant in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, with great views over the water as well as nice views from the ridge at Berowra. Be sure to stop at the cafe for a cuppa in Bobbin Head before going home. Apple Tree Bay is also a very pleasant spot

Total climbing: 473m

Hard track

Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai

9.4 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

From the ridges above Cowan Creek, this walk takes in some great lookouts (especially around Mt Kuring-gai) as well as enjoying an extremely pleasant bush track along the creek. Easily accessible by public transport, this track gives walkers a good taste of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has t

Total climbing: 551m

Hard track

Sphinx to Mt Kuring-gai

10.7 km One way, 4 hrs 45 mins

This walk starts at the Sphinx War Memorial and follows some well maintained and popular walking tracks down to Cowan Creek. Enjoy the water views as you head through Bobbin Head and Apple Tree Bay. The walk continues through the National Park and up the hill to Mt Kuring-gai. There are plenty of

Total climbing: 673m

Hard track

Sphinx War Memorial to Mt Kuring-gai Station

11 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

Starting at the Sphinx War Memorial in North Turramurra, this walk follows a series of well-used tracks exploring the waterways and Bobbin Head. The walk drops through Bobbin Head picnic area before passing through Apple Tree Bay on its way to Mt Kuring-gai. The scenic views and variety of things to

Total climbing: 518m

Hard track

Darri and Warrimoo Tracks to Mt Kuring-gai

14.6 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

Starting in North Turramurra, this walk follows the Darri and Warrimoo Tracks through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and down along the picturesque Cowan Creek. Bobbin Head makes a great spot to take a break and have some lunch at the cafe, kiosk or picnic area. From Bobbin Head, the track continue

Total climbing: 852m

Hard track

Wahroonga to Mt Kuring-gai

14.7 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

Starting with a walk through the streets of Wahroonga, this walk then heads bush, following the Gibberagong Track to Bobbin Head. After a picnic or a bite to eat from the kiosk, the walk then heads up the Birrawanna track to lead to Apple Tree Bay. From here the track follows the picturesque Cowan

Total climbing: 607m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay walk.

Cockle Creek Lookout Return

1.1 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a great walk for visitors looking for a reasonably short adventure after lunch. The leisurely walk starts from the cafe and information centre at Bobbin Head and follows the Warrimoo Track up the hill to the Cockle Creek Lookout, before returning along the same route.

Total climbing: 94m

Hard track

Birrawanna Track

4.4 km Return, 2 hrs

This pleasant walk starts near the kiosk at Bobbin Head, climbing the sandstone stairs and then follows a defined track to the Kalkari Discovery Centre. Kalkari is well worth spending some time exploring, with opportunities to learn about and mix with the local flora and fauna.

Total climbing: 262m

Moderate track

Bobbin Head Boardwalk

552 m Return, 15 mins

The Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay walk starts at the Bobbin Inn (gps: -33.659694, 151.15912)

Car. Parking fees apply in the area.<br /> (get details)

The Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay ends at the Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station (gps: -33.653814, 151.13674)

Train. (get details)

Car. From Mt Ku-ring-gai Station it is possible to get away to either Hornsby to the South or Brooklyn and the Central Coast in the North using the Pacific Hwy. (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,

Berowra Valley National Park

Following the Berowra Creek the Berowra Valley National Park is located on the Hornsby Plateau and is made up of typical Hawkesbury Sandstone. The great North walk, Benowie walking track, and many other great walks stretch spann this park. The area has varied vegetation including many different sorts of Eucalyptus and plenty of native animals, includingl swamp wallibies, water dragons, bandicoots, Lyre Birds, and bush turkeys. There are several campsites within the Park, and Crosslands Reserve is also a popular spot near the middle of the park.

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