Centre Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

6.7 km Return

195 m

Moderate track

This interesting walk explores a rocky ridge top of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk is through heathland that flowers in a mass of colour in spring. The track also visits a tessellated pavement and some Aboriginal engravings.

(0km) Mccarrs Creek Rd → Rocky Outcrop

1.5 km

26 mins

18m

-47m Moderate track

The track starts on Coal and Candle Drive, about 20 metres in from the toll gate. From the intersection, the walk passes around the gate (signposted 'Centre Track') and follows the management trail along the ridge line. About halfway along the Centre track walk you will find the Rocky Outcrop (there are several rocky outcrops along the walk) on the Southern side of the track, opposite a rocky knoll with a small overhang cave. From here, there are nice views south across the valley.

(1km) Rocky Outcrop → Tessellated Pavement

1.3 km

26 mins

43m

-28m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the Rocky Outcrop, the walk follows the management trail east. After a short distance, the walk comes to an area of Tessellated Pavement, at another rocky outcrop.

(3km) Tessellated Pavement → General San Martin Drive

520 m

11 mins

13m

-46m Moderate track

Turn right: From the Tessellated Pavement, this walk heads south, following the main track down the hill. The track winds its way down the hill in a easterly direction. There is a locked gate just before General San Martin Drive.

Maps for the Centre 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.

Hornsby	1:25 000 Map Series	91304S HORNSBY	NSW-91304S
Mona Vale	1:25 000 Map Series	91301S MONA VALE	NSW-91301S
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 Centre Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Centre 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	6.7 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		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 2.8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 520m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 3.3km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 3.3km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 2.8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 520m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.3km 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 1.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Centre Track walk.

Nerang Viewpoint

2.4 km Return, 1 Hr

At Nerang Viewpoint, the ground drops away to the north, giving views across to the neighboring forested ridges. This is a short and quiet walk and feels 'off the beaten track'. Initially this walk follows a wide trail, but this soon changes to a foot track following a broad ridge north through sc

Total climbing: 92m

Hard track

Smiths Creek

5.3 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This return walk to Smiths Creek offers a quiet spot to sit by a creek or explore open grasslands, while being surrounded by Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. There is plenty of shade available to cool off on a hot day, before climbing back up the wide trail to Terrey Hills and the start of the wa

Total climbing: 254m

Moderate track

The Perimeter Trail to Smiths Creek

16.1 km Return, 6 hrs

This walk to Smiths Creek follows a wide trail for most of the way, however it is well worth the walk, for Smiths Creek is a lovely spot with open grasslands and a creek to explore. The optional side trip to Wilkins Viewpoint is also worthwhile, with a fabulous view into Cowan Creek - consider incl

Total climbing: 576m

Moderate track

Perimeter Trail

7.2 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This Perimeter Trail walk contours gently around the northern side of Terrey Hills on a wide mostly level trail, with occasional views across Ku-Ring-Gai National Park. However, it is the side trips that make this walk truly worthwhile - if you are only going to do one side trip, the lookdown into

Total climbing: 214m

Moderate track

The Perimeter Trail to Wilkins Viewpoint

5.5 km Return, 2 hrs

This Perimeter Trail walk to Wilkins Viewpoint, near Terrey Hills offers a beautiful view into the waters of Cowan Creek. The setting and views at Wilkins Viewpoint are worth the walking, which is mostly along wide trails. This is a good walk in which to see some typical Ku-ring-gai Chase National

Total climbing: 137m

Moderate track

The Wilkins Track

5.2 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk follows a well-defined management trail to one of the best views of Cowan Creek in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. At the halfway point, there is a great spot to sit, relax and enjoy the scenery and the surrounds.

Total climbing: 130m

Moderate track

Duffy's Track and Slade Lookout

2.5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

A less frequented track, this rough, steep bush track abounds with wildlife including goannas and black snakes. Slade Lookout is definitely worth the short trip along the management trail to see good views over the marina at Bobbin Head. The mangroves at Duffy's Wharf (Cowan Creek) are also teeming

Total climbing: 214m

Moderate track

The Slade Lookout Track

1.6 km Return, 45 mins

This is a short walk along a popular horse riding trail, going to a great lookout over Bobbin Head. The lookout is a lovely spot, so allow time just to sit on the boulders and enjoy the view.

Total climbing: 55m

Moderate track

Elvina Bay Aboriginal Engraving Walk

508 m Return, 15 mins

This walk offers good examples of local aboriginal rock engravings on an attractive elevated rock platform, with views into the distance. From the car park, the walk travels through mostly flat, scrubby bush, before gently rising through heath onto a tessellated rock platform. Rock engravings are

Total climbing: 3m

Moderate track

Elvina Bay Circuit

4.5 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk takes you down to an isolated waterside community, where you can amble along, looking at homes and a historic Grave Site. From Elvina Track Car Park, the vegetation changes from scrubby bush to she oak and large eucalyptus as you decend to the waters edge. The walking is mostly along a man

Total climbing: 201m

Hard track

Elvina Track Walk

4.8 km Return, 2 hrs

On this walk, you will explore the isolated community of Elvina Bay, accessible only by boat or on foot. Starting at the Elvina Track car park, you follow a mostly level management trail, before descending steeply through she oaks and large eucalyptus to the coast and houses. At Elvina Bay Park, y

Total climbing: 218m

Moderate track

Lovetts Pools

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk takes you to a small but picturesque waterhole above Lovett Bay. You start with a short walk along a management trail, with an optional side track to an Aboriginal engraving site. Then continuing along the wide trail a little further, you'll turn left and following a couple of fainter tra

Total climbing: 75m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Centre Track walk starts and ends at the Mccarrs Creek Rd (gps: -33.665666, 151.23068)

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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