Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.8 km Circuit

227 m

Very experienced only

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.

* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

(0km) Flint and Steel carpark → Signpost at saddle

330 m

8 mins

-57m Moderate track

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.

(0km) Signpost at Saddle → Flint and Steel beach

740 m

21 mins

35m

-116m Moderate track

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

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.

(1km) Flint and Steel beach → Spur above Flint and Steel Beach

160 m

4 mins

24m

-3m Moderate track

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.

(1km) Spur above Flint and Steel Beach → McGaw Ruins

820 m

18 mins

30m

-45m Very experienced only

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

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.

(2km) McGaw Ruins → White Horse Beach

220 m

5 mins

-10m Hard track

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. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

White Horse Beach

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.

(2km) McGaw Ruins → Signpost at Saddle

370 m

14 mins

80m

-5m Hard track

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.

(2km) Signpost at saddle → Flint and Steel carpark

330 m

8 mins

57m

-1m Moderate track

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.

Maps for the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop 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 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

Altitude analysis for Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop

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	2.8 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 6/6 Very experienced only	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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining 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.

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop walk.

Flint and Steel Bay (to White Horse Beach)

1.9 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a nice walk to White Horse Beach on Flint and Steel Bay. The return-style walk passes McGaw's ruins and and the old water catchment. From White Horse Beach, there are scenic views across the Hawkesbury River. The ruins are a nice addition to the walk - although overgrown, they add a touch o

Total climbing: 159m

Hard track

Flint and Steel track

2.1 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk follows a scenic route to the secluded Flint and Steel Beach, which provides views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island, Patonga and Box Head. The walk passes through palm, pine and grass tree forests. There is a great diversity of flora and some fantastic sandston

Total climbing: 209m

Moderate 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 Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop 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

Aboriginal Heritage Track

1.1 km Circuit, 45 mins

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 retur

Total climbing: 27m

Moderate 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop walk starts and ends at the Flint and Steel carpark (gps: -33.578863, 151.28879)

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.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

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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