McKell Park Loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

931 m Circuit

24 m

Moderate track

This is a great walk to take the kids on, with a fenced playground, a swimming area and pelicans. For mum and dad, there is parking, a Federation interpretive display, picnic and toilet facilities and views over the Hawkesbury River from Flat Rock Point above. This short walk complements a fresh seafood lunch in Brooklyn, making for a great summer treat.

(0km) Federation Foreshore Parking → McKell Park Playground

180 m

3 mins

-2m Very easy

From the car park, this walk follows the gravel path along the foreshore[1] (keeping the car park to your right). After about 100m, the walk heads along the concrete footpath[2] and past the metal and glass 'Federation' interpretive signs[3][4], coming to an intersection on the other side of the fenced children's playground[5].

McKell Park

McKell Park is an excellent spot for an afternoon with the kids. It has a large fenced playground, interpretive display about Australia's federation, a swimming area, electric BBQ's, seating, toilets and change room facilities. The park overlooks the boats in the Hawkesbury River and is very close to the car park at the end of Dangar Rd.

(0km) McKell Park Playground → Flat Rock Point

250 m

4 mins

-4m Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection beside the playground[6], this walk follows the flat concrete footpath past the picnic tables[7], keeping the water just to your left[8]. The path then leads past a toilet block[9] and Brooklyn Baths[10] and comes to the end of the concrete path. From here, the walk follows the 'Federation Foreshore Walkway' sign[11] along the wide dirt trail, enjoying the view over the water to Dangar Island[12]. This trail leads for a little over 150m, passing some seats[13] to come to an intersection[14], where there is a set of stairs on your right, just before Flat Rock Point.

(0km) Flat Rock Point → Parsley Bay Boat Ramp

290 m

6 mins

10m

-8m Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection[15], this walk follows the flat, wide, dirt Parsley Bay management trail, past the square log seat[16] and around Flat Rock Point[17], keeping the water on your left. The trail soon leads past the 'Public Loading Dock'[18], then a bench seat[19] and continues along the side of the bay for just shy of 250m. At the end of this trail, the walk heads through a gate[20] and comes to the Parsley Bay Boat Ramp[21]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

(0km) Flat Rock Point → Upper McKell park

260 m

6 mins

17m

-1m Easy track

Turn sharp right: From Flat Rock Point, this walk follows the footpath, heading up the concrete steps to Federation Lookout. From here, the walk follows the tarmac-joined rocks to the turfed picnic area and car park of Upper McKell Park.

Upper McKell Park Picnic Area

McKell Park Picnic Area is perched on the headland above Parsley Bay. The picnic area provides a pleasant grassy area with picnic shelters, electric BBQ's and toilets. The picnic area also has a lookout over the Hawkesbury River.

(1km) Upper McKell park → Federation Foreshore Parking

240 m

5 mins

-16m Moderate track

Turn right: With the park (at the end of the road) off to the right, this walk leaves the Upper McKell car park and heads north, following the 'Picnic facilities & Playground' sign down the steps. The track winds down the hill to Lower McKell Park playground area.
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads along the flat concrete footpath[22], keeping the water to your right. The path leads around the edge of the metal and glass 'Federation' interpretive signs[23][24] and playground[25]. Here the walk veers right to follow the gravel path[26] between the car park (on your left) and the water[27] (on your right) for about 130m before coming to the end of the car park[28].

Maps for the McKell Park 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.

Cowan	1:25 000 Map Series	91304N COWAN	NSW-91304N
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 McKell Park Loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the McKell Park 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	931 m
		Time	30 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	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

600m of this walk is flat with no steps and another 260m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (65m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

600m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 260m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (65m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 860m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 65m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 930m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 930m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 930m 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 McKell Park Loop walk.

McKell Park to Flat Rock Point

1.4 km Return, 30 mins

This short track is excellent walk for those with young children. The track passes the fantastic McKell Park playground facilities, which stand next to the Federation Interpretive Display. For the warmer months, enclosed beach pool is right next to the track. The views of the Hawkesbury River are qu

Total climbing: 29m

Very easy

Jerusalem Bay Track (Cowan to Brooklyn)

13.4 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This Cowan to Brooklyn Station walk is a popular section of the Great North Walk, with scenery ranging from foreshore to ridge top lookouts. You will follow the Great North Walk from Cowan Station down to the picturesque Jerusalem Bay, then climb up over a series of ridges before descending into Bro

Total climbing: 654m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the McKell Park Loop walk.

Little Wobby to Woy Woy via Rocky Ponds

16.1 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This is a great walk, crossing the middle of Brisbane Water National Park and visiting several highlights including Rocky Ponds. Starting with a ferry trip from Brooklyn, this walk follows a series of faint tracks, clear tracks and management trails. There is an alternate route described in the not

Total climbing: 588m

Experienced only

Little Wobby to Rocky Ponds

18.1 km Return, 8 hrs

This great walk starts from Brooklyn with a ferry trip to Little Wobby and explores some fantastic panoramic views of the Hawkesbury River and Tank Creek. The alternate route, for more experienced walkers, cuts a fair bit of walking and gets you to the views quicker. The views along the ridge are

Total climbing: 923m

Hard track

Patonga to Pearl Beach

4.3 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk explores a section of Brisbane Water National Park between the villages of Patonga and Pearl Beach. From Patonga, this walk takes you up a track following the Great North Walk route, and then a wider trail brings you to a short (and very worthwhile) side trip to Warrah Lookout. From here

Total climbing: 189m

Moderate track

Patonga to Somersby

41.5 km One way, 3 Days

This three day walk follows the Great North Walk from Patonga, through Brisbane Waters National Park, to the Somersby General Store. The two campsites can be found near the summit of Mt Wondabyne, and along the banks of the Mooney Mooney Creek. Water is available from Kariong Brook and often from tr

Total climbing: 1811m

Hard track

Patonga to Staples Lookout

17 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This great walk explores much of the main ridge ridge running through Brisbane Water National Park. The walk visits a number of great lookouts and has two worthy side trips, one up to the top of Mt Wondabyne and another to the falls in Kariong Brook. The walk requires a bit of planning for transpo

Total climbing: 702m

Hard track

Patonga to Wondabyne station via Mt Wondabyne

19.5 km One way, 7 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores some grand views, pleasant cascades, varied bushland and remote areas of Brisbane Waters National Park. From Patonga you will walk up the ridge and take a short side trip to enjoy the wonderful views from Warrah Lookout, before following a series of dirt roads and management trail

Total climbing: 861m

Hard track

Patonga to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves overnight

28.1 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight hike starts from Patonga beach and winds along a section of the Great North Walk, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs up and around the Warra reserve headland, continuing to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves. The overnight stay is at the Mt Wondabyne campsite. The

Total climbing: 1164m

Experienced only

Patonga to Warrah Trig Station

4.3 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk explores part of the ridge heading out of Patonga. The walk visits two great lookouts, with great views of Lion Island, West Head and Palm beach. Warrah trig is not that interesting, but it is a high point in the area with more views. Make a day of it by catching the ferry from Palm bea

Total climbing: 240m

Moderate track

Patonga to Woy Woy

15.5 km One way, 5 hrs 45 mins

This walk explores a variety of environments from the shore line and coastal cliffs near Patonga, to the dry, rocky and open ridge line. The last part of the walk skirts around the edge of Woy Woy tip, but most of the walk offers great views of the water systems around the park. You can catch the

Total climbing: 497m

Hard track

Warrah Trig to Patonga

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

This walk starts at the top of the ridge and leads through a field of wildflowers (in spring and early summer), past some panoramic water views and down to Patonga Village for fish and chips. Starting on the Tony Doyle Track, this walk passes the old Warrah Trig and then visits Warrah Lookout, a gr

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

Warrah Trig to Pearl Beach

2.8 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

Starting on the Tony Doyle track, this walk passes the old Warrah Trig before enjoying the views from Warrah lookout. The walk follows the wide trail down the hill to Pearl Beach. There are many great wildflowers in spring and if you are quiet, you may spot a Lyrebird or two. If you are feeling en

Total climbing: 27m

Moderate track

Warrah Trig to Lookout

756 m Return, 20 mins

This walk takes you from the old Warrah Trig Station down the ridge, along a well formed rock path to Warrah Lookout. From the lookout there are fantastic views spanning from the distant Barrenjoey headland, across the Hawkesbury river to Brisk Bay and Patonga. There are no facilities provided at t

Total climbing: 51m