Wallaroo Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 45 mins

9.3 km Return

352 m

Hard track

This is a nice walk in the Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, passing through a mix of thick heath vegetation and more open forest. There are some great views over Cowan Waters from the end of the track.

Banksia Ericifolia on the Salvation Loop track

Dense heath along the Salvation Loop track

Eucalypt hanging over the Salvation Loop track

View over the Salvation Loop hanging swamp

Rocky outcrop on the Salvation Loop track

Panorama over Ku-ring-gai Chase NP from the Wallaroo track

Hibbertia (Guinea Flowers) on the Wallaroo track

Beautiful view from the Wallaroo viewpoint

Salvation Picnic Area

The Salvation Picnic Area is beside West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. The picnic area has three picnic benches and a car park. There are no other facilities. This is a convenient point to start/finish the nearby Salvation Loop, Wallaroo and Yeomans walks.

(0km) Salvation Picnic Area → Salvation Loop north trackhead

300 m

6 mins

14m

-2m Moderate track

From the 'Salvation Picnic Area' (on West Head Rd, about 3.6km north from the intersection with General San Martin Dr), the walk follows the road, crossing the bridge over Salvation Creek, leaving the picnic area on the right, and soon arrives at the northern trackhead of the 'Salvation Loop Track'.

(0km) Salvation Loop north trackhead → Int of Salvation Loop and Wallaroo track

1.4 km

27 mins

47m

-19m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Salvation Loop Track', passing around a gate and along the management trail. The trail gently arcs to the left for some time, offering occasional views over the low, dense heath vegetation. The walk then arrives at the signposted intersection with the 'Walleroo Track'.

Salvation Loop hanging swamp

The Salvation Loop hanging swamp is enclosed within the Salvation Loop Track, off West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. This area of hanging swamp (swamp formed in a depression on high ground, usually near a cliff) and wet heathland is dificult to see from the surrounding Salvation Loop track due to the drier, tall, dense heath vegetation surrounding it. It may, however, reward the patient, or lucky, observer with the plant and animal life associated with this habitat type, such as reeds and frogs.

(2km) Int of Salvation Loop and Wallaroo track → Salvation Picnic Area

2.2 km

38 mins

19m

-58m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, with the 'Walleroo Track' on the right, the walk follows the management trail to the west and soon swings to the right. The walk passes through an area of dense heath vegetation so there are only limited views away from the track. The track then passes around a gate and arrives at West Head Rd.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk follows the road gently down the hill leaving the 'Salvation Loop Track' to the left and soon arrives at the 'Salvation Picnic Area'.

(2km) Int of Salvation Loop and Wallaroo track → End of Wallaroo track

2.9 km

1 hr 2 mins climb

111m

-159m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Walleroo Track' arrow going up the hill. This section of the walk has some short, but steep, climbs and descents and soon offers some nice glimpses of Cowan Creek before reaching the intersection with 'Yeomans Track'.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Walleroo Track' arrow down the hill, along the management trail. The trail is increasingly overgrown and passes several small but nice rocky outcrops. The main track comes to an end on a rocky outcrop with your first views over Cowan Creek.

(5km) End of Wallaroo track → Wallaroo View

190 m

4 mins

-13m Hard track

Continue straight: From the rocky outcrop, the walk follows the faint bush track gently down the hill, keeping Cowan Creek on the left. The walk continues for a short distance over some sloping rocky outcrops before reaching a rocky outcrop at the top of a small unfenced cliff with beautiful views over Cowan Creek. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

Wallaroo view

The Wallaroo view is at the end of the Wallaroo Track, off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This viewpoint is an informal, unfenced lookout at the top of a small cliff. You get beautiful views along parts of Cowan Waters, including Castle Bay and Yeomans Bay.

Maps for the Wallaroo 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
Cowan	1:25 000 Map Series	91304N COWAN	NSW-91304N
Mona Vale	1:25 000 Map Series	91301S MONA VALE	NSW-91301S
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 Wallaroo Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wallaroo 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	9.3 km
		Time	3 hrs 45 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

1.7km of this walk is very steep and another 1.4km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.2km has short steep hills and the remaining 300m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

3.1km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (300m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 3.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.4km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 4.3km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 300m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 4.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 300m 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 Wallaroo Track walk.

Salvation Loop Track

4 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk makes a circuit from West Head Rd around the Salvation Loop track in Ku-ring-gai Chase NP. The walk passes through wet heathland vegetation and around a hanging swamp. The thick heath vegetation along the track means that the views are mostly restricted, however it is still a nice walk wit

Total climbing: 80m

Moderate track

Yeomans Track

9.9 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This is a nice walk in the Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, passing through a mix of thick heath vegetation and more open forest. There are some good views over Cowan Waters from the end of the track and an optional side trip to a large rock outcrop with interesting texture and shapes.

Total climbing: 335m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

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

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

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

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

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

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

America Bay Track (to beach)

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

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

Total climbing: 130m

Hard track

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

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Wallaroo Track walk starts and ends at the Salvation Picnic Area (gps: -33.626613, 151.25796)

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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