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 continues through Apple Tree Bay, following Cowan Creek for a little while before climbing up and out of the valley to Mt Kuring-gai station. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From opposite 18 Bedford Ave, this walk follows the service trail around the metal gate and past the 'Terramerragal Reserve' sign, soon passing the information sign about the Darri Track. This wide track winds down the hill and crosses a small creek, and then follows Cowan Creek downstream. After passing through the dense bush, enjoying the occasional view of the small creek (and avoiding a small false track off to the right), this track comes to an intersection with a service trail coming in from the left, at the concrete ditch.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Bedford Avenue & Darri Track Start heading along Darri Track (a vehicle track).
After another 490 m turn left, to head along Darri Track.
After another 230 m continue straight, to head along Darri Track.
After another 790 m continue straight, to head along Darri Track.
After another 720 m turn sharp right, to head along Darri Track.
After another 35 m turn sharp left.
After another 1000 m continue straight.
After another 510 m turn left, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 720 m continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 670 m (at the intersection of Warrimoo Track & Sphinx Track) continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 1.5 km cross the ford.
After another 520 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
After another 1.3 km cross the ford.
After another 440 m continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 40 m find the "Empire Marina - Galley Foods cafe" (20 m on your right).
Empire Marina, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, provides facilities and services for people on boats and on foot. The marina is home to "Galley Foods" kiosk and restaurant. The kiosk provides a variety of food priced between $4-$16, and is open from 8:30am to 5pm seven days. The restaurant requires reservations, and is open for lunch Thurs-Mon, breakfast on the weekend, and in dinner on Fridays and Saturdays in summer. Phone 9457 0477
Then pass the toilet (10 m on your right).
After another 20 m veer left.
After another 195 m head through/around the gate.
Mo-Su 08:00-17:00
Turn left.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 50 m veer left.
After another 20 m turn right, to head along Bobbin Head Road.
After another 10 m pass the shelter (15 m on your left).
After another 20 m pass the toilet (30 m on your left).
Then cross the Bobbin Head Bridge (about 60 m long)
After another 5 m continue straight, to head along Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road.
After another 90 m find the "Bobbin Head" (25 m on your left).
Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old 'Bobbin Inn', built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east).
Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and a large playground. There are toilets nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables that can be booked NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups.
The eastern side of Bobbin Head is dominated by the Empire Marina and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets.
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Apple Tree Bay Road & Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road) turn left, to head along Birrawanna Track (a walking track).
After another 10 m pass the "Bobbin Head Inn" (15 m on your left).
Then pass the "National Parks Information Centre" (10 m on your left).
Mo-Su 10:00-16:00
After another 115 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long)
After another 15 m pass the "Birrawana Loop Track" (6 m on your right).
Then head up the 30 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 10 m head up the 28 steps (about 7 m long)
After another 20 m head up the 60 steps (about 30 m long)
Then pass the toilet (60 m on your right).
After another 20 m head up the 12 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 60 m cross the ford.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Cockle Creek Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 165 m veer left, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 370 m cross the ford.
After another 7 m continue straight.
After another 35 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Apple Tree Flat Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 195 m turn left, to head along Apple Tree Bay Road.
After another 150 m turn right.
After another 35 m find the "Apple Tree Bay" (20 m on your left).
Apple Tree Bay, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park, has a popular boat ramp for accessing Cowan creek and plenty of parking. The area has kiosk, electric BBQ's, picnic benches, toilets, drinking water, garbage facilities, and shade provided by trees. If you are after a quiet spot, head to the western end (away from the boat ramp, past the BBQ's), just beyond the car park, to a lovely clearing by the water. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise.
The kiosk/cafe is open on weekend and services hot and cold drinks, ice creams and some hot food.
After another 10 m pass the cafe (20 m on your left).
Sa-Su PH
After another 3 m turn right.
After another 7 m pass the park (7 m on your left).
After another 25 m turn right.
After another 35 m turn left, to head along Berowra Track.
After another 25 m cross the bridge (about 35 m long)
After another 65 m pass the sign.
After another 390 m continue straight, to head along Berowra Track.
After another 345 m (at the intersection of Berowra Track & Mount Kuring-Gai Track) turn sharp left, to head along Mount Kuring-Gai Track.
After another 10 m head up the 19 steps (about 20 m long)
After another 290 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 1.3 km head up the 30 rock steps (about 10 m long)
After another 95 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Mount Kuring-Gai Track.
Then come to the "Firefighters Rest" (35 m on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay Viewpoint. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 250 m continue straight, to head along Mount Kuring-Gai Track.
After another 640 m head through/around the gate.
After another 30 m pass the "Mount Ku-ring-gai Track" (5 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Mount Kuring-Gai Track.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Young Street & Mount Kuring-Gai Track) continue straight, to head along Harwood Avenue (a residential road).
After another 105 m (at the intersection of Seaview Street & Harwood Avenue) continue straight, to head along Harwood Avenue.
After another 85 m (at the intersection of Harwood Avenue & Low Street) continue straight, to head along Harwood Avenue.
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 25 m cross the bridge (about 50 m long)
After another 15 m head down the 5 concrete steps
Then head through the tunnel
After another 25 m come to the end.
Then head through the tunnel
About 90 m past the end is a toilet.
An optional side trip to Cockle Creek Lookout.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Continue another 115 m to find Cockle Creek Lookout at the end.
"Cockle Creek Lookout".
Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 115 m to the main route.
An optional side trip to Apple Tree Flat Lookout.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start heading along Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road.
After another 15 m veer left.
After another 50 m find the "NPWS North Sydney Regional Office" (20 m on your right).
The NPWS North Sydney Regional Office is a lovely stone building on Bobbin Head Road at one of the trackheads for Birrawanna loop track. There is a car park and an open grassy area. On the opposite side of the road is the Apple Tree Flat Picnic Area with a few picnic tables. Other than this, there are no public facilities.
After another 45 m come to "Apple Tree Flat Picnic Area".
Apple Tree Flat Picnic Area is opposite the NPWS North Sydney Regional office on Bobbin Head Rd, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park. The small picnic area should not be confused with the more popular Apple Tree Bay Picnic Area and boat ramp further down the hill. The picnic area provides three bench platforms for sitting and dining. There is also a small, open grassy area and some large trees providing shade.
The end.
"Apple Tree Flat Lookout".
Apple Tree Flat Lookout is a small fenced lookout high up the hill overlooking Apple Tree Bay and Cowan creek. The view is filtered through the tall gum trees. Being perched on a rock platform, the views are great. The lookout is not far from Bobbin Head Rd, near the NPWS North Sydney Regional Office, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 110 m to the main route.
An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay Viewpoint.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 105 m come to the end.
A viewpoint.
"Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout".
This informal, unfenced lookout is perched on some rocks, not far from the Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track. It provides views across the valley to Cowan Creek and over much of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 105 m to the main route.
Darri and Warrimoo Tracks to Mt Kuring-gai
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
14.6 km
Time
5 h 30 min to 6 h 30 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 9.2 km from the start.
Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 2.9 km apart with the largest gap of 8.9 km.
Mostly sunny morning. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Damaging winds possible. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h increasing to 35 km/h before turning westerly 20 to 30 km/h in the afternoon.
Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
Thursday 26 June
6°C → 15°C
Partly cloudy. 10% chance of rain
Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day then tending southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon.
Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers along the coastal fringe, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending southerly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
Saturday 28 June
8°C → 17°C
Possible shower. 40% chance of rain 0 → 1mm
Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog in the west. Medium chance of showers. Light winds.
Sunday 29 June
8°C → 18°C
Possible shower. 40% chance of rain 0 → 1mm
Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds.
Monday 30 June
8°C → 17°C
Shower or two. 60% chance of rain 0 → 7mm
Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending southerly during the day.
Tuesday 1 July
8°C → 15°C
Showers. 80% chance of rain 0 → 40mm
Cloudy. High chance of showers. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
Other planned events: Planned power outage at Bobbin Head There is a planned power outage in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on Thursday 26 June 2025. There will be no power to Bobbin Head barbeques and no power to Bobbin Inn Cafe or Bobbin Head Visitor's Centre so both the Cafe and Visitor's Centre will be closed.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office on (02) 8448 0400.
Other planned events: 1080 pest management operation NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between Saturday 1 February 2025 and Thursday 31 July 2025 in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Please don’t touch baits or ejector devices. All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 or the Lane Cove area office on 02 8448 0400 (business hours). Alternatively, call the NPWS after-hours call centre on 1300 056 294.
Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure Berowra walking track is partially closed from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track until further notice. There is a threat of rockfalls due to slope instability caused by recent weather events. NPWS is in the process of carrying out necessary repair works.
Berowra walking track from Berowra Station to Mt Ku-ring-gai remains open. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).
Other incidents: Apple Tree Bay carpark maintenance Apple Tree Bay carpark in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park will be undergoing maintenance from Wednesday 4 June to Monday 30 June 2025. There may be minor delays experienced. Please follow directions.
For more information phone the local area office on 02 8448 0400.
Closed areas: North Mackerel track closed and Mackerel trail partially closed North Mackerel track is permanently closed due to a potential risk of rockfalls and unstable cliff edges in the Great Mackerel Beach area.
The only designated land access to or from Great Mackerel Beach is via Mackerel track to the north, which intersects with Resolute track.
Due to land instability and risk to personal safety, there is no through or return access to or from the following places:
The south end of Great Mackerel Beach via The Basin or Mackerel trail
The west of Great Mackerel Beach via North Mackerel track, which is closed.
Please be aware of the risks associated with visiting natural areas, including rock falls, unstable edges, falling branches and interactions with wildlife.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office.