Darri and Warrimoo to the Sphinx Memorial

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
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 There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Bedford to Waipori Trail & Bedford Avenue (-33.7193224,151.1500502)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Highway, A1 Turn on to then drive for 2.3 km Keep left onto Cowan Road and drive for another 700 m Turn left onto Killeaton Street and drive for another 1.1 km Turn right onto Bedford Avenue and drive for another 30 m Turn slight right onto Bedford Avenue and drive for another 245 m Turn right onto Bedford to Waipori Trail and drive for another 3 m
Finish	(-33.6887478,151.1523507)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

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 to Waipori Trail & Bedford Avenue Start heading along Bedford to Waipori Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 490 m continue straight. After another 235 m continue straight, to head along Bedford to Waipori Trail. After another 790 m (at the intersection of Bedford to Waipori Trail & Glengarry Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Bedford to Waipori Trail. After another 20 m (at the intersection of Bedford to Waipori Trail & Darri Track) continue straight, to head along Darri Track. After another 530 m cross the ford.
	After another 165 m turn sharp right, to head along Darri Track.
	After another 30 m (at the intersection of Bedford to Waipori Trail Branch & Darri Track) turn sharp left, to head along Bedford to Waipori Trail Branch. After another 285 m head down the 7 steps (about 6 m long) After another 75 m head up the 17 metal steps (about 3 m long) After another 125 m continue straight. After another 65 m come to the viewpoint (10 m on your left).
	Veer left, to head along Darri Track. After another 165 m continue straight, to head along Darri Track. After another 100 m head up the 20 steps (about 10 m long) After another 20 m head up the 24 steps (about 20 m long)
	The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Timbarra Road. Details below. After another 210 m veer left, to head along Darri Track.
	After another 520 m (at the intersection of Warrimoo Track & Darri Track) veer left, to head along Warrimoo Track (a vehicle track).
	After another 720 m continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Track. After another 190 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
	After another 500 m (at the intersection of Warrimoo Track & Sphinx Track) turn sharp left, to head along Sphinx Track. After another 75 m head up the 89 earthen steps (about 60 m long) After another 420 m cross the ford. After another 6 m head up the 68 earthen steps (about 40 m long) After another 70 m head up the 18 earthen steps (about 20 m long) After another 80 m head up the 15 earthen steps (about 10 m long) After another 120 m head up the 7 earthen steps (about 5 m long) After another 15 m head up the 36 earthen steps (about 35 m long) After another 105 m (at the intersection of Sphinx Trail & Sphinx Track) veer right, to head along Sphinx Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of Sphinx Trail & Sphinx Track) turn left, to head along Sphinx Track (a walking track). After another 60 m head through the bollard. After another 15 m pass the water tap (on your left). Then find the "Sphinx Memorial" (25 m on your left). Sphinx Memorial Private Shirley spent one and a half years carving this monument whilst a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital. William Shirley was in hospital, being treated after serving in WW1. Shirley died in 1929, leaving this memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades. "To my glorious comrades of the A.I.F by the late W. Shirley No 5756 Pte. 13th Battalion Died 27th August 1928" Continue straight, to head along Sphinx Track. After another 10 m pass a seat (10 m on your left)., has a backrest. After another 45 m head through/around the gate. Then pass the "Sphinx Track / Warrimoo Track" (on your left).
	After another 4 m (at the intersection of Memorial Road & Sphinx Track) veer right, to head along Memorial Road (a service road). After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Memorial Road. After another 55 m head through/around the gate. sunrise-sunset Then pass the water tap (7 m on your right).
	After another 40 m come to the end.

An alternate access point from/to Timbarra Road.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 105 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Darri and Warrimoo to the Sphinx Memorial

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	6.8 km
Time	2 h 30 min to 2 h 45 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
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

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.3 km apart with the largest gap of 4.8 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	4.8 km	[seat]
Seat	6.4 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Sphinx Memorial
Private Shirley spent one and a half years carving this monument whilst a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital. William Shirley was in hospital, being treated after serving in WW1. Shirley died in 1929, leaving this memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades. "To my glorious comrades of the A.I.F by the late W. Shirley No 5756 Pte. 13th Battalion Died 27th August 1928"

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Hornsby Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Thursday 19 September
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Friday 20 September
  
  11°C → 24°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 2:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 6 [High]
  
  Saturday 21 September
  
  10°C → 24°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Sunday 22 September
  
  10°C → 24°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 23 September
  
  10°C → 27°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds.
  
  Tuesday 24 September
  
  12°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Wednesday 25 September
  
  15°C → 28°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds northerly 20 to 30 km/h turning westerly 15 to 25 km/h later.
  
  Thursday 26 September
  
  12°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h tending southerly 25 to 35 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Mackerel trail closed for maintenance works
  Mackerel Trail and a section of Basin trail are partially closed from Monday 23 September to Friday 4 October 2024 while trail maintenance is undertaken. The closed section of the Basin trail is between West Head Road and Mackerel trail.
  Walkers should follow signage and use caution due to heavy machinery on the trail.
  The Basin campground and picnic area remain open.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Other planned events: 1080 pest management in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting an aerial baiting program using dried meat baits containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program will occur between Wednesday 18 and Friday 20 September 2024 in West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Do not touch baits. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  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). In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in this reserve is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Forestville: 02 9451 3479 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  Closed areas: Section of Perimeter trail closed for upgrade
  A section of Perimeter trail is closed from Monday 19 August to Thursday 31 October 2024 while a causeway is constructed and culverts replaced. The closed section is between Nerang track and the Perimeter trail entrance off Booralie Road.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: Barrenjoey access trail closed on weekdays
  Barrenjoey access road is closed on weekdays from Monday 8 July 2024 to Thursday 31 October 2024 due to construction works. Pedestrian access to Barrenjoey Lighthouse will be via Smugglers track.
  The Smugglers track is a grade 3 walking track – mostly stairs. It is a steeper and more challenging walk to the top of the headland. Please consider your ability prior to ascent.
  For further information please call the local area office.
  
  Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’
  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 1 August 2024 and 31 January 2025 in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  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.
  For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Forestville 9451 3479 or Lane Cove 8448 0400 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure
  Berowra walking track is partially closed until further notice from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track. 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.
  The Berowra walking track from Berowra Station to Mt Ku-ring-gai is open for use.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).
  
  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.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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