Bobbin Head Rainforest Walk

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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	(-33.6633056,151.1570827)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Berowra Offramp then drive for 630 m Turn slight left onto Windybanks Interchange and drive for another 55 m Turn left onto Pacific Highway, B83 and drive for another 6 km Turn left onto Belmont Parade and drive for another 75 m Turn right onto Belmont Parade and drive for another 210 m Turn left onto Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road and drive for another 7.1 km Turn right and drive for another 300 m Turn slight right and drive for another 155 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the far southern end of the Bobbin Head car park, this walk follows the footpath behind the 'Gibberagong Track. Mangrove Boardwalk.' sign (away from the car park and picnic tables) for about 20m to the sheltered 'Welcome to the Mangrove Boardwalk & Gibberagong Track' information sign. Here the walk continues along the patterned concrete path beside the water for just under 20m to pass a bench seat where the path bends right. After just shy of 20m the path leads past another bench seat to find a sandstone cave (with a 1.9m clearance)with a 'Rock Solid?' information sign. Here the path bends left and crosses Cockle Creek on a cable-stayed foot bridge. Enjoy the great water and cliff views from the bridge. The walk now follows the fenced timber boardwalk for about 25m to come to a viewing area marked with a 'Teeming with life' information sign.
Continue straight: From the viewing area, this walk follows the timber boardwalk away from the fenced area initially keeping the main view of water to your left. This section of boardwalks does not have handrails or side capping. Over the next 100m the boardwalk winds among the mangroves and saltmarsh and past the 'Natural Recycler' and 'Land Developers?' information signs to come to the end of the boardwalk, marked with a 'More? You want more?' information sign. There is a turning area for wheelchairs at the end of the boardwalk.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Parking Accessible (about 30 m back from the start). Parking Accessible There are many car parking bays around Bobbin Head Picnic Area. There are two marked mobility parking bays at the southern end. The parking area is tarmac, 2.8m wide and 5.8m deep. Wheelchair Rough (about 25 m back from the start). Wheelchair Rough There is a single ramp to access the path from the car park. The concrete ramp is 1.2m wide. The ramp is in a marked parking bay and may be blocked by a car. There is a park (about 10 m back from the start). There is a car park. After another 20 m find the "Picnic Table" (9 m on your right). Picnic Table A series of 3 timber slat picnic tables and bench seats. The tables are 74cm high, 74cm deep and 2.9m wide. The seats are 40cm high, 23cm deep and 1.8m wide (no backrest). The tables are centred on 3.5x4.5m concrete slabs. Access over grass. After another 55 m pass the sign (on your right). Then find the "Seat" (on your left). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 43cm high, 30cm deep and 1.6m wide with a 41cm high backrest. The seat is on conrete beside the track. After another 5 m cross the bridge (about 50 m long) After another 35 m find the "Wheelchair Steep" (on your left). Wheelchair Steep The bridge over Cockle Creek is 1.8m wide, has 1m high handrail and a timber decking. The steepest section is 5.3Â° (1:10 or 9.2% grade). The bridge is 40m long.
	Continue straight, to head along Gibberagong Track. Then find the "Cockle Creek viewing platform" (on your left). Cockle Creek viewing platform Part way along the timber Bobbin Head boardwalk is a partially fenced timber viewing platform. There is a beautiful view over Cockle Creek and a 'Teeming with life' information sign to enjoy. The platform area is 7.3m deep and 3.9m wide. Then find the "Trip Hazard" (on your left). Trip Hazard Approximately 120m of elevated timber boardwalk has no handrails, edge capping or markings - there is a risk of falling from the boardwalk. The board walk is 1.7m wide, with approximately 2cm gaps between boards. After another 110 m come to the "Trip Hazard". Trip Hazard A section of board is missing leaving a 7cm gap in the boardwalk. Other gaps on this section of the walk may develop. After another 8 m head up the stone steps (about 45 m long) After another 150 m head down the 24 earthen steps (about 25 m long) After another 35 m head down the 4 earthen steps After another 8 m head down the 5 earthen steps (about 6 m long) After another 15 m head down the 6 earthen steps (about 5 m long)
	After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Gibberagong Track. After another 30 m find the "Aboriginal Axe Grindings" (7 m on your left). Aboriginal Axe Grindings This protected site clearly shows 23 oval-shaped grooves that were worn by Indigenous Australian people, making axe heads from hard rock. Using a blank axe head, the Aboriginal people would use this rock platform, with water from the nearby creek, to sharpen the stone into a useful tool. The rubbing ground the axe head to a sharp edge and left behind these tell-tale signs.
	At the intersection of Gibberagong Track & Rainforest Track turn left, to head along Rainforest Track.
	Continue another 205 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 820 m to get back to the start. "Bobbin Head Rainforest". Bobbin Head Rainforest A well-protected piece of rainforest is found just a short walk from the popular Bobbin Head picnic area in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The rainforest is distinct when compared to much of the dry eucalypt forests that dominate the area. The rainforest is beside a small creek, just below Bobbin Head Road, and is a safe haven for many birds that frequent the area.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Bobbin Head Rainforest Walk

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.6 km
Time	40 min to 1 h 20 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Seat: There is one 75 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	75 m	Seat

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Bobbin Head
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.

Aboriginal Axe Grindings
This protected site clearly shows 23 oval-shaped grooves that were worn by Indigenous Australian people, making axe heads from hard rock. Using a blank axe head, the Aboriginal people would use this rock platform, with water from the nearby creek, to sharpen the stone into a useful tool. The rubbing ground the axe head to a sharp edge and left behind these tell-tale signs.

Bobbin Head Rainforest
A well-protected piece of rainforest is found just a short walk from the popular Bobbin Head picnic area in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The rainforest is distinct when compared to much of the dry eucalypt forests that dominate the area. The rainforest is beside a small creek, just below Bobbin Head Road, and is a safe haven for many birds that frequent the area.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Terrey Hills 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 → 23°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 → 23°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
  
  11°C → 23°C
  Mostly sunny.
  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
  
  11°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds.
  
  Tuesday 24 September
  
  12°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Wednesday 25 September
  
  16°C → 27°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 → 18°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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