National park · Australia
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Pay the A$12 vehicle fee at Bobbin Head or West Head and go on a weekday before 9:00; walk the America Bay track (1.8 km return) or the Aboriginal Heritage walk (4.4 km loop), and reach Barrenjoey or The Basin by ferry rather than by road.Pay the A$12 vehicle fee at Bobbin Head or West Head and go on a weekday before 9:00 AM; walk the America Bay track (1.8 km return) or the Aboriginal Heritage walk (4.4 km loop), and reach Barrenjoey or The Basin by ferry rather than by road.Pay the A$12 vehicle fee at Bobbin Head or West Head and go on a weekday before 9:00; walk the America Bay track (1.1 mi return) or the Aboriginal Heritage walk (2.7 mi loop), and reach Barrenjoey or The Basin by ferry rather than by road.Pay the A$12 vehicle fee at Bobbin Head or West Head and go on a weekday before 9:00 AM; walk the America Bay track (1.1 mi return) or the Aboriginal Heritage walk (2.7 mi loop), and reach Barrenjoey or The Basin by ferry rather than by road.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km²58 sq mi
approximate
Established
1894
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 150 km²58 sq mi
- About 13,500 hectares were set aside in 1894; the current gazetted area differs and figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1894
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Sydney
Ku-ring-gai Chase sits on the Hornsby Plateau in Sydney's north, where Cowan Creek, Coal and Candle Creek and Smiths Creek cut drowned sandstone valleys down to Broken Bay and Pittwater. It is the third-oldest national park in Australia, set aside in 1894, and holds more than 800 recorded Aboriginal sites — engravings, stencils, grinding grooves and middens. Most visitors come for one of two things: the short West Head tracks with water views, or the ferry-and-camp day at The Basin. Both are easy from the city; neither needs a full day unless you walk the Great North Walk section.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1894.
Size and age
150 km²58 sq mi · national park since 1894
About 13,500 hectares were set aside in 1894; the current gazetted area differs and figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Sydney.
Why go
- More than 800 Aboriginal sites, including engravings and stencils, on walking tracks that need no permit.
- Drowned sandstone valleys at West Head and America Bay give cliff-top water views 45 minutes from the city.
- The Basin campground and Pittwater YHA are reachable only by ferry or on foot — no road traffic at night.
- Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Palm Beach is the northern tip of Sydney and free to walk to.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot; start before 8:00; total fire bans close tracksHot; start before 8:00 AM; total fire bans close tracks
- FebHot and humid; afternoon storms
- MarWarm, settled; best all-round walking
- AprMild and dry; clear water views
- MayCool, quiet weekdays
- JunCool and often clear; short daylight
- JulCold mornings; whales offshore
- AugCool, dry; whale season
- SepMild; wildflowers; whales still passing
- OctWarm and dry; busy on weekends
- NovWarm; go early to beat heat and crowds
- DecHot and crowded; school holidays start
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whales offshoreJun–Sep · Best from West Head and Barrenjoey headlands. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Water dragons and goannas on the tracksSep–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bush birds, including cockatoos and kookaburrasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Snakes, active and easy to missOct–Mar · Stay on track and wear covered shoes. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Sydney CBD
Drive M1 then Bobbin Head Road to the Bobbin Head gate, or continue to West Head Road.
45–70 min
Open the page →
From Mount Colah or Mount Kuring-gai station
Train on the Central Coast line, then taxi or a long walk to the nearest gate; no park shuttle.
50–80 min
Open the page →
From Palm Beach
Ferry from Palm Beach wharf to The Basin, or walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
15–25 min ferry
Open the page →
From Brooklyn
Drive or train north to Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury, then west into the park's northern edge.
30–45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bobbin Head and the western side | Information centre, Kalkari Discovery Centre, Sphinx Memorial and the easiest short walks. | Open with a vehicle ticket; gates close at night. |
| West Head | The Aboriginal Heritage walk, Red Hands Cave, America Bay and the army track above Pittwater. | Open with a vehicle ticket; the last stretch is a long dead-end road. |
| The Basin and Pittwater | The park's only campground, a sheltered beach and the ferry-only YHA at Halls Wharf. | Ferry, water taxi or a 2.8 km walk from West Head.Ferry, water taxi or a 1.7 mi walk from West Head. |
| Palm Beach and Barrenjoey | The lighthouse headland at Sydney's northern tip. | Free to enter; council parking charges apply. |
Sketch map
- 1Bobbin Head Information Centre · Headquarters≈-33.660, 151.159Map ↗
- 2Kalkari Discovery Centre · Headquarters≈-33.666, 151.149Map ↗
- 3Sphinx Memorial · Viewpoint≈-33.689, 151.156Map ↗
- 4West Head lookout · Viewpoint≈-33.582, 151.292Map ↗
- 5America Bay · Viewpoint≈-33.598, 151.263Map ↗
- 6The Basin campground · Sleep≈-33.606, 151.288Map ↗
- 7Barrenjoey Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-33.580, 151.330Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry (Bobbin Head, West Head, Akuna Bay gates) | AUD 12 | vehicle per day | 2026 estimate; ticket valid until 11:59pm the same day across those sections. |
| The Basin campground | AUD 10 | adult per night | Child rate about A$5; booking essential (check). |
| Pittwater YHA dorm bed | AUD 23 | person per night | Ferry-only hostel at Halls Wharf; double or twin rooms about A$60 (check). |
| Palm Beach council car park | Free | vehicle | The Palm Beach section is free to enter but council parking charges apply (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
The Basin camping booking permit or guide
Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour no permit
Park rules
- Vehicle entry fee
- Pay at the collection gates; the ticket covers Bobbin Head, West Head and Akuna Bay until 11:59pm the same day, but not the Palm Beach section.Pay at the collection gates; the ticket covers Bobbin Head, West Head and Akuna Bay until 11:59 AMpm the same day, but not the Palm Beach section.
- Aboriginal sites
- Do not touch, chalk, trace or photograph-and-climb engravings; stay on the marked viewing areas.
- Total fire bans
- On total fire ban days the park and its tracks can close at short notice; check before driving.
- Camping
- Only at The Basin campground, and only with a booking; no bush camping elsewhere in the park.
- Dogs
- Not permitted in the national park; leave them at home.
Where to stay
In the park
The Basin campground
The park's only campground, on Pittwater; drinking water, toilets and cold showers.
In the park
Pittwater YHA, Halls Wharf
Ferry-only hostel with dorm beds and twin rooms; bushwalking and kayaking from the door.
Near the park
Palm Beach and Mona Vale
Motels, apartments and holiday rentals 15–30 min from the West Head and Palm Beach gates.
Safety
Bushfire high
Cliff edges at West Head and America Bay medium
Heat and no drinking water on tracks medium
Snakes low
Accessibility
- Bobbin Head has sealed paths, toilets and picnic areas suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- The Kalkari Discovery Centre and its short boardwalk are the easiest introduction to the park.
- West Head tracks, the army track ladders and Barrenjoey are rough, steep or sandy and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks; off-track walking damages engraving sites and erosion-prone sandstone.
- Take all rubbish out — bins are limited outside Bobbin Head.
- Use the Palm Beach ferry to The Basin instead of adding a second car to the West Head road.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park?
A vehicle entry ticket costs about A$12 per day (2026 estimate), paid at the collection gates on Bobbin Head Road, West Head Road or General San Martin Drive for Akuna Bay. The ticket is valid until 11:59pm the same day across those sections. The Palm Beach section is free to enter, but council parking charges apply there.
What are the best hikes in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park?
The Aboriginal Heritage walk from West Head is the standout: a 4.4 km loop taking 2.5–3.5 hours past engravings and art sites. For a shorter walk, America Bay is 1.8 km return to a rock platform above the water, and Topham track is 3.7 km return. The West Head Army track is only 0.45 km each way but includes a steep ladder dropping about 50 m.
When is the best time to visit Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park?
March to May and September to October give mild, mostly dry walking weather and quieter weekdays. Summer (December to February) is hot and crowded, and total fire bans can close tracks at short notice. Winter is cool and clear, with humpback whales visible from West Head and Barrenjoey from June to September.
Do I need a permit or booking?
No permit is needed for day walking — just the vehicle entry ticket if you drive in. Camping at The Basin requires a booking with NSW National Parks, and the site is reached by ferry from Palm Beach wharf, by water taxi, or on foot 2.8 km from West Head.
Can I get there by public transport?
Partly. Trains stop at Mount Colah, Mount Kuring-gai, Berowra and Cowan on the Central Coast line, but the gates are still a long walk or taxi ride from the stations. The Basin is easiest by ferry from Palm Beach wharf. There is no park shuttle.
Is Ku-ring-gai Chase the same as Sydney Harbour National Park?
No. Ku-ring-gai Chase is the large sandstone park in Sydney's north around Cowan Creek and Pittwater. Sydney Harbour National Park covers the harbour headlands and islands closer to the city.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks — Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — Bobbin Head Information Centre
- officialNSW National Parks — The Basin campground
- officialNSW National Parks — Aboriginal Heritage walk
- secondaryWikipedia — Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, revision 5234326 (CC BY-SA 4.0)