Sydney Branch: Excursion to West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Image: Gina Plate

The coastal and riverine landscape of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is characterised by its distinctive Hawkesbury sandstone formations. Set within this spectacular landscape, West Head Lookout is an understated early landscape work by renowned landscape architect Bruce Mackenzie.

The lookout offers magnificent panoramic views in every direction: south across Pittwater, east towards Palm Beach and Barrenjoey Headland, north towards Lion Island and Brisbane Water, northeast towards the Central Coast and the Pacific Ocean, and west along the final reaches of the Hawkesbury River.

This free AGHS visit will include a short, guided walk exploring Mackenzie’s landscape works and the immediately surrounding parkland.

For those wishing to explore further, the park offers 16 signposted walking tracks, ranging from easy to steep, with distances between 1 and 4.5 km. Kiosk and restaurant facilities are also available at Akuna Bay.

Location: West Head Lookout – W Head Rd, Ku-ring-gai Chase

Cost: Free Event (please register your interest so we know numbers)

Meeting Point: The Paved area near the lookout entrance.

Important Event Information

Location and access

• West Head is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from North Sydney.
• Entry to the National Park is $12 per vehicle for non-National Parks members.
• Attendees are encouraged to carpool due to limited parking.

Parking

• From the entrance gate off McCarrs Creek Road, follow the well-marked road for approximately 10 minutes to the lookout.
• Parking is limited, with approximately 10 spaces near the lookout and a further 10 spaces around the bend, approximately 100 metres away.

Facilities

• There are no toilets at the lookout. Toilets are available at the nearby picnic facilities, a few hundred metres away.
• There is no drinking water available at the lookout. Please bring your own water.
• Fruit juice may be provided; no other catering.

What to bring

• Sturdy walking shoes, hat and sun protection and your own drinking water.

Please remember: All plants and animals within the National Park are protected. Visitors must not disturb or remove any flora or fauna.