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Birrawana trackhead behind kiosk at Bobbin Head +
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Passing a rock overhang +
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Continuing through the bush +
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Intersection of the Kalkari and Regional Office Tracks +
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Continuing up through the trees +
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Crossing under some powerlines +
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Following the Kalkari Track +
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Following the fenceline +
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Coming to the Kalkari carpark +
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Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.) Cross sectional view of the Birrawanna Track bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Birrawanna Track bushwalking track  Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
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Length |
4.4km |
| Time |
2 hrs |
| . |
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Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate |
AS 2156.1 |
Gradient |
Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track |
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) |
| Signs |
Directional signs along the way (3/6) |
| Experience Required |
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) |
| Weather |
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) |
| Infrastructure |
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
Around 1.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 1.1km has short steep hills.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 2.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 2km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 230m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 1.2km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.1km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 2.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 230m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
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Bobbin Inn Cafe
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Alt = 16 m |
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At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building[1], is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining[2], and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170.
The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch).
Ramp access[3][4] available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
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Bobbin Head
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Alt = 9 m |
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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'[5], built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe[6]. 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[7] and dotted with picnic tables[8][9], electric BBQs[10], shelters and a large playground[11]. There are toilets[12][fac=8042] nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables[13][14] that can be booked NPWS[15].
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park)[16] area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter[17], surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters[18], 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[19] and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant[20] and public toilets[21].
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(0 km)
Bobbin Head Kiosk
to
Int of Birrawanna and Regional Office tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 1.06 km |
Time = 32 mins |
| Climb = 156 m |
Descent = -14 m |
From behind 'Bobbin Inn'[22], this walk follows the brick paved footpath[23], away from the water and Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd to the stone steps marked[24] with a 'Welcome to the Birrawanna Track' sign[25] (about halfway between the 'Gibberagong Centre' and 'Bobbin Inn'). From here this walk head up the sandstone steps[26] then along the rocky track as it starts to zig-zag uphill for about 60m to then follow a metal handrail up some steps[27]. About 30m from the top of these steps, this walk heads through a tunnel formed under a sandstone overhang[28] then just another 30m later the track leads to a flat sandstone rock platform beside a large angophora with filtered views over Cowan Creek[29].
Here the track bends left then continues to wind up a series of timber[30] and stone[31] steps for about 300m where the track mostly flattens out[32] for about 100m before head fairly gently uphill again[33] for another 80m to pass an intersection with an informal track[34] in a casuarina forest (on your left).
Soon after this intersection, this walk leads between to piles of disused stone blocks[35] and continues following the clear track up through the tall wooded forest for 400m to a three-way intersection (where a sign points back down to 'Bobbin Head'[36]).
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(1.06 km)
Int of Birrawanna and Regional Office tracks
to
Int of Birrawanna track and powerline service trail
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 230 m |
Time = 6 mins |
| Climb = 23 m |
Descent = 0 m |
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Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Kalkari' sign[37] gently uphill along the sandy track. This track winds uphill, up a number of timber steps[38] for just shy of 250m where the track flattens out and leads under a set of power lines[39]. Just shy of 20m past these power lines this walk comes to a four-way intersection (where a 'Bobbin Head' arrow post[40] points back along the track).
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(1.29 km)
Int of Birrawanna track and powerline service trail
to
Kalkari Discovery Centre
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 921 m |
Time = 19 mins |
| Climb = 40 m |
Descent = -29 m |
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Kalkari Visitor Centre' sign[41] along the track, over the metal pipe[42] and away from from power lines[43]. The track gently undulates through the wooded forest following the occasional timber step[44] for just over 350m to come to the NW corner of the Kalkari enclosure fence[45]. Here the walk follows the fence[46] for 150m to step step up onto a rock platform[47] and continue along the fence[48] for just shy of 400m
to the SW corner enclosure[49]. This walk now follows the short track to car park[50] then walks through the car park, past the 'Kalkari Bush Discovery Track' map[51] to the entrance of 'Kalkari'[52].
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Kalkari Discovery Centre
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Alt = 184 m |
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Kalkari Discovery Centre[53] is in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, on Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road, Mt Colah. The discovery center is staffed by volunteers from Chase Alive. The center boasts some interesting flora and fauna displays inside[54], and out the back is a large enclosure with emu, kangaroos and other native animals roaming around. Take time to explore the wheelchair-accessible circuit within the fence. There are toilets[fac=8059][fac=8058] at the centre. For information, phone 02 9472 9300. There are picnic tables[fac=8055], seats[fac=8056] and drinking fountain[fac=8057] at the front. There is a large car parking area at the front of the centre with two designated mobility parking bays[fac=8054].
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Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Campsites in the park The Basin campgroundNearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
| Store |
Address |
Phone |
Distance (straight line) |
| Kathmandu | 236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby | (02) 9476 1399 | 7.4 km | CampHikeClimb | 20 George St, Hornsby | (02) 9476 5767 | 7.4 km | Paddlecraft | 3B / 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview | 02 9997 8015 | 12.9 km | All Camping Supplies | 12 Railway Pde, Thornleigh | (02) 9481 0473 | 10.9 km | Mountain Equipment | 72 Archer St , Chatswood | (02) 9419 6955 | 15.4 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Birrawanna Track.
Fire DangerThis walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information. Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here | | °C (feels like °) | | km/h from the | | % humidity (as at ) |
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 Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Link to official closures and fire bans pageA largely untouched wilderness on the northern boundary of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP is one of Australia's oldest national parks. Here at the head of the Hawkesbury River, you'll find Aboriginal engravings and sites, as well as sandstone escarpments, Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment. |
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)