This pleasant walk starts in North Turramurra and follows the Darri and Warrimoo tracks into the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk follows the picturesque Cowan Creek through one of the most serene parts of the park, and finishes at Bobbin Head, a great place to enjoy the cafe or have a picnic lunch.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Darri and Warrimoo Tracks to Bobbin head bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Darri and Warrimoo Tracks to Bobbin head 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.
Length
9km
Time
4 hrs 15 mins
.
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
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
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
6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (420m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
7km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (420m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 4.7km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 4.7km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 7km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 3.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 4.2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Bedford Ave, Turramurra
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Int. Darri Track and Malborough Rd Servicetrail Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 485 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -25 m
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.
(0.49 km)
Int. of Darri Track and Malborough Rd Servicetrail
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Cowan Creek and Darri track Int. Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.03 km
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 27 m
Descent = -47 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail that heads up the hill and away from Cowan Creek. The trail soon turns to the right and starts to flatten out. Just before the trail starts heading downhill, it comes to an intersection with a small bush track coming down from the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the service trail, passing a large Scribbly Gum on the right and then heading down the hill. The track continues to wind down to the bottom of the valley where it crosses Cowan Creek and continues along the other side, steadily climbing up the side of the valley until coming to the intersection of the Glengarry Road service trail, and a Darri Track information sign.
(1.52 km)
Cowan Creek and Darri track Int.
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Tokanue Place Track Intersection Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 229 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -5 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail heading north-east up the hill, climbing up the side of the valley for a short while until it flattens out and comes to the intersection with the Tokanue Place access trail at the large metal gate.
(1.75 km)
Tokanue Place Track Intersection
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Waipori Street Track Intersection Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 326 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 31 m
Descent = -19 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail heading north-east, keeping the asphalt service trail on the right, winding around the back of some houses and through the bush for a while until it comes to the intersection of the Waipori Street service trail.
(2.07 km)
Waipori Street Track Intersection
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Gould Avenue Creek crossing Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 395 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -27 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Darri Track' sign past the 'Terramerragal Reserve' sign and along the service trail, heading through the bush and down the long gentle hill, until it comes to the intersection of the lower valley link trail at the information sign. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail past the "No Through Road" sign and along the side of the hill, gently undulating until it comes to a small creek crossing, where the service trail becomes a bush track.
(2.47 km)
Gould Avenue Creek crossing
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Int of Darri and Timbarra Road tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 724 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 63 m
Descent = -18 m
Continue straight: From the end of the service trail, this walk crosses the small creek and continues along the bush track, winding up the long hill, keeping the metal handrail on the right. The walk continues up the rocky hill, and up a metal staircase to a flat rock platform at the top. From here, the track turns left onto the rock platform and continues along the bush track, passing a 'Kuringai Chase National Park' sign before dropping down a small hill then continuing up some rock steps. From the top of the steps, the walk follows the bush track through the gum trees until it comes to a 'Y' intersection with another bush track at a Darri Track marker.
(3.19 km)
Int of Darri and Timbarra Road tracks
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Int of Darri and Warrimoo Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 528 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -22 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, heading north past some blackened gum trees and through the bush, undulating gently for a while before coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Warrimoo Track'.
(3.72 km)
Int of Darri and Warrimoo Tracks
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Sonja Huddles Chair Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 849 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -92 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the Bobbin Head arrow along the service trail (heading north west). The trail meanders through the bush for a while before winding steadily down a long hill to the end of the ridge. Here, the trail comes to a Memorial Chair at a lookout over Cowan Creek.
(4.57 km)
Sonja Huddles Chair
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Int of Sphinx walking and Warrimoo Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 521 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -57 m
Continue straight: From the Memorial Chair, the walk heads down the rock steps and follows the bush track. The track winds steeply down the rocky hill and crosses Cowan Creek at the stepping stones. The track then continues along the edge of the creek (keeping the creek to the right) until coming to the signposted intersection with the Sphinx Track.
(5.09 km)
Int of Sphinx walking and Warrimoo Tracks
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Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 3.71 km
Time = 1 hr 32 mins
Climb = 242 m
Descent = -245 m
Continue straight: From the intersection this walk follows the 'Bobbin Head' arrow on the 'Warrimoo Track' sign[1] along the clear track that leads through the mostly flat ferny section, keeping Cowan Creek some distance to your right. After about 100m the track leaves the ferns and passes under a set of high tension power lines[2] where the track undulates along the side of the hill close to Cowan Creek[3] crossing a few small gullies for about 900m to then pass along a long natural sandstone wall[4]. About 150m after this wall the track leads just below a notable sandstone overhang[5] (up to your left) where the track then starts to head downhill for just over 100m
to a fairly open grassy salt marsh[6]. The walk stays just to the left of the salt marsh then leads along the edge of a section of mangroves[7] for 100m where the track bends left[8] and leads along side the creek for another 100m to then cross a creek at a wide rocky gully[9]. This is a pleasant cool spot with the usually small creek flowing over the sandstone rock platform with naturally carved holes[10]. For the next 200m the track undulates gently along the foreshore through the casuarina forest[11] to come to a tall overhang[12] that is on a rock platform right on the edge of Cowan Creek, a pleasant place to rest. This section of track may become covered with water at high tide.
From the tall overhang the track continues along the shortening natural rock wall[13] for about 150m
to then lead along another section of mangroves[14] for 150m. About 60m past the mangroves the track crosses a short flat timber bridge[15], then over the next 200m the track crosses a mossy gully and densely forested gully[16] where the rocky track climbs[17] over a rise, past some large smooth bark angophora's[18] then down to another tall and long rock wall[19] and some more pleasant water views[20].
Just 20m past this rock wall the track bends left[21] and leads alongside the edge of the mangroves[22] for 200m, were again the track may be covered with water at high tides. From the end of the mangroves the rocky track climbs[23] for about 200m before continuing along the water side through a casuarina forest[24] as the track gently undulates over some rocky sections passing some pleasant water views[25] for 400m to pass below another fairly large sandstone cave/overhang[26] (up the hill to your left). Over the next 250m the track leads through a grassy section[27] beside the creek before crossing a shallow gully over a scattering of sandstone blocks[28][29]. Over the next 300m the mostly flat track leads through a tall wooded forest[30] filled with ferns and crossing a few middens[31] to come to an three-way intersection, just before the marina, marked with a 'Warrimoo Ave & Sphinx Memorial' sign[32] pointing back along the track.
(8.8 km)
Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks
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Empire Marina Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 173 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bobbin Head Picnic Area' sign[33] along the mostly flat track following the foreshore, keeping the water and boats to your right. After about 30m this walk follows a fence and handrail[34] behind a dry dock[35] for 40m. Here the track narrows a bit to head between the rock face and buildings[36] for 100m to turn right at a 'Warrimo Track' sign[37] and a yellow painted walker (on the ground). Here the walk heads through the hallway, past the public toilets[38] to the water front of Empire Marina, beside the 'Kiosk'[39] (on your right).
Empire Marina - Galley Foods cafe
Alt = 6 m
Empire Marina, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, provides facilities and services for people on boats and on foot. The marina is home to "Galley Foods" kiosk and restaurant. The kiosk provides a variety of food priced between $4-$16, and is open from 8:30am to 5pm seven days. The restaurant requires reservations, and is open for lunch Thurs-Mon, breakfast on the weekend, and in dinner on Fridays and Saturdays in summer. Phone 9457 0477 More info
(8.97 km)
Empire Marina
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Bobbin Inn Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath,road,road
Length = 418 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn left: From beside the Kiosk at Empire Marina[40], this walk follows the concrete path keeping keeping the water just to your right[41]. After about 20m this walk follows the 'Bobbin Head Picnic Area' sign[42] along the elevated path past a series of information signs [43][44][45][46][47][48][49] about the local heritage, beside the car park for 150m to leave the marina through the lockable gate[50]. This gate is locked outside of 'park operating hours'[51], that is 8pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and 5.30pm to 6am at other times of the year[52]. Here the walk passes a sign pointing back to the 'Warrimmo Track'[53] and continues along the waterside then through the car park for another 60m to find another sign pointing back to 'Warrimoo Track', next to the 'Pay Here' station[54]. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the driveway[55] out of the car park a short distance to the intersection with Bobbin Head Road, just beside the bridge. Here there is a toilet block[56] (ahead and on the left), a shelter and phone both[57] (just to your left). Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath beside the road over the wide bridge[58], crossing Cowan Creek[59]. On the far side of the bridge, this walk continues beside the road along side 'Orchard Park'[60] to pass a side road (on the left)[61]. Just 60m later along the main road (Ku-ring-gai Chase Road) this walk comes to the end of a small set of car parks just beside the 'Bobbin Inn' building[62] (on your left), home to cafe and 'information centre'.
Bobbin Inn Cafe
Alt = 16 m
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building[63], is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining[64], 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[65][66] available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
Bobbin Head
Alt = 9 m
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'[67], built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe[68]. 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[69] and dotted with picnic tables[70][71], electric BBQs[72], shelters and a large playground[73]. There are toilets[74][fac=8042] nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables[75][76] that can be booked NPWS[77].
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park)[78] area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter[79], surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters[80], 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[81] and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant[82] and public toilets[83].
Fire Danger This 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.
Cowan Creek Reserve Cowan Creek Reserve (aka Terramerragal Reserve) is a large reserve owned and managed by Ku-ring-gai council. The reserve is home to the Darri track and some wonderful stands of She-oak trees. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page A 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 feesCampingFacilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Arguable one of the best Sydney walks. An easy half day return by the very tranquil and beautiful Cowan Creek. Lunch from the old pub (now a Kiosk) a nice reward. Highly recommend this walk!!!
Julia
Molly - Track closure update
IP:129.78.32.xxx | 2012-08-16 05:54:31
Even though the track is closed (with aggressive half-literate handwritten signs), you can get around the blocked area by going up a short part of the Bobbin Head track (just before the closed area), following a faint footpad for 100 metres, then scrambling a bit above the carpark and coming down wherever the slope is gentle enough (not difficult, but beware of loose pebbles). If you were to go higher on the Bobbin Head track before peeling off through the bush, it might be even easier. In that case, you'd end up on the road that leads on to Bobbin Head, close to the bridge. At the very worst, you could turn around and go up the Sphinx track (about 5 kms back along the track).
Although the amateur signs say the Parks Service is behind the closure, I really wondered - not exactly clear information and no help with alternatives.
A beautiful walk, with very good notes; nicely combines with further trails beyond the burned marina.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)