This track creates a loop between Flint and Steel Beach and Bay by traversing the headland between them. The walk explores Flint and Steel Beach and the McGaw ruins, while providing scenic views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island.
(open in app)
This walk passes through a remote area and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.
Cross sectional view of the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop 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
2.8km
Time
1 hr 30 mins
.
Grade 6/6
Route: Unmanaged
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough unclear track (5/6)
Signs
No directional signs (5/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure
No facilities provided (5/6)
*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 1.6km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 1.2km is very steep.
Quality of track
1.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 820m follows a rough unclear track. The remaining (370m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
900m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 820m Has no directional signs. Whilst another 660m is clearly signposted and the remaining 370m has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 1.8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 980m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 1.4km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 820m has no facilities provided.
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(0 km)
Flint and Steel carpark
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Signpost at saddle Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 332 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -57 m
From the back of the car park, the walk follows the 'Flint and Steel Track' sign along the bush track heading down through the bush. The walk drops down some stairs and turns right at the old 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park' sign, then left down the side of the hill. After about 100m, the walk continues down a set of stairs and then down the bush track to the signposted intersection.
(0.33 km)
Signpost at Saddle
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Flint and Steel beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 742 m
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -116 m
Veer right: From intersection, this walk follows the 'Flint and Steel Beach 700m' arrow through a palm grove, along the ridge, with views across Hawkesbury River to Lion Island. The track runs parallel to rock formations on the left before winding its way through the trees and down the boardwalk, with the large rocks to the left. Soon the track heads through some pine trees and comes to an intersection of a bush track, near some large boulders on the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track heading straight down the hill towards the beach, splitting for a about 10m before coming to a rock shelf above the waterline. From here, the track turns right and follows this rock shelf for about 20m, onto Flint and Steel Beach.
Flint and Steel Beach
Alt = 4 m
Flint and Steel Beach, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a small north-east facing stretch of sand. The beach is hemmed in by prominent headlands on either side, and backed by a grassy hill. A seat on the grassy hill offers views over the Hawkesbury River to Patonga and Lion Island, with Box Head in the background.
(1.07 km)
Flint and Steel beach
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Spur above Flint and Steel Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 156 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn around: Keeping the Hawkesbury River on the right, this walk follows the waterline onto a rockshelf, leaving the beach as it winds around to a track. The walk follows this track as it winds up the hill, splitting for about 10m before rejoining and continuing up to the intersection with another track, near some large boulders.
(1.23 km)
Spur above Flint and Steel Beach
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McGaw Ruins Route: Unmanaged - notrack
Length = 819 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 30 m
Descent = -45 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track that heads through the boulders. The track continues along the side of the ridge for a short while before dropping down to the waterline (which is on the right). The track continues along the shore for a while, between the thick lantana-covered forest, dotted with impressive grass trees, and the Hawkesbury River. The track passes the McGaw's Ruins and comes to an intersection with a track just on the other side.
McGaw Ruins
Alt = 13 m
The McGaw ruins are situated north-west of White Horse Beach, on West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The property was originally owned by John Miller, who also owned large areas of West Head. The property was sold to Mr Eardley McGaw in 1928, on the condition that he built a house there.
Mr McGaw built a two-storied house with several other smaller buildings, including a wharf. Mr McGaw and his wife lived there until he became ill, when they moved to Narrabeen and NSW National Parks took over management of the land. The house and other buildings were lost during a 1971 bushfire, leaving the sandstone foundations and ruins to be grown over with vegetation.
(2.05 km)
McGaw Ruins
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White Horse Beach Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 223 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: Keeping the Hawkesbury River to the left of the track, this walk follows the waterline away from the beach and along the shore for a short while before coming to the unsignposted McGaw ruins. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
White Horse Beach
Alt = 4 m
White Horse Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a 30m stretch of sand sitting on the coast of Flint and Steel Bay between rocky boulders. The beach, backed by a steep hill, provides north-westerly views over the Hawkesbury from Patonga, Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centre and up the river towards Brooklyn.
(2.05 km)
McGaw Ruins
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Signpost at Saddle Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 374 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 80 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the McGaw ruins, this walk heads up the hill and away from the Hawkesbury River. The track climbs up the side of the valley and passes a water collection cave on the right, and soon after this, climbs up to the signposted intersection.
(2.42 km)
Signpost at saddle
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Flint and Steel carpark Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 332 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 57 m
Descent = -1 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading up the hill and away from the 'Flint and Steel' signpost. The walk climbs up a staircase that heads past an old 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park' sign and comes to the back of Flint and Steel car park.
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 8 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.
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.
I couldn't find the path from Flint and Steel Beach to Flint and steel Bay. I ended up bush navigating. Eventually found remnants of a path closer to the water. Once around at Flint and Steel Bay, could not find the path up. Ended up bush navigating up the gully. (very hard, wet and slippery.. though no leeches or ticks woohoo). Next time I might try this in reverse to see if the tracks are easier to follow. Do not bring kids on this one.
admin - re: Hard work from Flint and S
Super Administrator | 2012-06-17 07:50:25
Tony Fussell wrote:
I couldn't find the path from Flint and Steel Beach to Flint and steel Bay.
Hi Tony
Thanks for the feedback. No leeches, that is impressive :)
There is no direct track between the two bays. That is why this walk has a grade 'black diamond 6/6', because it is off track. But this obviously caught you by surprise, so maybe I need to make this clearer, any suggestions?? There is also a summary of the grading info (which is only a new feature still in beta) on the terrain tab.
Surprised there was not track back up, it was a pretty clear set of stone steps. Maybe overgrown. Did you find the old house?
Hope you still had a good time.
Matt :)
Anonymous
IP:124.188.64.xxx | 2012-06-20 10:56:03
Thanks Mat, I do love this site. Thanks for maintaining it.
My problems were in the precise notes, regarding tracks from the beach. I just couldnt find any thing that matched.. Once i just followed my nose and the contours i could easily navigate and enjoy the scenery around to flint and steele bay. I would also suggest low tide as it gives the option of going along the rocks.
I just couldnt find the track up based on my topo map or this sites mud map... But i suspect i didnt go far enough west.
Next time i'll do it in reverse because i think you can easilly get down to the remote flint and steel bay, then follow the fishermans tracks or the rock shelf around to flint and steel beach, then the path is very clearly defined.
Hiking near Sydney 
Route: Unmanaged
1 km
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)