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Home arrow Hiking near Sydney arrow Ku-Ring-Gai Chase arrow Kalkari Discovery trail     

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Kalkari Discovery trail are found in each of the tabs below
Kalkari Discovery trail
Time: 30 mins Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
3.6 km S of Berowra
Length: 0.8 km Walk Length
As this is a Circuit style walk, the 0.8 km includes the walking distance from the start around the loop and back to the start again
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Climb: 25 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 25 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk
Style: Circuit
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible

This pleasant walk starts with a wander through the interesting Kalkari Discovery Center. Enjoy the displays and chat with the volunteers before heading out the back door to find the rest of the walk. The walk follows the concrete path past more information signs and a lovely pond. As you wander through the large fenced enclosure keep an eye out for wallabies, bush turkeys and other animals. The main lookout provides stunning views and well worth spending time to enjoy. (open in app)


Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Kalkari Discovery trail

Map of Walk

Location

Kalkari Discovery trail bushwalking track notes
Map of Kalkari Discovery trail
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 500 meters
Kalkari car park
Kalkari Discovery Centre
Kalkari picnic area
Pond intersection
Lookout intersection
Lookout intersection
Eastern loop int.
Western loop int.
The Kalkari Outlook
Pond intersection
Kalkari picnic area
Kalkari Discovery Centre
Starting point for this hiking track: Kalkari car park

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Hornsby 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91304S 
 Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map 1:40 000 Map Series CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map 
 Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 

Photo Gallery

 
 
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Kalkari Centre
 
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Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Kalkari Discovery trail bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Kalkari Discovery trail bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Kalkari Discovery trail bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Kalkari Discovery trail 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 800m
Time 30 mins
.


Grade 1/6

Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible
AS 2156.1 Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Quality of track Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Signs Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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
This whole walk, 800m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
This whole walk, 800m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
This whole walk, 800m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 800m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 800m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
This whole walk, 800m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes

Drive to Kalkari car park
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk Parking fees apply in the area.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) Kalkari car park to Kalkari Discovery Centre
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 34 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = 0 m
From the Kalkari Discovery Centre car park[1][fac=8054] (on Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd), this walk heads up the short ramp[2] towards the Visitor Centre[3]. At the top of the ramp this walks goes between 2 bollards[4] (1.3m apart, 93cm high), past the picnic table[fac=8055], seats[fac=8056] and toilets[fac=8058][fac=8059] to the front door[5] of the Discovery Centre. From here the walk heads through the front door (80cm wide, expandable to 1.7m with a 3cm step[6]) into the Visitor Centre with the information desk[7] (on your right).

Kalkari Discovery Centre Alt = 184 m
Kalkari Discovery Centre[8] 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[9], 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].

(0.03 km) Kalkari Discovery Centre to Kalkari picnic area
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 35 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the front desk[10] (inside the Kalkari Discovery Centre), this walk leads through the back glass door[11] into the fence enclosure area. The wide concrete path leads for about 35m past the information sign[12] and sheltered 3D map[13] to find short picnic tables and seats[fac=8060][14][15] at the Kalkari picnic area[16].

Kalkari Picnic Area Alt = 186 m
Out the back of the Kalkari Visitor Center[17] is a fenced animal enclosure and a small seating area. There are some information signs[18][19] and some seats[fac=8060][fac=8061]. There is also a covered 3D terrain map of the area[20].

(0.07 km) Kalkari picnic area to Pond intersection
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 69 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 3 m Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the picnic tables and seats[fac=8060][21][22] at the Kalkari picnic area[23], this walk leads along the concrete path, past the sheltered information sign[24] (on your left). This walk then winds along the path gently uphill for 20m, past the 'Tallowwood'[25] and 'White Bottlebrush'[26] signs to a timber bridge (2.2m wide)[27] with timber handrails (1m high)[28]. Continue across the bridge over the pond[29] to reach a 3-way intersection[30], marked with a 'Kalkari Bush Discovery Track' sign[31].

(0.14 km) Pond intersection to Lookout intersection
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 107 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -12 m
Veer right: From the intersection[32], this walk follows the 'one way' arrow (marked on the 'Kalkari Bush Discovery Track' sign[33]) along the concrete path, directly away from the pond, over a small rise then gently downhill. Over the next 60m this walk passes the 'Sweet Pittosporum' sign[34] and comes to a seat[35][fac=8062] (on your left). From the seat this walk continues for another 30m to a 3-way intersection[36], marked with a 'Sydney Red Gum' sign[37].

(0.25 km) Lookout intersection to The Kalkari Lookout
Optional sidetrip: Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 24 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -9 m
Turn right: From the intersection[38], this walk follows the concrete path gently downhill for about 25m to the visible Kalkari Lookout[39].
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)

Kalkari Lookout Alt = 168 m
The Kalkari Lookout is a timber fenced platform[40] with fantastic views over Cockle Creek[41] and Bobbin Head area. There are a series of seats[fac=8063][fac=8064][fac=8065] providing different ways of enjoying this space. The timber fence is 1m tall and provides a view through the slats[42]. A lovely place to sit and enjoy this amazing national park.

(0.25 km) Lookout intersection to Eastern loop int.
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 108 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 5 m Descent = -1 m
Turn left: From the intersection[43], this walk meanders gently uphill, following the concrete path directly away from the lookout, leaving the main valley and fence to your right[44]. This walk then heads downhill, past the 'Old Man Banksia'[45] and 'Black She-Oak'[46] signs for 100m, over a rise, to come to a 3-way intersection[47] marked with a 'No hiding place' sign[48] (on the left).

(0.35 km) Eastern loop int. to Western loop int.
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 105 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk leads gently uphill along the concrete path, following the NPWS arrow sign[49] and under the power lines[50]. This path bends sharply left and goes up and over a rise for the next 80m, past the 'Grasstrees' sign[51] (on the left) to the 3-way intersection with a dirt path with timber steps[52] (on the right), just before the scribbly gum tree with the 'Die' sign[53] next to it.

(0.46 km) Western loop int. to The Kalkari Outlook
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 27 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -2 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[54], this walk heads along the concrete path past the scribbly gum tree (with the 'Die' sign[55]) and towards the clearing and the fence[56]. The path soon bends left and then leads gently downhill for the next 10m to the seat[fac=8067][57] on the fenced concrete platform (on the right).

Kalkari Outlook Alt = 176 m
The Kalkari Outlook is a fenced lookout[58] with views over one of the Kalkari fenced enclosures. At times you will be able to see kangaroos grazing in the clearing. There are two seats[fac=8067][fac=8068] with views over the outlook. The lower end of the platform is natural rock[59] and the fence is about 90cm high[60].

(0.49 km) The Kalkari Outlook to Pond intersection
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 175 m Time = 4 mins
Climb = 16 m Descent = -1 m
Veer left: From the Kalkari Outlook[61], this walk follows the concrete path uphill and directly away from the view. This walk winds through the open forest (near a house) passing signs for a 'Grey Gum'[62], a 'Dwarf Apple'[63] and a 'Scribbly Gum'[64], to pass straight through the 4-way intersection under the power lines[65]. From here this walk leads gently downhill for 25m to a 3-way intersection[66], marked with a 'Kalkari Bush Discovery Track' sign[67].

(0.66 km) Pond intersection to Kalkari car park
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 138 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -4 m
Turn right: From the intersection[68], this walk heads towards the timber fenced bridge (2.2m wide)[69] with timber handrails (1m high)[70], away from the face of the 'Kalkari Bush Discovery Track' sign[71]. This walk then winds for 20m gently downhill, leaving the pond on your right, passing the 'White Bottlebrush'[72], 'Tallowwood'[73] signs and a sheltered information sign[74] (on your right) to reach the picnic tables and seats[fac=8060][75][76] at the Kalkari picnic area[77].
Continue straight: From picnic tables and seats[fac=8060][78][79] at the Kalkari picnic area[80], this walk leads along the wide concrete path toward the Kalkari Discovery Centre[81]. After 35m this walk leads through the glass back door[82], straight to the front desk[83] (inside of the Kalkari Discovery Centre).
Continue straight: From the information desk[84] at the Kalkari Discovery Centre[85] this walk leads down the hallway[86] (on the car park side) to the front door (80cm wide, expandable to 1.7m with a 3cm step[87]). Walk heads through the door, veers right (away from the toilets[fac=8058][fac=8059]) then past seats[fac=8056] and picnic table[fac=8055], down the short ramp[88], between 2 bollards[89] (1.3m apart, 93cm high), to the car park[90][fac=8054] (on Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd).

Drive from Kalkari car park
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk Parking fees apply in the area.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by


Campsites in the park
The Basin campground


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Kathmandu 236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby (02) 9476 1399 6.3 km
CampHikeClimb 20 George St, Hornsby (02) 9476 5767 6.3 km
All Camping Supplies 12 Railway Pde, Thornleigh (02) 9481 0473 9.8 km
Paddlecraft 3B / 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview 02 9997 8015 13.8 km
Mountain Equipment 72 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9419 6955 14.9 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Kalkari Discovery trail.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Kalkari Discovery trail
Click to re-center search
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 6 km (to the N)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
9 km (to the SSW)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 26 km (to the WSW)
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 29 km (to the NNE)
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 34 km (to the S)

Weather and Park info

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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
Wed      29°Showers. Likely storm developing.
Thu19°|25°Possible shower.
Fri18°|30°Partly cloudy.
Sat16°|24°Possible late shower.
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Link 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 fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

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