The Basin walking track

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The Basin

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for The Basin are found in each of the tabs below

The Basin

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Time:	2 hrs 30 mins Walking time Includes the time for the return leg Please allow extra time to rest and to explore	11.3 km NNE of Terrey Hills
Length:	5.6 km Walk Length As this is a return style walk, the 5.6 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)	Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Climb:	218 m Total Climbing This walk has a total cumulative climb of 218 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
Style:	Return

The Basin Track is the only land access to The Basin, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park's only campsite. The walk follows mostly management trail and heads across the plateau away from West Head Rd, with a great side trip to Aboriginal rock engravings and The Basin Dam. This is a nice walk, heading through the heath of the plateau and down through the forest to the large campsite and facilities of The Basin. The Basin itself is a great place for a swim or overnight stay. There is a ferry service from the Basin. (open in app)

Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)

Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for The Basin

Map of Walk

Location

Sponsor of The Basin bushwalking tracknotes

Map of The Basin
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale

1 km

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

Broken Bay

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91301N

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




	The Basin Track Carpark +




	The Basin Track to Aboriginal Engravings +




	Aboriginal rock carvings, a man +




	The Basin Track across the plateau +




	Seed pod +




	View over Pittwater from The Basin Track +




	The Basin Dam +




	Forest on the steep climb out of The Basin +




	The Basin Campground Dumpsters. White posts to wharf +




	The Basin +




	The Basin picnic area +




	The Basin Wharf +

Terrain

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 The Basin bushwalking track

Cross Section of the The Basin bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Basin bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the The Basin 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	6km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Track: Moderate	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		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
2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 430m is flat with no steps. The remaining (360m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track
Around 2.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 130m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
Around 2.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 670m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 2.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 2.8km 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 910m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes

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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Drive to Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd
Drive to Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park. 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) Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd to Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 363 m	Time = 7 mins
	Climb = 13 m	Descent = -3 m
From the car park, this walk follows the management trail around the green gate, keeping West Head Rd on the right. The walk continues along the trail, which tends to the left, and soon comes to a signposted intersection with the 'Aboriginal Engravings' track on the right.

(0.36 km) Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry to Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Exit Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack	Length = 105 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 3 m	Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Aboriginal Engravings' sign into the heath and away from the management trail. The track tends left, to a ramp after approximately 10m. The track follows the wooden edging over the rock surface, between the engravings, heading to the signposted intersection on the management trail again. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn sharp right to continue along this walk.)

(0.36 km) Int. Basin Trk and Aboriginal Engraving Trk Entry to Int. Basin Trk and Euro Trk Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 1.53 km	Time = 27 mins
	Climb = 14 m	Descent = -62 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south up the hill (keeping the engravings on the right) to the next signposted intersection with the 'Aboriginal Engravings' track on the right. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk winds gently uphill along the management trail, keeping the engravings track initially on the right. The management trail then comes to the intersection with the signposted 'Mackerel service trail'^[1] on the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the wide management trail up the hill, not following the 'Mackarel Service Trail' signs arrow. The track winds left up the hill and leads up to a high point on a hill with views of the sea. The track then undulates across a saddle and up another hill. The track then leads down the hill for a little while to the sign marked intersection on the right.

(1.89 km) Int. Basin Trk and Euro Trk to Dam Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 871 m	Time = 18 mins
	Climb = 25 m	Descent = -42 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the flat, wide Euro track (un-signposted) that heads off the main management trail. The track winds along the hillside as it contours around the hill to the right. After passing a rocky platform, the track comes to the dam and a view into the valley. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)

The Basin Dam	Alt = 94 m
The Basin Dam
The Basin Dam, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large pool of water dammed by a wall, well above The Basin's lagoon. The dam is reasonably deep, however it is used as a water supply. This is a nice spot to enjoy the views into the valley.

(1.89 km) Int. Basin Trk and Euro Trk to The Basin Campsite Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 782 m	Time = 18 mins
	Climb = 8 m	Descent = -115 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill following the sign to 'The Basin .7km'. The walk winds sharply and steeply down a trail that becomes cement partway along. The walk continues down to the open grass of the large camping area.

(2.67 km) The Basin Campsite to The Basin Wharf Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 132 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the start of the cement road, this walk heads through the campsite, leading past the large dumpster bins on the left. The track heads past the white poles to the wooden shelter near the water - the Basin Wharf.

The Basin Campsite	Alt = 1 m
The Basin Campsite
The Basin Campsite, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a large grassed campsite overlooking Pittwater. The Basin is the only place you can camp in the National Park. However, it has capacity to sleep 400 people and many facilities to adequately cope. The Basin is accessible by has ferry and management trail, but there is no car access. There are numerous facilities such as drinking water, flush toilets, picnic tables, electric and wood barbecues, in addition to cold showers, an amenities block and a soft drink vending machine. There is a large lagoon for swimming, and some nice walks to explore.

Beechwood Function and Convention Centre	Alt = 1 m
Beechwood Function and Convention Centre
Beechwood Function and Convention Centre, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a historic building situated next to The Basin camping area. The cottage was built in 1882 by convicts, pirates and sailors living in the area at the time. The cottage is now a venue for hire, with space and equipment to cater for 60 people. More info

Drive from Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd
Drive from Int. Basin Trk and West Head Rd
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park. 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)
Paddlecraft	3B / 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview	02 9997 8015	7.9 km
Outdoor Shack	1131 Pittwater Rd , Collaroy	(02) 9981 6933	15.8 km
Kellys Camping & Outdoors	826 Pittwater Rd , Dee Why	(02) 9972 0061	18.4 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor	1024 Pittwater Rd , Collaroy	(02) 9971 8711	16.5 km
Mannings Sports	172 Mann St , Gosford	(02) 4325 1617	19.2 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to The Basin.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from The Basin Click to re-center search
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	13 km (to the WSW)
8	MDC08	Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG	17 km (to the N)
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	23 km (to the SW)
3	VMB2	Tower Street BATEAU BAY	29 km (to the NE)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	41 km (to the WSW)

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 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 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.
Thu	19°\|25°	Possible shower.
Fri	18°\|30°	Partly cloudy.
Sat	16°\|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.

Walker Feedback

Comments

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Warks

IP:119.225.10.xxx | 2014-09-28 22:48:31

This is a pretty straightforward walk along a wide fire trail and then down a steep concreted slope to The Basin. Don't miss the side trip to the little dam though - only about 10 minutes and a beautiful spot. Worth a swim in the middle of summer but freezing cold at present. There is also a little side trail to the north of the track just before the steep slope starts - great views to Barrenjoey Head and the Central Coast.

The Basin was pretty busy - quite a few campers and a lot of picknickers who must come on the ferry. The NPWS charges $3 an adult and $2 a kid according to the sign but I don't know where you pay. Saw a ranger wandering around but they didn't hassle us.

At low tide you can follow the coast north to Currawong Beach and then take the Mackarel track back to the fire trail for a more interesting (and less steep) return. No go at high tide though.

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not too much longer now :)