This is a nice walk in the Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, passing through a mix of thick heath vegetation and more open forest. There are some great views over Cowan Waters from the end of the track.
(open in app)
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 Wallaroo Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wallaroo 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.
Length
9km
Time
3 hrs 45 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
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
1.7km of this walk is very steep and another 1.4km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.2km has short steep hills and the remaining 300m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
3.1km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (300m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 3.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.4km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 4.3km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 300m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 4.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 300m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Online bushwalking Magazine. Download the full magazine for free Bushwalk Australia eMag The Online Magazine is produces by the community at bushwalk.com and the Wildwalks team Bushwalk.com Australia's most active bushwalking forum - Check it out. Happy Reading. Matt :)
The Salvation Picnic Area is beside West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr.
The picnic area has three picnic benches and a car park. There are no other facilities.
This is a convenient point to start/finish the nearby Salvation Loop, Wallaroo and Yeomans walks.
(0 km)
Salvation Picnic Area
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Salvation Loop north trackhead Track: Moderate - road
Length = 297 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -2 m
From the 'Salvation Picnic Area' (on West Head Rd, about 3.6km north from the intersection with General San Martin Dr), the walk follows the road, crossing the bridge over Salvation Creek, leaving the picnic area on the right, and soon arrives at the northern trackhead of the 'Salvation Loop Track'.
(0.3 km)
Salvation Loop north trackhead
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Int of Salvation Loop and Wallaroo track Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.45 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -19 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Salvation Loop Track', passing around a gate and along the management trail. The trail gently arcs to the left for some time, offering occasional views over the low, dense heath vegetation. The walk then arrives at the signposted intersection with the 'Walleroo Track'.
Salvation Loop hanging swamp
Alt = 126 m
The Salvation Loop hanging swamp is enclosed within the Salvation Loop Track, off West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. This area of hanging swamp (swamp formed in a depression on high ground, usually near a cliff) and wet heathland is dificult to see from the surrounding Salvation Loop track due to the drier, tall, dense heath vegetation surrounding it. It may, however, reward the patient, or lucky, observer with the plant and animal life associated with this habitat type, such as reeds and frogs.
(1.75 km)
Int of Salvation Loop and Wallaroo track
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Salvation Picnic Area Alternate Exit:
Track: Moderate - servicetrail,road
( Show detail)
Length = 2.25 km
Time = 38 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -58 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, with the 'Walleroo Track' on the right, the walk follows the management trail to the west and soon swings to the right. The walk passes through an area of dense heath vegetation so there are only limited views away from the track. The track then passes around a gate and arrives at West Head Rd. Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk follows the road gently down the hill leaving the 'Salvation Loop Track' to the left and soon arrives at the 'Salvation Picnic Area'. (End of the alternative exit track)
(1.75 km)
Int of Salvation Loop and Wallaroo track
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End of Wallaroo track Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 2.88 km
Time = 1 hr 2 mins
Climb = 111 m
Descent = -159 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Walleroo Track' arrow going up the hill. This section of the walk has some short, but steep, climbs and descents and soon offers some nice glimpses of Cowan Creek before reaching the intersection with 'Yeomans Track'. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Walleroo Track' arrow down the hill, along the management trail. The trail is increasingly overgrown and passes several small but nice rocky outcrops. The main track comes to an end on a rocky outcrop with your first views over Cowan Creek.
(4.63 km)
End of Wallaroo track
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Wallaroo View Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 186 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -13 m
Continue straight: From the rocky outcrop, the walk follows the faint bush track gently down the hill, keeping Cowan Creek on the left. The walk continues for a short distance over some sloping rocky outcrops before reaching a rocky outcrop at the top of a small unfenced cliff with beautiful views over Cowan Creek.
Wallaroo view
Alt = 112 m
The Wallaroo view is at the end of the Wallaroo Track, off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This viewpoint is an informal, unfenced lookout at the top of a small cliff. You get beautiful views along parts of Cowan Waters, including Castle Bay and Yeomans Bay.
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.
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.
10 July 2010 Saturday, lots of birds sighted-wattle birds, wrens, lyrebird calling, track muddy due to recent earth works,popular with cyclists, surprisingly many plants in flower - acacias, red spider flower/ grevillea, yellow-topped ash, red & yellow bloodwoods, lots of coral fern/gliecenia, many large sandstone rocky outcrops, dense heath towards end of track ending in view of Jerusalem Bay & Cowan Waters.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)