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. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Start of the Darri Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Dropping down into the valley. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Crossing the creek. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Continuing through the valley. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Crossing a small creek. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Climbing up the side of the valley. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Infrastructure along the Darri Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Following the side of the hill. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Entering Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.The Darri Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.The Warrimoo Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Along the service trail. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Sinja Huddles Memorial Chair. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Winding down the side of the valley. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Crossing Cowan creek. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Following Cowan Creek. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Continuing along the bushtrack. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Bottom of Sphinx Walking track (Warrimoo Track). | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Cowan Creek on Warrimoo track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.Cowan Creek next to Warrimoo Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Warrimoo Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Great views of Cowan Creek on Warrimoo Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Warrimoo Track and Cowan Creek. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Cowan Creek from Warrimoo Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Rock wall on Warrimoo Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Following the water's edge. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Ferns on Warrimoo Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Looking along Cowan Creek. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Warrimoo track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.Warrimoo Track near Bobbin Head. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Warrimoo track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.Boats on Cowan Creek. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.Empire Marina from Warrimoo Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Empire Marina. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Marina walkway. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Kiosk at Bobbin Head. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Car ShuttleCar (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started 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.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Darri Track & Bedford Avenue Start heading along Darri Track (a vehicle track).
After another 490 m turn left, to head along Darri Track.
After another 230 m continue straight, to head along Darri Track.
After another 790 m continue straight, to head along Darri Track.
After another 720 m turn sharp right, to head along Darri Track.
After another 35 m turn sharp left.
After another 1000 m continue straight.
After another 510 m turn left, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 720 m continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 670 m (at the intersection of Warrimoo Track & Sphinx Track) continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 1.5 km cross the ford.
After another 520 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
After another 1.3 km cross the ford.
After another 290 m continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 150 m continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Track.
After another 40 m find the "Empire Marina - Galley Foods cafe" (20 m on your right).
Empire Marina - Galley Foods cafe
Empire Marina - Galley Foods cafe
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
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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
Then pass the toilet (10 m on your right).
After another 20 m veer left.
After another 195 m head through/around the gate.
Mo-Su 08:00-17:00
Turn left.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 50 m veer left.
After another 20 m turn right, to head along Bobbin Head Road.
After another 10 m pass the shelter (15 m on your left).
After another 20 m pass the toilet (30 m on your left).
Then cross the Bobbin Head Bridge (about 60 m long)
After another 5 m continue straight, to head along Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road.
After another 50 m come to "Bobbin Head".
Bobbin Head
Bobbin Head
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', built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe. 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 and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and a large playground. There are toilets nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables that can be booked NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, 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 and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets.
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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', built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe. 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 and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and a large playground. There are toilets nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables that can be booked NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, 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 and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Darri and Warrimoo Tracks to Bobbin Head
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
9.3 km
Time
3 h 30 min to 4 h 15 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 9.2 km from the start.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.1 km apart with the largest gap of 8.9 km.
