Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay

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Safer Bushwalks
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.

Getting There

Start	(-33.6599497,151.1593196)
Mode	Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)
Finish	(-33.653774,151.1368008)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (From Mt Ku-ring-gai Station it is possible to get away to either Hornsby to the South or Brooklyn and the Central Coast in the North using the Pacific Hwy.) Train

Track Notes

Getting started
From Bobbin Inn, this walk heads to the front of the building to the 'Information Centre' to turn right and cross Bobbin Head Road. Here the walk follows the 'Apple Tree Bay' signs through the car park and between the toilet block (on your left) and 'The Pavillion' (on your right) for just over 100m to pass over a speed bump between six sandstone pillars. The walk continues to follow the sealed road gently uphill for 900m passing a few speed bumps to the top of the rise where the road bends left. Here the walk continues downhill along the road for just over 150m to and intersection at the bottom of the signposted 'Regional Office' track (on your left).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a shelter (about 135 m back from the start). There is a park (about 130 m back from the start). There is a car park (about 40 m back from the start). After 60 m find the "Bobbin Head" (25 m on your left). 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. + - 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. After another 70 m find the "Bobbin Inn Cafe" (35 m on your left). Bobbin Inn Cafe Bobbin Inn Cafe At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe. + - At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
	At the intersection of Apple Tree Bay Road & Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road turn right, to head along Apple Tree Bay Road (a vehicle track). After another 10 m pass the "Bobbin Head Inn" (15 m on your left). Then to find the car park. Then pass the "National Parks Information Centre" (10 m on your left). Mo-Su 10:00-16:00 After another 25 m pass the "Welcome to Cockle Creek Lookout Track" (8 m on your left). Continue straight. After another 25 m continue straight. After another 8 m pass the picnic table (20 m on your right).
	After another 3 m continue straight. After another 30 m pass the toilet (35 m on your left). Continue straight. After another 20 m pass the BBQ (60 m on your right). After another 5 m pass the shelter (40 m on your right). After another 15 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your right). After another 1 km continue straight, to head along Apple Tree Bay Road.
	After another 150 m turn right. After another 35 m find the "Apple Tree Bay" (20 m on your left). Apple Tree Bay Apple Tree Bay Apple Tree Bay, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park, has a popular boat ramp for accessing Cowan creek and plenty of parking. The area has kiosk, electric BBQ's, picnic benches, toilets, drinking water, garbage facilities, and shade provided by trees. If you are after a quiet spot, head to the western end (away from the boat ramp, past the BBQ's), just beyond the car park, to a lovely clearing by the water. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise. The kiosk/cafe is open on weekend and services hot and cold drinks, ice creams and some hot food. + - Apple Tree Bay, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park, has a popular boat ramp for accessing Cowan creek and plenty of parking. The area has kiosk, electric BBQ's, picnic benches, toilets, drinking water, garbage facilities, and shade provided by trees. If you are after a quiet spot, head to the western end (away from the boat ramp, past the BBQ's), just beyond the car park, to a lovely clearing by the water. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise. The kiosk/cafe is open on weekend and services hot and cold drinks, ice creams and some hot food. After another 10 m pass the cafe (20 m on your left). Sa-Su PH
	After another 3 m turn right. After another 7 m pass the park (7 m on your left). After another 10 m pass the toilet (40 m on your left).
	After another 10 m turn right.
	After another 35 m turn left. After another 25 m cross the bridge (about 35 m long) After another 65 m pass the sign.
	After another 740 m (at the intersection of Berowra Track & Mount Kuring-Gai Track) turn sharp left, to head along Mount Kuring-Gai Track. After another 325 m come to the viewpoint. After another 1.4 km come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right).
	Continue straight, to head along Mount Kuring-Gai Track. Then come to the "Firefighters Rest" (35 m on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay Viewpoint. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 250 m continue straight, to head along Mount Kuring-Gai Track. After another 660 m head through/around the gate.
	Continue straight, to head along Mount Kuring-Gai Track. Then pass the "Mount Ku-ring-gai Track" (5 m on your right).
	After another 30 m (at the intersection of Young Street & Mount Kuring-Gai Track) continue straight, to head along Harwood Avenue (a residential road). After another 105 m (at the intersection of Seaview Street & Harwood Avenue) continue straight, to head along Harwood Avenue. After another 85 m (at the intersection of Harwood Avenue & Low Street) continue straight, to head along Harwood Avenue. After another 15 m (at the intersection of Bayview Street & Harwood Avenue) continue straight, to head along Harwood Avenue.
	After another 45 m (at the intersection of Harwood Avenue Pedestrian Bridge & Harwood Avenue) continue straight, to head along Harwood Avenue Pedestrian Bridge (a walking track). Then cross the bridge (about 90 m long) Then head through the tunnel
	After another 25 m turn right. Then head through the tunnel
	After another 4 m come to the end. About 90 m past the end is a toilet.

An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay Viewpoint.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 105 m come to the end. "Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout". Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout This informal, unfenced lookout is perched on some rocks, not far from the Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track. It provides views across the valley to Cowan Creek and over much of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. + - This informal, unfenced lookout is perched on some rocks, not far from the Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track. It provides views across the valley to Cowan Creek and over much of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 105 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 105 m come to the end.

"Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout".

Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout

This informal, unfenced lookout is perched on some rocks, not far from the Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track. It provides views across the valley to Cowan Creek and over much of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.

+

-

This informal, unfenced lookout is perched on some rocks, not far from the Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track. It provides views across the valley to Cowan Creek and over much of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 105 m to the main route.

Terrain

Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.3 km
Time	2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
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	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.8 km apart with the largest gap of 5.2 km.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 1.3 km apart with the largest gap of 3.9 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	-96 m	[shelter]
Toilet	150 m	[toilet]
Shelter	165 m	[shelter]
Toilet	1.4 km	[toilet]
Toilet	5.3 km	[toilet]

Articles

Bobbin Inn Cafe
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.

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