Avalon Beach Outdoors Guide
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park From Avalon: The Basin And West Head
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park starts just up the road from Avalon Beach. Barrenjoey Lighthouse is a short drive away at the top of Palm Beach, The Basin is a ferry ride across Pittwater from Palm Beach Wharf, and West Head Lookout is about 30 km away by road. This guide covers how to reach each part from Avalon, what entry costs ($12 per vehicle per day where park fees apply, and the Basin ferry is $10.80 for an adult single), the gate times, the Aboriginal sites and walks, and the rules to check before you set off this spring.
Key Takeaway
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is the bushland across Pittwater from Avalon. Barrenjoey Lighthouse and The Basin are the closest parts; West Head, the Aboriginal Heritage walk and Resolute Beach take a longer drive. Start early, carry water and check park alerts on the day.
The Numbers To Know
Fees and times from NPWS and Palm Beach Ferries, checked 19 October 2026.
Pick Your Side Of The Park
Choose a part of the park that suits your group's energy and the weather.
What Is Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, And Why Go In Spring?
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park covers the bushland, headlands and waterways north of Sydney between the Hawkesbury River and Pittwater. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) calls it Australia's second-oldest national park. It is heritage-listed, and NPWS says it protects much of the Hawkesbury River, Pittwater and Cowan Water, along with many creeks and coves.
From the Pittwater side of the Avalon peninsula, the park is the bush-covered sandstone across the water. It also takes in Barrenjoey Headland at the tip of Palm Beach, the easiest part to reach from the apartment.
NPWS says more than 350 Aboriginal sites have been recorded in the park, including rock engravings, burial sites and axe grinding grooves. Some of the best-known are on short walks at West Head and along The Basin track.
Late spring suits a visit. Daylight saving started on 4 October 2026, so the West Head gates stay open until 8.30pm, and NPWS lists seasonal wildflowers among the park's attractions. Spring can also bring hot, windy days, so read the safety section first.
How To Get To Ku-ring-gai Chase From Avalon
The park is split by water. The Pittwater side, including The Basin and Great Mackerel Beach, has no road access. The West Head side has roads, but they come in from inland, so the drive from Avalon goes around Pittwater.
Road distances and times below are OpenStreetMap routing estimates from Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club, checked 19 October 2026. Allow extra time on sunny weekends.
| Part of the park | How you get there from Avalon | Rough distance and time | Park entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrenjoey Lighthouse | Drive to Governor Phillip Park at Palm Beach, then walk up Barrenjoey track | About 7 km by road, then a walk of about 30 minutes each way | No park fee here; paid parking applies |
| The Basin and Great Mackerel Beach | Drive or bus to Palm Beach Wharf, then take the Basin ferry | About 5.4 km to the wharf (roughly 9 minutes by car); round trip about 45 minutes by ferry | Ferry fare, plus a landing fee that may apply at The Basin |
| West Head Lookout, Resolute and the Aboriginal Heritage walk | Drive around via the West Head Road entrance | About 30 km by road (roughly 40 minutes) | $12 per vehicle per day |
Without a car, the ferry side is easiest: check buses to Palm Beach on the Transport NSW Trip Planner. Our Avalon Beach no-car weekend guide has more on getting around the peninsula without a car.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Entry Fees, Gate Times And Alerts
NPWS says the park is always open but may close at times because of poor weather or fire danger. These fees and times shape the day.
| What | Detail (checked 19 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Vehicle entry | $12 per vehicle per day; you can also pay through the Park'nPay app |
| Vehicles with more than 8 seats | $4.40 per adult and $2.20 per child per day |
| The Basin day visitors | A landing fee of $3 per adult and $2 per child may apply, paid at the campground wharf |
| Barrenjoey Lighthouse | Park entry fees do not apply, but you may need to pay for parking |
| West Head gates | Open 6am to 8.30pm during daylight saving, and 6am to 6pm for the rest of the year |
| Groups | Organised groups of 40 or more need prior written approval; contact the park office before visiting |
NSW daylight saving runs from 4 October 2026 to 4 April 2027, so the 8.30pm closing applies all spring and summer. Be back through the gates well before then.
Alerts relevant to a trip from Avalon on 19 October 2026:
Alerts change often, so check the Ku-ring-gai Chase local alerts page on the morning you go.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse: The Closest Part Of The Park To Avalon
Barrenjoey Headland, at the end of the Palm Beach peninsula, is part of the national park but has no park entry fee. NPWS says the lighthouse was built in 1881 from sandstone quarried on site.
There is no vehicle access, so use the paid parking at Governor Phillip Park. NPWS describes Barrenjoey track as a 1 km walk that needs moderate fitness to reach the top and takes about 30 minutes each way. Smugglers track is the steeper, shorter option, named after the customs officers who built it to watch for smugglers.
You can only go inside on a guided tour. NPWS says tours generally run every Sunday at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, last 30 minutes and must be booked. Fees are $15 for adults, $13 for concessions and $11 for children, with 10% off for families or groups of 4 or more. Allow at least 40 minutes to walk up from the car park.
NPWS suggests binoculars for whale watching from May to September, so in late spring come for the views over Broken Bay and the Central Coast instead. Avoid the walk when strong winds, heavy rain or extreme heat are forecast.
Our earlier Avalon whale watching and coastal walks guide pairs Barrenjoey with the Bangalley Head walk, which is closer to the apartment.
The Basin By Ferry From Palm Beach
The Basin is a beach, campground and picnic area on the western shore of Pittwater. With no car access, most day visitors come by ferry from Palm Beach Wharf on Palm Beach Ferries' Basin route: Palm Beach, Bennetts, Bonnie Doon, Basin, Currawong and Mackerel.
Palm Beach Ferries lists 2026 single fares of $10.80 for adults and $5.40 for children (4 to 15) and concessions; under-4s travel free. Fares are bought on board by credit or debit card only. Be on the wharf 10 minutes before departure; the operator says the round trip takes about 45 minutes. Check the timetable first, as public holidays and Christmas Day run differently.
NPWS notes that wharf parking has time limits, so find untimed parking or get dropped off.
Once you land, NPWS lists barbecue facilities, picnic tables, toilets and showers, a sheltered beach and an inland lagoon that it says is perfect for paddle boarding. Watch for swamp wallabies, and hold onto your lunch: NPWS says the kookaburras are confident.
Can you swim at The Basin? NPWS's own advice is to check the latest Beachwatch water quality forecast for The Basin before swimming. The NSW Beachwatch site has the daily forecasts.
The Basin Track, Aboriginal Art And The Mackerel Lookout
You can also walk in. NPWS says The Basin track and Mackerel track both start on West Head Road, 8.5 km from the Liberator General San Martin Drive junction. The Basin track is 6.4 km return and the Mackerel track 3.2 km return. NPWS gives 9.6 km for both and suggests 2 to 3 hours (Grade 3).
NPWS calls it a steep 2.8 km walk down to the campground, and you climb back up to leave. Walking down and taking the ferry out works only if someone can collect the car from West Head Road later.
On the way is the Basin Aboriginal art site, which NPWS calls one of Sydney's best. You can make out outlines of animals and human figures, best seen in early morning or late afternoon light. NPWS asks visitors not to touch Aboriginal sites.
The Mackerel track turns off after the art site to a point looking down on Great Mackerel Beach and Currawong. It is a lookout walk, not a way down to the beach.
The Basin campground is the only place you can camp in the park. NPWS lists 114 unpowered campsites for up to 350 campers, with toilets, showers, drinking water and barbecues. Book through NPWS online or on 1300 072 757, and note the landing fee is included in camping fees.
Great Mackerel Beach: The Ferry-Only Beach Across Pittwater
Great Mackerel Beach is the last stop listed on the Basin ferry route. With no road, Palm Beach Ferries says access is by its ferry, water taxi or private boat. The operator describes a sandy beach that suits children and is the starting point for bushwalks up to The Basin and West Head Lookout.
Palm Beach Ferries describes Mackerel as a quiet, quaint suburb, so keep the noise down and take all your rubbish home on the ferry.
A simple Pittwater morning: an early ferry to Mackerel, a beach walk, a ferry back to The Basin for a swim and picnic, then Palm Beach after lunch. Check the timetable for every leg before you go.
If you would rather paddle on Pittwater than take the ferry, our Pittwater kayaking guide from Avalon covers launch spots, hire and the rules on the water.
West Head Lookout: The Biggest View In The Park
NPWS calls the views from West Head Lookout some of Sydney's best. It describes Broken Bay on your left, Pittwater on your right and Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse ahead, with Lion Island Nature Reserve and Central Coast beaches including Patonga and Umina across the Hawkesbury River.
From the lookout you can also see Barrenjoey, where you may have walked the day before, from across the water. It is a good way to see the end of the peninsula you are staying on.
NPWS rates access as easy: a large sandstone viewing area with interpretive signs and benches. Park entry fees apply, and with gates open 6am to 8.30pm this season, sunrise or early evening visits both work.
Below the lookout, the West Head army track drops to a World War II battery that once held two 4.7-inch ex-naval guns. NPWS lists it as 0.45 km one way, 1 to 1.5 hours and Grade 4 (hard), with ladders. Use three points of contact on the ladders, and skip it with small children.
Aboriginal Heritage Walk And Red Hands Cave
If you do one walk at West Head, make it the Aboriginal Heritage walk. NPWS describes a 4.4 km loop of 2.5 to 3.5 hours (Grade 4) from Resolute picnic area, linking the Resolute and West Head tracks past rock art and engravings.
Red Hands Cave, which NPWS calls the park's best-known Aboriginal site, is close to the start. NPWS also describes an easy 1 km return walk to the cave and engravings for families or anyone short on time.
The art is fragile, and NPWS asks visitors not to touch or interfere with it. Keep children off the engraving surfaces.
To learn from Traditional Custodians, NPWS lists tours with Guringai Tours, meeting at Resolute picnic area and visiting the Basin Aboriginal art site, Red Hands Cave and West Head Lookout. Bookings are required; the operator sets dates and prices.
Resolute Beach, Flint And Steel And America Bay
The NSW Government describes Resolute Beach as a gold-sand beach and one of the most secluded in Sydney, looking across Pittwater to Barrenjoey Head, with access by boat or on foot via the Resolute Track, about a 2 km walk from the picnic area. Swim only in calm conditions, within your depth.
Flint and Steel Beach faces Broken Bay. NPWS describes a 2 km return walk (45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, Grade 3) from the car park on West Head Road, dropping steeply through forest and cabbage tree palms. NPWS warns the beach is exposed to swell, so watch children closely.
America Bay walking track is 1.8 km return (1 to 2 hours), following a sandstone ridge to a rock platform where NPWS says a small waterfall cascades over the escarpment. Check the condition alert on this track, which runs to 1 January 2027.
Which Ku-ring-gai Chase Walk Suits Your Group?
Figures from the NPWS walk pages, checked 19 October 2026. A higher grade means a harder walk.
| Walk | Distance | Suggested time | NPWS grade | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrenjoey track to the lighthouse | 1 km each way | About 30 min each way | Moderate fitness to the top | The closest park walk from Avalon |
| Red Hands Cave and engravings | 1 km return | Short | Described as easy | Families and first visits |
| Flint and Steel track | 2 km return | 45 min to 1 hr 15 min | Grade 3 | A steep drop to a quiet beach |
| America Bay walking track | 1.8 km return | 1 to 2 hrs | Grade 3 | A small waterfall (check the alert first) |
| Aboriginal Heritage walk | 4.4 km loop | 2 hrs 30 min to 3 hrs 30 min | Grade 4 | Rock art, the lookout and a full morning |
| The Basin track and Mackerel track | 9.6 km return for both | 2 to 3 hrs | Grade 3 | The Basin, Aboriginal art and Pittwater views |
| West Head army track | 0.45 km one way | 1 hr to 1 hr 30 min | Grade 4, hard | WWII history and ladders |
For mixed fitness, try Red Hands Cave, then West Head Lookout, then a picnic at Resolute. Fitter walkers can do the full Aboriginal Heritage loop instead.
Spring Safety: Heat, Fire Danger And Water
Spring can bring a mild, clear morning or a hot, dry and windy day, and the exposed sandstone and heath at West Head can get hot by midday.
NPWS recommends a trip intention form for walks such as the Aboriginal Heritage walk and the army track, so someone knows where you are going.
To swim between the flags, head to a patrolled ocean beach instead. Our guide to the beaches near Avalon covers Bilgola, Whale Beach and Palm Beach this spring.
Travelling With A Dog: Plan Around The National Park
Peter's Beachside Apartment welcomes pets, but the dog cannot come into the national park. NPWS says dogs and other pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves (some regional parks and State forests allow them), and Ku-ring-gai Council's bushwalking page says dogs are not permitted in national parks.
NPWS's 1080 fox baiting alert, running until 31 January 2027 and including The Basin, also says pets must be restrained or muzzled and kept out of baiting locations.
Split the day: the park in the morning and a dog walk around Avalon in the afternoon, or take turns. The listing says pet-friendly stays suit one dog, so check the house rules before you book. Our pet-friendly Avalon Beach guide covers dog walks and dog-friendly stops closer to the apartment.
Why Peter's Beachside Apartment Works As A Ku-ring-gai Chase Base
The listing puts Avalon Beach a 1-minute walk and Avalon Village a 2-minute walk from Peter's Beachside Apartment, so picnic supplies, cafes and a post-walk swim are all close by.
It sleeps 4, with a queen bed and a large sofa bed in the living room. The full kitchen has a dishwasher and coffee machine for early starts, there is a washing machine for sandy gear, and bath and beach towels are supplied.
Free covered parking in the building matters here, because West Head is a drive and an early start is easier with the car ready downstairs.
The listing also includes an oversized, sun-soaked balcony for evening meals, air conditioning for hot afternoons and a dedicated workspace. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out by 11am, so an early Barrenjoey walk fits on the morning you leave.
You can see the photos, amenities and live prices on the Peter's Beachside Apartment listing.
Where Peter's Beachside Apartment fits a Ku-ring-gai Chase weekend
Peter's Beachside Apartment is a 1-minute walk from Avalon Beach and 2 minutes from Avalon Village, so you can pick up picnic food in the morning and be back in the surf after a day at The Basin or West Head. Free covered parking in the building makes an early start for the West Head gates easy.
The apartment sleeps 4 with a queen bedroom and a large sofa bed, a full kitchen, a washing machine for sandy gear and an oversized sun-soaked balcony for dinner after the walk. It is pet-friendly too, though dogs need to stay out of the national park.
Peter's Beachside Apartment
Who A Ku-ring-gai Chase Weekend From Avalon Suits
Couples can give one day to the ferry and The Basin and the other to West Head and the Aboriginal Heritage walk, with dinner in Avalon Village both nights.
Families of up to four fit the queen bedroom and sofa bed. Choose the shorter options: Barrenjoey with a Sunday lighthouse tour, the 1 km return walk to Red Hands Cave, and a lagoon swim at The Basin. Save the steep tracks for another trip.
Remote workers can use the workspace on weekdays; the 6am gate opening and daylight-saving evenings leave time for West Head before or after work.
A Two-Day Ku-ring-gai Chase Plan From Avalon
Day One Morning: Barrenjoey Before The Crowds
Park at Governor Phillip Park early and walk Barrenjoey track to the lighthouse. On a Sunday, book a tour and allow at least 40 minutes for the walk up.
Day One Afternoon: Ferry To The Basin
Head to Palm Beach Wharf, find untimed parking and be on the wharf 10 minutes early. Spend the afternoon at The Basin, then ferry back and head home for dinner on the balcony.
Day Two Morning: West Head Loop
Leave soon after 6am with water, food and the Park'nPay app ready. Walk the Aboriginal Heritage loop from Resolute picnic area past Red Hands Cave to West Head Lookout, adding the Resolute Track down to Resolute Beach if the water is calm.
Day Two Afternoon: Back To The Beach
Swim at Avalon Beach and have a late lunch in the village. Finish with a sunset walk to Bilgola Headland, which the listing puts 9 minutes' walk away.
Final Checks Before You Leave Avalon
Fees, timetables and alerts change, so do these checks on the day.
Plan Your Avalon Stay
For a spring weekend in Ku-ring-gai Chase with the beach as your base, check dates and live prices for Peter's Beachside Apartment in Avalon Beach. You can also browse other WTP Holiday Homes to book direct.
For more ideas on the Northern Beaches, browse our Avalon Beach holiday guides or the full collection of WTP holiday home guides.
Sources And Dates Checked
Every fee, time, distance and rule in this guide was checked against these sources on 19 October 2026. Conditions change, so confirm with the source before you travel.
- NSW National Parks: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (fees, opening, highlights)
- NSW National Parks: Ku-ring-gai Chase local alerts (America Bay, 1080 baiting, Upper Gledhill Falls)
- NSW National Parks: Ku-ring-gai Chase learn more (Aboriginal sites, birds, waterways)
- NSW National Parks: The Basin campground
- NSW National Parks: The Basin track and Mackerel track
- NSW National Parks: Basin Aboriginal art site
- NSW National Parks: West Head lookout
- NSW National Parks: Aboriginal Heritage walk
- NSW National Parks: Resolute picnic area
- NSW National Parks: West Head army track
- NSW National Parks: Flint and Steel track
- NSW National Parks: America Bay walking track
- NSW National Parks: Barrenjoey Lighthouse and Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour
- NSW National Parks: Aboriginal cultural tours at The Basin
- NSW National Parks: Pets in national parks
- Ku-ring-gai Council: Bushwalking tracks (dogs and national parks)
- NSW Government: Resolute Beach and Resolute Picnic Area
- Palm Beach Ferries: Fares and prices, timetables and The Basin
- Palm Beach Ferries: Mackerel Beach
- NSW Government: Daylight saving (4 October 2026 to 4 April 2027)
- Road distances: OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM) estimates from Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club, 19 October 2026
- Peter's Beachside Apartment listing (property features, last updated 14 October 2026)
FAQs About Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park From Avalon
Do you have to pay to enter Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park?
Yes, where park fees apply, such as West Head. NPWS charges $12 per vehicle per day (you can also pay in the Park'nPay app), and vehicles with more than 8 seats pay per person. Barrenjoey Lighthouse has no park entry fee, though Governor Phillip Park parking is paid. Day visitors to The Basin may pay a landing fee.
How do you get to The Basin from Palm Beach?
Take the Basin ferry from Palm Beach Wharf. Palm Beach Ferries lists 2026 single fares of $10.80 for adults and $5.40 for children and concessions, paid on board by card. The operator says the round trip takes about 45 minutes and asks passengers to be on the wharf 10 minutes before departure.
Can you swim at The Basin?
The Basin has a sheltered beach and a calm inland lagoon that NPWS recommends for paddle boarding. Before swimming, NPWS advises checking the latest Beachwatch water quality forecast for The Basin on the day. Supervise children closely, swim only in calm conditions and stay within your depth.
What time do the West Head gates close?
NPWS says the West Head gates are open from 6am to 8.30pm during daylight saving, and from 6am to 6pm for the rest of the year. Daylight saving in NSW runs from 4 October 2026 to 4 April 2027, so the 8.30pm closing time applies through this spring and summer.
Are dogs allowed in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park?
No. NPWS says dogs and other pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves, and Ku-ring-gai Council's walking page says the same. 1080 fox baiting is also running at The Basin and other park locations until 31 January 2027. Plan a separate dog walk near Avalon.
How long is the Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk?
NPWS describes Barrenjoey track as a 1 km walk that takes about 30 minutes each way from the Governor Phillip Park parking area and needs moderate fitness to reach the top. Smugglers track is a steeper, shorter option. Avoid the walk when strong winds, heavy rain or extreme heat are forecast.
Can you go inside Barrenjoey Lighthouse?
Only on a guided tour. NPWS says tours generally run every Sunday at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and last 30 minutes. Fees are $15 for adults, $13 for concessions and $11 for children, and bookings are required. Allow at least 40 minutes to walk up from the car park.
Can you walk to Great Mackerel Beach?
Not on the Mackerel track. NPWS says Mackerel Beach cannot be accessed by that walking track, only by ferry or private vessel; the track ends at a point looking down on Mackerel Beach and Currawong. For a day visit, take the Basin ferry from Palm Beach Wharf.
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Where can you see Aboriginal rock art near Avalon?
At West Head, the Aboriginal Heritage walk is a 4.4 km loop from Resolute picnic area that passes Red Hands Cave and rock engravings. NPWS also describes an easy 1 km return walk to Red Hands Cave. The Basin Aboriginal art site is on The Basin track. Never touch the art.
Can you camp in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park?
Yes, but only at The Basin campground, which NPWS says is the only place you can camp in the park. It has 114 unpowered campsites for up to 350 campers, with toilets, showers, drinking water and barbecues. Book through NPWS online or on 1300 072 757.
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