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Girrakool Loop Track Brisbane Water National Park

Waterfall at Andamira Lookout

Girrakool Loop Track

Part of the Brisbane Water National Park, the Girrakool Loop Track is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. This ensures that the park is managed well and that tracks are maintained in good condition. A small fee applies which you pay in the car park.

Getting There

A one-hour drive north of Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the Central Coast Highway exit, then:

  • Take the first left onto Wisemans Ferry Road
  • Then take the first left onto Old Pacific Highway
  • Take the first left onto Quarry Road
  • The picnic area, where the trail begins, is through the tunnel and straight ahead.

Be aware of the carpark’s closing time, as rangers lock the gates after hours.

Fungi Growing near the Girrakool Loop Track
Fungi Growing near the Track
Eucalypt on the Girrakool Loop Track
Eucalypt on the Track

Aboriginal Rock Engravings

One of the first stops on the track is a collection of Aboriginal rock engravings, which give an insight into indigenous settlement of the area. Signs warn visitors not to walk on them, while also explaining their significance.

Aboriginal Rock Engravings Sign
Warning Sign Next to Aboriginal Rock Engravings
Aboriginal Rock Engravings
Aboriginal Rock Engravings

Wildlife and Native Flowers

Wild flowers bloom in spring, so we missed them, however, we came across a bush turkey, which was the only wildlife we saw.

Bush Turkey on its Nest
Bush Turkey on its Nest
Girrakool Loop Track
Girrakool Loop Track

Waterfalls on the Girrakool Loop Track

Apart from the native forest and views, the waterfalls are the major drawcard for this walk. We though the one at Andamira Lookout was the nicest, as it was shady and quiet.

Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout on the Girrakool Loop Track
Shady Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout

What Did We Think

A great little walk taking about 45 minutes, passing forest and nice waterfalls. We had a great time.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park West Head Beach

West Head Beach Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

The West Head area of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has some wonderful bush walks with fantastic views over the surrounding waterways.

Driving into the park you get to see lots of natural scenery, whilst on a good sealed road. The road has a lot of hills – with poor visibility at times, this mainly refers to the huge amount of cyclists (there were groups and dozens of single riders on the road).  We had to  drive slowly as it was not always safe to pass then.

We chose to do the Red Hands Track and Resolute Track to West Head Beach. There is plenty of parking available in a well sign posted car park. For us the first track was a little disappointing, with uninspiring bush land and badly damaged aboriginal hand stencils. The second walk however made  up for it, being a challenging  grade 4 walk. We liked it because is provided a different challenge to the ordinary tracks,with more unpredictable laid out paths and natural rock formations that we needed to navigate to continue on the walk. At the same time it was still easy to find your way through. At the beginning of the tracks, there are maps with details of each walk. On the tracks, you will be rewarded with an amazing views, beaches, wildlife, and Australian bush scenery.

Red Hands Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Red Hands

West Head Lookout

The walk commenced at the West Head Lookout, which has great views.  Take a look at the picture below! We spent some time here enjoying the views over Broken Bay before, planning our walk on the Resolute Track.

View From West Head Lookout Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
View From West Head Lookout

Resolute Track to West Head Beach

The Resolute Track took us through great bush scenery, climbing over rocks, enjoying varied stops to look out at the different views as we descended to the bottom towards West Head Beach. The track continues past the beach, but we turned here to walk down and enjoy all this little beach offered. 
The steps down and back up are steep, but the reward is a lovely little remote beach, with scenic inlet views and yacht watching.  If the weather is good, you could take your bathers and have a swim.  The walk is very hilly so wear good waking shoes, to protect your feet.  You can take your shoes off to walk in the water.

Walking around the beach we found some amazing weathered rocks looking like honeycombs as well as some great views over the water. We were the only ones there on our visit,  We sat on the rocks and had a bite to eat, it was very peaceful.

The return walk to the lookout was very steep, but we stopped regularly to enjoy the natural surroundings and take some photos.

The Resolute Track and West Head Beach were beautiful and we really enjoyed the opportunity to spend the morning walking, savouring the great scenery and the amazing  views in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Sandstone Caves Pilliga National Park

Sandstone Cave Sandstone Caves www.destinationsjourney.com

You will find the Sandstone Caves on the Newell Highway just north of Coonabarabran in the Pilliga National Park.   To get to the Sandstone Caves, follow the Yaminba Trail signpost. This will take you to a car park where you will find a map board showing you the local walks available.

The well-formed tracks take you around the sandstone outcrop that the caves are located in. As well as the caves  the sandstone has eroded into some fascinating shapes. Several of the caves are sealed off to protect aboriginal artifacts, such as grinding grooves and rock carvings. There are boards explaining the importance of these artifacts to the local indigenous groups.

We took around 45 minutes to walk around the track at a relaxed pace. there were some steps to climb but overall it was an easy walk, highly recommended.

Eroded Sandstone Sandstone Caves www.destinationsjourney.com
Eroded Sandstone

Sandstone Cave Sandstone Caves www.destinationsjourney.com
Sandstone Cave

Sandstone Caves www.destinationsjourney.com
Grinding Grooves

Sandstone Cave Sandstone Caves www.destinationsjourney.com
Sandstone Cave

Eroded Sandstone Escarpment Sandstone Caves www.destinationsjourney.com
Eroded Sandstone Escarpment

For other places to visit in New South Wales, please read some of our other stories.[ctct form=”41″]