Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head
If you're after some peace and quiet in a beautiful bush setting, you’ll like this trail. It takes you along a pretty bush track that offers beautiful reflective views over Cowan Creek. And as a bonus, you might spot some local wildlife, including the odd wallaby, lyrebird or goanna.
You have the option to add a side trail through mangroves and a rainforest once you’re down at Bobbin Head. There’s also an alternative route back up to the park entrance.
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A moderately challenging yet peaceful bush walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Distance 10 km Steps 20 000
Time 3-4 hours. Level of Difficulty Moderate -
Bushland and mangroves
Water views
Wildlife
Wildflowers (seasonal)
Waterside cafes and large playground
Visitor centre
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Phone reception can be patchy
Pack mosquito spray and sunscreen
Allow time for a picnic or meal at cafe halfway along
Hiking shoes or boots are recommended as the path is uneven and can be slippery in some areas
Check the National Parks website for closures and other alerts before heading out
To start
The trail begins at the Sphinx Memorial near the entrance to the Park. You can leave your car on the street outside the gate and walk in, or park in one of the designated spots near the memorial ($12 daily park fee).
If you’re planning to travel by public transport, the 477 bus runs hourly from Turramurra Station to the Kuringai Creative Arts High School which is less than ten minutes walk from the park entrance.
Sphinx Memorial
This unusual symbol of Australian military history was carved by stonemason and war veteran William Shirley, as a tribute to fallen comrades who served in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) in WWI.
Shirley was invalided out of the army and began work on the stone monument while being treated for tuberculosis at nearby Lady Davidson Hospital. Sadly he died before it was unveiled in 1931.
The Trail
Take the stairs down below the memorial to join the track and start the walk.
You’ll begin a steady and sometimes steep descent almost immediately. This will continue, with one flat section, until you come to Cowan Creek. Step off the track here to enjoy the views.
Head back up the steps from the creek and look out for the signs to the Warrimoo Trail which you’ll follow all the way to the Marina.
This first half of the walk is definetely my favourite part. Not only because it’s downhill, but because the vegetation is so varied. You’ll be walking through tall eucalypts and forest ferns, mangroves and sandflats, and passing pretty wattle and banksias, and (seasonal) wildflowers. And as the path meanders along the creek to the tune of birdsong, you’ll be treated to water views framed by all this lush greenery.
The path is clearly defined for the most part and there are steps carved into the path in the steep sections. In the wet, the steps can get slippery as can the rocks at the creek crossing. Just before the marina and elsewhere on the path, tree roots can be a hazard so watch out for these.
The sight of bobbing boats will signal your arrival at the marina. Continue on here to explore the recreation area and have a bite to eat, or turn left to follow the signs and continue the walk.
The walk back up is steep, no getting around that. But after the first big climb, the path switches back and forth enough so that it’s not so bad.
Much of this part of the walk is along a fire trail so not too exciting, and its generally more exposed than the first section. Wallabies graze in this area so you might get lucky and see one as you climb.
Bobbin Head - Things to See & Do
Food & Drink
The Waterside Bistro at the marina does breakfast and lunch as does the Bobbin Inn Cafe near the Visitors Centre. Or if you’ve come prepared, there are plenty of picnic spots.
The main picnic area features a large enclosed playground, sheltered barbecue area, seating and toilets and there are numerous other seating areas scattered around the vast recreation area.
Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre has maps and information on Aboriginal culture and other walks in Ku-ring-gai National Park. It has a well-stocked gift shop and some great old photos showing the park and its visitors in earlier times.
Fishing, Birding & More
Fishing is permitted and popular down here and where there are fish, there are sure to be birds. On my last trip there I saw Herons, Darters and Cormorants wading in the shallows and Cockatoos, Kookaburras and Fantails in the surrounding trees.
Two and four-seater pedal boats are available for hire and there’s a launching spot for kayaks just beyond the playground.
In the Area
There are plenty of other trails to discover in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park including two that you can access directly at the midway point of this walk.
Gibberagong Track
While you’re down at Bobbin Head, and if you’ve got the time and energy, the Gibberagong Track, just north of the playground, is certainly worth exploring.
Bridge over Cowan Creek leading to the boardwalk on the Gibberagong Track
The track begins with an accessible boardwalk section that winds its way through a thriving mangrove ecosystem. (Look out for colourful crabs.) It continues uphill to a viewpoint over the creek before splitting in two directions, one to a waterfall and rainforest, the other to Wahroonga and an alternate route back up the hill via the Murrua fire trail to Murrua Road, then Bobbin Head Rd, and back to the park entry.
Birrawanna Track & Kalkari Discovery Centre
Down near the Bobbin Inn Cafe is the entrance to the four kilometre long Birrawanna loop track.
The halfway or turnaround point of this track is the Kalkari Discovery Centre where you can learn more about the park’s plants, animals and Aboriginal history and maybe see some of its resident kangaroos. The Centre has a one kilometre Discovery Track of its own and a wonderful viewing point which looks down over Bobbin Head and the The Gibberagong Track.
Views from the lookout at the Kalkari Discovery Centre