Get driving directions

The Basin campground is on the western foreshores of Pittwater in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. To get there:

• It's best to Take the ferry which leaves from Palm Beach Wharf
• If you're camping at The Basin and arriving by ferry from Palm Beach, please drop your camping gear at the ferry wharf. Leave your car in the seasonal carpark at the Careel Bay Sporting Fields, then catch the 199 bus back to the wharf. The 199 bus comes every 15 minutes, and it's just a short 5 minute ride.
• If you choose to arrive by car, please note that getting to and from the campground involves a steep 2.8km walk from the West Head Road carpark (West Head Road gates are locked between 8.30pm – 6am during daylight savings and 6pm – 6am at other times)
• If you own a boat, anchor in the sheltered bay opposite the picnic and campground.
• Drive or ride through the park along West Head Road, then walk or cycle along the steep 2.8km Basin walking track to The Basin campground.

Road quality

There is no vehicle access.

Parking

If driving to the track entry of the campground, limited parking is available in West Head Road carpark, 2.8km from the campground.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park offers an exceptional visit all year round. You're sure to find a walk, tour, activity or attraction to appeal, regardless of the season.

Spring

If you're interested in wildflower displays, set aside a day in August or September to stroll through the park's blooming heathlands.

Summer

Bring your fishing gear and go camping at The Basin.

Winter

Barrenjoey Head (on the other side of Pittwater, but still in the park) is an excellent spot for whale watching. Take the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk between May and August or celebrate International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend in August.

• The campground has unmarked sites for tents. Sites are unpowered.
• Please dispose of all rubbish into the rubbish bins provided.
• Nearby Beechwood Cottage is a historic property at the campground available for functions, please book in advance.
• Ice, bait, solar water bags and some firewood are sold from 9.45am – 10am and 2.45pm – 3pm from the campground manager.

Amenities

Hand-wash laundry basins

Toilets

• Flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

Fires are only permitted in designated wood barbecues or fire pits. Fire pits can be booked onsite only and cannot be booked in advance. Firewood can be purchased at the campground.

• Gas/electric barbecues (free)
• Wood barbecues

Drinking water

Public phone

Showers

• Cold showers

• The Basin campground factsheet
• The Basin campground map (3.8MB pdf)
• The Basin campground family friendly ground rules (2.5MB pdf)

Daily entry fees and landing fees apply at The Basin campground.

Daily entry fees: A fee of $12 per vehicle per day applies if travelling to the campground by motor vehicle. Please pay at the entry station to the park. Daily entry fees are not included in your camping fees. Annual passes can be purchased online prior to arrival.

Landing fees:  A $3 per adult, $2 per child landing fee may apply for day visitors to the campground. Please pay at the campground wharf. Landing fees are included in your camping fees. Please note, annual passes do not cover landing fees.

Disability access level - medium

Assistance may be required to access this area.

• Wheelchair access is by ferry only
• Wheelchair-accessible toilet

• Akuna Bay Boating enthusiasts love Akuna Bay. Use the public barbecue and enjoy a picnic at Akuna Bay Marina. It's the ideal spot to recharge after you've been out sailing.
• Bobbin Head Visit Bobbin Head picnic area in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and enjoy a barbecue or a spot of fishing for a great daytrip from Sydney.
• Eco cruises at Pittwater and Broken Bay Sail around Pittwater and Broken Bay on an overnight journey with Eco Sailing Cruises. It's a unique way to explore the stunning beaches, walking tracks and lookouts of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Hawkesbury farm-to-plate oyster tasting tours If you’re a seafood lover, venture out onto the Hawkesbury’s sparkling waters with Sydney Oyster Tours. You’ll taste delicious seafood and learn all about oyster cultivation.
• Kalkari discovery self-guided audio tour Go on a self-guided audio tour along Kalkari discovery trail in the Bobbin Head area of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Learn more about the amazing native animals, plants and geology of this biodiverse area on the fringes of Sydney's northern suburbs.
• Kalkari discovery trail Kalkari discovery trail is a short, easy walking track in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It’s a great introduction to the park’s amazing views, wildlife, and native plants.
• Ku-ring-gai Chase electric hydrofoil experience Fly across water on this exhilarating electric hydrofoil experience in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Enjoy stunning views and learn new skills with Fliteschool Manly.
• Ku-ring-gai corporate leadership experiences Unlock your team's leadership skills, increase wellbeing and reconnect with nature with Gone Bush Adventures. Your guides will take you on a tour in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park that’s tailor-made to suit your team's requirements.
• Northern Beaches half-day birding tour Embark on a birding adventure in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with Aussie Bird Tours. You’ll visit lagoons, wetlands and waterfalls to observe a variety of birds in their natural habitat.

• Aboriginal cultural tours at The Basin Join Guringai Tours for a fascinating day of short walks with Traditional Custodians in beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It a great way to immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture near Sydney.
• Aboriginal Heritage walk Take the fascinating Aboriginal Heritage walk highlighting rock art and engravings of the Aboriginal people of West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Connect to Country in Ku-ring-gai National Park Connect with nature and learn about local Aboriginal culture on an unforgettable guided tour with Natcha Tong Nong Ga in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Connecting to Country at Bobbin Head Click each point on the map to watch our video series. These stories share our Aboriginal cultural heritage and the importance of protecting the natural environment in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Eco cruises at Pittwater and Broken Bay Sail around Pittwater and Broken Bay on an overnight journey with Eco Sailing Cruises. It's a unique way to explore the stunning beaches, walking tracks and lookouts of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Hawkesbury to harbour walk: Stage 2 Explore the beauty of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Join this 7hr, 16km guided walk downhill to Bobbin Head, then through lush forest, along creek side trails and over a mangrove boardwalk.
• Ku-ring-gai Chase guided bushwalks Explore the highlights of beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with the friendly guides of Go Beyond Tours. See wildlife and stunning scenery and discover Aboriginal heritage on this day tour near Sydney.
• Sydney coastal gems multi-day tour Join Walkabout Gourmet Adventures on an unforgettable multi-day tour combining nature, culture and gastronomy. You’ll explore three of Sydney’s iconic parks.
• The Basin track and Mackerel track The Basin track and Mackerel track offer stunning ocean views, as well as one of Sydney's best Aboriginal Art sites. You can also enjoy a picnic and swim, or catch a ferry to other scenic spots on Pittwater.

• Explore Pittwater guided tour Explore the magic of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park from the land and on the water when you join Pittwater Eco Adventures on this incredible tour.
• Hawkesbury to harbour walk: Stage 1 Join us on the first stage of the 5 Hawkesbury to harbour guided walks. Starting from Berowra railway station we'll journey 14km through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park before ending at Mount Colah station.
• Hawkesbury to harbour walk: Stage 2 Explore the beauty of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Join this 7hr, 16km guided walk downhill to Bobbin Head, then through lush forest, along creek side trails and over a mangrove boardwalk.
• Junior ranger: Bobbin Head Join this junior ranger tour at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, near Hornsby, these school holidays, and learn what it's like to be a NSW National Parks ranger. For kids aged 6 to 12 years.
• Kalkari discovery self-guided audio tour Go on a self-guided audio tour along Kalkari discovery trail in the Bobbin Head area of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Learn more about the amazing native animals, plants and geology of this biodiverse area on the fringes of Sydney's northern suburbs.
• Sydney coastal gems multi-day tour Join Walkabout Gourmet Adventures on an unforgettable multi-day tour combining nature, culture and gastronomy. You’ll explore three of Sydney’s iconic parks.
• Sydney native habitats in 360 Explore our 360-degree interactive images to discover national park habitats in and around Sydney's urban fringe, and the protected plants and animals that live here.
• Waratah walking track The long, yet gentle, Waratah walking track takes in wildflowers and scenic water views over Akuna and Yeomens Bay in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

• Eco cruises at Pittwater and Broken Bay Sail around Pittwater and Broken Bay on an overnight journey with Eco Sailing Cruises. It's a unique way to explore the stunning beaches, walking tracks and lookouts of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Elvina trail Elvina trail in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a pleasant walk from West Head Road down to Elvina Bay, with expansive views along the way.
• Explore Pittwater guided tour Explore the magic of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park from the land and on the water when you join Pittwater Eco Adventures on this incredible tour.
• Hawkesbury to harbour walk: Stage 1 Join us on the first stage of the 5 Hawkesbury to harbour guided walks. Starting from Berowra railway station we'll journey 14km through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park before ending at Mount Colah station.
• Hawkesbury to harbour walk: Stage 2 Explore the beauty of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Join this 7hr, 16km guided walk downhill to Bobbin Head, then through lush forest, along creek side trails and over a mangrove boardwalk.
• Kalkari discovery self-guided audio tour Go on a self-guided audio tour along Kalkari discovery trail in the Bobbin Head area of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Learn more about the amazing native animals, plants and geology of this biodiverse area on the fringes of Sydney's northern suburbs.
• Ku-ring-gai corporate leadership experiences Unlock your team's leadership skills, increase wellbeing and reconnect with nature with Gone Bush Adventures. Your guides will take you on a tour in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park that’s tailor-made to suit your team's requirements.
• Morning guided kayak tours of Pittwater Soak up the stunning natural beauty of Pittwater estuary on a guided outing with Pittwater Kayak Tours. After paddling, enjoy a swim and short bushwalk in beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
• Sydney coastal gems multi-day tour Join Walkabout Gourmet Adventures on an unforgettable multi-day tour combining nature, culture and gastronomy. You’ll explore three of Sydney’s iconic parks.
• The Basin track and Mackerel track The Basin track and Mackerel track offer stunning ocean views, as well as one of Sydney's best Aboriginal Art sites. You can also enjoy a picnic and swim, or catch a ferry to other scenic spots on Pittwater.
• West Head lookout Enjoy incredible views from West Head lookout, regarded as one of Sydney's best in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Photograph Pittwater and Barrenjoey Head, or take a short walk from here.

Animals

• 

  Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta)

  A nocturnal marsupial and one of the smaller Australian native animals, the long-nosed bandicoot is found across eastern Australia. Populations in the Sydney region have dwindled since European settlement, leaving only endangered colonies in inner western Sydney and at North Head, near Manly. The long-nosed bandicoot has grey-brown fur and a pointed snout which it uses to forage for worms and insects.

• 

  White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

  White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

Plants

• 

  Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)

  Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.

• 

  Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)

  An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.

• 

  Scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma)

  Easily identifiable Australian native plants, scribbly gum trees are found throughout NSW coastal plains and hills in the Sydney region. The most distinctive features of this eucalypt are the ‘scribbles’ made by moth larva as it tunnels between the layers of bark.

• 

  Grey mangrove (Avicennia marina)

  Grey mangrove is the most common and widespread mangrove found within intertidal zones across Australia, and throughout the world. Growing to a height of 3-10m, they thrive best in estuaries with a mix of fresh and salt water. They excrete excess salt through their long thick leaves, and absorb oxygen through their aerial root system.