On entering Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

• Take Bobbin Head Road through North Turramurra, or Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah near Hornsby.

Road quality

• Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

• 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

• All weather

Parking

Parking is available at in asphalt carparks Apple Tree picnic area. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.

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.

Toilets

• Flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

• Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Boat ramp

Carpark

Drinking water

Step-free access

The picnic area is mostly flat and step-free, but there are no pathways. You'll need to cross over flat grass, the asphalt carpark and the road to reach the facilities.

Seats and resting points

There are many bench seats around the picnic area, including near the river and near the carpark.

• Apple Tree picnic area factsheet
• Apple Tree picnic area map (1.7MB pdf)

Disability access level - medium

Apple Tree picnic area is flat and step-free, but there are no pathways. You'll need to cross over a combination of flat grass, the asphalt surface of the carpark and the road to reach the facilities.

There are bench seats at many points around the picnic area for resting, some with backrests and some without.

The toilets at the picnic area are not accessible or ambulant.

• 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.