Flint and Steel track
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Overview
Flint and Steel track in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a family-friendly walk from West Head Road down to Flint and Steel Beach. Popular with all ages, it's great for a relaxing day trip.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 2km return
- Time suggested
- 45min - 1hr 15min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- Opening times
The gates to West Head are closed to vehicles from 6pm to 6am, except during daylight savings months when the gates are closed from 8.30pm to 6am.
- What to
bring - Drinking water, sturdy shoes, hat, suitable clothing, sunscreen
- Please note
- There's no drinking water available on Flint and Steel track so make sure to bring your own.
- Toilets and picnic facilities are available at Resolute picnic area.
- If you're planning to swim at Flint and Steel Bay, make sure to supervise kids as the beach is exposed to swell from Broken Bay.
Starting from Flint and Steel carpark on West Head Road, this 2km return walk winds its way downhill to Flint and Steel Beach.
Though it's a short walk, Flint and Steel track passes through an impressive range of vegetation types. You'll begin in ironbark forest with stands of grass trees and eucalypts, move on to heath and she-oaks, and then enter a grove of beautiful cabbage tree palms, before dropping steeply downhill into Flint and Steel Beach.
As a satisfying reward for your efforts you can relax, go for a swim and maybe indulge in a spot of fishing. Or just soak up the local ambience and enjoy the salty air. You may even see a white-bellied sea eagle down near the water.
As you make your way back up the trail, be sure to check out any of the impressive views you may have missed on your way down. The north-west view to Lion Island and Broken Bay are particularly spectacular.
Also see
-
Resolute picnic area
Resolute picnic area in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is ideal for barbecues in the bush and is positioned near ancient Aboriginal rock art and buswalking tracks.
-
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.
-
West Head army track
Follow in the footsteps of World War II soldiers as you climb down the challenging West Head army track to a historic army battery. From here, Sydney’s Broken Bay was protected from possible invasion.
Sydney native habitats in 360
Explore our 360-degree interactive national park habitats in and around Sydney's urban fringe, and the protected plants and animals that live here.
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General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Forestville Office
- Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.
- 02 9451 3479
- npws.sydneynorth@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 82 Ferguson Street, Forestville NSW 2087
Park info
- in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- Gates to West Head are closed from 8.30pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 6pm to 6am the rest of the year.
- Gates to Sphinx Memorial carpark are closed overnight from 7pm.
-
Park entry fees:
$12 per vehicle per day. You can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.
Vehicles over 8 seats: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day).
Other fees:
A $3 per adult, $2 per child landing fee may apply for day visitors to The Basin campground. Please pay at the campground wharf. Landing fees are included in your camping fees.
Group bookings:
Under the Plan of Management for this park, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 40 or more people planning to visit this park. Contact the park office before your visit.
Buy annual pass
What's nearby:
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