The Station picnic shelter
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Positioned near the water, The Station picnic shelter in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a wheelchair-friendly venue for a low-key barbecue, picnic or celebration.
- Venue is suitable for
- Private party or function
- Capacity
- Maximum people: 20
- Facilities
- Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, drinking water, toilets
- Fees
-
Rates and availability are displayed when making an online booking.
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- Availability
- Venue is available for booking from 10am to 4pm.
- Bookings
- Book online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757
- Other Information
- There are 3 bookable areas, each with a capacity of 20 people
- Picnic shelters are cleaned regularly. If the shelter is not at the standard you require, the Bobbin Head Visitor Centre can provide you with cleaning supplies.
- Please leave the area clean and tidy, and take rubbish with you when you go. If significant cleaning is required there may be a fee.
If you’re looking for a casual venue for a family gathering or celebration in Sydney’s north, head to The Station picnic shelter in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Located on the southern side of Bobbin Head picnic area, this historic picnic shelter is wheelchair-friendly and a great picnic spot – especially in summer.
There’s plenty of space to cook up a barbecue feast for up to 60 people. For a post picnic stroll, it’s only a 50m walk to the river bank. Or why not take the kids paddling in the cool water?
The Station has 3 sections that can be hired individually, or you can hire the whole venue if you’ve got a larger group.
Nearby
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/venues/the-station-picnic-shelter/local-alerts
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
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
Venue info
All the practical information you need to know about The Station picnic shelter.
Getting there and parking
The Station picnic shelter is on the southern side of Bobbin Head picnic area in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, next to the education centre. Access is via either Bobbin Head Road in North Turramurra or Ku-ring-gai Chase Road in Mount Colah.
Parking
There's a large asphalt carpark around 10m from The Station picnic shelter that includes several accessible parking spaces.
Facilities
Toilets
Toilets adjoin the shelter. They’re for public use at all times (not included in your reservation).
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
- There are 3 large round tables. Each is 4.6m in diameter, and provides undercover seating for around 15-20 people. As a whole, the tables seat a maximum of 60 people.
- You’re welcome to bring foldout chairs for extra guests.
- 2 of the sections have a side bench.
Barbecue facilities
- 4 free electric barbecue hot plates in section 1. You can also bring gas barbecues if needed.
- Please note: if there is a total park fire ban, gas barbecues are not allowed.
Drinking water
Drinking bubbler, sink and tap.
Step-free access
There's step-free access from the carpark directly to the The Station picnic shelter along flat concrete and asphalt ground.
- Step-free outdoor pathways
Seats and resting points
There are timber bench seats across the carpark towards Cockle Creek.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - easy
The Station picnic shelter is flat, step-free and accessible for wheelchair users, mobility scooters, prams and people with reduced mobility.
There are:
- Several accessible parking spaces in the large asphalt carpark, and an area to drop people off if you're parking further away.
- Accessible toilets directly next to the picnic shelter. The concrete floor of the shelter extends all the way to the toilet entrance.
Permitted
Food and drink
- You may bring your own food as well as portable gas barbeques fitted with drip trays for cooking. Please note, these are prohibited during a total fire ban.
- Commercial catering is permitted and must be detailed on the application form. Some forms of catering may be restricted during a total fire ban.
- Responsible consumption of alcohol is permitted
- We encourage plastic free events. Where possible, please use biodegradable plates, cups and cutlery (paper, corn starch, bamboo).
Structures, staging, furniture and amusements
Free-standing marquees are permitted but they must be weighted, not pegged. Please obtain approval prior to your event if you'd like to set up a marquee.
Cycling
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Amplified or loud music and public address systems are prohibited.
Balloons, plant materials and open flames are not permitted, including:
- Water balloons and paintball equipment
- Decorations consisting of flowers, vines or other exotic plant materials
- Throwing of rice, confetti, petals or similar decorative items is not permitted
- Candles or other open flames
Tents are not permitted. Please do not put up signage or cordon off structures or areas at The Station picnic shelter.
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Open fires and any form of solid fuel are not allowed.
Gathering firewood
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Visitor centre
-
Bobbin Head Visitor Centre
688 Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah, NSW 2079 - 10am to 4pm daily. 9am to 4pm during summer school holidays, closed 12pm-12:30pm. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 9472 8949
-
-
Kalkari Discovery Centre
402 Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah NSW 2079 - 9:30am to 4:30pm. Closed on Christmas Day.
- 02 9472 9300
- 02 9472 9301
-
Kalkari Discovery Centre
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
- Bobbin Head Visitor Centre
- 10am to 4pm daily. 9am to 4pm during summer school holidays, closed 12pm-12:30pm. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 9472 8949
- bobbin.head@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 688 Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah, NSW 2079
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
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