Forum rules
NSW & ACT specific bushwalking discussion. Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.Short West Head exploration - Elvina Track
Sun 28 Sep, 2014 2:01 pm
Had a few hours spare yesterday and went for an outing on the Elvina Track in Ku-ring-gai NP/West Head with family members. Been looking for an easy short walk for a group social picnic outing I've been organizing for next week. Thought this track could work but was I glad that I did this scouting trip. It was boring! >:(
Mostly it's a fire trail/service road for the small community of residents by the shores of Pittwater. No rest points, no lookouts of note and there was nothing much to do or see at the bottom. The only value was the steep descent and ascent which gave our legs a good workout. Pushed the pace and it gave me a real huff and puff session to test out my post-URTI aerobic capacity. The only bright spot was the aboriginal rock carving on a short side track near the entry. That was impressive and we all enjoyed education. If it weren't for the carving, I would have suffered badly from all the whinges.
At this stage, I think West Head proper and the secluded beaches near it is still best for this group picnic.
Mostly it's a fire trail/service road for the small community of residents by the shores of Pittwater. No rest points, no lookouts of note and there was nothing much to do or see at the bottom. The only value was the steep descent and ascent which gave our legs a good workout. Pushed the pace and it gave me a real huff and puff session to test out my post-URTI aerobic capacity. The only bright spot was the aboriginal rock carving on a short side track near the entry. That was impressive and we all enjoyed education. If it weren't for the carving, I would have suffered badly from all the whinges.
At this stage, I think West Head proper and the secluded beaches near it is still best for this group picnic.
Re: Short West Head exploration - Elvina Track
Tue 30 Sep, 2014 4:18 pm
as Maxwell Smart said.."damn ! missed it by that much"
Hi GPS. You missed it by 4.8klms. If you continue north along WestHead Rd 4.8klms after the Elvina Track, you arrive at the Bairne Track. Park car. Head east along the Bairne Track (bit of a tedious firetrail slog) for about 2.5klms where it splits left and right. Go right fork and a further 1klm takes you to some fantastic views looking south down Pittwater towards Newport and Scotland Island. Here is a picture...........
retrace your steps to that fork, turn right then (after a short distance) turn left onto the Soldiers Point Track (don't go down Portuguese Track). At the end of the Soldiers Point Track you overlook Coasters Retreat to your left and great views north to Barrenjoey Palmy and Central Coast. Here is a picture........
after returning to the car, drive north along WestHead Rd for a further 2.45klms, park on right at the beginning of the Basin Track. Walk thru the gates, head east for 0.65klms and turn left onto The Mackarel Service Trail. **i haven't been down the rest of the Basin Track at the point, so i don't know what's down there LOL**. Anyway, onto The Mackarel Service Trail......and after about 1.4klms heading east some FANTASTIC views looking north over Mackarel and Palm Beack/Barrenjoey. Here is a picture.......
West Head Lookout at the top is always a good view too.
Haven't been on any other track in the Park
all distances are Google Earth klms.
Hi GPS. You missed it by 4.8klms. If you continue north along WestHead Rd 4.8klms after the Elvina Track, you arrive at the Bairne Track. Park car. Head east along the Bairne Track (bit of a tedious firetrail slog) for about 2.5klms where it splits left and right. Go right fork and a further 1klm takes you to some fantastic views looking south down Pittwater towards Newport and Scotland Island. Here is a picture...........
retrace your steps to that fork, turn right then (after a short distance) turn left onto the Soldiers Point Track (don't go down Portuguese Track). At the end of the Soldiers Point Track you overlook Coasters Retreat to your left and great views north to Barrenjoey Palmy and Central Coast. Here is a picture........
after returning to the car, drive north along WestHead Rd for a further 2.45klms, park on right at the beginning of the Basin Track. Walk thru the gates, head east for 0.65klms and turn left onto The Mackarel Service Trail. **i haven't been down the rest of the Basin Track at the point, so i don't know what's down there LOL**. Anyway, onto The Mackarel Service Trail......and after about 1.4klms heading east some FANTASTIC views looking north over Mackarel and Palm Beack/Barrenjoey. Here is a picture.......
West Head Lookout at the top is always a good view too.
Haven't been on any other track in the Park
all distances are Google Earth klms.
© Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013.