Basin to Mackerel

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 45 mins

4.5 km One way

200 m

Hard track
This scenic walk gives an excellent excuse for a ferry ride in Sydney’s northern beaches region. The ferry leaves from Palm Beach Ferry Terminal, and crosses Pittwater to The Basin Wharf. The walk then heads around to Mackerel Beach and passes an optional side trip to some historic and interesting Aboriginal engravings. The scenic water views are complemented by the on-water views from a second ferry back to Palm Beach from Mackerel Wharf.

Maps for the Basin to Mackerel walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
Broken Bay 1:25 000 Map Series 91301N BROKEN BAY NSW-91301N
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map 1:40 000 Map Series CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map
Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 SYDNEY 9130

Cross sectional view of the Basin to Mackerel bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Basin to Mackerel

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length 4.5 km
Time 1 hr 45 mins
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track
AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.8km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (130m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

3.8km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 610m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (130m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

3.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 610m has minimal directional signs. The remaining (290m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 4.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 180m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 3.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.4km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Basin to Mackerel walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Basin to Mackerel walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Basin to Mackerel walk starts at the The Basin Wharf (gps: -33.604008, 151.29361)
Your transport options to The Basin Wharf are by;
Ferry. Palm Beach Ferry service opertates hourly from 9am to about 8pm check their timetable for more info. The ferry starts at Palm Beach and goes via Benntt’s, Bonnie Doon, before arrinving at The basin (get details)
Ferry. Palm Beach Ferry service operates hourly from 9am to about 8pm – check their timetable for more info. The ferry starts at Palm Beach and goes via Bennett’s, Bonnie Doon, The Basin, Currawong then Mackerel. Ph: 9974 2411 (get details)
Important Note: There is no car transport option to the start of this walk.


The Basin to Mackerel ends at the Mackerel Beach Wharf (gps: -33.590378, 151.30074)
Your main transport option to Mackerel Beach Wharf is by;
Important Note: There is no car transport option to the end of this walk.

Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Comments

 


Short URL = http://wild.tl/btm


Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂