Cockle Creek Lookout

30 min to 1 h

1.2 km
return

↑ 89 m
↓ -89 m

Hard track
This is a great walk for visitors looking for a reasonably short adventure after lunch. The leisurely walk starts from the cafe and information centre at Bobbin Head and follows the Warrimoo Track up the hill to the Cockle Creek Lookout, before returning along the same route. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Kiosk at Bobbin Head. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Picnic shelter at Bobbin head. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Lower end of Cockle Creek lookout track.. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Old Picnic area at base of Cockle Creek lookout track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
One of a few Birrawanna trackheads. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Steps and track passing cliff. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Birrawanna track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
View to Cockle Creek.. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Warrimoo Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
To Cockle Creek Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Heading out to the point. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Warrimoo point. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.6596461,151.1591056)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the 'Bobbin Inn' cafe, this walk heads to the front of the building to the 'Information Centre' main entrance. From here this walk follows the 'Birrawana Loop Track' alongside the road a few meters to find a metal 'Welcome to the Cockle Creek Lookout Track' sign and map. Now the walk follows the track behind the safety barrier (keeping the road to your right) for about 70m to cross a small culverted creek and pass a few old a couple of picnic tables in a shaded and mossy gully. This walk continues for another 30m behind the safety barrier to come to the bottom of the signposted 'Birrawanna Track' steps.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Bobbin Inn Cafe (about 35 m back from the start).
Bobbin Inn Cafe
Bobbin Inn Cafe

At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
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At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.

There is a picnic table (about 25 m back from the start).
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Apple Tree Bay Road & Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road) turn left, to head along Birrawanna Track (a walking track).
After another 7 m pass the car park (7 m on your right).
After another 5 m pass the "Bobbin Head Inn" (15 m on your left).
Then pass the "National Parks Information Centre" (10 m on your left).

Mo-Su 10:00-16:00
Then pass the "Welcome to Cockle Creek Lookout Track".
After another 115 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long)
After another 15 m pass the "Birrawana Loop Track" (6 m on your right).
Then head up the 30 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 10 m head up the 28 steps (about 7 m long)
After another 20 m head up the 60 steps (about 30 m long)
After another 8 m head up the 12 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 60 m cross the ford.
After another 165 m turn right.
(Cockle Creek Lookout) Continue another 115 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 600 m to get back to the start.
"Cockle Creek Lookout".
Cockle Creek Lookout
Cockle Creek Lookout

Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.
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Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Cockle Creek Lookout


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 1.2 km
Time 30 min to 1 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Bobbin Head
Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old 'Bobbin Inn', built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east). Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and a large playground. There are toilets nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables that can be booked NPWS. The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups. The eastern side of Bobbin Head is dominated by the Empire Marina and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets.
Bobbin Inn Cafe
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
Cockle Creek Lookout
Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.
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