Waratah Track

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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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.6268362,151.2581018)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Mona Vale Road, A3, Terrey Hills. Turn on to then drive for 30 m Turn slight left onto McCarrs Creek Road and drive for another 25 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto McCarrs Creek Road and drive for another 5 km Turn left onto West Head Road and drive for another 350 m Turn slight left onto West Head Road and drive for another 4.7 km Turn right and drive for another 25 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the 'Salvation Picnic Area' (on West Head Rd, about 3.6km north from the intersection with General San Martin Dr), the walk follows the road, crossing the bridge over Salvation Creek, leaving the picnic area on the right, and soon arrives at the northern trackhead of the 'Salvation Loop Track'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Salvation Picnic Area (about 5 m back from the start). Salvation Picnic Area The Salvation Picnic Area is beside West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. The picnic area has three picnic benches and a car park. There are no other facilities. This is a convenient point to start/finish the nearby Salvation Loop, Wallaroo and Yeomans walks. After another 30 m turn right, to head along West Head Road. After another 90 m find the "Salvation Loop hanging swamp" (30 m on your left). Salvation Loop hanging swamp The Salvation Loop hanging swamp is enclosed within the Salvation Loop Track, off West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. This area of hanging swamp (swamp formed in a depression on high ground, usually near a cliff) and wet heathland is dificult to see from the surrounding Salvation Loop track due to the drier, tall, dense heath vegetation surrounding it. It may, however, reward the patient, or lucky, observer with the plant and animal life associated with this habitat type, such as reeds and frogs.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Salvation Track & West Head Road) turn left, to head along Salvation Track (a vehicle track). After another 35 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Wallaroo Track & Salvation Track) veer right, to head along Wallaroo Track.
	After another 1.7 km (at the intersection of Yeomans Branch Track & Wallaroo Track) continue straight, to head along Yeomans Branch Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to the rocky outcrop at end of the track. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1.5 km continue straight, to head along Yeomans Branch Track. After another 15 m come to "Yeomans Track view". Yeomans Track view The Yeomans Track view is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This viewpoint is an informal, unfenced lookout from a rock outcrop. You get limited views, through the trees, over parts of Cowan Waters, including Yeomans Bay. Turn around here and retrace the main route for 5 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to the rocky outcrop at end of the track.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 65 m come to "Yeomans rock outcrop". Yeomans rock outcrop The Yeomans rock outcrop is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The unfenced and unmarked area has some interesting textures in the rock and nice views of Cowan Waters, making it a good place to have lunch and explore, at the end of Yeomans Track.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 65 m come to "Yeomans rock outcrop".

Yeomans rock outcrop

The Yeomans rock outcrop is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The unfenced and unmarked area has some interesting textures in the rock and nice views of Cowan Waters, making it a good place to have lunch and explore, at the end of Yeomans Track.

The end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Waratah Track

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	10 km
Time	3 h 30 min to 5 h 15 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
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)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Salvation Picnic Area
The Salvation Picnic Area is beside West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. The picnic area has three picnic benches and a car park. There are no other facilities. This is a convenient point to start/finish the nearby Salvation Loop, Wallaroo and Yeomans walks.

Salvation Loop hanging swamp
The Salvation Loop hanging swamp is enclosed within the Salvation Loop Track, off West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. This area of hanging swamp (swamp formed in a depression on high ground, usually near a cliff) and wet heathland is dificult to see from the surrounding Salvation Loop track due to the drier, tall, dense heath vegetation surrounding it. It may, however, reward the patient, or lucky, observer with the plant and animal life associated with this habitat type, such as reeds and frogs.

Yeomans Track view
The Yeomans Track view is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This viewpoint is an informal, unfenced lookout from a rock outcrop. You get limited views, through the trees, over parts of Cowan Waters, including Yeomans Bay.

Yeomans rock outcrop
The Yeomans rock outcrop is at the end of Yeomans Track off the Salvation Loop track and West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The unfenced and unmarked area has some interesting textures in the rock and nice views of Cowan Waters, making it a good place to have lunch and explore, at the end of Yeomans Track.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mona Vale Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 27 July
  
  18°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning. Light winds.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Sunday 28 July
  
  10°C → 15°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h turning southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon and evening.
  
  Monday 29 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Tuesday 30 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, with possible small hail along the coastal fringe. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 31 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 August
  
  10°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Friday 2 August
  
  11°C → 17°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Pay machine upgrade
  Pay machines in this park are being upgraded to provide an even more reliable service for your convenience. Whilst this process is underway, coins may not be accepted at pay machines, however cash payments for park use fees can still be made at visitor centres. Pay machines will continue to accept credit card. ParknPay remains available in all Parks via the ParknPay app.
  
  Other planned events: Sphinx Memorial repair works
  Repair works are underway at the Sphinx Memorial from Monday 12 February to 2 August, weather permitting. There will be changed access to the memorial for the duration of these works. The carpark and the Sphinx track remain open. Please follow directions of signs and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Barrenjoey access trail closed on weekdays
  Barrenjoey access road is closed on weekdays from Monday 8 July 2024 to Thursday 31 October 2024 due to construction works. Pedestrian access to Barrenjoey Lighthouse will be via Smugglers track.
  The Smugglers track is a grade 3 walking track – mostly stairs. It is a steeper and more challenging walk to the top of the headland. Please consider your ability prior to ascent.
  For further information please call the local area office.
  
  Closed areas: Duckholes trail closed for upgrades
  Duckholes fire trail is closed from Monday 12 February 2024 to Friday19 July 2024 for upgrades. Do not enter the closed area. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure
  Berowra walking track is partially closed until further notice from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track. There is a threat of rockfalls due to slope instability caused by recent weather events. NPWS is in the process of carrying out necessary repair works.
  The Berowra walking track from Berowra Station to Mt Ku-ring-gai is open for use.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).
  
  Other planned events: Brooklyn Dam fire trail maintenance works
  There will be surface maintenance works on the Brooklyn Dam fire trail between William St, Brooklyn and the end of the Jerusalem Bay trail, including Brooklyn Dam campsite, from the 2 April 2024. Expect delays and follow instructions of NPWS staff and contractors. Jerusalem Bay trail will remain open during this time.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Access track to West Head beach closed
  The access track which leads from Resolute track to West Head beach is closed from Thursday 11 April 2024 until further notice due to major storm damage.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: North Mackerel track closed and Mackerel trail partially closed
  North Mackerel track is permanently closed due to a potential risk of rockfalls and unstable cliff edges in the Great Mackerel Beach area.
  The only designated land access to or from Great Mackerel Beach is via Mackerel track to the north, which intersects with Resolute track.
  Due to land instability and risk to personal safety, there is no through or return access to or from the following places:
  
  The south end of Great Mackerel Beach via The Basin or Mackerel trail
  
  The west of Great Mackerel Beach via North Mackerel track, which is closed.
  
  Please be aware of the risks associated with visiting natural areas, including rock falls, unstable edges, falling branches and interactions with wildlife.
  For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Other planned events: 1080 pest management program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between Thursday 1 February 2024 and Wednesday 31 July 2024 in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. All baiting locations are identifiable by signs. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  For more information, contact the NPWS Forestville area office on 9451 3479 or Lane Cove area office on 8448 0400 during business hours. For after-hours enquiries, contact the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 056 294.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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