This is a nice walk to White Horse Beach on Flint and Steel Bay. The return-style walk passes McGaw's ruins and and the old water catchment. From White Horse Beach, there are scenic views across the Hawkesbury River. The ruins are a nice addition to the walk - although overgrown, they add a touch of recent history to the walk. Let us begin by acknowledging the Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Carpark. | Photo by adminFlint and Steel Track Info. | Photo by adminOld sign at carpark. | Photo by adminStairs near Flint and Steel Carpark. | Photo by admin Photo by adminWater catchment. | Photo by admin Photo by admin Photo by admin Photo by admin Photo by admin
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.
Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions
From Mona Vale Road, A3
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 11.2 km
Turn left and drive for another 15 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the back of the car park, the walk follows the 'Flint and Steel Track' sign along the bush track heading down through the bush. The walk drops down some stairs and turns right at the old 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park' sign, then left down the side of the hill. After about 100m, the walk continues down a set of stairs and then down the bush track to the signposted intersection.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 315 m turn left.
After another 400 m find the "McGaw Ruins" (35 m on your right).
McGaw Ruins
McGaw Ruins
The McGaw ruins are situated north-west of White Horse Beach, on West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The property was originally owned by John Miller, who also owned large areas of West Head. The property was sold to Mr Eardley McGaw in 1928, on the condition that he built a house there.
Mr McGaw built a two-storied house with several other smaller buildings, including a wharf. Mr McGaw and his wife lived there until he became ill, when they moved to Narrabeen and NSW National Parks took over management of the land. The house and other buildings were lost during a 1971 bushfire, leaving the sandstone foundations and ruins to be grown over with vegetation.
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The McGaw ruins are situated north-west of White Horse Beach, on West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The property was originally owned by John Miller, who also owned large areas of West Head. The property was sold to Mr Eardley McGaw in 1928, on the condition that he built a house there.
Mr McGaw built a two-storied house with several other smaller buildings, including a wharf. Mr McGaw and his wife lived there until he became ill, when they moved to Narrabeen and NSW National Parks took over management of the land. The house and other buildings were lost during a 1971 bushfire, leaving the sandstone foundations and ruins to be grown over with vegetation.
Continue straight.
Continue another 200 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 930 m to get back to the start.
About 70 m past the end is "White Horse Beach".
White Horse Beach
White Horse Beach
White Horse Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a 30m stretch of sand sitting on the coast of Flint and Steel Bay between rocky boulders. The beach, backed by a steep hill, provides north-westerly views over the Hawkesbury from Patonga, Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centre and up the river towards Brooklyn.
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White Horse Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a 30m stretch of sand sitting on the coast of Flint and Steel Bay between rocky boulders. The beach, backed by a steep hill, provides north-westerly views over the Hawkesbury from Patonga, Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centre and up the river towards Brooklyn.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Flint and Steel Bay (to White Horse Beach)
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
1.9 km
Time
1 h to 2 h
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
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)
Bushwalk
1 h to 2 h
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Find the car park at the start.
After another 400 m find the "McGaw Ruins" (35 m on your right).
