If you’re looking for a leisurely walk in Ku-ring-gai National Park, but still want to see a couple of great views, then the Bairne Track is a great choice. It’s one of the few trails in the area which is almost entirely flat, but still a proper walk at 10km.
It’s a pretty quiet track, so you usually end up with the viewpoints all to yourself, and maybe for the same reason, it’s a walk we always see wallabies on!
If you’re lucky enough to be able to visit in spring, it gets that little bit more special, with a sprinkle of wildflowers along virtually the entire trail.
Here’s what to expect on the Bairne Track.
The Bairne Track
The stats
Distance: 10km
Elevation: 180m
Difficulty: Easy
Type of trail: Return
The Bairne Track is an easy trail that isn’t very steep at any point, but it is 10km long if you want to see both lookouts. We took 2.5 hours to do the whole walk, with time at both viewpoints, but you may want to allow more if you’re stopping for a picnic.
Starting the trail to Towlers Bay Lookout
There’s not room for many cars at the layby beside the trailhead, but there never seems to be an issue with space. You begin the walk on a wide, stony fire trail with fairly dense vegetation on both sides.
You can see the occasional glimpse of the ocean in the distance, and layers of tree covered hillside, both of which are really pretty, but for the most part this section of trail won’t wow you.
However, that changes if you’re walking in spring when you’ll see so many different kinds of wildflowers, including a big Waratah grove, which was incredibly beautiful.
It’s not like some trails where the flowers are in huge quantities in certain spots, they are more subtle here, but they are continuous all the way from the start of the trail to the lookout, 3.6km later.
We’d walked this trail in other seasons and I definitely enjoyed it the most in spring. The flowers really added a touch of magic.
The scenery doesn’t change much at the start of the walk, but it gets a bit more dense and the path narrows as you come towards the lookout.
We disturbed a huge Goanna that was sunning itself on the path, we always see more wildlife than people on this trail!
When you’ve been walking for just over 2.5km you’ll reach a junction where you can turn left for Soldiers Point or straight on for Towlers Bay Lookout.
We went to Towlers first but it’s the nicer of the two lookouts, so you might want to save the best until last!
After one almost negligible descent the path is flat and you’ll soon arrive at Towlers Bay Lookout.
It’s an incredible viewpoint with extensive views over several bays and all the little boats in the distance. There is a huge rocky platform, which is the perfect place to sit and relax and watch the sailboats go by.
It would make a lovely picnic spot too. It was slightly hazy on our visit due to back burning but still absolutely beautiful.
There was a wallaby hiding in the bushes just beside the lookout, so it’s worth keeping an eye out when you get there!
Onto Soldiers Point
After Towlers Bay Lookout you’ll retrace your steps 1.1km to the turn off for Soldiers Point. The next part of the trail is a lot more forested with some lovely ferns and lots of shade!
The wildflowers don’t continue along this part of the walk, but the pretty forest makes up for it.
It’s also where we always spot wallabies, they tend to be shy and bounce straight into the thicker bush as soon as they see you, but it’s still always a treat!
The path is predominantly flat until you get closer to the ‘lookout’ where it descends slightly.
On that note, we wouldn’t call Soldiers Point a lookout as such but there is a nice rocky outcrop to sit on with a pretty good view.
It’s partially obscured by trees but you still get a good view to Currawong Beach, and a little bit of Lion Island in the distance.
It’s another nice place to sit and relax, although there were a fair few mozzies out on our most recent visit!
You’ll see an unmarked but obvious trail down the hillside which will take you to the waters edge, but all the fir needles on the path make it pretty slippery.
We got half way down before deciding that actually we were quite content at the top! It’s also the route you could use if you wanted to take a ferry over to the Basin campground and make the walk a circuit.
Otherwise you retrace your steps and it’s a pretty easy stroll back to your car. Although the stats said there was some elevation gain on this walk, you don’t really feel it, much of it is just gentle undulations that you barely notice.
It’s a great walk to do early morning or late afternoon when your chance of spotting wallabies is higher (although we have seen them in the middle of the day too!).
If you’re looking for other nearby walking suggestions we have a post dedicated to our favourite Ku-ring-gai trails.
Packing suggestions for the walk
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about the Bairne Track
Ku-ring-gai National Park entry fee
Unless you’re cycling, the only way to get to the trails along the West Head Road, including the Bairne Track, is by car. Vehicle entry to the park is $12 per day. If you plan on visiting several NSW parks in a year you are better off buying the $65 annual pass, which covers all parks but Kosciuszko.
The West Head gate
The West Head gate is locked daily, exact times vary according to time of year, but broadly speaking it’s sunrise to sunset. If you get your car locked in, it’s a $50 fine to open the gate. We always mention this because we tend to walk later in the day and it can catch you out!
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What’s your favourite walk in Ku-ring-gai? Let us know in the comments below!
