Since moving back to Sydney (and after two years on the road) we’ve really grown to appreciate how within 100 metres of a residential area you can feel like you’ve entered a patch of wilderness far away from one of Australia’s busiest cities.
The Gibberagong Track is the perfect place to head to swim in an incredible natural water hole and hear birdsong echo throughout the valley whilst walking through what often feels like rainforest. This is forest bathing at its best.
It may not have jaw-dropping views, or awe-inspiring waterfalls, but the Gibberagong Track absolutely blew us away; we have no idea why it took us years to finally do this hike. Maybe because no one really talks about how great it is?!
For us this place is too good not to share. So here’s what to expect on one of our favourite bush walks in Sydney.
The Gibberagong Track
The stats
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 12.8km
Elevation: 304m
Type of Trail: Return, unless you can organise a car shuffle
Starting Point: Grosevenor Avenue Wahroonga or Bobbin Head
You can to do this trail as a one-way hike or return back along the way you came. You can only do this as a one way track if you organise a car shuffle as there is no public transport to Bobbin Head.
The start of the trail
The trail starts at the end of a residential road and instantly transports you into bushland. For the first 1.3km it’s flat and easy going.
The track is a wide fire trail, and you’re surrounded by bush on both sides.
After just over a kilometre the trail turns into a more rugged bush track - much narrower and far less manicured. From here the path becomes pretty rocky and you will have to start watching your feet more.
The trail heads downhill for 1 km, easy on the way down but a debt you will have to pay back if you plan on making this walk a return!
The path at this point is nice enough but not that interesting until you suddenly stumble upon the creek. This is when the trail takes a dramatic turn and it was so much more beautiful than we’d been expecting.
The stunning swimming spot
The trail until now has been pretty dry and arid, but instantly the whole landscape changes and feels more like a rainforest.
The rocks are covered in moss, the vegetation is a lot more dense and it even begins to block out the sun.
You’ll need to cross over the creek. On the way down we didn’t notice that there is a crossing where steps have been cut into the rock and crossed further upstream. The actual crossing is almost directly in front of you when you see the creek.
Follow the path over the creek, turn left and suddenly after 200m you’ll see a deep emerald pool.
We really did not expect to see such a stunning wild swimming hole on this trail. On a hot day, this spot is idyllic, and it even has a rope swing if you’re feeling adventurous.
The beautiful swimming spot on the Gibberagong Track
Following the river there’s another great pool you can take a dip in, it’s on the river bend. It’s the kind of place you would have thought a lot more people would talk about.
But happily, this is Australia, and stunners like this frequently go unnoticed, leaving them nice and quiet just for you!
The second swimming spot - bliss on a hot day
The creekside walk
It’s worth noting that the walk along the river is anything but leisurely. The track is pretty rough, and it involves a lot of scrambling up and down rocks.
There are sections where you have to clamber over a boulder (there’s always steps carved out to help you) but it isn’t the kind of track where you can stop watching your feet for too long. It involves a bit of work!
It’s after leaving the swimming holes that you’ll begin to start hearing the sounds of the wilderness: the flow of the river and the birdsong that echoes all around you.
As you go downstream, the river stills and that birdsong becomes even louder. It’s utter bliss and the rough path in a strange way adds to the wild feeling of the area.
The trail continues to follow the creek, undulating along the way. As you walk through the jungly forest, you’ll see some rocky overhangs, and a lot of boulders - in parts the green moss covered boulders and emerald creek reminded us of Mosman Gorge in Queensland.
The mangroves
After about 5km, you’ll come across a beach that looks over the creek to the opposite bank, which is a hillside covered in gum trees.
There are several points where you can easily get down to these beaches and they’re a lovely spot to take a paddle or just sit and relax.
You’ll then be walking slightly into the bush and away from the water when the calm serenity starts to give way to the sounds of people playing and picnicking on the ridge above Bobbin Head.
When you get to the ridge it’s easy to see why, there are great views and you can sit on the rocky ledges which are wide enough for many people to relax together.
After 6km you’ll reach the turn off for Bobbin Head. You can take a short detour to the rainforest, but sadly we didn’t have enough time to do that (another reason to come back!).
The trail to Bobbin Head passes by an Aboriginal axe grinding site and an engraving (which is very easy to miss as it’s not labelled or marked in any way). It’s on the rock almost opposite the axe grinding grooves which are sign posted.
The axe grinding site
The engraving
There’s also a really good view from one of the nearest cliff edges to Bobbin Head, so keep your eye out (it’s to the right of the track and pretty obvious).
After heading downhill from the ridge, the trail turns into a flat boardwalk through the mangroves. It’s a really pleasant finish to the one-way track as it crosses the picturesque bridge to Bobbin Head.
At this point you’re at a park with picnic benches and a short stroll to Empire Marina.
Heading back
Right now, you’re probably wishing you’d got a car shuffle or that someone had organised public transport to Bobbin Head! However, the way back isn’t too bad, until you get to the hill at the end.
Remember that debt you have to pay off? Yep, that downhill section at the start! However, it isn’t too bad. You’ll do a stairmaster for a while, and those tired legs will feel it, but it’s not long before you reach the flat fire trail at the top and the end of the trail.
We were walking the fire trail section at sunset and saw a cute Swamp Wallaby so keep an eye out if you’re there at a similar time!
If you love this walk, we have put together a list of our favourites in Ku-ring-gai for you in this post.
Essential information about the Gibberagong Track
Getting to the Gibberagong Track
The trailhead for the Gibberagong Track is on Grosvenor Street in North Wahroonga. There’s plenty of street parking and it’s free with no time limit. Alternatively you can start the track at Bobbin Head car park which has a $12 parking fee.
It is possible to get to the North Wahroonga trail head using public transport, but it requires effort. You can get a train from the city to either Turramurra or Hornsby (North Shore Line), but then you’ll need to get a bus to Grosvenor Street.
Entrance fee for Ku-ring-gai National Park
If you choose to park at Grosvenor Street in North Wahroonga, you won’t have to pay the national park fee, and parking is free.
If you choose to start from Bobbin Head, then you will have to pay $12 for the day.
Alternatively you can buy the multi-parks pass for $65 if you plan on making multiple trips to Ku-ring-gai, Royal or any other national park in New South Wales other than Koscuiszko.
Packing suggestions for the Gibberagong Track
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
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies and any other bugs. 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
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Are you planning on hiking in Ku-ring-gai? Is the Gibberagong Track your favourite in the park? Let us know in the comments below!
