Aboriginal Heritage walk is a 4.4km, grade 4 hike located in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, New South Wales. The hike should take around 1.5 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
For a great experience that highlights the best of the Aboriginal art in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, step out on Aboriginal Heritage walk. Combining Resolute and West Head walking tracks, you'll encounter historic rock engravings and art of the Guringai people, the traditional owners of this land.
Within a 10-minute walk along the track, you'll come across the best-known site in the park, Red Hands Cave. It's not known how old some of this art is, but either way, you're bound to be in awe of this ancient Aborginal art. Nearby, as you continue on the track, there are impressive rock engravings, and further down the hill you'll discover an historic occupation shelter. During the colder months, families would light a fire inside, warming the stones and themselves.
The people of West Head were virtually decimated by an outbreak of smallpox within a year of the arrival of the First Fleet. Pause for a moment in this beautiful bushland, to reflect and pay your respects. Continue around the loop track to the impressive views from West Head lookout before heading back to Resolute picnic area for lunch.
Take a virtual tour of Aboriginal Heritage walk captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Route and GPX file
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Tips
The Aboriginal rock art and engravings along this walk are of great cultural and historical significance and are very delicate. Please don't touch or interfere with the artworks.
You can do an easy 1km return walk to Red Hands Cave and the rock engravings
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.
The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.
Gear you might need
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Location
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Getting there
Aboriginal Heritage walk starts at Resolute picnic area in the West Head precinct of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. To get there, follow West Head Road to the end. Parking Parking is available at Resolute picnic area, as well as a bus-turnaround area, near the end of West Head Road.
About the region
Located in Sydney's north, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park combines important history with scenic beauty, making it perfect for school excursions. Bobbin Head is a great place for a family picnic, and parts of the park are ideal for cycling, fishing and bushwalking.
Australia's second-oldest national park, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a recreational favourite for locals and visitors alike. This large park, located in Sydney's north, lets you feel at one with nature without leaving the Sydney metropolitan area. A heritage-listed park, it combines important history with scenic beauty.
Winding creeks and stretches of ocean meet rainforest and eucalypts, rocky cliffs and mangroves. Camp at The Basin or spend your time exploring walking tracks, mountain biking trails, breathtaking lookouts and significant Aboriginal sites. You'll still have plenty of time to discover its marinas, cafes, kiosks and well-equipped picnic areas."
Gallery
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.