America Bay Walking Track is a Short Hike in Sydney’s North That Doesn’t Skimp on Views

Ancient Aboriginal engravings, natural rock pools, and one of Sydney’s most serene lookout spots await along the America Bay Walking Track, Amy’s go-to hike in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Darramuragal and Garigal peoples who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

The America Bay Walking Track is a 2km return, Grade 3 hike in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park – Australia’s second oldest national park – located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It’s a short one to two-hour walk, but with so many awesome stops along the way and arguably one of the best picnic spots in the park, I recommend taking your time. The best bit? It’s just under an hour from the centre of Sydney by car. Pack a picnic for a half-day adventure.

America Bay Walking Track Facts

Distance: 2km return
Duration: 1-2 hours
Elevation gain: 130m
Nearest town: Mona Vale

About America Bay Walking Track

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park offers a good old dose of nature from the city, with multiple walks winding through ancient woodlands and waterways and over 1000 species of flora. The America Bay Walking Track is one of the park’s shortest walks, but its intriguing collection of Aboriginal engravings, quiet dipping spots, and views across America Bay make it real sweet.

The gentle descent is lined with native trees – Scribbly gums, Grass trees, and bloodwoods – leading to a crystal-clear creek and a rocky shelf with dramatic views over America Bay. Along the way are several detours, where you’ll find two significant Aboriginal rock engraving sites and natural swimming holes calling for a mid-walk cool-off. Wildlife is prolific in the park, too. Don’t be surprised if you bump into a goanna.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

America Bay Walking Track History

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has been home to the Darramuragal or Darug Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years and has over 350 significant Aboriginal sites.

In 1894, it became the second national park in Australia, thanks to a man called Eccleston du Faur, chairman of the Royal Society of New South Wales’ geographical department. Du Faur took an interest in the park’s natural beauty and sought to protect the area. In 1967, the park was taken over by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

How to Get to the America Bay Walking Track

The America Bay Walking Track starts and finishes on West Head Road in the West Head and Basin precinct of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

If you’re travelling from Sydney, take the M1 north across the bridge, then follow the A38 and A3 to Terrey Hills, then continue to McCarrs Creek and West Head Road. From here, you’ll reach the small car park at the start of the walk.

If you haven’t already paid your $12 National Park entry fee on the way in, you’ll need to use the pay stations at the car park to get a ticket; otherwise, your day pass covers you.

It’s also possible to catch a ferry from Palm Beach to The Basin and walk to the start of the trail by following the Basin Trail and West Head Road for around 4.5km.

Where to Stay Near the America Bay Walking Track

When it comes to campsites near Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park’s Basin Campground ranks high with its remote beach location and tranquil views overlooking Pittwater. It’s the only campground in the park, but be warned – it’s car-free. You’ll need to pack light and carry your things 2.8km along a steep track from West Head Road. Is it worth it? Oh yeah.

Skill Level

Beginner

The America Bay Walking Track is a great beginner-friendly hike. Being an out-and-back hike, there’s no need to pay attention to directions (daydream away, friend!). The track is wide but fairly uneven in places; studded with big rocks that require a little more attention, tree roots, and a very minor water crossing – all of which make it inaccessible for wheelchairs.

The descent is gradual on the way there, but you’ll feel the incline on the way back if you’re walking at speed. There’s no water along the way, so be sure to pack enough. I always work up a thirst on the way back.

Essential Gear for the America Bay Walking Track

• Water
• Sun protection
• Swimmers for a mid-hike dip
• Grippy shoes
• A picnic (you’ll thank me when you see the view)

What it’s Like to Hike the America Bay Walking Track

A Scribbly Gum Start

We pulled up to the empty car park mid-morning and were welcomed by the sun peeking through the clouds. A relief for me, after receiving concerned eyes from my husband on our rainy drive from Manly. Sun protection on, water packed, and our baby strapped in and smiling, we hit the trail.

It didn’t take us long to stop and marvel at the flora lining the track. Scribbly gum trees engraved with what I like to call ‘nature’s doodles’, called us over; their silvery bark lit up with the sun’s rays.

Aboriginal Engravings Galore

Only a few metres into the walk, the first detour appeared, guiding us to the track’s upper Aboriginal engravings site. This was our third time hiking the route, and even now, I felt blown away by these engravings. Looking at the rock, you’ll see a large whale, a woman, a stingray, and a goanna.

Back on the main track, it wasn’t much further until we came across the second detour. At the end of this path, another rocky opening appeared with an even more beguiling collection of rock art. We stood there for a good while debating what we were looking at. A kangaroo? An emu? It turns out to be a rare depiction of a Daramulan – a significant sky hero in Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. It’s difficult to comprehend these engravings: their significance, how they were engraved, and how long they’ve been there.

The Descent and Hidden Detours

From here, the descent kicks in, and the trail becomes rocky, but the path’s beauty steps up, too. Wildflowers were still clinging to the trees in late November, and the azure blue bay was revealed before a backdrop of deep green bushland.

About 800m in, we hit the creek and one of my favourite secret picnic spots on the left-hand side of the track. We shuffled down the mud bank onto the orange rocks beneath a tree canopy, where we relaxed and rehydrated. It’s hard not to admire the tranquillity here – the creek’s mirroring reflections, a soundscape of birdsong and trickling water, and gnarly trees curling above us (which I may have swung from). We dipped our toes into the shallow rock pool to cool off before scrambling back up to the main path.

The Lookout

Next up was a little creek crossing and the walk’s finale: the dramatic rocky shelf overlooking America Bay, and at the top of the rock, a small waterfall (the perfect size for our baby to splash in). My husband stayed with our daughter at the top, while I climbed down to the second rocky shelf to sit and lap up the blue hues across the bay. We had the whole lookout to ourselves, so we stayed a little longer, and I fed my daughter on a rock. Not a bad place to breastfeed, hey?

On the way back, we took our final detour to the creek, where we dipped our toes in the cooling water. Though next time we’re bringing our swimmers. Those natural pools have my name on them.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

Tips for Hiking the America Bay Walking Track

• The detours to the Aboriginal engravings aren’t marked along the route, so keep an eye out for the paths at the beginning of the walk
• Don’t forget to pay your $12 national park entry fee or parking ticket
• Bring enough water and sunscreen on a hot day. The distance is short, but you can easily be out there for hours
• Pack a picnic for the lookout. Or if you haven’t brought supplies, grab a coffee and goods at McCarrs General Store in Terrey Hills
• The walk stops at the lookout point; the track down to the bay itself has been closed for some time due to safety reasons, with no indication that it’ll reopen soon

America Bay Walking Track FAQs

How long is the America Bay Walking Track?

The track is 2km return and takes around 1-2 hours of walking with time for a picnic and to take in the views.

Is America Bay walking track hard?

Nope! This trail is quite easy thanks to its short length, although there is some incline and decline on the way in and out. Unfortunately, it’s not wheelchair accessible.

Keep Exploring Sydney’s North

• How to Find Flint and Steel Beach, Sydney’s Secluded Coastal Escape
• What It’s Like Inside Muogamarra Nature Reserve, Sydney’s Exclusive Wildflower Park
• Hike to Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Sydney’s Northernmost Point
• Lyrebird Gully Circuit: The Most Underrated Hike in Berowra Valley National Park