Bobbin Head Boardwalk
Darug Country

10 min to 15 min
15 min to 23 min

580 m
return

↑ 20 m
↓ -20 m

Smooth & flat
This is a short and pretty walk that can be enjoyed by everyone. It makes a nice addition to a picnic or paddle at Bobbin Head. Starting from the southern end of the Bobbin Head picnic area, you will enjoy great views of Cockle Creek from the bridge, then meander along the boardwalk through the mangroves. There are information signs to help you learn more about the environment and plenty of opportunities to see the mangroves and crabs up close. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Bobbin Head. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Bobbin Head end of the Gibbergong track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Foot bridge at Bobbin Head. | Photo by admin, 2009.
View from Bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Bridge over Cockle Creek in at Bobbin Head. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking across the bridge to the viewing platform. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Lookout on the boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Good information signs along the way. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Up close to the Crabs and Magroves. | Photo by admin, 2009.
End of the Gibbergong boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.6631933,151.1572207)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp
  • Turn on to Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp then drive for 6.5 km
  • Turn right and drive for another 300 m
  • Turn slight right and drive for another 135 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the far southern end of the Bobbin Head car park, this walk follows the footpath behind the 'Gibberagong Track. Mangrove Boardwalk.' sign (away from the car park and picnic tables) for about 20m to the sheltered 'Welcome to the Mangrove Boardwalk & Gibberagong Track' information sign. Here the walk continues along the patterned concrete path beside the water for just under 20m to pass a bench seat where the path bends right. After just shy of 20m the path leads past another bench seat to find a sandstone cave (with a 1.9m clearance)with a 'Rock Solid?' information sign. Here the path bends left and crosses Cockle Creek on a cable-stayed foot bridge. Enjoy the great water and cliff views from the bridge. The walk now follows the fenced timber boardwalk for about 25m to come to a viewing area marked with a 'Teeming with life' information sign.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a BBQ (about 55 m back from the start).
Parking Accessible (about 7 m back from the start).
Parking Accessible
Parking Accessible

There are many car parking bays around Bobbin Head Picnic Area. There are two marked mobility parking bays at the southern end. The parking area is tarmac, 2.8m wide and 5.8m deep.
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There are many car parking bays around Bobbin Head Picnic Area. There are two marked mobility parking bays at the southern end. The parking area is tarmac, 2.8m wide and 5.8m deep.

Wheelchair Rough.
Wheelchair Rough
Wheelchair Rough

There is a single ramp to access the path from the car park. The concrete ramp is 1.2m wide. The ramp is in a marked parking bay and may be blocked by a car.
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There is a single ramp to access the path from the car park. The concrete ramp is 1.2m wide. The ramp is in a marked parking bay and may be blocked by a car.

There is a park.
Find the car park at the start.
After 85 m find the "Picnic Table" (9 m on your right).
Picnic Table
Picnic Table

A series of 3 timber slat picnic tables and bench seats. The tables are 74cm high, 74cm deep and 2.9m wide. The seats are 40cm high, 23cm deep and 1.8m wide (no backrest). The tables are centred on 3.5x4.5m concrete slabs. Access over grass.
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A series of 3 timber slat picnic tables and bench seats. The tables are 74cm high, 74cm deep and 2.9m wide. The seats are 40cm high, 23cm deep and 1.8m wide (no backrest). The tables are centred on 3.5x4.5m concrete slabs. Access over grass.

After another 55 m pass the sign (on your right).
Then find the "Seat" (on your left).
Seat
Seat

A timber slat bench seat, 43cm high, 30cm deep and 1.6m wide with a 41cm high backrest. The seat is on conrete beside the track.
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A timber slat bench seat, 43cm high, 30cm deep and 1.6m wide with a 41cm high backrest. The seat is on conrete beside the track.

After another 5 m cross the bridge (about 50 m long)
After another 35 m find the "Wheelchair Steep" (on your left).
Wheelchair Steep
Wheelchair Steep

The bridge over Cockle Creek is 1.8m wide, has 1m high handrail and a timber decking. The steepest section is 5.3° (1:10 or 9.2% grade). The bridge is 40m long.
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The bridge over Cockle Creek is 1.8m wide, has 1m high handrail and a timber decking. The steepest section is 5.3° (1:10 or 9.2% grade). The bridge is 40m long.
Continue straight, to head along Gibberagong Track.
Then find the "Cockle Creek viewing platform" (on your left).
Cockle Creek viewing platform
Cockle Creek viewing platform

Part way along the timber Bobbin Head boardwalk is a partially fenced timber viewing platform. There is a beautiful view over Cockle Creek and a 'Teeming with life' information sign to enjoy. The platform area is 7.3m deep and 3.9m wide.
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Part way along the timber Bobbin Head boardwalk is a partially fenced timber viewing platform. There is a beautiful view over Cockle Creek and a 'Teeming with life' information sign to enjoy. The platform area is 7.3m deep and 3.9m wide.

Then find the "Trip Hazard" (on your left).
Trip Hazard
Trip Hazard

Approximately 120m of elevated timber boardwalk has no handrails, edge capping or markings - there is a risk of falling from the boardwalk. The board walk is 1.7m wide, with approximately 2cm gaps between boards.
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Approximately 120m of elevated timber boardwalk has no handrails, edge capping or markings - there is a risk of falling from the boardwalk. The board walk is 1.7m wide, with approximately 2cm gaps between boards.
Continue another 105 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 290 m to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Bobbin Head Boardwalk


Grading
Class 1/6
Smooth & flat
Length 580 m
Time 10 min to 15 min
Quality of track Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Naturally Accessible
Slope summary:
Mostly flat or gentle slopes. No section steeper than 1:12.

Surface summary:
Smooth & hard concrete surface the whole way.

Some facilities on route
Seat: There is one 100 m from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Seat
100 mSeat
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Bobbin Head
Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old 'Bobbin Inn', built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east). Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and a large playground. There are toilets nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables that can be booked NPWS. The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups. The eastern side of Bobbin Head is dominated by the Empire Marina and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets.
Bobbin Inn Cafe
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170. The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch). Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
Cockle Creek viewing platform
Part way along the timber Bobbin Head boardwalk is a partially fenced timber viewing platform. There is a beautiful view over Cockle Creek and a 'Teeming with life' information sign to enjoy. The platform area is 7.3m deep and 3.9m wide.
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