• home
  • about me
  • latest
  • brooke beyond

  • destinations
    • WORLD MAP
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Aus + NZ
      • Adelaide & South Australia
      • Brisbane & Queensland
      • Hobart & Tasmania
      • Melbourne & Victoria
      • Perth & Western Australia
      • Sydney & New South Wales
      • New Zealand
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • UK
    • Latin America
      • Mexico
        • all Mexico
        • Baja Peninsula
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Panama
      • Peru
    • USA
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
      • Utah
      • Washington
      • Wyoming
  • hiking guides

brooke beyond

Aus + NZ / Australia / New South Wales

The Basin: Camping in Sydney’s Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

August 21, 2018

Occupying part of Sydney’s pristine Northern Beaches just a stone’s throw from the CBD, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is the perfect place to escape the bustle of the city and unwind for a weekend. Lose track of time swimming at secluded beaches, walking to panoramic lookouts, and patting friendly wallabies, all from the park’s only campsite, The Basin. I finally checked out this water-access campground with a few friends last weekend, and it was truly the perfect dose of nature and adventure to recharge my somewhat diminished energy levels.

All the details: The Basin Campground

Cost: Reserve your spot at The Basin by booking online for $34 (covers 2 people and a tent/swag). There are also clean bathrooms and sheltered bbq areas available for use.

Getting there: Ku-ring-gai Chase is just 45km (1hr) from central Sydney, and it’s best to drive here, as public transport requires quite a few transfers. While The Basin campground itself has no car access, you can either park at the West Head lookout and walk 2.5km or you can take a ferry from Palm Beach (highly recommended if you’re travelling with a swag/esky). Return tickets are $16.40 and can be purchased from the Fantasea ticket office directly across from the wharf in Palm Beach. Check the timetable here, but there’s usually a ferry leaving every hour (on the hour) and returning every hour (at 20min past) from 9am-5pm.

What to do: From the campsite, walk 2.5km up to the incredible West Head lookout for staggering views of the coastline; make friends with some of the local wallabies; go for a swim at the beach or in the sheltered lagoon to the far end of the campground.

Top tips: There’s a very limited amount of expensive metered parking at the ferry wharf, so arrive early and find a spot for your car on one of the residential streets a few blocks away.

Early morning sun at the campground

Arriving in Palm Beach after little more than an hour’s drive from our place in south Sydney, we make a bee-line for the region’s most popular activity, a short walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse, and then spend the next few hours exploring the charming town and its colourful beaches. Aside from the staggering natural beauty, Palm Beach’s primary claim to fame is as “Summer Bay”, the fictional northern Sydney suburb where Home & Away takes place. And although I am far from a fan of this awkward soap, it’s inarguably one of Australia’s most iconic programs and has been running for over 30 years, so it’s something of an institution— every time I meet Poms overseas, they bring up Home & Away, so it’s probably also safe to say it’s Australia’s most beloved contribution to UK television.

After our morning of beaches and viewpoints, we finally start to think about heading towards the campsite. While our friends grab a quick bite at the fish & chip shop, Callum and I head over to the ticket office to book the next ferry, only to realise there’s no 1pm boat operating today and we’ll need to wait until 2pm to depart.. No matter— we use our extra time wander up the Stairway to Heaven, a steep series of stairs followed by a short trail through the gums, and drool over the incredible houses perched above Palm Beach. It’s hard to imagine living in a paradise like this, but a girl can dream!

Palm Beach Wharf
Palm Beach Wharf
Catching the ferry from Palm Beach
Catching the ferry from Palm Beach
The incredible houses near Currawong
The incredible houses near Currawong
Arriving at The Basin
Arriving at The Basin
On the ferry to the Basin
On the ferry to the Basin

Eventually, we head back to the ferry wharf to unload our belongings and move the car to a free spot. It looks as if we are moving house rather than just camping for one night, but at least we have a meat feast to cook up upon arrival and a few beverages to enjoy! After awkwardly cramming all of our things onto the boat, we head to the top deck and enjoy the leisurely 20 minute ride across the water. The sun is out, the views are spectacular, and I can’t wait to explore more of the national park.

Disembarking at The Basin, we find ourselves in a secluded beach paradise, surrounded by calm sea and sheltered lagoons, as well as several dozen wild wallabies who hop and nibble their way around the tents. Best yet, there are hardly any other people camping this weekend, so we enjoy much of the serene beauty all to ourselves.

Mum and joey wallaby
Mum and joey wallaby
Excellent swimming at The Basin
Excellent swimming at The Basin
Hello, mate!
Hello, mate!
The Basin campground
The Basin campground
Papa wallaby giving mum a back massage
Papa wallaby giving mum a back massage
Friendly wallabies hanging out at The Basin
Friendly wallabies hanging out at The Basin
The Basin ferry wharf
The Basin ferry wharf
Wallabies greeting us upon arrival
Wallabies greeting us upon arrival
Little joey in the pouch
Little joey in the pouch

Although the weather takes a dramatic turn for the wet and windy just after we set up the swags and fire up the bbq, which prevents us from doing any bushwalking, we have a phenomenal evening just enjoying the scenery (and following wallabies around, hoping for a cuddle). I’m not even mad that a kookaburra steals a sausage sandwich directly out of my hand THREE TIMES, I’m mostly just excited to have kookaburras at the campsite in the first place!

For a national park so close to the city, Ku-ring-gai Chase is truly a world away, overflowing with empty stretches of sand and cheeky local wildlife. Already, I know I’ll be back, hopefully in summer to properly enjoy all the perfect swim spots (it may be warm, but it’s still winter, so I’m not prepared to hop in just yet). Until next time!

Sunset from our campsite

What to do in & around Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Check out Station Beach

This sunny beach is the start to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk, but also a great, sheltered swimming spot. Enjoy the brilliantly clear water during a well deserved dip after your walk to the lighthouse.

Enjoying the walk along Station Beach
Enjoying the walk along Station Beach
The end of Station Beach
The end of Station Beach
The beautiful water at Station Beach
The beautiful water at Station Beach

Hike up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse

In just 15min, make your way from beautiful Station Beach up to one of the best viewpoints in all of the Northern Beaches, Barrenjoey Lighthouse. This vantage point overlooking Palm Beach and Ocean Beach is absolutely unbeatable, so be sure to set an hour aside for this quick walk.

Read more: PERFECT PALM BEACH & THE BARRENJOEY LIGHTHOUSE WALK

Palm Beach as seen from Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Palm Beach as seen from Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Visit Palm Beach

Make sure to check out the charming, upscale town of Palm Beach during your visit, as well as the golden strip of sand by the same name. Enjoy one of several cute cafes along the main strip or the lovely Boathouse Palm Beach, and then relax on Palm Beach itself. For the more adventurous, there’s even great bouldering to be had on some large rocks on the beach (and it’s an easy drop to the sand below)!

Palm Beach
Palm Beach
Callum atop the bouldering rocks at Palm Beach
Callum atop the bouldering rocks at Palm Beach
Me & Lucy enjoying Palm Beach
Me & Lucy enjoying Palm Beach

Explore Palm Beach Wharf

While you wait for your ferry across to The Basin, enjoy the beautiful stretch of Palm Beach in front of the wharf and the extensive collection of boats. If you need to kill a bit more time, there’s a fish & chip shop across the road and gelato just down the way, so grab a snack and enjoy it with a view.

The Palm Beach ferry wharf
The Palm Beach ferry wharf

Go for a bushwalk

There’s actually a heap of great walks in Ku-ring-gai that I am still yet to explore! In the meantime, check out this list from WildWalks on the best 9 trails to explore in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Read more about what to do in Sydney

FROM HUNTER VALLEY TO MANLY BEACH: 10 ITINERARIES FOR EXPLORING THE VERY BEST OF SYDNEY

THE LEGENDARY PACIFIC COAST TOURING ROUTE: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ROAD TRIPPING FROM SYDNEY TO BRISBANE

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO VIVID SYDNEY: WHERE TO GO & WHAT TO SEE

TOP ILLAWARRA VIEWPOINTS AND LOOKOUTS: BALD HILL, SEA CLIFF BRIDGE & MORE

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO EXPLORING SYDNEY’S BLUE MOUNTAINS

SPIT BRIDGE TO MANLY: STROLLING THROUGH SYDNEY’S NORTHERN BEACHES

THE BONDI TO COOGEE COASTAL WALK

TAGS:mother natureopt outsidesydneywildlife
0 Comments
Share
brooke brisbine

I've spent the last decade exploring the world— everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics, teaching at a university & securing permanent residency in Australia. In 2020, I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a full-time nomad! Whether it’s vanlife in Mexico, scuba diving in the Galápagos, ticking off incredible US National Parks, or climbing in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

You May Also Like

February 1, 2019

Three Capes Track (day 1): Denmans Cove to Surveyors

January 26, 2020

Adventures on the South Island: 11 of the best hikes in New Zealand (updated 2020)

February 25, 2019

8 best day hikes and multi-day tracks in Tasmania

hi, I’m brooke!

I've spent the last decade exploring the world— everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics. In 2020, I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a full-time nomad! Whether it’s vanlife in Mexico, scuba diving in the Galápagos, ticking off incredible US National Parks, or climbing in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

read my story
currently exploring

currently exploring

mexico

img

travel resources

flights ✈️ Skyscanner

hotels 🏨 booking.com

adventure gear 🥾 REI

travel essentials 📸 Amazon

travel guides

hiking guides

vanlife resources

moving to australia

trip itineraries

recent posts

  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (days 5 & 6): Rifugio San Marco to Rifugio Antelao to Pieve di Cadore

    June 5, 2023
  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (day 4): Rifugio Vandelli to Rifugio San Marco + Via Ferrata Giro de Sorapis

    June 5, 2023
  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (day 3): Rifugio Fonda Savio to Rifugio Vandelli

    June 5, 2023
  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (day 2): Rifugio Locatelli Tre Cime to Rifugio Fonda Savio + Via Ferrata Merlone

    June 5, 2023
  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (day 1): Rifugio Tre Scarperi to Locatelli Tre Cime + Via Ferrata Torre di Toblin & Innerkofler

    June 5, 2023

…

travel beyond the ordinary

Explore my travel guides, custom itineraries & blog posts with an interactive world map ✨

all destinations

…

  • home
  • about me
  • latest
  • destinations
  • hiking guides
  • moving to Australia
  • vanlife resources
  • contact

COPYRIGHT © 2022 BROOKE BEYOND. TRAVEL BEYOND THE ORDINARY. Site Powered by Pix & Hue.