Gibberagong-Sphinx-Warrimoo Circuit, Bobbin Head, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
A very picturesque circuit walk starting at Bobbin Head in Sydney’s north. Much of the walk is along two salt water creeks with high forested banks, which makes for a calming experience. There are two cafes at Bobbin Head for afterwards.
My wife Sophia did the first section of this walk, the Gibberagong Track, at the start of a 50km charity walk. She thought it was really pretty and so when her legs recovered she suggested we go back to do it as a circuit combined with two tracks we’ve done in the past, the Sphinx and Warrimoo Tracks. It’s a very picturesque walk predominantly along two salt water creeks with steep sided banks. We’ve done it twice to date: in spring there were many wildflowers out, and in late autumn conditions were so calm that Cowan Creek at the end of the walk was like a mirror, making for some nice photos. There’s a couple of cafes at Bobbin Head so you can have food and tea/coffee at the end of the walk in pleasant surrounds.Track notes at the end. There’s roughly 15 minutes passing through suburbia, but it’s a nice area and doesn’t spoil the walk.
Gibberagong-Sphinx-Warrimoo Circuit: The Scenery
Photos from two occasions, the first in 2017 with spring wildflowers, and the second in late autumn 2018 when conditions were very calm and reflective (the water, that is).
Gibberagong-Sphinx-Warrimoo Circuit 16th September 2017
A bridge over Cockle Creek leading into the mangrove boardwalk area. Cockle Creek Exiting the mangrove boardwalk area. The mangroves, to the left, end quite abruptly. Cockle Creek Cockle Creek Brush Turkeys (not related to turkeys) are famous for digging up people’s gardens. This one was kicking dirt at us for a while, quite unconcerned with our presence. They were in the car park too. Nice looking creature.
Very milky water in this section, although not on the second occasion we did the walk. The turn off up to Murrua Road is just past this pool. Very milky water in this section, although not on the second occasion we did the walk. The turn off up to Murrua Road is just past this pool.
Not seen this flower before. A big wattle. A Waratah, the NSW state flower, at the start of the Sphinx Track, Cowan Creek
Cowan Creek At the marina. There was an excellent singer performing at the cafe/restaurant. Lots of expensive boats. Sophia was salivating over them.
Gibberagong-Sphinx-Warrimoo Circuit 20th May 2018
Cockle Creek. Hard to show the scale of the steep, high-sided banks, but they were a feature of much of the walk. Cockle Creek
This scaled down Sphinx monument was carved from rock by a single WWI veteran, who later died of his illnesses caused by being gassed during the war. It lends its name to the track that leaves from this point. Cowan Creek A very reflective Cowan Creek. The water was like glass. The sun going down over Bobbin Head Marina, at the end of our walk. Bobbin Head Marina on Cowan Creek. Near the confluence of Cockle Creek and Cowan Creek. The trees appeared to be somewhat burned on top of this hill; they were at least rather red. The dying sun was adding to the effect. My attempt at being artistic. The sun was about to set as we stretched before driving out.
Track Notes
Starting at Bobbin Head inside the national park (fees apply), you walk along Cockle Creek over a bridge into mangroves and onto the Gibberagong Track, following this along the creek until you reach a sizeable pool, then take the signposted turnoff to Murrua Road up a short but steep hill into suburbia. Wind your way through suburbia to Bobbin Head Road, turn left and head back to the main entrance to the park, and follow the signs to the Sphinx Track on the right. The Sphinx Track leads down to the Warrimoo Track which skirts Cowan Creek; turn left onto this and you’ll end up back at Bobbin Head, emerging at the marina. (The marina closes at 5 and it looks like you can’t exit after that, so don’t be late!) You can see the relevant tracks and landmarks near the start on Google Maps…