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.

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney

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

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
A bridge over Cockle Creek leading into the mangrove boardwalk area.
Gibberagong Track, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP Sydney
Cockle Creek
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Exiting the mangrove boardwalk area. The mangroves, to the left, end quite abruptly.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Cockle Creek
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Cockle Creek
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
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.

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
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.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
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.

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Not seen this flower before.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
A big wattle.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
A Waratah, the NSW state flower, at the start of the Sphinx Track,
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Cowan Creek

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Cowan Creek
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
At the marina. There was an excellent singer performing at the cafe/restaurant.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Lots of expensive boats. Sophia was salivating over them.

Gibberagong-Sphinx-Warrimoo Circuit 20th May 2018

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Cockle Creek. Hard to show the scale of the steep, high-sided banks, but they were a feature of much of the walk.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Cockle Creek

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney

Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
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.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Cowan Creek
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
A very reflective Cowan Creek.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
The water was like glass.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
The sun going down over Bobbin Head Marina, at the end of our walk.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Bobbin Head Marina on Cowan Creek.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
Near the confluence of Cockle Creek and Cowan Creek.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
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.
Gibberagong Sphinx Warrimoo Tracks, Ku-rin-gai Chase NP, Sydney
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…

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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