The Aboriginal Heritage Walk is a 4.4-kilometre loop track highlighting ancient Indigenous rock art and engravings, located within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in northern Sydney, New South Wales. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026, noting that the mandatory $12 daily vehicle entry fee for the park can now be managed completely via the Park’nPay app, removing the need to display a physical ticket on your dashboard at the trailhead.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
| Opening hours | Park: 24 hours. West Head gates: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (8:30 pm during daylight saving). |
| Ticket prices | Track: Free. Park vehicle entry: $12.00 per day. |
| Address | West Head Road, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, NSW 2083 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Resolute picnic area car park |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
Aboriginal Heritage Walk opening hours
The Aboriginal Heritage Walk opening hours are dictated by the vehicle access gates to the West Head area of the national park. The park itself is technically open 24 hours a day, year-round.
However, the specific vehicle gates leading to West Head close overnight from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am for most of the year. During the summer daylight saving period, these gate hours are extended, closing later at 8:30 pm and reopening at 6:00 am.
Five great things to do while you’re in Sydney
- Take a small group tour to the Blue Mountains – with a Parramatta River cruise thrown in.
- See the landmarks and secret beaches – on a Sydney Harbour cruise.
- Discover Sydney’s most historic neighbourhood – on a Rocks walking tour.
- Go on a whale-watching cruise – and admire migrating humpbacks.
- Learn to surf at Bondi Beach – with beginner surfing lessons.
Aboriginal Heritage Walk ticket prices
The Aboriginal Heritage Walk is free for the walking track itself, but visitors must pay the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park motor vehicle entry fee, which is a flat rate of $12.00 per vehicle, per day. Visitors arriving on foot or by bicycle do not pay an entry fee.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official NSW National Parks website and last updated in April 2026.
How to get to the Aboriginal Heritage Walk
You can reach the Aboriginal Heritage Walk by driving north from the Sydney central business district towards the West Head precinct of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. There is no public transport network that services this specific area of the park, making a private vehicle or a hired car essential.
Parking at the Aboriginal Heritage Walk
On-site parking at Aboriginal Heritage Walk is located at the Resolute picnic area, which serves as the official start and end point for the loop track. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can fill up quickly on warm weekends and public holidays.
How long to spend at the Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Visitors typically spend between two and a half to three and a half hours on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk. This allows sufficient time to complete the 4.4-kilometre circuit at a moderate walking pace and stop at the various historical rock art sites and scenic lookouts.
Accessibility at the Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Accessibility at Aboriginal Heritage Walk is highly limited. The route is classified as a Grade 4 bush track, meaning it features steep sections, rough and uneven ground, and steps. It is not accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or prams.
Highlights of the Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Visitors to the Aboriginal Heritage Walk will navigate a bushland loop that combines portions of the Resolute and West Head walking tracks, passing several significant cultural sites belonging to the Garrigal people.
Red Hands Cave is the most prominent feature, located a short distance into the walk. This small sandstone overhang protects ancient Aboriginal rock art consisting of handprints created using red ochre.
The rock engraving site features traditional carvings etched into flat sandstone surfaces. These delicate historical markers depict local wildlife and cultural figures.
A historic occupation shelter is located further along the trail. This natural rock formation was traditionally used as a sheltered living area, with families lighting fires inside to warm the surrounding stone during colder months.
The West Head lookout provides a vast panoramic viewing point at the edge of the escarpment, offering clear sightlines across the water to Pittwater, Broken Bay, and the Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
Resolute Beach is just off the trail, should you fancy a swim.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
| Timing | Begin the walk before 10:00 am during the summer months to complete the steepest sections before the midday heat peaks. |
| Crowds | Walking on a weekday offers a much quieter experience, as the Resolute picnic area becomes heavily congested on weekends. |
| Layout | The track is a circular loop; following the directional signage ensures you pass the caves and engravings without needing to backtrack. |
| Entry process | Pay the vehicle entry fee at the toll booth upon entering the park or use the digital Park’nPay app once parked. |
| On-site logistics | Carry all the drinking water you will need, as there are no taps or refill stations available anywhere along the bush track. |
Frequently asked questions about the Aboriginal Heritage Walk
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Aboriginal Heritage Walk suitable for children? | Yes, older children capable of walking 4.4 kilometres over uneven terrain can manage the track, but it is not suitable for toddlers. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Aboriginal Heritage Walk? | No advance booking is required for self-guided walkers, though large organised groups of 40 or more require prior written consent. |
| Is the Aboriginal Heritage Walk open on Sundays? | Yes, the walking track and the national park are open every Sunday. |
| Are bags allowed at the Aboriginal Heritage Walk? | Yes, standard day backpacks are strongly recommended for carrying water, sun protection, and first-aid supplies. |
Things to do near Aboriginal Heritage Walk
- West Head Lookout
- Resolute Beach
- Akuna Bay Marina
- Kalkari Discovery Centre
- Bobbin Head Picnic Area
More Sydney travel
Other Sydney travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Taking on the Bondi to Coogee walk – including Bondi Beach, Bronte Beach and Clovelly Beach.
- Sydney’s top historic museums – including the Justice and Police Museum, Susannah Place Museum, Hyde Park Barracks and Museum of Sydney.
- 7 fantastic attractions in Sydney that most visitors overlook – including the Sirius anchor, the Macquarie Lighthouse, the Anzac Memorial, the Quarantine Station, the State Library of NSW and Elizabeth Farm.
- Guides to Sydney’s beaches: Milk Beach, Yarra Bay Beach.
- Planning a visit to Lane Cove National Park.
