McKell Park Loop
Download & Print Map and Notes
30 mins
931 m Circuit
24 m
Moderate track
(0km) Federation Foreshore Parking → McKell Park Playground
180 m
3 mins
2m
-2m
Very easy
From the car park, this walk follows the gravel path along the foreshore[1] (keeping the car park to your right). After about 100m, the walk heads along the concrete footpath[2] and past the metal and glass ‘Federation’ interpretive signs[3][4], coming to an intersection on the other side of the fenced children’s playground[5].
McKell Park
McKell Park is an excellent spot for an afternoon with the kids. It has a large fenced playground, interpretive display about Australia’s federation, a swimming area, electric BBQ’s, seating, toilets and change room facilities. The park overlooks the boats in the Hawkesbury River and is very close to the car park at the end of Dangar Rd.
(0.18km) McKell Park Playground → Flat Rock Point
250 m
4 mins
3m
-4m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the intersection beside the playground[6], this walk follows the flat concrete footpath past the picnic tables[7], keeping the water just to your left[8]. The path then leads past a toilet block[9] and Brooklyn Baths[10] and comes to the end of the concrete path. From here, the walk follows the ‘Federation Foreshore Walkway’ sign[11] along the wide dirt trail, enjoying the view over the water to Dangar Island[12]. This trail leads for a little over 150m, passing some seats[13] to come to an intersection[14], where there is a set of stairs on your right, just before Flat Rock Point.
(0.42km) Flat Rock Point → Parsley Bay Boat Ramp
290 m
6 mins
10m
-8m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the intersection[15], this walk follows the flat, wide, dirt Parsley Bay management trail, past the square log seat[16] and around Flat Rock Point[17], keeping the water on your left. The trail soon leads past the ‘Public Loading Dock’[18], then a bench seat[19] and continues along the side of the bay for just shy of 250m. At the end of this trail, the walk heads through a gate[20] and comes to the Parsley Bay Boat Ramp[21]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
(0.42km) Flat Rock Point → Upper McKell park
260 m
6 mins
17m
-1m
Easy track
Turn sharp right: From Flat Rock Point, this walk follows the footpath, heading up the concrete steps to Federation Lookout. From here, the walk follows the tarmac-joined rocks to the turfed picnic area and car park of Upper McKell Park.
Upper McKell Park Picnic Area
McKell Park Picnic Area is perched on the headland above Parsley Bay. The picnic area provides a pleasant grassy area with picnic shelters, electric BBQ’s and toilets. The picnic area also has a lookout over the Hawkesbury River.
(0.69km) Upper McKell park → Federation Foreshore Parking
240 m
5 mins
2m
-16m
Moderate track
Turn right: With the park (at the end of the road) off to the right, this walk leaves the Upper McKell car park and heads north, following the ‘Picnic facilities & Playground’ sign down the steps. The track winds down the hill to Lower McKell Park playground area.
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads along the flat concrete footpath[22], keeping the water to your right. The path leads around the edge of the metal and glass ‘Federation’ interpretive signs[23][24] and playground[25]. Here the walk veers right to follow the gravel path[26] between the car park (on your left) and the water[27] (on your right) for about 130m before coming to the end of the car park[28].
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads along the flat concrete footpath[22], keeping the water to your right. The path leads around the edge of the metal and glass ‘Federation’ interpretive signs[23][24] and playground[25]. Here the walk veers right to follow the gravel path[26] between the car park (on your left) and the water[27] (on your right) for about 130m before coming to the end of the car park[28].
Maps for the McKell Park Loop walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Cowan | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91304N COWAN | NSW-91304N |
| Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map | 1:40 000 Map Series | CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map | CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map |
| Sydney | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9130 SYDNEY | 9130 |
Cross sectional view of the McKell Park Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the McKell Park Loop
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 931 m | ||
| Time | 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
600m of this walk is flat with no steps and another 260m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (65m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
600m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 260m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (65m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 860m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 65m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 930m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 930m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 930m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The McKell Park Loop walk starts and ends at the Federation Foreshore Parking (gps: -33.546516, 151.22899)Your transport options to Federation Foreshore Parking are by;
Train. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/s
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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