The Flint and Steel Beach Circuit Walk

Flint and Steel Beach and the circuit walk are located at the northern end of Box Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

The walk leads to a pristine, secluded beach, passes impressive palm and grass trees and offers excellent views of the Hawkesbury River.

Flint and Steel Beach is a perfect place to swim and relax!

Find out about the circuit walk and how to get there in this guide.

Map

Getting There

The walking track starts on West Head Road in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

The carpark is not well indicated, so better enter these coordinates in Google Maps: -33.578865, 151.288768 or click here for directions.

Park in the small parking area or along the road.

West Head is open between 6am – 6pm, and 6am – 8.30pm during daylight saving hours.

All roads are paved – you can drive there with a 2WD.

It costs $12 to enter West Head. You'll be charged at the gate.

Visitor Information

There are no toilets or drinking water at Flint and Steel Beach. Bring water and food. The nearest toilet block is at Resolute Picnic Area, 1 kilometre further on West Head Road.

Some sections of the walk are not well signed, so this particular circuit walk suits more adventurous or experienced walkers.

If you prefer to stick to a well-defined and official path, follow the Flint and Steel Beach track to the beach and back (2 kilometres return).

Some sections are more difficult to tackle because it's sometimes steep, slippery and the vegetation engulfs the path. So, wear good non-slippery walking shoes.

Flint and Steel Loop Walk

The circuit track takes you from the top of the headland down to Flint and Steel Bay, along the edge of the Hawkesbury River to Flint and Steel Beach, then back up the hill to the carpark.

From the carpark, follow the signs to the walk.

Descend the steps then continue walking along the path.

After three or four minutes, you'll see an intersection with a sign indicating Flint and Steel Beach to the right (700 metres) and Flint and Steel Bay to the left (600 metres). Here we're turning left, but you could also walk anticlockwise.

As I said, if you want to stay on a well-defined track, turn right to Flint and Steel Beach and come back the same way.

The section leading down to Flint and Steel Bay is narrow and overgrown by vegetation. Watch where you put your feet so you don't slip.

Down at the bay, you'll pass the McGaw's ruins, a former house built between the 1920s-1960s and destroyed by a bushfire in 1971.

Enjoy the tranquillity and beautiful views across Hawkesbury River to Little Patonga Beach.

To continue the walk, you need to spot the track behind the large boulders on the riverside at the north-eastern end of the bay. It's a bit tricky because the path is not indicated, but it's easy to follow once you've spotted it.

Follow the path along the river's edge. The views are stunning – you can see Patonga Beach across the Hawkesbury River. 

After about 800 metres, you'll arrive at Flint and Steel Point, a great fishing spot, then Flint and Steel Beach.  

Flint and Steel Beach is a small 100-metre stretch of sand with clear water – a great place to swim.

From the shore, you'll see Brisbane Water National Park across the Hawkesbury River. You'll also spot Lion Island on your right and Patonga Beach on your left.

You may even sight a swamp wallaby.

The coastline faces northeast so it can get windy in the afternoons.

The last section of the walk is on the Flint and Steel track, which starts from the beach's western end on the rock platform. The trail will take you back to the carpark up the hill.

Enjoy the splendid views and impressive palm and grass trees along the trail.

More Photos

If You Like This Walk, Check Out: 

• Resolute Beach walking loop
• West Head Army track