West Head Lookout, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

The West Head Lookout in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, Sydney, offers stunning views out over Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Central Coast. There are also several walking tracks here.

What is the West Head Lookout?

The West Head Lookout is a scenic viewpoint in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. This is one of the best views of Sydney, taking in Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Barrenjoey Headland.

From this Ku-Ring-Gai lookout, you can also see over to Patonga and Umina Beach on the Central Coast, the Hawkesbury River and the Lion Island Nature Reserve.

Where is the West Head Lookout?

The West Head Lookout is on the western shore of Pittwater. It is inside Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, and access is via West Head Road. This branches off McCarrs Creek Road, which connects Church Point and Terrey Hills in the north of Sydney.

There is a car park at the West Head Lookout, and the walk from the car park to the lookout is approximately 50 metres long.

West Head gun emplacements

However, there are a few longer walks you can do from the West Head Lookout. It’s possible to take a two hour guided walk on Sunday mornings to the West Head gun emplacements. These were installed during World War II for the defence of Sydney. It’s a fairly tough 2m walk through the bush, though – don’t go expecting a leisurely stroll.

More West Head walks

Another 4.4km loop walk from West Head takes in several Aboriginal rock engravings. These include the Red Hands Cave, one of the best Aboriginal rock art sites in Sydney.

This circuit – known as the Aboriginal Heritage Walk – loops back round along the coast via Resolute Beach and West Head Beach.

Otherwise, it’s a 500 metre walk from the West Head Lookout car park to West Head Beach, or a 1.1km walk to Resolute Beach.

The America Bay track – another popular Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park walk, requires a short double-back drive down the West Head Road.

West Head Lookout entry fee

There is no specific fee to visit West Head, but you do need to pay $12 per vehicle to enter Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.

If you don’t have your own transport, or would prefer to visit as part of a guided tour, then a small group tour of Sydney’s Northern Beaches might do the trick.

This $285 day tour stops at other sights, including the Spit Bridge, the West Head Lookout and Palm Beach – the filming location for Home And Away.

The gates to West Head are open from 06.00 to 20.30 during daylight savings time, but close at 18.00 the rest of the year.

For more information, visit the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website.