The Ku‑ring‑gai Visitor Information Centre is the official NPWS‑managed visitor centre for Ku‑ring‑gai Chase National Park, one of Australia’s oldest and most significant national parks. It services the Upper North Shore, Berowra Valley, Hawkesbury River villages, and the northern Sydney bushland corridor.
Name: Ku‑ring‑gai Visitor Information Centre
Address: 688 Ku‑ring‑gai Chase Road, Bobbin Head NSW 2079
Phone: (02) 9472 8949
Opening Hours: Typically 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (seasonal variations; NPWS‑managed)
Rating: Commonly ~4.6 on Google (varies seasonally)
Type: National Parks & Wildlife Service visitor centre / regional information centre
Location context:
Situated at Bobbin Head, one of the most popular picnic and boating areas in Ku‑ring‑gai Chase National Park.
What Area It Caters For
The centre services a large region of northern Sydney, including national parks, waterways, and suburban bushland communities.
1. Ku‑ring‑gai Chase National Park (Primary Focus)
- Bobbin Head picnic area
- Empire Marina & boating facilities
- Mangrove Boardwalk
- Gibberagong Track
- Aboriginal heritage sites (Red Hands Cave, engravings on the Basin Track)
- Lookouts, bushwalks, and family recreation areas
2. Hornsby & Upper North Shore
- Hornsby CBD & Hornsby Park
- Lisgar Gardens
- Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail
- Access to Berowra Valley bushwalks
- Mount Colah, Mount Ku‑ring‑gai, Asquith
3. Berowra & Berowra Waters
- Berowra Waters ferry
- Restaurants, boating, kayaking
- Berowra Valley National Park walking tracks
4. Cowan, Brooklyn & Hawkesbury River Settlements
- Brooklyn village
- Dangar Island
- Hawkesbury River boating, fishing, and cruises
- Cowan to Brooklyn section of the Great North Walk
5. Pittwater & Northern Foreshore Areas
- West Head Lookout
- The Basin campground
- Pittwater waterways and beaches
6. Regional Touring Routes
The VIC provides maps and guidance for:
- Bobbin Head → West Head scenic drive
- Great North Walk (Hornsby → Brooklyn)
- Berowra Waters loop
- Hawkesbury River touring
- Cycling routes around Hornsby, Bobbin Head & Ku‑ring‑gai
Services Provided
- National park maps and walking guides
- Track condition updates and safety information
- Aboriginal heritage site information
- Boating, marina, and picnic area guidance
- Local wildlife and conservation information
- Regional touring maps (Hornsby, Berowra, Brooklyn, Pittwater)
- Souvenirs and NPWS merchandise
- Advice on camping, permits, and park access
Summary
The Ku‑ring‑gai Visitor Information Centre at Bobbin Head is the official visitor hub for Ku‑ring‑gai Chase National Park and the surrounding Upper North Shore, Berowra Valley, and Hawkesbury River regions. It provides essential maps, bushwalking advice, heritage information, and guidance for boating, picnicking, and touring one of NSW’s most iconic natural areas.