Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a national park on the northern side of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The 14,977-hectare (37,010-acre) park is 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of the Sydney central business district and generally comprises the land east of the M1 Pacific Motorway, south of the Hawkesbury River, west of Pittwater and north of Mona Vale Road. It includes Barrenjoey Headland on the eastern side of Pittwater.
| Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park New South Wales | |
|---|---|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
The steep wooded ria that forms Towlers Bay, is typical of the Ku-ring-gai Chase terrain. | |
| Nearest town or city | Sydney |
| Population | 10 (SAL 2021) |
| Established | December 1894 |
| Area | 149.77 km2 (57.8 sq mi) |
| Visitation | 2 million (in 2001) |
| Managing authorities | NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service |
| Website | Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park |
| See also | Protected areas of New South Wales |
Ku-ring-gai Chase is a popular tourist destination, known for its scenic setting on the Hawkesbury River and Pittwater, significant plant and animal communities, Aboriginal sites and European historic places. Picnic, boating, and fishing facilities can be found throughout the park. There are many walking tracks in Ku-ring-gai Chase. The villages of Cottage Point, Appletree Bay, Elvina Bay, Lovett Bay, Coasters Retreat, Great Mackerel Beach and Bobbin Head are located within the park boundaries.
The park was declared in 1894, and is the third oldest national park in Australia. The park is managed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service and was added to the Australian National Heritage List in December 2006.
The park gets its name from the Guringai Aboriginal people who were long thought to be the traditional owners of the area. However, more contemporary research suggests that this was not the case.