A relatively unknown track at West Head, Jims Track was established about 30 years ago and remains a well-kept secret. A good bushwalking trail provides access to a lookout over Cowan Creek, and secondary (very rough) trails enable a loop via either Little Pittwater Bay or Hungry Beach using established tracks.
The track is fairly easy to follow, with a few vantage points along the way over Cowan Creek in the distance.
Near the end of the track, a very steep and rough path provides access to Little Pittwater Bay, descending initially through low ferns and grass trees.
At the bottom is a section of rainforest, with a small stream cascading over a rock platform to the beach a bit further down.
A final bit of scrambling across the rocky creek gets me to the very small and secluded Little Pittwater Beach.
It’s covered in driftwood and debris, but is a nice spot.
I don’t spend long here before returning the same way back up the steep track, as it’s now getting late in the day.
The track continues further west towards the coast, past some rock formations and a huge cave.
Another rock cairn near the end of Jims Track marks a track down to Hungry Beach – although unlike the Little Pittwater Beach track, there’s really no track here. It’s more of a scramble and a slide down the steep slope.
I’m surprised to find one group of people on Hungry Beach; they’ve reached the beach by following the coastline from Flint and Steel Bay. They’re equally surprised to see me emerging from the bush.
I don’t stay here long as I need to get back before it gets dark; once back on Jims Track it’s not far to the end of the track, which overlooks the end of Cowan Creek and the Hawkesbury River.
I’m back at the end of Jims Track just in time to catch the sun setting over the Hawkesbury River and Brisbane Water National Park.
It’s a nice little track, and a good workout when you add the descent to both Little Pittwater Beach and Hungry Beach!
More information on Jims Track
Jims Track is an old bushwalking pad that was restored by a local bushwalking group to allow one of their members (Jim) to “get away from it” and enjoy the solitude of the bush after an operation meant he wasn’t able to continue walking off-track. You can also form a longer and more challenging loop by:
- Descending to Little Pittwater Bay, and ascending the valley on the other side to return via the Challenger Track (walking along West Head Road to complete the circuit). The track up from Little Pittwater Bay to the Challenger Track is indistinct, so some route-finding skills are required.
- Descending a very steep and rough route to Hungry Beach, then continuing along the coastline to return via the Flint and Steel Track – this more challenging loop should be done at low tide, and requires a longer walk along West Head Road (or a car shuffle) to complete the loop.
14 Comments
CK · August 1, 2020 at 8:56 am
Love this, but do you remember by any chance how to find the entrance to Jim’s track? We couldn’t find it anywhere on a map or signs while walking around. Ended up doing the coastal route to Hungry via Flint and Steel Bay, but if you happen to know how to find the track entrance I’d love to know.
Thanks heaps!
oliverd :-) · August 1, 2020 at 8:59 am
I’ll send you an email – there are a few tracks and locations where I’m not publishing details!
Des · September 19, 2021 at 4:04 pm
Beautiful track! Thanks for the tip. Walking back from Jim’s track on west head rd to our car at flint and steel car park I noticed another track entrance on the left about half way along. Have you explored?
oliverd :-) · September 19, 2021 at 6:50 pm
It is a great little walk! There are a couple of informal tracks where you describe – I’ll send you an email.
Desiree Darroch · June 10, 2024 at 12:54 pm
Hi Oliver!
I did Jim’s track a few years ago after your great recommendation. Today I went back into kuringai to try and find the entrance again but couldn’t. Maybe it’s more overgrown now? Anyway would you mind please emailing me the details of how to find it. Thank you! Des
Tim Marshall · August 22, 2020 at 8:13 am
What’s the history? Just found it today and was blown away!
oliverd :-) · August 22, 2020 at 1:19 pm
As you would have seen from some of the signs along the track, it goes back to the 1930s… but I couldn’t find any history. It is one of the best tracks in West Head!
Tim Marshall · August 22, 2020 at 7:40 pm
Thank you for the reply, magnificent piece of bush at the moment bursting with flower.
Barbara Buettner · September 25, 2020 at 12:24 am
Hi Oliver, v interesting write up! Would be keen to try the first part myself- where would I find the start of the track? Thank you!
Simon · October 9, 2020 at 10:33 pm
Hi Oliver, I have explored most of the tracks in west head, and I have heard many people talking about Jim’s track. But I haven’t find the entry point yet. It would be much appreciated if you could share the entry point. Cheers
simonwjw · October 9, 2020 at 10:36 pm
Hi Oliver, I have explored most of the tracks in west head, and have heard people talking about the old Jim’s track. But I haven’t found the entry point yet. It would be much appreciated if you could kindly share the entry. Cheers!
Simon Beck · November 6, 2025 at 10:05 am
Hi Oliver, Yesterday I completed the Flint & Steel Track walk at West Head once again following your excellent advice. I attempted to find the start of Jim’s Track afterwards using some other sources online that suggested where it started, but perhaps it is now completely overgrown as I couldn’t see anything even remotely resembling a trailhead in the impenetrable bush. Maybe you could provide a hint via email as to where the trail starts (or used to). Thanks
Tim Marshall · November 6, 2025 at 10:52 am
I found Jim’s track when exploring Hungry Beach, there’s a link from this article giving details.
Hungry Beach, West Head | Hiking the World · October 27, 2021 at 10:13 pm
[…] an alternate track to the beach. [UPDATE: There is a track up from Hungry Beach, which joins “Jims Track” near the top of the […]