Exploring the Myall Trail (Mt Ku-ring-gai)

I’m not sure where the Myall Trail gets its name from: it’s a term used for an Australian acacia tree, as well as a pejorative word for “an Aboriginal person living in a traditional way”. The origin of the word is said to be from the Dharug word myal or miyal, meaning a “person from another tribe”. I’d discovered the Myall Trail a few years ago when I had a bit of time to explore the area while my son was playing cricket at a nearby oval – but didn’t get very far along the trail. This time I’m accompanied by local bushwalker Matt Niven, who’s sharing some of the secrets of the Myall Trail.

Starting near the Ku-ring-Chase National Park entry station on Ku-ring-Chase Road, a narrow bushwalking heads north through the bush to meet the Deadmans Trail,

The Deadmans Trail follows some powerlines before meeting the Myall Trail, which skirts around a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) depot.

The Myall Trail, once you get past the NPWS depot and assorted piles of timber and sandstone, is a pleasant walk along the wide firetrail. Thick scrub on both sides of the trail is gradually replaced by tall eucalypt forest as we continue along the ridge.

Hidden in often thick scrub off the trail are a number of Aboriginal engraving sites, with the many animal motifs suggesting that this area was a rich hunting ground.

The firetrail stops at the end of the ridge, with sweeping views over the valley toward Appletree Bay and Bobbin Head – marred only by high voltage power lines directly in front of us.

We return the same way; you could also continue along Depot Road, a sealed road from the NPWS depot to Ku-ring-gai Chase Road. (Just off the Myall Trail is the site of the Barbara Trig – one of many trig stations around NSW – but there is no signs left of it.)

More information

For more bushwalks (as well as swimming spots and other activities) visit the Guide to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.