Sunset from the end of the Willunga Trig Track

The Willunga Trig Track is one of the shortest bushwalks at West Head – but has a great view at the end. Although there is a bit of a trick to get the best views from this walk…

The signposted bushwalking track starts at a locked gate on West Head Road, opposite the Towlers Bay Trail. It climbs almost immediately through dry heathland of banksia and grevillea, with some views to the east over West Head. (This is one of the few walks at West Head that goes up to a “peak”, rather than descending from the ridge).

After an initial, short ascent the track levels out a little as it crosses a section of very low heathland.

Towards the end of the Willunga Trig Track, it ascends agains and enters taller scribbly gum and red bloodwood forest. The end of the trail is the Willunga Trig, the highest point in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park at an eyewatering 233m above sea level. The trig station (a metal pole) is not so impressive, but the view from here is pretty good. In the distance you can see Pittwater and the Pacific Ocean.

There are some nice flowers around the Willunga summit, including boronias and grevillea.

For the best views, you need to continue about a hundred metres to the west, beyond the trig point and the end of the Willunga Trig Track. It’s off-track and there’s a bit of a scramble down a few rocks, but it’s not too difficult. The destination is a rock platform at the western end of the ridge.

There’s a steep drop beyond the rock platform and sweeping views above the tree canopy.

Almost directly east is Pittwater, Clareville and and Barrenjoey Peninsula.

To the south is the Chatswood skyline and the Baháʼí House of Worship (Bahai temple) in Ingleside.

To the west is Cowan Creek and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park; the smoke is from hazard reduction burning around Berowra.

Once the sun has set, I head back down the Willunga Trig Track while there is still some daylight.

More information on the Willunga Trig Track

The track to the trig point is a formal bushwalking track. The last hundred metres to the end of the ridge is off-track with some easy rock scrambling.

• Willunga Trig Station
• National Parks (NPWS) – Willunga Trig Walking Track

Guide to West Head