I’d possibly be more upbeat about the bushwalk along Coba Ridge to Coba Point if it wasn’t such a warm day… it’s a pretty dreary and long walk culminating in a fairly average lookout. So, if you’ve got better things to do than reading this post, that pretty much sums it up… The bushwalk starts along the signposted Neverfail Trail, which follows the ridge along the edge of Marramarra National Park. Keep an eye for an Aboriginal scarred tree, which you can’t really miss as it’s encircled with orange mesh.
After 4.4km the firetrail reaches a junction; the Neverfail Trail continues a short distance to the right, to Collingridge Point. This is a shorter trail with much better views at the. I turn onto the bushwalking trail which bears left to Coba Point.
This narrow but distinct trail continues along the ridge; there’s not much shade, and the scenery doesn’t change much other than the occasional glimpse of Berowra Creek to the east.
Just over two kilometres from the junction is the Denny trig station; you can’t see it from the track, although it’s only about 50m of easy bush-bashing through knee-high scrub to reach. There’s no view from the trig point, and being surrounded by scrub it’s not at all obvious that this is a high point.
Although November is getting a bit late in the year for wildflowers, there are a few colourful displays along the track.
Just before the track start to descend to the end of Coba Ridge, there’s some rock platforms on both sides of the track, near the edge of the ridge. To the left (west) there’s a view over what I think is Coba Bay. (The name “Coba” is thought to of Aboriginal origin, perhaps meaning “red clay or burnt earth used to decorate the body”.)
To the right (east) and a short distance above the track is a very large rock platform. This provides one of the best views on the Coba Point walk, over Berowra Creek.
From here the track to Coba Point descents fairly constantly (but never steeply) down the ridge, past the base of the rock platform – and past the rusted remains of a car which must have been dumped here when the trail was a lot wider.
As the track descends, the ridge gets narrower and there are more views over Berowra Creek on one side, and some of the oyster paddocks at the entrance to Coba Bay on the other.
Eventually the end of ridge is reached, with the track ending at a small rock platform. There’s filtered views over Berowra Creek – but it’s not particularly scenic (Collingridge Point has much nicer views). There doesn’t seem to be any way to continue down to the water and the water-access-only suburb of Coba Point. (Even though you could possibly scramble down the end of the ridge, you would end up behind the row of properties which continues all the way around the headland.)
It’s back the same way; I’m grateful for the occasional cloud that offers some momentary shade, as the entire track is in almost entirely in full sun. This is definitely a bushwalk you’d be best doing in winter, or on a cooler day. Or at least remember to bring a hat…
Getting to Coba Point
The bushwalk to Coba Point (and Collingridge Point) starts at the end of Bloodwood Road in Fiddletown. It’s about an hour’s drive north of Sydney, or 30min from Hornsby.
More information
As well as bushwalking you can mountain bike – but while the firetrail for the first 4.4km is fairly easy, once you turn onto the single track it’s fairly challenging with both sandy and rocky sections.
Find more bushwalking trails in and and around Marramarra in the Guide to Marramarra National Park.
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