Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park New South Wales |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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Cowan Creek, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
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Nearest town or city | Sydney |
Coordinates | 33°39′3.6″S 151°12′3.6″E / 33.651000°S 151.201000°ECoordinates: 33°39′3.6″S 151°12′3.6″E / 33.651000°S 151.201000°E |
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 |
The Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a protected national park that is located in New South Wales, Australia. The 14,977-hectare (37,010-acre) national park is situated 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of Sydney located largely within the Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Warringah and Pittwater local government areas. The villages of Cottage Point, Appletree Bay, and Bobbin Head are located within park boundaries. An isolated portion of the park; Barrenjoey Headland, is located to the north of Palm Beach east of the primary park body and is home to Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
Ku-ring-gai Chase is also officially classed as a suburb by the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales.
Ku-ring-gai is generally regarded as a popular tourist destination, known for its scenic setting on the edge of a southern branch of the Hawkesbury River as well as rock engravings and other art of Aboriginal origin. Picnic, boating, and fishing facilities can be found throughout the park. There are many great walking tracks in Ku-ring-gai, especially through the Duffys Forest and Terrey Hills area.
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park was added to the Australian National Heritage List in December 2006.
The first inhabitants of the area were the indigenous Garigal people. The rugged landscape provided abundant food and adequate shelter for the aboriginals. More than 800 Aboriginal sites have been found in the park. These include rock engravings, cave drawings, paintings and stencils, axe grinding grooves and middens.