West Head, Pittwater, via Great Mackerel and Resolute Beaches

We walk a fire trail and then descend on a steep bush track to the little hamlet of Mackerel Beach and along the beach to its northern end. The shallow stream here has to be crossed and should be almost empty if we have picked the tide correctly. A narrow bush track is then followed high above the water past Resolute Beach and ending at West Head Lookout. The views here are extensive; taking in Barrenjoey Lighthouse and Pittwater to the east, with Lion Island and the entrance to the Hawkesbury River to the north. the Ettalong RSL Club is prominent in the distance with its white multistory terraces. Our next objective will be an exploration of the WWII Bunkers and the Search Light site way below the lookout. These features are accessed by a well made compressed fine gravel path with stone steps, and finally from two almost vertical steel ladders. There are interpretative signs at the beginning and at the site. We then retrace our steps to the lookout; this probably being the most strenuous exercise for the day. A bush track is then followed to Resolute Picnic Ground and then out on the Koolewong Track to its lookout with views upstream of the Hawkesbury River. In the distance can be seen the little hamlet of Patonga. There are red hand aboriginal stencils to be seen under an overhang near the picnic ground before we make our way back to Great Mackerel Beach. Near the end of the fire trail, and our cars, there are aboriginal engravings to inspect before completing the walk.