Tucked within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on the shores of Pittwater, The Basin is a sheltered beach and lagoon campground accessible only by foot, ferry, or private boat. Its calm, protected waters are ideal for snorkelers, offering visibility among seagrass beds and rocky edges where cuttlefish, juvenile tropical fish, and schools of medium-sized pelagics congregate. The clear lagoon is separated from the main Pittwater channel, providing a safe, wave-free environment for beginners and families. Surrounded by bushland alive with lace monitors and swamp wallabies, The Basin pairs excellent swimming with a true wilderness escape just 45 minutes north of Sydney.
The Basin (Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park)
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 6.5 sWind Speed 4.5 knPrecipitation 7.5 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Low risk: Boat traffic near wharf
Ferries and private boats dock at the campground wharf; swimmers should avoid the immediate wharf area.
Low risk: Lace monitors (goannas)
Lace monitors roam the campground area and may approach food; they are wild animals and should not be fed.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
3 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
No car access to the campground. Walk: park at West Head Road carpark and hike 2.8km (steep, ~1 hr) down The Basin track. Ferry: catch the Palm Beach Ferry from Palm Beach Wharf (seasonal service). Water taxi or private boat: dock at the campground wharf. By road, West Head Road is reached via Mona Vale Rd and McCarrs Creek Rd.
Parking & facilities
West Head Road carpark (free, but park entry fees apply: $12 per vehicle per day).
toiletsshowerspicnic_tablesdrinking_water
Park entry fee $12/vehicle/day (pay via Park'nPay app). Landing fee $3/adult, $2/child for day visitors (pay at wharf). Camping fees separate if staying overnight.
Spot Map
Community
Gallery ┬╖ 3 photos
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports