As a reminder in 2018 FOKE initiated a project to add extra protections to, and increase awareness of, Ku ring-gai’s natural heritage focusing originally on Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This has since developed into a much broader area as FOKE has advanced the proposal of the Ku-ring-gai GeoRegion (KGR), with Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park as its centre, by extending along Berowra Valley, from the Hawkesbury River to northern Lane Cove National Park and east to the coast from Barrenjoey to Dee Why. This large area, of approximately 44,000 ha, across northern Sydney showcases exceptional characteristics, with over 50 nationally and internationally significant geological environments of the Triassic sandstone landscapes of the Sydney Basin, volcanic diatremes, and unique and rare flora and fauna, as well as a density of Aboriginal sites that reflects the length of habitation in this area, with over 1,400 sites currently recorded.

2025 has been a very productive year in progressing this FOKE project. With the GeoRegion Steering Committee working with the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), and Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai and Northern Beaches councils we now have a range of additional interpretative signs and improved geotrails highlighting our world class geology, significant flora and fauna and cultural heritage to be introduced in 2026.

We are grateful to the Bendigo Bank who has given us another grant this year to support the production of a GeoRegion brochure for libraries and schools. The 2024 grant allowed the development of our dedicated GeoRegion website, which, we are pleased to say, has been receiving many accolades. Check out the website for some interesting walks to explore the geology and history of northern Sydney. www.kuringgaigeoregion.au

As part of the support provided to the GeoRegion, to enhance its interpretation, the NPWS, in collaboration with the NSW Geological Survey, has now agreed to upgrade the West Head geotrail to be included in the Survey’s suite of Geotours which already includes completed geotrails of other national parks in NSW. Adding to this collaboration, the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife (FNPW) has committed substantial funding to create this new geotrail. Both FOKE and Geotourism Australia are very appreciative of the generosity of the FNPW in enabling the creation of this exciting new geotrail. This will be the first GeoRegion trail App, with an anticipated release date of late-2026.

Significantly, we have received funding from the NSW Government jointly with Ku-ring-gai Council as part of the Community Building Partnership 2025. This will enable us to develop and install two large interpretative signs in the Wildflower Gardens for visitors and educational purposes. It is planned to have these erected by September 2026.

SMEDG (Sydney Minerals Exploration Discussion Group) has agreed to financially support the creation of a virtual geotrail for the Ku-ring-gai GeoRegion on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. This important Triassic coast programme will focus on four coastal trails from North Head to Barrenjoey, with video footage and narrations to be added to specific stops. The project aims to broaden public access to one of Australia’s most significant geological, ecological, and cultural landscapes.

Additionally, the NSW Committee of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) has funded the development of an interpretative display at the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Kalkari Visitor Centre highlighting the important evolution of the area over the millennia.

We wish to express our thanks to the members of the Steering Committee for their outstanding commitment to the project and for their achievements to date. The range of activities now coming to fruition is a testament to the tireless support of the group.

Read FOKE’s full Report 2025-2026:

August 2026