This walk partially circumnavigates the suburb of Davidson. Starting on Stone Pde, the walk follows the cascades track down to Middle Harbour Creek and follows the creek downstream to the pipeline. The walk finishes with an uphill slog, following the pipeline, to John Oxley Drive.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Davidson Exploration bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Davidson Exploration bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
6km
Time
2 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
3.5km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.3km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (1000m) is very steep.
Quality of track
Around 3.3km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 2.5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 4.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 950m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 4.8km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1000m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 4.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 950m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Stone Pde
to
Int of Cascades and Frenchs Creek service trails Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 946 m
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -77 m
From the intersection, the walk passes through the metal gate marked with the Cascades Track sign, and follows the (initially) asphalted service trail. The service trail winds down into the valley, steeply at times, until it comes to the signposted intersection with the French's Creek Track.
(0.95 km)
Int of Cascades and French's Creek service trails
to
Tributary Cascades Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 30 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'French's Creek Track' sign[1] down the gentle rocky hill, crossing the creek just upstream of some cascades. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
(0.95 km)
Int of Cascades and Frenchs Creek service trails
to
The Cascades Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 565 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -22 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail, leaving the French's Creek track to the right. The walk descends before following a creek for a short distance to the cascades.
The Cascades
Alt = 27 m
The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.
(1.51 km)
The Cascades
to
Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.6 km
Time = 51 mins
Climb = 72 m
Descent = -89 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up and across the rock platform, keeping the creek to the right. The walk passes a rock overhang and bends around to the left, climbing up onto a track which stays low alongside the creek. The track crosses over rock platforms and under overhangs as it continues south along the creek. After quite some time, the vegetation starts to get thicker and greener, and the walk comes to a signposted intersection with the 'Bungaroo Track'[2].
Bungaroo
Alt = 9 m
Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where "the flowing of the tide ceased". Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as "the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of". Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo. More info
(4.11 km)
Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks
to
Int of Davidson and Governor Phillip tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 695 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 30 m
Descent = -38 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the track follows the 'Governor Phillip Walk' sign, keeping Middle Harbour Creek to the right of the track. The track mostly follows the bank of the creek, bending to avoid a few obstacles along the way. Before long, the track comes to an intersection at the bottom of the concrete Davidson Track management trail. This intersection is well-signposted and is a few meters before the large pipe bridge.
Pipeline
Alt = 2 m
This pipeline is unearthed at Hunter Street, St Ives, and travels through Garigal National Park, across Middle Harbour Creek to John Oxley Drive, Sorlie. The pipe carries water under pressure From Ryde to Pymble to the reservoir at Beacon Hill. The old smaller-capacity pipe can still be seen running parallel to the larger pipe. [3]
(4.8 km)
Int of Davidson and Governor Phillip tracks
to
John Oxley Drive (Sth of Prahran Ave) Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 995 m
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 121 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete management trail up the hill as it bends to the right. The track soon passes a sign 'Davidson Track' pointing up the hill, as the track winds its way up. Then, about halfway up this hill, the track flattens out to cross a creek and to leave the National Park. The track continues steeply up the hill, with the pipe on the right of the track. There is a lookout point partway up, and, at the top of the hill, there is a brick pump house. From here, the trail become dirt and follows the pipe to John Oxley Drive (just a little way south of Prahran Ave).
Catch the bus from John Oxley Drive (Sth of Prahran Ave)
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Garigal National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Largely following Middle Harbour Creek and stretching from Seaforth in the south to St Ives in the north Garigal National Park is hidden through Sydney's Northern suburbs. Despite how close it is to large urban centres Garigal is quite beautiful with lots of different walking and cycling tracks. For those just wishing to picnic Davidson Reserve is a great spot just next to Middle Harbour Creek, under the Roseville Bridge. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)