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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Governor Phillip Walk are found in each of the tabs below
Governor Phillip Walk
Time: 3 hrs 45 mins Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
1.1 km N of Forestville
Length: 7 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 7 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Garigal National Park
Climb: 222 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 222 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk There is a bus stop within 2km of the start and end of this walk
Style: Return
Track: Moderate

Named in honour of NSW's first Governor, this walk follows in the footsteps of his 1788 expedition to find farm land. The walk starts at the end of Ferguson St, Forestville. Passing the NPWS office and depot, the walk then follows Carroll Creek down to the official start of the Governor Phillip Walk. For the most part, this walk follows a bush track along Middle Harbour creek, to the stepping stones crossing, before returning the same way. (open in app)


Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Governor Phillip Walk

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Governor Phillip Walk bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Governor Phillip Walk
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
End of Ferguson St
Int of Carroll Crk and Nothern Beaches Area Depot Servicetrails
Int of Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks
Int of Lyrebird and Carroll Creek tracks
Int of Davidson and Governor Phillip tracks
Int of Davidson and Governor Phillip tracks
Starting point for this hiking track: Int of Carrol Crk and Northern Beaches Area Depot Servicetrails

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Hornsby 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91304S 
 Parramatta River 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91303N 
 Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 

Photo Gallery

 
The end of Ferguson Rd
 
The end of Ferguson Rd +
 
Car park at Nothern Beaches Area office
 
Car park at Nothern Beaches Area office +
 
Area office driveway
 
Area office driveway +

 
Area office service trail
 
Area office service trail +
 
Nothern Beaches Area Depot Servicetrail
 
Nothern Beaches Area Depot Servicetrail +
 
Intersection of Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks
 
Intersection of Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks +

 
steps near top of Carroll creek
 
steps near top of Carroll creek +
 
Steps at the top of Carroll Creek
 
Steps at the top of Carroll Creek +
 
Cave near top of the Carroll Creek track
 
Cave near top of the Carroll Creek track +

 
Along Carroll Creek Track
 
Along Carroll Creek Track +
 
Carroll Creek Track
 
Carroll Creek Track +
 
Int of Lyrebird and Carroll Creek tracks
 
Int of Lyrebird and Carroll Creek tracks +

 
Looking up Carroll Creek
 
Looking up Carroll Creek +
 
Southern end of Governor Phillip Walk
 
Southern end of Governor Phillip Walk +
 
Governor Phillip Walk
 
Governor Phillip Walk +

 
Governor Phillip track on Carroll Creek
 
Governor Phillip track on Carroll Creek +
 
Following the Governor Phillip Walk
 
Following the Governor Phillip Walk +
 
Governor Phillip Walk end of Carroll Creek
 
Governor Phillip Walk end of Carroll Creek +

 
Mud Flats on Middle Harbour creek just north of Carroll crk
 
Mud Flats on Middle Harbour creek just north of Carroll crk +
 
Looking out across the creek
 
Looking out across the creek +
 
Governor Phillip track on the bank of Middle Harbour Creek
 
Governor Phillip track on the bank of Middle Harbour Creek +

 
Governor Phillip Walk along the rocky section
 
Governor Phillip Walk along the rocky section +
 
Looking out aross Middle Harbour
 
Looking out aross Middle Harbour +
 
Governor Phillip Walk
 
Governor Phillip Walk +

 
Passing an old rope swing
 
Passing an old rope swing +
 
The Governor Phillip Walk
 
The Governor Phillip Walk +
 
Pipe Bridge
 
Pipe Bridge +

 
Bottom of Davidson track
 
Bottom of Davidson track +
 
Governor Phillip track near pipe bridge
 
Governor Phillip track near pipe bridge +
 
winding through the bush on Governor Phillip walk
 
winding through the bush on Governor Phillip walk +

 
Fallen tree on Governor Phillip walk
 
Fallen tree on Governor Phillip walk +
 
Middle Harbour Creek
 
Middle Harbour Creek +
 
Governor Phillip track
 
Governor Phillip track +

 
Governor Phillip Walk
 
Governor Phillip Walk +
 
Cave on Governor Phillip walk
 
Cave on Governor Phillip walk +
 
Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks
 
Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks +

 
Looking down Middle Harbour Creek from stepping stones
 
Looking down Middle Harbour Creek from stepping stones +
 
Looking up Middle Harbour Creek from stepping stones
 
Looking up Middle Harbour Creek from stepping stones +
 
Stepping stones across Middle Harbour Creek
 
Stepping stones across Middle Harbour Creek +

Terrain


Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Governor Phillip Walk bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Governor Phillip Walk bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Governor Phillip Walk bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Governor Phillip Walk 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 7km
Time 3 hrs 45 mins
.


Grade 3/6

Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
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 Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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
Around 2.3km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 1.1km has short steep hills.

Quality of track
Around 3km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 530m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
Around 2.8km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 700m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required
Around 1.9km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 3.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 2.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes


Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
Catch the bus to End of Ferguson St
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to End of Ferguson St
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk Parking fees apply in the area.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) End of Ferguson St to Int of Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 529 m Time = 12 mins
Climb = 3 m Descent = -57 m
From the end of Ferguson Rd, Forestville, this walk heads through the Garigal National Park gate and along the driveway. Soon this walk passes the 'Northern Beaches Area Office and Depot' on the left (and a small car park on the right) and a short distance further, the driveway come to an intersection with a service trail on the right and a sign to "Casuarina and Carroll Creek ->".
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Carrol Creek Track' signs down the hill and along the service trail, winding down past a short loop service trail, before coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Casuarina and Carroll Creek' tracks.

(0.53 km) Int of Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks to Int of Lyrebird and Carroll Creek tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 743 m Time = 12 mins
Climb = 3 m Descent = -21 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the concrete stairs next to the metal railing, to the bottom, where it turns onto a bush track just before a metal bridge. (The track doesn't cross the bridge, but does have quite a pretty view of Carroll Creek.) Continuing along the bush track, this walk soon passes under a long rock overhang, and follows Carroll Creek for a while before coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Lyrebird Track' and the 'Carroll Creek Track' crossing.

(1.27 km) Int of Lyrebird and Carroll Creek tracks to Int of Davidson and Governor Phillip tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.51 km Time = 28 mins
Climb = 31 m Descent = -39 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk crosses Carroll Creek at the stepping stones and continues along the bush track, passing the "Governor Phillip Walk" sign as the track bends to the left. This walk winds through the bush alongside Carrol Creek before steadily climbing up the rocky hill to the right for a little while. The track then drops back down to the edge of Middle Harbour Creek, which it follows as the walk undulates along the rocky bush track for a while, before crossing under a large pipe bridge to the end of an asphalt service trail.

(2.79 km) Int of Davidson and Governor Phillip tracks to John Oxley Drive (Sth of Prahran Ave)
Alternate Exit: Track: Hard - servicetrail ( Show detail)
Length = 995 m Time = 27 mins
Climb = 121 m Descent = -11 m
Continue straight: 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). (End of the alternative exit track)

(2.79 km) Int of Davidson and Governor Phillip tracks to Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 695 m Time = 16 mins
Climb = 38 m Descent = -30 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bungaroo Track (450m)' sign, keeping Middle Harbour Creek to the left. The bush track makes its way upstream following the main creek, but crossing a few small gullies along the way. The track then comes an intersection with a signpost 'Bungaroo Track' and stepping stones across the creek, clearly visable on the left.

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

Catch the bus from End of Ferguson St
Public transport (bus) available from this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from End of Ferguson St
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

From
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney
From the end of the walk

To
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by



Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Kangaroo Tent City & BBQs 165-167 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood (02) 9884 9199 4.3 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor 77 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9412 4777 4.9 km
Mountain Equipment 72 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9419 6955 5 km
Mountain Designs Shop 16/ 9 Spring St , Chatswood (02) 9415 4566 5.1 km
Kellys Camping & Outdoors 826 Pittwater Rd , Dee Why (02) 9972 0061 6.8 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Governor Phillip Walk.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Governor Phillip Walk
Click to re-center search
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
11 km (to the WNW)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 17 km (to the NNW)
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 26 km (to the SSW)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 28 km (to the W)
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 36 km (to the NNE)

Weather and Park info

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 9 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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
Wed      29°Showers. Likely storm developing.
Thu19°|25°Possible shower.
Fri18°|30°Partly cloudy.
Sat16°|24°Possible late shower.
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Garigal National Park Link 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 fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

Walker Feedback

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