This walk explores the upper reaches of Middle Harbour Creek, starting and ending at the great parklands at Davidson Park, in Garigal National Park. There are plenty of nice spots along the way to rest and enjoy the views. There are several sandstone overhangs, plenty of water views and most of the walk enjoys shade from the surrounding bushland. This walk is graded so high because of a tricky creek crossing (Rocky Creek) and the faint section of track afterwards.
(open in app)
This walk passes through a remote area and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.
Cross sectional view of the Middle Harbour Creek Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Middle Harbour Creek Loop 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
15km
Time
5 hrs 45 mins
.
Grade 5/6
Route: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Rough unclear track (5/6)
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
7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 4.5km has short steep hills. The remaining (3.7km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
11km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 1.2km follows a rough unclear track and the remaining 530m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 6km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 9km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 6km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 15km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 6km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Online bushwalking Magazine. Download the full magazine for free Bushwalk Australia eMag The Online Magazine is produces by the community at bushwalk.com and the Wildwalks team Bushwalk.com Australia's most active bushwalking forum - Check it out. Happy Reading. Matt :)
Catch the bus to Int of the Lyrebird Track and end of Davidson Park driveway
Davidson Picnic Area is in Garigal National Park, under Roseville Bridge (access via Warringah Road, south bound lanes, or via many walking tracks in the area). The picnic area has a boat ramp, wheelchair-accessible toilets, large open grassy areas, picnic tables, free electric BBQ's, and a large rotunda. There are plenty of shady spots provided by the trees. The northern section of the picnic area has a small beach swimming area, and the southern section boasts a boat ramp. The park is open 6am to 8pm (6:30pm outside daylight savings time). Ticket machines are provided to pay the car access fee.
(0 km)
Int of the Lyrebird Track and end of Davidson Park driveway
to
Int of Lyrebird and Carroll Creek tracks Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 2.66 km
Time = 48 mins
Climb = 54 m
Descent = -46 m
From the gate at the north-western corner of Davidson Park, this walk follows the 'Lyrebird Track' sign through the metal gate and along the service trail, heading through the bush and following Middle Harbour Creek for a while before the track narrows to a bush track at a long grassy clearing. Continue straight: From the clearing at the end of the management trail, this walk continues along the bush track, keeping Middle Harbour Creek on the left as it meanders along the water's edge for a while. The track climbs up the side of the hill, then flattens out and continues through the bush, steadily winding down to the edge of Carroll Creek, which it follows for a while before the track comes down to the signposted intersection of the 'Carroll Creek Track' at the stepping stones.
(2.66 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
Veer left: 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.
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. [1]
(4.17 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
(4.86 km)
Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks
to
Int of Pipeline and Middle Harbour Creek tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 661 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -23 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Bungaroo Track' sign down the hill and across the creek at the large steppingstones (not safe to cross if steppingstones covered in water). This walk continues along the bush track on the other side, as it bends around to the left and continues through the thick bush and around some boulders, keeping Middle Harbour Creek a short distance through the bush to the left, until it comes to the intersection with a bush track heading up some wooden steps on the right. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, with the ground sloping up to the right, through the bush to a grassy clearing at the waters edge. From here, it continues along the track, winding back through the thick bush, keeping the creek on the left as it winds along to the intersection of the Pipeline Track, at the end of the pipe bridge.
(5.53 km)
Int of Pipeline and Middle Harbour Creek tracks
to
Koola and Gordon Creek tracks Intersection Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.15 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 60 m
Descent = -45 m
Continue straight: From the end of the management trail, this walk heads down towards the creek and turns right, continuing under the large pipeline bridge. The track heads up and around the end of the smaller pipeline, coming to a less distinct track. The walk follows a very faint track, winding around for a little while until coming down to the edge of Rocky Creek, where there is a wire spanning the water. This walk crosses Rocky Creek and continues up through the bush, climbing steeply for a short distance before flattening out. Soon, the junction of Rocky Creek with Middle Harbour Creek comes into view, and the track bends to the right to follow Middle Harbour Creek. The rocky track undulates along the side of the hill for a long while, until coming to the intersection with a bush track (up the steep rocky hill on the right).
(6.68 km)
Koola and Gordon Creek tracks Intersection
to
Gordon Creek Pipe Bridge (bottom of Barrie Street Track) Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.35 km
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 62 m
Descent = -61 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the rocky bush track, keeping Middle Harbour Creek on the left. The track undulates along the side of the hill for a while, then drops down to the wide creek. The walk passes through a mangrove clearing and crosses a smaller creek, continuing along the other side. The track then climbs steeply up a rock outcrop and continues along the side of the hill for a while, before heading over the hill and along the narrow bush track, with ground sloping up to the right and running parallel with Gordon Creek (on the left). The track heads through the dense forest, then climbs a set of wooden steps, coming to the end of a management trail at a pipe bridge.
(8.03 km)
Gordon Creek Pipe Bridge (bottom of Barrie Street Track)
to
Int of Gordon Creek Crossing and Barrie Street tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 278 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -8 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, with the pipe bridge and valley on the left. The track heads through the bush for a short while before climbing steadily up the hill, then flattening out again for a while, coming to the signposted intersection with the 'Gordon Creek Track'.
(8.31 km)
Int of Gordon Creek Crossing and Barrie Street tracks
to
Int of Gordon Creek Crossing track and servicetrail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 253 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -18 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Two Creeks Track' arrow down the wooden steps. The walk continues along the bush track as it winds down the hill, dropping down behind a rock platform and continuing down the steps. At the bottom, the track crosses Gordon Creek at the large stepping stones and continues up the short set of steps to a bush track, which it follows for a short distance before climbing a long set of wooden steps to the signposted intersection with the 'Two Creeks Track'.
(8.56 km)
Int of Gordon Creek Crossing track and servicetrail
to
Gordon Creek Pipebridge Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 169 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -13 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail (with the ground sloping up to the right), heading through the bush to the large water pipeline that crosses Gordon Creek a short while later.
(8.73 km)
Gordon Creek Pipebridge
to
End of Gordon Creek service trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 109 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the pipe bridge, this walk follows the service trail (with the ground sloping up to the right) as it heads through the bush for a short while before it comes to a clearing at the end of the trail, at some rock steps.
(8.84 km)
End of Gordon Creek service trail
to
Western end of Two Creeks detour Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 101 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer left: From the end of the service trail, this walk follows the bush track, climbing up the rock steps to the top where it flattens out a little. The track continues up the long gentle hill for a little while, with the valley down to the left, until coming to the intersection with the defined bush track on the right.
(8.94 km)
Western end of Two Creeks detour
to
Eastern end of Two Creeks detour Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 218 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, climbing up the steep rock steps until the track flattens out and turns left. The walk continues along the side of the hill for a short while, before dropping down some steps cut into a rock outcrop. The track then continues through the bush for a while before coming down to the intersection of the Two Creeks bush track.
(9.16 km)
Eastern end of Two Creeks detour
to
Int of Two Creeks and Wellington Road tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.15 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 40 m
Descent = -78 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track (with the ground sloping up to the right) as it heads through the trees and along the side of the hill. The track passes a 'Garigal National Park' sign while bending around to follow the Middle Harbour Creek. The walk continues through the bush for a while until it crosses a long wooden walkway to the intersection of the 'to Wellington Road' bush track, at the wooden steps on the right.
(10.3 km)
Int of Two Creeks and Wellington Road tracks
to
Int of Two Creeks and Carlyle Road tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 878 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 32 m
Descent = -28 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track (keeping Middle Harbour Creek on the left) as it heads through the ferns and around some mangroves (down to the left). After a little while,the track bends to the right and following Moores Creek, heading along the side of the hill and under a shallow rock overhang and passing an old stone chair. The walk crosses a short wooden bridge and follows the wide bush track as it continues along the side of the hill, until it comes to the signposted intersection with the 'Carlyle Road' bush track at the next wooden bridge, near another stone chair.
(11.18 km)
Int of Two Creeks and Carlyle Road tracks
to
Int of Two Creeks and Ormonde Road tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 876 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 46 m
Descent = -46 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads across the wooden bridge and follows the track through the bush and along the side of the hill. After a while, the track bends around to the right and follows the wide Middle Harbour Creek, with Davidson Park across on the other side. The track continues along the side of the hill above Middle Harbour Creek for a while, before coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Ormonde Road 200m' track, uphill on the right.
(12.06 km)
Int of Two Creeks and Ormonde Road tracks
to
End of Ormonde Road Track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 146 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 34 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Ormonde Road 200m' arrow up the steep rocky hill. The walk flattens out and continues to the end of Ormonde Rd.
(12.2 km)
End of Ormonde Road Track
to
Int of Davidson Park driveway and Warringah Road on-ramp Track: Moderate - road
Length = 1.75 km
Time = 39 mins
Climb = 69 m
Descent = -107 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows Ormonde Rd up the hill (passing Chase Ave, Cardigan Rd and The Kingsway), passing the off-ramp from Warringah Rd, then turning right at the Warringah Rd on-ramp (just before the bridge over Warringah Rd). The walk follows the grassy strip at the left hand edge of the on-ramp, as it loops around under the bridge. The walk continues down the hill following the very narrow verge on the left-hand side of Warringah Rd until reaching an intersection with a concrete footpath (which goes down the hill to the left, closed at the time of writing), just before the Roseville Bridge. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath on the left-hand side of Warringah Rd and crosses the long Roseville Bridge. The walk continues up the hill before turning sharply to the left and following the off-ramp road down the hill. After crossing under the Roseville Bridge the walk arrives at the intersection with the Davidson Park driveway.
(13.96 km)
Int of Davidson Park Driveway and Warringah Road on-ramp
to
Int of the Lyrebird Track and end of Davidson Park Driveway Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 1.14 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -17 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Davidson Park driveway, crossing under Roseville Bridge with Middle Harbour Creek on the left. The walk passes a small car park and bends to the right, winding around the large picnic areas (on the left), passing a building with some toilets (also on the left), and continuing along for a little while before coming to the signposted intersection of the Rotary Rotunda footpath. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the road, keeping the park and Middle Harbour on the left. After a little while, this walk comes to the signposted intersection at the bottom of the 'Casuarina Stairway', uphill on the right. Continue straight: From the intersection at the bottom of the 'Casuarina Stairway', this walk follows the driveway, keeping the park and Middle Harbour Creek on the left. The walk heads along for little while before coming to the end of the driveway, at the signposted start of the 'Lyre Bird Track 4km'.
Catch the bus from Int of the Lyrebird Track and end of Davidson Park Driveway
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 8 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.
Old She Oak Reserve Old She Oak Reserve is a bushland reserve owned and managed by Ku-ring-gai council and is bound by Garigal National park, Koola Ave, Saiala Rd, and Redfield Rd. The park protect part of the Middle Harbour catchment is is home a few small tracks. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Moores Creek Reserve Moores Creek Reserve is a large bushland reserve owned and managed by Ku-ring-gai council. The reserve is bound by Middle Harbour, Garigal National Park, Moore Creek, Chase Ave and Carlye Rd. The area has a number of well managed walking tracks. The reserve is home to several small but nice water falls and several sandstone caves. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Warning. Check tide tables before undertaking this walk. We unknowingly set out on a king tide day with a tide >2m. Substantial pieces of the track were under water and the “cleared dried mangrove area” was anything but dry! The large boulders which form the Rocky Creek crossing were submerged, forcing us to cross at a point ~100m up stream and “bush bash” our way back to the crossing where we picked up the track again. The Middle Harbour Creek crossing was also under water 3 hours past high tide, but fortunately the water level dropped quickly after that.
Diversions off-track caused by the high water turned a 6 ½ hour walk into an 8 hour adventure. However provided that high tide is < 1.5m the walk should be OK.
Tip 2. After passing under the Roseville Bridge follow the lower of the two roads curving back on your left up onto the bridge. You need to pass under the bridge again to get to its north side, where the only walkway across the bridge is located.
Tip 3. Once across the bridge take the first exit (a narrow, sealed vehicle track on your right). This curves down and under the bridge, from where you can scramble down an embankment to join the track again. This avoids about 1 km of boring walk on the Babbage Rd loop. You are not doing Wildwalks to do road walking, right?
Tip 4 We noted that a new piece of track has been created ~ 300m upstream of the Gordon Creek water pipe. The old bridge at the water pipe which has been closed for a long time has now been demolished, but the new track makes it again possible to cross Gordon Creek. This walk can now be done as a true circuit, rather than as a walk with separate start and end points as written up for this Wild Walk. At the time of writing the new piece of track is open on weekends only as the finishing touches are still being made.
Thanks Matt for a great resource!!
admin
Super Administrator | 2008-12-18 12:27:25
Thanks Rob
Some great and detailed suggestions.
Wow what and adventure with the hightide. We have weather info on the site I guess the next natural step is to put warnings and tide predictions where needed. Glad you managed to make your way through.
I am planning on review some of these notes over the next few weeks. I will head down and grab some photos of this new bridge. (when we wrote this they had just started clearing the space for the new track, glad to here that it is almost finsihed)
I was not aware of the side trip upto the bridge, that save a great big detour and make much more sense. Again I will get in there and update these soon.
Thanks for the feedback- greatly appreciated
Matt :)
admin - re: Changes
Super Administrator | 2009-03-18 15:01:05
Rob wrote:
We noted that a new piece of track has been created ~ 300m upstream of the Gordon Creek water pipe. The old bridge at the water pipe which has been closed for a long time has now been demolished, but the new track makes it again possible to cross Gordon Creek. This walk can now be done as a true circuit, rather than as a walk with separate start and end points as written up for this Wild Walk. At the time of writing the new piece of track is open on weekends only as the finishing touches are still being made.
Thanks Rob
The Gordon Creek track in now open. We have changed this walk to form a more helpful loop, starting from Davidson park, and using this new track. There is now working going on under Roseville bridge, so instead of the big old loop around Babbage rd, we have pulled out just before the bridge to cross the river. Hope you like the changes
Matt :)
Rob v.
IP:203.221.216.xxx | 2009-04-20 12:15:25
Thanks for the great site - brings together a whole host of info in the one place!
Did this walk on 19 April 2009.
Tips -
1. The track deteriorates after turning onto the Bungaroo track, but gets better once on the end stretches. Sign posting is dreadful (where it exists) and numerous unmarked trails branch off.
2. Gordon Creek - I turned down an unmarked trail to the left, going down to the river where the pipeline crosses. I then had to rock hop across the creek, and bush bash up the side until I re-met the track - I think had I continued on the Rt hand track up the hill it would have brought me to a more civilised crossing point!
3. There have been recent bushfires in western sections - the track is very hard to discern. At points I slogged along the mud at the edge of the creek until I could see where the track re-appeared. Luckily it was low tide.
4. Around the Ormond Rd Track - there is a rock overhang - it must have dropped rocks on the trail at some point - because National Parks have now built 2 dirty great fences across the track! No way was I going back - so it was over the top!
5. Creek crossing can be very slippery! I have a bruised ass to prove it! It was raining when I did it – but rocks could still be wet from creek.
6. Caught couple of leeches and ticks on the way!
7. You can save $7 parking fee by parking your car in Ormonde Rd and starting the walk from there instead of at Davidson park. Also good if you think you might finish after the park gates shut!
Finished in 3.5hrs – despite getting ‘misplaced’ a couple of times – but I’m training for Oxfam Trailwalk so was legging it.
A great walk!
Me - Great walk
IP:211.30.206.xxx | 2009-11-03 03:04:27
Great walk - good map
Alex - DNF - did not finish
IP:115.70.44.xxx | 2011-04-06 12:02:21
When we reached the point where the pipeline meets the maintenance track on gordon river, we lost the track. We climber above the pipeline and followed a trail vanishing in growing bush - obviously hadn't been used for a while. We ended up walking in Gordon creek where a few kayaker offered to take us to back to the main track. We ended up crossing Gordon and using taking Casuarina track to retreive Davidson. Amazing area so close to Sydney!
Blake - Mass confusion at the end
IP:202.93.168.xxx | 2011-06-20 04:10:50
The track notes state that you keep to the left when walking along Warringah Rd. As you start walking down there is a sign that says no pedestrian access and the grassy strip is fairly narrow and close to traffic. If you cross the bridge across Warringah rd and you will find babbage rd on your left. Follow that down so Warringah Rd is on your left and down and you will find a concrete path with metal bollards. Follow the path as it wraps around underneath Roseville Bridge and you will find yourself on the left hand side of that bridge and from there you can cross the bridge.
admin - re: Mass confusion at the end
Super Administrator | 2011-06-20 05:39:29
Blake wrote:
....Follow the path as it wraps around underneath Roseville Bridge and you will find yourself on the left hand side of that bridge and from there you can cross the bridge....
Hi Blake
Thanks for the feedback, sorry for the mass confusion. Sounds like the track on the north west corner of the bridge is open again. I will duck down and check it out again, but sounds like you will be now able to stay near the water until you get to the Warringah Road bridge and avoid that road section all together. I will try to get down there soon and check it out.
Thanks
Matt :)
Catherine - What Happened to the Track
IP:138.130.107.xxx | 2011-08-28 09:44:09
We tried this walk for the first time today and up to the time we came to the wire crossing of Rocky Creek the track was brilliant. After the crossing the track is completely obscured with fallen trees, bushes and all manner of debris and new growth. It appears that no one has worked on the track for some time. After an hour of attempting to climb over the mess and find a track that we were able to walk on, we gave up and a kind man in a "tinny" ferried us to the other side of the creek, so we just walked back.
Oh Yes! Asparagus fern has taken over the creek banks
admin - re: What Happened to the Track
Super Administrator | 2011-08-28 23:46:54
Catherine wrote:
After the crossing the track is completely obscured with fallen trees, bushes and all manner of debris and new growth.
Hi Catherine
Thanks for the feedback. Sorry for the unplanned extra adventure. Sounds like the track has really overgrown. I have tweaked the notes and changed the grade on this walk.
Thanks
Matt :)
Simon - Track is very confusing after
IP:125.63.134.xxx | 2011-09-25 03:54:35
Hi,
We just did the walk yesterday (24 September 2011). Agree with Catherines's comments - walk is great and clear up to wire crossing at Rocky Creek but after that obscured with fallen trees and debris. Do not recommend continuing on. Unfortunately, we did and spent many hours bush bashing, bruised and scratched and getting lost many times. Not pleasant. If National Parks clear the track then it could be great – otherwise we recommend returning back the same way you come once you get to the wire creek crossing.
Regards
Simon
admin - re: Track is very confusing af
Super Administrator | 2011-09-25 21:53:17
Simon wrote:
Agree with Catherines's comments - walk is great and clear up to wire crossing at Rocky Creek but after that obscured with fallen trees and debris. Do not recommend continuing on.
Thanks Simon. I will mark this walk as closed until I can find an alternate way through. Unfortunately the only other way through is quiet a long detour taking you up via Eastern Arterial Rd. But maybe it would be worth it. Thanks for the feedback
Matt :)
Bart Jellema - Hard - yes, closed - no
IP:150.101.201.xxx | 2011-10-24 00:02:43
Last time (2 months ago) we did this track we had to randomly walk through the bush for 30 minutes until we found back the track after the Rocky Creek crossing, but yesterday we did this track again and it's all cleared now. (after you climb a few boulders/rocks right after the crossing you'll find the path leading of to the left)
So while it's a hard track that seems to be hardly maintained after the Rocky Creek crossing... it's definitely open again. But as mentioned before, it's a faint track at times and lots of fallen trees, etc. So only do this track if that sounds fun to you.
Also, the wire at Rocky Creek crossing isn't super useful at the moment and this crossing is EXTREMELY slippery. Even if you know it's slippery and you're super careful, it's still hard not to fall.
Spotted a kangaroo as well as heaps of big lizardy repile things. Amazing walk so close to the Sydney CBD.
Jeroen - Very confusing at Rocky Creek
IP:121.216.146.xxx | 2012-08-26 13:10:55
Very pleasant and beautiful walk up until Rocky Creek. It gets confusing from the pipeline onwards. We were not able to find /get to the wIre crossing, so we crossed the creek overbsome slippery rocks close to the pipeline. From there, we spend more than an hour finding the trail, fighting through very rough bushes and large rocks. Back on the trail it had many fallen trees and it looks like the trail has not been cleared for a long time. Beautiful walk, but hard to figure out the track around Rocky Creek.
admin - re: Very confusing at Rocky Cr
Super Administrator | 2012-08-26 23:04:37
Jeroen wrote:
It gets confusing from the pipeline onwards. We were not able to find /get to the wIre crossing, so we crossed the creek overbsome slippery rocks close to the pipeline.
Hi Jeroen
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you liked most of the walk, sorry you struggled here. You might find it helpful to read through the track grading info, for the walks, I try to make it clear that this walk has an 'off track' section. Any suggestions on how to make this more helpful??
THanks
Matt :)
Gerry - After the second pipe under-cr
IP:27.32.0.xxx | 2013-03-31 09:48:54
Hi,
Attempted this walk today and have to agree with the comments above about getting to Rocky Creek. The track notes/instructions are excellent to this point- the beginning of the 5.53km point in the track notes (except for the operation of NPWS ticket dispensing machine- how could somebody write such hopeless user interface software to perform a simple ticket dispensing function using a credit card? Moral- take plenty of $1, $2 coins- and hope for the best.)
Having crossed the closed off smaller pipe, we found a track of sorts and followed that. We found one pink plastic strip tied to a tree on the track, and then we lost what we were following. That was the last piece of assistance we found. We bush-bashed a bit, but gave up in the interests of safety and time. Just hope we did not create too many false pseudo-tracks for anyone coming after us. Sorry. Thanks for the excellent track notes to this point. Well done.
Genevieve - Great Walk - Few Tricky Spots
IP:121.44.40.xxx | 2013-06-10 08:49:25
I did this walk today and got 'lost' at two points of the walk:
1) Rocky Creek: after crossing Rocky Creek (BTW, the wire spanning the water is lying useless on the rocks which makes it a bit harder to locate where you should cross) I continued "up through the bush, climbing steeply" but ended up climbing too high. After trying to bush-bash for too long, I headed back down towards the water and located the track. Although the track is quite overgrown in places it is relatively easy to follow (keep an eye out for pink ribbons/tape).
2) Roseville Bridge: I think the Track Notes are suggesting you scurry down the side of Warringah Road via the Ormonde Road off-ramp. A safer approach is to cross Warringah Road via the fly-over (Malga Ave?), turn left onto Babbage Road and follow the road until you get to a path that veers to the left. Follow this under the bridge and then loop back to join the pedestrian crossing across Roseville Bridge.
Thanks for the great track notes. I met another walker on the Bungaroo Track (doing a different walk) and we both had our WildWalk Tracknotes in hand.
Susan - Really good walk, although tou
IP:101.164.134.xxx | 2013-09-17 10:17:52
We were a bit surprised to find ourselves scrub-bashing in the early stages of the walk - perhaps we missed the path or something. Quite a bit of climbing up and around boulders looking for the path. But after that it was fine. We had no trouble with Rocky Creek, despite rain the night before. Based on previous posts we had checked the tide charts and the crossings were all good. Also after Rocky Creek where everyone else seems to get lost we kept a close eye on the pink tapes and we had no problems. At the end the Roseville Bridge part is quite tricky - ended up flagging down a car to ask the way to the path. The map really isn't accurate - you have to cross Roseville Bridge on the pedestrian overpass then loop back underneath and come up on the southern footpath.
Beautiful walk. If it's a hot day I recommend taking swimmers as there are a few lovely waterfalls for cooling off.
Tom - Warringah Road
IP:220.233.9.xxx | 2015-07-26 06:08:07
I found a safe and easy way of getting across the bridge: Don't take the Ormonde Rd turnoff; instead, follow the two creeks track for 400m round until you are exactly under the Warringah Road. At that point, you can easily scramble up the hill to join the paved walkway which circles back around to the footpath over the northern side of the bridge.
This avoids the hair-raising walk down the Warringah Road where there's no footpath or verge.
Hiking near Sydney 
Route: Hard
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)