Walk CLOSED This pleasant walk starts from the Morgans Creek park, at Henry Lawsons Drive, and follows the Georges River past the Boomerang Reserve, winding through the bush around Mickeys Point and under the Alfords Point bridge. The walk then continues up through Padstow Heights to the Henry Lawson Drive Bridge where it follows the boardwalks, bushtracks and service trails along Salt Pan Creek. The last section is along the roads to Padstow station.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Georges River National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Morgans Creek to Padstow bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Morgans Creek to Padstow 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
8km
Time
2 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
4.5km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 3.1km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (450m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
4.1km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (1.8km) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 5km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.2km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 730m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Catch the bus to Int of Morgans Creek and the Ridge Track
This large, riverside area starts at the intersection of Henry Lawson Drive and The River Road, following the 'Georges River National Park' sign down the driveway, where it passes a large car park for the boat ramp and bends around to the right, continuing along the side of the river with several picnic areas and plenty of open space. There are toilets and taps at the northern end of the reserve, at the car park for the boat ramp.
(0 km)
Int of Morgans Creek and the Ridge Track
to
Boomerang Reserve Track: Moderate - road
Length = 574 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -11 m
From the intersection, the walk follows the road up the gentle hill, passing the entry ticket booth and coming to the intersection with Henry Lawson Drive. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows Henry Lawson drive, keeping Georges River to the right. The road bends to the right and soon reaches Boomerang Reserve, on the left.
Boomerang Reserve
Alt = 8 m
This relatively small park can be found on Henry Lawson drive, between the Little Salt Pan creek and The River road. The park is surrounded by dense forest on three sides and a small timber barrier on the road side. The park has a few sheltered picnic benches and a large map of Bankstown that was erected by the local Rotary club. There is plenty of open space and a few nice large trees for shade.
(0.57 km)
Boomerang Reserve
to
Int of the Henry Lawson drive and Georges River National Park service trail Walk: Easy - road
Length = 567 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows Henry Lawson drive, keeping the river to the right. The road crosses the Little Salt Pan creek bridge then heads up to the intersection with the Georges River service trail, on the right (approximately 150 metres past the bridge).
(1.14 km)
Int of the Henry Lawson drive and Georges River National Park service trail
to
End of Gorges river service trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 531 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -9 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the service trail away from the road, around the metal gate and towards Mickeys Point. The trail winds past mangroves and through thick bush until it comes out at a large open clearing. At the other end of the clearing the service trail ends at a small turning circle.
(1.67 km)
End of Gorges river service trail
to
West end of Mickeys Point Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 231 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -6 m
Continue straight: From the end of the service trail, the walk follows the bush track through the long grass towards the river. At the river, the track turns left and meanders up and down along the side of the river, until reaching the start (western end) of a long sandy beach.
(1.9 km)
West end of Mickeys Point Beach
to
Base of Alfords Point Bridge Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 602 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -9 m
Continue straight: From the end of the bush track, the walk follows the beach (keeping the water on the right). The walk stays on the beach until reaching the base of the large Alfords Point bridge.
(2.51 km)
Base of Alfords Point Bridge
to
Int of One Tree Point service trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 324 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -2 m
Continue straight: From the base of the bridge, the walk heads off the sand and winds around mangroves and through reeds (keeping the river on the right). After the clearing on the left, the walk comes to the sandy One Tree point service trail, near the trees.
(2.83 km)
Int of One Tree Point service trail
to
Int of One Tree Point bushtrack and Playford road Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 497 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -2 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the old service trail away from the river. The trail passes through the reeds and the pine trees as it winds up a steep rocky hill. At the top of the hill, the trail passes under the powerlines, bends to the left and soon reaches an intersection with a bush track, to the right. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track beside the powerlines up the small hill to the metal gate at the bend in Playford Rd.
(3.33 km)
Int of One Tree Point bushtrack and Playford road
to
Int of Villiers and Dilke road Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 512 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath along Playfords road to the north-east, keeping the road on the right. The walk continues to follow Payford Rd when it bends to the right (at the intersection with Roma avenue), then turns left into Dilke road at the 'T' intersection. The walk continues to the intersection with Villers Rd (there is a corner store and public phone on the left plus a large water tank on the right).
Convenience Store
Alt = 43 m
This great little convenience store can be found on the corner of Villiers and Dilke Roads, and serves hot food, ice creams and cold drinks, as well as many convenient groceries. There is a public phone out the front. The store is open 7 days.
(3.84 km)
Int of Villiers and Dilke road
to
End of Riverview road Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 918 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -34 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows Villiers road east (initially keeping the water tank on the right). Soon, the walk turns left onto Queensbury road and follows it, before turning right at the 'T' intersection onto Richmond avenue. The walk immediately turns left onto Riverview road, and continues to the end of the road.
(4.76 km)
End of Riverview road
to
Western end of Salt Pan creek Bridge Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 189 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn left: From the end of the road, the walk follows the concrete footpath (following the power lines) between house numbers 5 and 6. After a short distance the walk reaches the footpath on Henry Lawson Drive. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath on Henry Lawson drive down the hill, (keeping the road on the left) towards the bridge. Just before the bridge, the walk comes to the top of a wooden staircase, to the right.
(4.95 km)
Western end of Salt Pan Creek Bridge
to
Salt Pan Creek picnic area Track: Moderate - duckboard
Length = 549 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the boardwalk down the wooden staircase and loops around under the bridge. The walk passes a few picnic chairs and winds around through some mangroves, following the boardwalk to the intersection of the Alma Road concrete footpath track on the left. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath north (keeping the river on the right) onto a bush track and then up some wooden steps. The track continues along for a while until it drops down some more steps to the Salt Pan creek picnic area.
Salt Pan Creek picnic area
Alt = 2 m
This small picnic area on the Salt Pan Creek walking track can be accessed directly from the stairs at the end of Werona Ave. This clearing provides a couple of picnic benches and tables, natural shade and a small, grassy clearing. The space if big enough for a bit of running around or to spread out a picnic blanket. The picnic area is on the edge of Salt Pan Creek, with dense mangroves along to river bank. There are a number of houses overlooking the area from the cliffs above.
(5.49 km)
Salt Pan Creek picnic area
to
Picnic area at base of Pipe Bridge Track: Moderate - bushtrack,duckboard
Length = 388 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -6 m
Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk follows the bush track up the steps (keeping the river on the right) and winds along the side of Salt Pan Creek until it drops back down some steps onto a boardwalk. The track continues along the boardwalk, alongside the creek, until it comes to the bottom of Weenamana Place steps on the left. Continue straight: From the bottom of the steps, this walk follows the boardwalk as it winds alongside the river (keeping the river on the right), through mangroves for a short while. Soon the boardwalk becomes a bush track and continues to the picnic area under the large pipe bridge.
Pipe bridge picnic area
Alt = 1 m
This small picnic area has a collection of low picnic tables in a grassy clearing by the edge of the Salt Pan Creek. The large pipe bridge crossing the creek provides some shade during the heat of the day. There are no water or toilet facilities. The unfenced edge of the picnic area provides clear access to the creek. This is one of the few spots along Salt Pan Creek walk where there is a clear view of the creek.
(5.88 km)
Picnic area at base of Pipe Bridge
to
Davies Reserve Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - servicetrail
Length = 283 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -6 m
Continue straight: From the picnic area, the walk follows the hardened management trail (keeping the creek on the right) as it winds along the side of the river. The walk passes a fenced-off area on the left before it turns left heads up the hill, coming near to the play equipment at Davies Reserve.
Davies Reserve
Alt = 6 m
This park can be accessed from the end of Tallawarra Ave or directly from Davies Road in Padstow. The Reserve is one of the spots along the Salt Pan Creek walking track. The facilities provided at this reserve include play equipment, a toilet block and picnic tables and seats. There is plenty of open space, and shade from a few large trees. There is parking for about 20 cars.
(6.17 km)
Davies Reserve
to
End of Bridge Street Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - duckboard
Length = 704 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -12 m
Turn right: From Davies Reserve, this walk follows the fenced boardwalk running parallel to the power lines, keeping Salt Pan Creek on the right. The track passes through the wetlands for a short distance, coming to an intersection with the Truro Parade boardwalk on the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk continues along the short board walk (keeping the power lines above to the right). Soon the boardwalk joins onto a hardened footpath, which continues along through the grass clearing, running parallel to Salt Pan Creek. The track passes behind a number of houses, and then passes a couple of transmission towers as the footpath tends left to the end of Meager Avenue. Veer right: ###This section of the track is closed for End of 2010 to sometime in 2011. Please walk along Meager Ave to Davies Rd as an alternate route###[1]
From the end of Meager Ave, the walk follows the footpath lined with wooden posts (with the white house at no.2 initially on the left) into the bush and down the gentle hill. After a short distance, the footpath joins a board walk and continues through some mangroves and out to the creek edge. The boardwalk then turns left, crossing under the railway bridge to the intersection with the Salt Pan Creek footbridge on the right. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the boardwalk around the creek's edge (keeping the train line on the left) and through some mangroves for a short distance, until coming to a concrete footpath. This path continues past a transmission tower to the end of Bridge Street.
(6.87 km)
End of Bridge Street
to
Padstow Railway Station Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 1.14 km
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn left: From the car park at the end of the street, this walk follows the foot path along Bridge Street to the 'T' intersection of Davies Road, where the walk turns left. Following the footpath, this walk soon crosses the railway bridge and comes to the intersection with Meager Avenue. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south (away from the trail line) along Davies Road, along the footpath. After a short while, the walk turns right into Ryan Rd, crossing at the traffic lights. This walk follows the footpath through the suburbs to cross, straight ahead at the roundabout, onto Howard Road. The road then passes a few shops and comes to the Padstow railway station on the right.
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.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Georges River National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area closure Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area is closed to the public whilst essential maintenance is carried out. The area will re-open as soon as this work is completed.
Unfortunately I would not really call this walk pleasant for a number of reasons.
I recommend starting from Boomerang Reserve or the start of the service trail. There is no footpath on most of Henry Lawson drive and in places there is very little place for a pedestrian to walk safely.
In the first part of the walk there are many spider webs across the path. Grab a stick to make sure you don't run into these.
Finding some of the paths was difficult. Specifically the bush track at the end of the Georges River service trail and the track between the One Tree Point service trail and the One Tree Point bush track.
There was a lot of rubbish on the walk. The Georges River service trail is a bit of a rubbish dump. There was a lot of rubbish in the mangroves, and some on the beaches.
Please note the spelling in the track notes. Gorges River should be Gorges River.
Having said this, the walk along the beaches of the Georges River was pleasant, as was the Salt Pan Creek section (apart from the rubbish). The area suffers badly from human habitation, though the council seems to be doing some things to address this.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
Check out the facilities at 
not too much longer now :)