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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for The Goanna Track Circuit are found in each of the tabs below
Goanna Track Circuit
Time: 4 hrs Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
1 km SW of Heathcote
Length: 11 km Walk Length
As this is a Circuit style walk, the 11 km includes the walking distance from the start around the loop and back to the start again
Heathcote National Park
Climb: 484 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 484 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 train station near the start and end of this walk
Style: Circuit
Track: Hard

The Goanna Track is a short but pleasant bush track with some good views down over Heathcote Creek. Mostly along management trail, this walk follows the pipeline from Heathcote out to the Goanna Track circuit. Be sure to go down to Lake Eckersley as this is arguably the prettiest part of the walk. If wanting a break, there are some good spots down at water level, with nice views and picnic tables. (open in app)


Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for The Goanna Track Circuit

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of The Goanna Track Circuit bushwalking tracknotes
Map of The Goanna Track Circuit
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Heathcote Railway Station
End of Freeman Rd
End of Freeman Road service trail
Int of Scout Camp and Freeman Road bushtracks
Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks
Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks
Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail
Battery Causeway
Int of Lake Eckersley and Pipeline Tracks
Int of Lake Eckersley and Pipeline Tracks
Int of Pipeline and Goanna Tracks
Int of Goanna Track and the Pipeline bushtrack
Int of Bullawarring and Goanna Tracks
Battery Causeway
Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail
Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks
Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks
Int of Scout Camp and Freeman Road bushtracks
Freeman Rd and Friendly Track Int
End of Freeman Rd
Starting point for this hiking track: Heathcote Railway Station

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
 Port Hacking 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91294N 
 Campbelltown 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-90291N 
 Campbelltown 1:50 000 Map Series CW-90291 
 Port Hacking 1:100 000 Map Series 9129 
 Wollongong 1:100 000 Map Series 9029 

Photo Gallery

 
start of the service trail
 
start of the service trail +
 
heading through the bush
 
heading through the bush +
 
Bridge over Pipeline west of Freeman Rd
 
Bridge over Pipeline west of Freeman Rd +

 
following the pipeline service trail
 
following the pipeline service trail +
 
views from the pipeline track down to Heathcote Creek
 
views from the pipeline track down to Heathcote Creek +
 
The Pipeline Servicetrail
 
The Pipeline Servicetrail +

 
passing a small picnic area
 
passing a small picnic area +
 
the Battery Causeway
 
the Battery Causeway +
 
looking upcreek from the Battery Causeway
 
looking upcreek from the Battery Causeway +

 
following the Lake Eckersley
 
following the Lake Eckersley +
 
Lake Eckersley
 
Lake Eckersley +
 
following the pipeline
 
following the pipeline +

 
the start of the Goanna track
 
the start of the Goanna track +
 
winding through the bush
 
winding through the bush +
 
following the Bullawarring track
 
following the Bullawarring track +

 
views of Heathcote Creek from the track
 
views of Heathcote Creek from the track +
 
looking down to the Battery Causeway
 
looking down to the Battery Causeway +
 
arriving at the Battery Causeway
 
arriving at the Battery Causeway +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the The Goanna Track Circuit bushwalking track

Cross Section of the The Goanna Track Circuit bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Goanna Track Circuit bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the The Goanna Track Circuit 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 11km
Time 4 hrs
.


Grade 4/6

Track: Hard
AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs Minimal directional signs (4/6)
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
8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.1km is flat with no steps. The remaining (1.2km) has short steep hills.

Quality of track
7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.1km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 1.3km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 640m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs
9km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 1.3km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (840m) has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required
Around 10km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.5km requires some bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3.2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes


Catch the train to Heathcote Station
Public transport (train) available to this Bushwalk Check out the facilities at Heathcote Station
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your train trip to the end of the walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to Heathcote Railway Station
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
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) Heathcote Railway Station to End of Freeman Rd
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 1.03 km Time = 17 mins
Climb = 4 m Descent = -24 m
From the station, this walk follows the footpath towards the highway, passing the left side of the car park, until it reaches the highway, which it crosses at the traffic lights. The walk continues along Oliver Street for a while before coming to the intersection with Boundary Road. Here, this walk turns left, following the road for a short distance before taking the first right onto Freemans Road and continuing past the large scout camp, to the end of the road, where it comes to the intersection with the management trail at the corner of Bella Vista Street.

(1.03 km) End of Freeman Rd to Int of Scout Camp and Freeman Road bushtracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 401 m Time = 9 mins
Climb = 2 m Descent = -47 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, crossing under the high tension power lines and bending around to the right a short distance, before coming back around to the left and passing a management trail (which heads behind some houses). The walk continues down the hill, passing another trail on the left as the hill steepens and comes to an intersection with a rough bush track, opposite the power line tower at the bottom of the trail.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track on the opposite side of the management trail to the power line tower. The walk passes a burnt-out car shell before turning down the long steep hill and winding down to the 'T' intersection with a wider track.

(1.43 km) Int of Scout Camp and Freeman Road bushtracks to Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 329 m Time = 7 mins
Climb = 4 m Descent = -37 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the track heading down along the side of the hill and through the thick bush. After a short while, the track comes to a large concrete pipeline, crossing it at the metal platform to the intersection with the management trail.

(1.76 km) Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks to Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 942 m Time = 21 mins
Climb = 43 m Descent = -50 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Mirang Pool' arrow along the asphalt trail down the long hill. After a short while, the trail bends around to the left, turning back towards the pipeline, and continues downhill until it flattens out and crosses a bridge at the pipeline. From here, the walk continues along the management trail, following the pipeline (with Heathcote Creek down the hill on the right) for a while before coming to the signposted intersection with the Mirang Pool track.

Mirang Pool camping ground Alt = 81 m
This campsite is nestled in Heathcote National Park, with walk-in access from Heathcote Station. The campsite is near Mirang Pool on Heathcote Creek - there is a signpost at the top of the stairs, leading down to the pools from the management trail above. There are no facilities provided at the campsite, and you will need to carry in your own water and fuel stove.

(2.7 km) Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks to Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 343 m Time = 8 mins
Climb = 13 m Descent = -24 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Lake Eckersley' arrow along the management trail, keeping the pipe line to the left, as it heads through the bush. After a while, the trail does a large 'S' bend, crossing the pipeline twice as before passing through a gate and up to the intersection with the Mirang Road service trail.

(3.04 km) Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail to Battery Causeway
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.02 km Time = 21 mins
Climb = 46 m Descent = -32 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the asphalt management trail, keeping Heathcote Creek and the valley to the right as the trail rounds a bend and heads up run parallel with the pipeline as the trail becomes gravel. From here, the walk continues along the management trail, keeping the pipeline on the left for about 750m. The walk then crosses over the pipeline using a timber bridge and 160m further along the management trail the walk passes a picnic table and crosses Heathcote Creek at the concrete Battery Causeway. (Here you may notice the 'Bullawarring Track - Waterfall 7km' sign[1] up to your left).

(4.06 km) Battery Causeway to Int of Lake Eckersley and Pipeline Tracks
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 286 m Time = 6 mins
Climb = 14 m Descent = -1 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, heading up the hill with the creek down to the right. The trail does a sharp 'U' turn to the left, and continues up the hill to the signposted intersection of the 'Lake Eckersley Track'.

(4.34 km) Int of Lake Eckersley and Pipeline Tracks to Lake Eckersley
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 217 m Time = 5 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -41 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track beside the signpost, heading down through the bush and away from the pipeline. As the track winds down the hill, it bends around to the left, winding through the dense scrub for a short while before bending back to the right and continuing down the rocky path to the edge of Woronora River.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)

(4.34 km) Int of Lake Eckersley and Pipeline Tracks to Int of Pipeline and Goanna Tracks
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 837 m Time = 19 mins
Climb = 46 m Descent = -34 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, keeping the pipeline on the left and providing the occasional view over the valley and creek to the right. This continues for a while until reaching a signposted intersection with the 'Goanna Track' (which goes up over the pipeline on a metal bridge).

(5.18 km) Int of Pipeline and Goanna Tracks to Int of Goanna Track and the Pipeline bushtrack
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 303 m Time = 9 mins
Climb = 49 m Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Goanna Track' signpost[2] over the pipeline at the metal platform. The rough track climbs up the rocky hill for a while before flattening out and coming to a signpost and the intersection with the pipeline track.

(5.48 km) Int of Goanna Track and the Pipeline bushtrack to Int of Goanna and Bullawarring Tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 155 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -23 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the left-hand arrow on the signpost, south along the side of the hill. Soon, the track turns down the hill to the signposted intersection with the 'Bullawarring Track'[3].

(5.64 km) Int of Bullawarring and Goanna Tracks to Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks
Track: Hard - bushtrack,servicetrail,servicetrail,servicetrail
Length = 3.62 km Time = 1 hr 20 mins
Climb = 155 m Descent = -202 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Pipeline Rd 1.0km' arrow on the 'Bullawarring Track' signpost[4], heading along the bush track which follows the side of the hill. The rocky bush track winds up and down through the thick bushland, with occasional views of Heathcote Creek down to the right. This continues for a while until the track drops steeply down a short rocky section and continues down the hill to the signposted intersection of the service trail at the Battery Causeway.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the creek using concrete Battery Causeway and follows the management trail up the gentle hill, past a picnic table to soon cross the pipeline on a timber bridge. From here, the walk continues along the management trail, keeping the pipeline on the right for 750m until the trail bends left away from the pipeline and onto an asphalt surface. The trail winds down a hill to the intersection of the Mirang Road service trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the asphalt management trail down the hill and through a gate, doing a large 'S' bend and crossing the pipeline twice. The surface of the trail changes to dirt and the walk continues, with Heathcote Creek on the left, to the signposted intersection with the Mirang Pool track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail in the unsignposted direction, keeping the pipeline on the right and Heathcote Creek down the hill on the left. The walk heads along until it crosses a bridge onto an asphalt surface and heads up the long hill that winds to the intersection with another trail, opposite the metal platform crossing the pipeline.

(9.26 km) Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks to Heathcote Railway Station
Track: Moderate - bushtrack,road
Length = 1.76 km Time = 33 mins
Climb = 108 m Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up and over the large concrete pipeline at the metal platform and stairs. The track then continues up the long hill for a while before coming to an intersection with a rough track (heading up on the left, about 40 metres before the high tension power lines).
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the rough bush track heading up the side of the hill, climbing steeply up along the sometimes-faint path. The track soon flattens out and bends around to the right, passing a burnt-out car shell before coming an the intersection with a management trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail up the long hill. The walk passes a trail on the right and flattens out a little, continuing up and around to the right. This walk passes another management trail (heading behind some houses) as it flattens out more and crosses under the power lines to the road.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows Freemans Road all the way past the large scout camp facility, to the intersection of Boundary Road, where it turns left and continues along for a short distance to the intersection of Oliver Street. From here, this walk turns right onto Oliver Street, which it follows to the end, meeting the Princes Highway. From here, the track crosses the highway at the traffic lights and continues along the footpath, with the car park to the left, coming to the train station.

Catch the train from Heathcote Station
Public transport (train) available from this Bushwalk Check out the facilities at Heathcote Station
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your train trip from the end of the walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from Heathcote Railway Station
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


Campsites in the park
Kingfisher Pool camping ground
Lake Eckersley camping ground
Mirang Pool camping ground


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Engadine Disposal & Outdoor Centre Pty Ltd 1042 Old Princes Hwy, Engadine (02) 9520 3367 2.6 km
Paddy Pallin Adventure Equipment 587 Kingsway, Miranda (02) 9525 6829 10.6 km
Onrope 11 Nelson Ave, Padstow (02) 9709 6299 17 km
Boots Great Outdoors 23 Koonya Cct, Caringbah (02) 9542 8988 12.4 km
Jeffs Camping & Disposals Lvl2/ 444 Hume Hwy, Yagoona (02) 9708 5092 20.2 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to The Goanna Track Circuit.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from The Goanna Track Circuit
Click to re-center search
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 16 km (to the NNE)
3 VMG3 Mine commsite WESTCLIFF COLLIERY 23 km (to the SW)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 35 km (to the NNW)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
40 km (to the NNE)
4 RIV04 Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW 53 km (to the NW)

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 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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Heathcote National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page

Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

Walker Feedback

Comments
Add NewSearch
jason - pretty good IP:220.238.50.xxx | 2013-06-06 11:12:21
All good except there was no info on flora and fauna.
admin - re: pretty good Super Administrator | 2013-06-07 00:08:49
[quote=jason]All good except there was no info on flora and fauna.[/quote
Hi Jason
Thanks for the feedback. At this stage I am more focused on getting more tracknotes on more walks. But I will keep the idea of adding more Flora, fauna, history etc info in the future. They do appear on some walks where these things are specific features.
Thanks
Happy walking
Matt :)
Tomage - Doctor IP:58.178.255.xxx | 2014-03-10 23:47:06
Hi Jason. Oodles of fauna and or flora (possibly too much)
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Loading the images not too much longer now :)


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