Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock walking track

Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock are found in each of the tabs below

Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock

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Time:	2 hrs 30 mins Walking time Please allow extra time to rest and to explore	0.1 km ENE of Epping
Length:	6.8 km Walk Length As this is a One Way walk, the 6.8 km only includes the walking distance from the start to the end point	Lane Cove National Park
Climb:	184 m Total Climbing This walk has a total cumulative climb of 184 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
Style:	One way

This walk, to Cheltenham Station from Epping Station, visits Whale Rock and Lane Cove River. This is not the most direct route between the two stations, but it is a great way to explore Devlins Creek. With a train station at each end, this walk mostly follows well define management trails with a narrow section of track at the upper end of Devlins Creek. (open in app)

There are Closed areas in Lane Cove National Park
Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)

Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock

Map of Walk

Location

Sponsor of Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock bushwalking tracknotes

Map of Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale

1 km

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




	Gate at the end of Derby St +




	Tunnel under the M2 +




	Motorway Tunnel +




	Track along fence near M2 +




	Bushtrack away from M2 +




	Crow in this bush +




	Weeds covering bush +




	Lane Cove National Park sign +




	Service trail towards Lane Cove River +




	Bush track through heath +




	Signposted intersection for Whale Rock +




	Signpost to Whale Rock +




	Track towards Cheltenham and Pennant Hills Tracks +




	Weeds covering bush next to track +




	Track viewing Devlin's Creek +




	Track through some nice bushland towards Pennant Hills +




	Service trail to Whale Rock +




	Signpost near Whale Rock +




	Service trail to Belinda Cres +




	Track towards Lane Cove River +




	Whale Rock above service trail +




	Track above Devlins Ck +




	Creek crossing +




	Devlin's Creek Crossing +




	Track up spur to Pennant Hills Park +




	Track up to Pennant Hills Park +




	Track over rocks +




	Bushtrack around grass tree +




	Railed steps +




	Track through the heath +




	Leaf litter along the track +




	Steps up to Pennant Hills +




	Watercrossing +




	Track to Pennant Hills +




	Up the hill to Pennant Hills +




	Service trail out of the valley +




	Signpost to Pennant Hills +




	Track nearing Malton Rd +




	Track beside house +




	Track head at road +




	Signpost at road +




	Signs for Pennant Hills +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock 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	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
3.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.7km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 1.3km is very steep and the remaining 430m has short steep hills.

Quality of track
2.7km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1.7km) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
Around 3.5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 3.3km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
Around 4.7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.1km requires some bushwalking experience.

Weather
Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 790m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure
Around 3.5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3.3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes

Wildwalks
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Catch the train to Epping Station
Catch the train to Epping Station
Check out the facilities at Epping 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\|

Catch the bus to Epping Station
Catch the bus to Epping Station
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 Epping Station
Drive to Epping Station
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) Epping Station to Int of Derby street service trail Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road	Length = 938 m	Time = 18 mins
	Climb = 3 m	Descent = -33 m
The walk exits Epping Station on the Oxford St side. The walk then crosses Cambridge St and continues down Oxford St. The walk follows the footpath past the shops down Oxford St passing Chester St, Surrey St. Just after Surry St the walk turns left onto Derby St to the end. Nearing the end of Derby St the walk tends left around the yellow gate and onto the concrete driveway which veers left off the road. The walk continues towards the tunnel to come to an intersection just before the tunnel entrance.

(0.94 km) Int of Derby street service trail to Int of Epping Trk and Malton Rd Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 1.49 km	Time = 25 mins
	Climb = 7 m	Descent = -21 m
Veer right: From the intersection this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow up the couple of steps then down along the footpath through the tunnel under the M2 (keeping the creek and wider management trail to your left). Out of the tunnel this walk follows the track as it winds up and around the fenced sewage vent and then continues through the dense bushland in the gully passing a sign marking the entrance to Lane Cove National Park. A little while later the track leads to a signposted intersection with the 'Belinda Crs' management trail. Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the Whale Rock sign down the service trail which narrows into a bushtrack and follows Devlin creek through the gully all the way along until it widens out into a rocky service trail again and comes to the intersection of the Cheltenham service trail.

(2.43 km) Int of Epping Trk and Malton Rd Trail to Big Ducky Waterhole Walk: Easy - servicetrail	Length = 187 m	Time = 3 mins
	Climb = 3 m	Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the Lane Cove River arrow along the servicetrail for a while before it loops around the top of Big Ducky Waterhole.

Big Ducky Waterhole	Alt = 49 m
Big Ducky Waterhole
The servicetrail loops around the top of the Big Ducky waterhole and there is a nice rock overhang in which to break. Is also a popular bird watching area. Unfortunately, recently there has been large quantities of rubbish in the area. (If going down to the waterhole please consider carrying out some of the rubbish if every walker carrys out a bit it will make a difference)

(2.61 km) Big Ducky Waterhole to Whale Rock Walk: Easy - servicetrail	Length = 479 m	Time = 8 mins
	Climb = 6 m	Descent = -9 m
Continue straight: From the top of Big Ducky Waterhole the continues through the valley keeping Devlins Creek below on the left of the track all the way to Whale Rock.

Whale Rock	Alt = 48 m
Whale Rock
This is a large boulder that looks eerily like a whale, complete with eye socket. It is a good place to break and climb around the Rock.

(3.09 km) Whale Rock to Int of Powerline and Develin creek bushtracks Track: Hard - servicetrail	Length = 2.54 km	Time = 54 mins
	Climb = 110 m	Descent = -95 m
Continue straight: From Whale Rock the track follows the Penant Hills Park arrow along the service trail as it winds through the valley, crossing several small concrete creek crossings until it comes to the signposted intersection of the Pennant Hills ovals service trail. Turn left : From the intersection the track follows the Pennant Hills ovals sign up the steep rocky service trail winding all the way up the side of the valley, flattening out to a gentle climb as it approaches the top and passing the intersection of a powerline service trail, continuing along the top of the ridge all the way to the intersection of the second second powerline service trail. From here the track continues along the ridge, following the service trail through the thick bushland all the way to the intersection of the third powerline service trail. Turn left : From the intersection the track heads south along the service trail all the way to the power lines where it turns right and continues to the end of the service trail following the powerlines. Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the rocky bushtrack from the end of the service trail to the base of the large power tower, continuing all the way down the side of the ridge to the intersection of the develin creek bushtrack.

(5.64 km) Int of Powerline and Develin creek bushtracks to Int of North Epping service trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 312 m	Time = 7 mins
	Climb = 11 m	Descent = -16 m
Turn right: From the intersection the track heads north through the bush, winding down and across Develin creek, coming up the other side to the intersection of the Pennant Hills park entry bushtrack, at a telegraph pole. Turn left: From the intersection the bushtrack follows the powerlines, down the gentle hill and down the long set of steps to the bottom where it crosses the creek to the signposted intersection of the Cheltenham bushtrack. Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the Cheltenham sign up the bushtrack and up some steps to the intersection of the North Epping service trail

(5.95 km) Int of North Epping service trail to End of Malton Rd Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 119 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 7 m	Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the intersection the track follows the service trail up the hill, winding through the bush until it flattens out and follows the powerlines through the metal gate to the end of Malton road.

(6.07 km) End of Malton Rd to Cheltenham Train Station Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road	Length = 769 m	Time = 15 mins
	Climb = 37 m	Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows Malton Road away from the bush which soon turns into Day Rd the track then turn right onto Sutherland Road. Once on Sutherland Road, Cheltenham Train Station is only about 200m further.

Catch the train to Cheltenham Station
Catch the train to Cheltenham Station
Check out the facilities at Cheltenham 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\|

Catch the bus from Cheltenham Train Station
Catch the bus from Cheltenham Train Station
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 Cheltenham Train Station
Drive from Cheltenham Train Station
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
Map Car Shuffle
	To the start of the walk Drive from:	From the end of the walk Drive to:

Near by

Campsites in the park
Lane Cove River tourist park

Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
One Stop Adventure Shop	1045 Victoria Rd , West Ryde	(02) 9858 5844	3.8 km
All Camping Supplies	12 Railway Pde, Thornleigh	(02) 9481 0473	4.6 km
Snowgum	Rhodes Shopping Centre Level 1, Shop 66, Rhodes	(02) 8765 1035	7.1 km
CampHikeClimb	20 George St, Hornsby	(02) 9476 5767	7.8 km
Kathmandu	236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby	(02) 9476 1399	7.7 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock Click to re-center search
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	4 km (to the NNE)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	16 km (to the W)
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	18 km (to the NNE)
1	SYD01	12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE	22 km (to the S)
4	RIV04	Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW	42 km (to the W)

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 )

Wed	33°	Showers. Likely storm developing.
Thu	19°\|28°	Possible shower.
Fri	18°\|33°	Partly cloudy.
Sat	16°\|26°	Possible late shower.

A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Lane Cove National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
This small but picturesque city park is a haven of peaceful bushland along the winding Lane Cove River. Home to the Kukundi Wildlife Shelter and 27 km of the Great North Walk, you can also hire a boat, take a stroll or enjoy a picnic by the weir.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Lane Cove National Park
Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM
Closed areas: Terrys Creek walking track maintenance
Some areas of this park will experience temporary disruptions and delays due to walking track maintenance, unless the closure is otherwise extended or removed. Closed areas are:

Terrys Creek walking track

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact Bobbin Head Information Centre on (02) 9472 8949 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Walker Feedback

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Loading the images

not too much longer now :)