An enjoyable walk through lower sections of the Lane Cove National Park, this walk features plenty of mangroves next to the Lane Cove River, particularly in the section between Boronia Av and Buffalo Creek Reserve. Sugarloaf Point is well worth going the 200m for as its a good spot for a rest (or lunch) with views of the river. The walk has a number of contrasts where you think you are a long way from the city, with the occasional stark reminder.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Lane Cove National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Hunters Hill to Epping Road bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Hunters Hill to Epping Road 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
6km
Time
2 hrs 30 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
3.9km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 990m has short steep hills. The remaining (680m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
3.4km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.9km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (160m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 3.1km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 2.5km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 480m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 970m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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End of Boronia Ave
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Int of Great North Walk and the Lane Cove River track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.38 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -50 m
From the end of Boronia Avenue[1], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[2] up along the rocky track. The track leads over a small rise then bends right (ignoring the track to your left), to head down a few stone steps[3], then a series of timber steps[4]. The track then continues along the bank of the Lane Cove River[5][6] (to your right) for about 100m to come to a T-intersection with Princes St[7]. Here the walk turns left and heads up the road[8] (away from the water view[9]) for about 50m, coming to an intersection with another track and a large green 'The Great North Walk' signpost[10] (on your right). Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Buffalo Ck. Park' arrow[11] down along track. Veering right after about 50m, this wide track then leads through the casuarina forest[12] for a short time, coming to an intersection and a small clearing with a picnic table[13], the informally named Brickmakers Creek picnic area. Turn right: From the picnic area, this walk follows the GNW arrow post across the rocky Brickmakers Creek[14] and up the steps[15]. The walk continues along the short timber boardwalk[16], then leads up the timber steps[17] for about 100m where the track flattens out, veering right at another GNW arrow post[18]. Here the track leads down between the rocks[19], with a filtered view to the water, and a short distance later, the track veers right again at another GNW arrow post[20], heading gently down between some more rocks. For another 150m , the mostly flat track leads over some rock platforms[21][22] then along a short section of timber boarding[23] to come to a three-way intersection marked with a GNW arrow, and a larger unfenced rock platform[24] (to the right). Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the rock platform[25], keeping the river down to your right. The walk soon heads down some steps carved in the rock[26], then follows the rocky and sandy track gently downhill, passing some interesting rock formations[27][28] over about 140m then climbing over some rocks with a metal handrail[29]. The track leads up a series of steps[30] for about 200m, then goes up some carved steps (also with a handrail[31]). From here, the rocky track heads down the steps[32] then leads alongside the mangroves[33] for just shy of 100m, coming to a T-intersection marked with a GNW arrow[34].
(1.38 km)
Int of Great North Walk and the Lane Cove River track
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End of Lane Cove River track Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 89 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk steps down off the main track[35] and leads along the raised mound through the tunnel of mangroves[36]. This track is covered by water at higher tides, but at lower tides it leads to the edge of the open Lane Cover River[37][38]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
(1.38 km)
Int of Great North Walk and the Lane Cove River track
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Mangrove viewing platform Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 509 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -18 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow up the steps[39]. The track bends right and comes to an intersection with the signposted 'Access to Barons Cres'[40] track on your left, just below the large concrete building[41]. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[42] along the clear track, leading gently uphill (initially keeping the concrete building and Barton Cres track on your left[43]). The fairly flat, rocky track leads through the forest, keeping the Lane Cove River[44] not far to your right. After about 300m, the track leads up some steps[45] to a boulder outcrop[46] with good views over the river. The track continues for another 100m to a small clearing and a timber viewing platform[47] (on your right).
Mangrove viewing platform
Alt = 2 m
This timber viewing platform[48] is found on bank on south-west of the confluence of the Lane Cove River and Buffalo Creek. This area is affected by the tides so the view is constantly changing. The lookout platform provides an opportunity to view the mangroves community[49] and the eroded sandstone ruins[50]
(1.89 km)
Mangrove viewing platform
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Int of Great North Walk and Pains Road (south) Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 538 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -15 m
Turn left: From the timber platform[51], this walk heads directly away from the Lane Cove River[52] and follows the track up the valley, keeping the Buffalo Creek mangroves to your right. The track soon leads under a fallen tree[53] and meanders along the flat[54] for about 120m, then follows a short section of timber boardwalk[55]. The track then leads up some steps to pass under a small sandstone overhang[56], then continues along the base of a sandstone wall[57], from where the track leads over another shorter section of timber boardwalk[58]. The track then comes to another section of boardwalk which leads through the wetlands[59], over a small creek[60] and past the information sign about the 'Friends of Buffalo Creek'[61]. The boardwalk then leads past some paperbark trees[62] and turns right onto the dirt track[63]. The walk follows this track for about 50m before heading up the timber ramp[64] and steps[65] to Pains Rd.
(2.42 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Pains Road (south)
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Buffalo Creek track head Walk: Easy - road,bushtrack
Length = 239 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection[66], this walk follows GNW arrow up along Pains Rd[67] for about 20m to the intersection with a wide track, marked with another GNW arrow post[68], just where the road bends left[69]. Continue straight: From the bend in Pains Rd (near house number 4), this walk follows GNW arrow[70] along the wide track, whilst keeping a few houses up to your left[71]. After about 120m, the track leads up a grassy hill[72] to find a large open parkland, Buffalo Creek Reserve[73][74]. Here, the walk turns right and follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[75] across the grass, passing a picnic table[76] and fireplace[77], and coming to the large 'Buffalo Creek Track Head' signpost[78][79] (on your right).
(2.66 km)
Buffalo creek track head
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Int of Sugarloaf and Great North Walk tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 179 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn right: From the 'Buffalo Creek Track Head', this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign[80] down three sets of timber stairs[81]. Here the walk follows the timber boardwalk[82] as it winds through the mangroves to a hand-railed viewing area[83], just before a bridge.
From here, the walk crosses Buffalo Creek[84] on the bridge[85] then climbs up the stone steps[86] to veer left at a faint intersection (at the top of the steep climb), marked with a GNW arrow post[87]. The rocky track leads more gently up past the 'Lane Cove River National Park - Sugarloaf Point' sign[88] to a signposted T-intersection, where another GNW arrow[89] points back down the track.
(2.84 km)
Int of Sugarloaf and Great North Walk tracks
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Int of Great North Walk and Sugarloaf Point tracks Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 361 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -25 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sugarloaf Point' sign[90] along the flat rocky and sandy track, keeping the valley to your right. The track generally bends left around the side of the hill, passing a few interesting rock platforms[91] along the way. Soon after heading down some stone steps[92], this track comes to a signposted T-intersection with a wide sandy trail[93]. There is a 'Buffalo Ck Reserve' sign[94] pointing back up the steps.
(3.2 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Sugarloaf Point tracks
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Sugarloaf Point Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 284 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -9 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sugarloaf Point' sign down the hill and along the service trail to the open waterfront clearing at Sugarloaf Point, which extends all the way along to the end of the grass clearing.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Sugarloaf Point
Alt = 2 m
Sugarloaf Point is a large grassy clearing with a picnic area on the edge of the Lane Cove River, just north of the Buffalo Creek junction. The riverside picnic area has a couple of picnic benches and a small beach, making it possible to pull a boat up to the point.
(3.2 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Sugarloaf Point tracks
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Int of Great North Walk and Pittwater Road carpark path Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 198 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Pittwater Road 0.25km' sign[95] up along the wide management trail, which soon becomes sealed[96]. The trail winds up beside a large, fenced, high-tension power line concrete tower[97][98]. The trail soon leads around a locked gate[99] and comes to an intersection[100] just before Pittwater Rd, with a 'Great North Walk' track sign[101] (on the right).
(3.4 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Pittwater Road carpark path
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Kittys Creek bridge int Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 584 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -13 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[102] past the picnic table[103] and down the timber steps, whilst keeping Pittwater Rd through the trees to your left. The track soon passes a 'Lane Cove National Park' sign[104] then heads down some timber stairs[105]. The track continues just below the road (on your left) and beside the mangroves (on your right) for a little over 400m, crossing several timber platforms[106] and going up and down a few steps to come to a 'Coastal Wetlands' information sign[107]. Having moved away from the road, the track now heads along a timber boardwalk[108] that winds through the mangroves and wetlands to cross Kitty Creek[109] on a bridge[110]. Just on the other side of the bridge, this walk comes to a T-intersection with a sign pointing back to 'Sugarloaf Point'[111].
(3.98 km)
Kittys Creek bridge int
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Magdala Park carpark Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 723 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -16 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow[112] along the wide track, initially keeping Kittys Creek to your right. The track almost immediately bends left (ignoring the side track on the left[113]) and follows the bank of the Lane Cove River[114] (on your right) through the casuarina forest[115] for just shy of 200m. Here, the track starts edging away from the river and enters more dense vegetation[116] for just over 200m, before the track opens up and comes to a 'Lane Cove National Park - Sugarloaf Point' sign[117]. From the sign, the walk leads up along the grass[118], keeping the playing fields[119] to your right and coming to a GNW arrow post[120] in front of the toilet block[121] beside Magdala Park car park[122].
Magdala Park
Alt = 3 m
Magdala Park, found at the end of Magdala Rd, North Ryde, is home to a large playing field with a baseball diamond in the corner and a smaller playing field to the north. There is a car park [123], public toilets[124], sheltered picnic tables [125], childrens playground[126], garbage bins[127], and town water on tap[128]. There are a few Great North Walk signs highlighting the direction of the walk as it winds across the open grassy area.
(4.71 km)
Magdala Park carpark
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Int. opposite end of Mowbray Rd Walk: Easy - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 416 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn right: From the front of the toilet block[129], this walk follows the GNW arrow across the car park[130]. The walk then heads through the gap in the fence[131] and turns left, heading over the grass to the intersection with a concrete footpath at the base of the large transmissions tower[132], where a sign points back to 'Sydney Cove'[133]. Turn right: From the transmissions tower[134], this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign[135] downhill along the concrete footpath away from Magdala Park. The path soon turns right[136] and leads over the 'Clifford Love' footbridge[137][138]. The 150m-long bridge leads over Lane Cove River[139][140] and then over the 'National Starch' factory[141], to find a footpath on the other side. The footpath leads around the edge of the fenced car park[142] and comes to the footpath beside Epping Rd, just beside the traffic lights[143] at Mowbray Rd.
(5.12 km)
Int. opposite end of Mowbray Rd
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Mowbray car park (near oval) Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 417 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -6 m
Continue straight: From the traffic lights, this walk heads downhill towards the bridge, crossing the factory driveway[144]. Just over 100m past the driveway, the shared footpath[145] leads to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow post, and a set of steps[146] (on the left). Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs away from the main road, to turn right under the bridge. The track heads under the bridge to come out the other side, continuing along the river bank for approximately 50m to the car park.
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.
Lane Cove National ParkLink 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 feesCampingFacilities 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:
There is a track on the eastern side of the Lane Cove River that brings you back to Burns Bay Rd about 800 metres above the Fig Tree Bridge, via Blackman Park, which can convert this walk to a loop. There is about 2 km of road to get from the trackhead back to Boronia Park. The Epping Rd end starts in the exit from the Shell service station down some metal stairs at the northwest corner of the business park building.
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.
not too much longer now :)