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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Rail to River Walk are found in each of the tabs below
Rail to River Walk
Time: 3 hrs Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
0.3 km WSW of Chatswood
Length: 7.5 km Walk Length
As this is a Circuit style walk, the 7.5 km includes the walking distance from the start around the loop and back to the start again
Willoughby(LGA)
Climb: 222 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 222 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 bus stop within 2km of the start and end of this walk There is a train station near the start and end of this walk
Style: Circuit
Track: Hard

This walk is a great one from Chatswood Station to the Lane Cove River National Park. The walk descends through the vegetated bushland which fills the valleys of the Lane Cove River. There are two places to buy a bite to eat, the Chatswood Golf Club and the Lane Cove River Steak and Seafood Restaurant. (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 Rail to River Walk

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Rail to River Walk bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Rail to River Walk
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Chatswood Station
Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway
Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk
Bob Peirson Memorial Seat
Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk
Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk
Int. Sylvia St and Centennial Ave Trks
Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Trk
Int. Harnett Pl Trk and Ferndale Trk
Harnett Pl sign post
Int. Lowanna Park and Greville St
Int. Lowanna Park and Fullers Rd
Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave
Int. Hawthorne Ave and Bellevue Ave
Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave
Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval
O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park
Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive
Int. Behind the 8th Tee
Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd
Int. Behind the 8th Tee
Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive
O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park
Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval
Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave
Int. Hawthorne Ave and Bellevue Ave
Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave
Int. Lowanna Park and Fullers Rd
Int. Lowanna Park and Greville St
Harnett Pl sign post
Int. Harnett Pl Trk and Ferndale Trk
Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Trk
Int. Greville St and Carr St Trks
Int. Dalrymple Ave and Carr St Trks
Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk
Int. Lone Pine and Beresford Ave
Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway
Starting point for this hiking track: Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway

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
 Parramatta River 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91303N 
 Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 

Photo Gallery

 
Edgar St
 
Edgar St +
 
Rail to River walk behind tennis courts
 
Rail to River walk behind tennis courts +
 
Rail to River walk sign
 
Rail to River walk sign +

 
Track up valley parallel to Fullers Rd
 
Track up valley parallel to Fullers Rd +
 
Int. Harnett Pl and Rail to River Walk
 
Int. Harnett Pl and Rail to River Walk +
 
Lowanna Park
 
Lowanna Park +

 
Footpath to Chatswood Station
 
Footpath to Chatswood Station +
 
O.H. Reid Oval
 
O.H. Reid Oval +
 
Sign behind 8th Tee
 
Sign behind 8th Tee +

 
Stone steps along the track
 
Stone steps along the track +
 
Bamboo stand
 
Bamboo stand +
 
Fern in ferns
 
Fern in ferns +

 
Bench along walk
 
Bench along walk +
 
Board walk over creek
 
Board walk over creek +
 
Track up laneway
 
Track up laneway +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Rail to River Walk bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Rail to River Walk bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rail to River Walk bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Rail to River Walk 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 3 hrs
.


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 No experience required (1/6)
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
3.4km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 2.9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.1km has short steep hills and the remaining 110m is very steep.

Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (310m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
Around 3.8km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3.7km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 7km 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 750m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes


Catch the train to Chatswood Station
Public transport (train) available to this Bushwalk Check out the facilities at Chatswood 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 Chatswood Station
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk 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 Chatswood 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) Chatswood Station to Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway
Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 210 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 7 m Descent = 0 m
From Chatswood Train Station, this walk exits the station onto Victoria Ave. The walk then continues up Victoria Ave, passing Chatswood RSL on the left. This walk continues to the Pacific Highway where it crosses over the at a pedestrian crossing or the foot bridge near by.

(0.21 km) Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway to Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk
Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 413 m Time = 10 mins
Climb = 2 m Descent = -37 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north up the Pacific Highway, to turn left onto Western Way. The walk continues down Western Way through a dogleg, turning right onto Jenkins Rd then quickly left back onto Western Way. The walk heads down Western Way to turn right onto Edgar St and to the Edgar Reserve Park with green gate.

(0.62 km) Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk to Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 336 m Time = 6 mins
Climb = 1 m Descent = -12 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk passes the gate, then the playground on the right, and continues through the clearing. The track continues for approximately 150m to an intersection marked by a memorial bench.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads between the tennis court fence on your right and the houses on your left for approximately 150m. The track then comes to an intersection with Park Ave, and a 'Rail to River Walk' sign[1].

(0.96 km) Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk to Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk
Walk: Easy - road
Length = 32 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -1 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the road for approximately 30m to the next signpost.

(0.99 km) Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk to Harnett Pl sign post
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 500 m Time = 13 mins
Climb = 22 m Descent = -30 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' signpost past the 'Ferndale Park' sign, down the management trail. The walk continues along the trail for approximately 60m to a large grassed clearing. The walk then continues away from the clearing along a bush track, which soon comes to some steppingstones across the creek. Approximately 50m later, the walk comes to a signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the creek (which remains on your left) down the gully for approximately 100m to the signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads along the creek (which remains on the left) for approximately 60m to turn up the steps to a signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign up the hill. The track zigzags up through mossy rock outcrops to a house on the left. This walk continues up the stairs to the intersection with the road.

(1.49 km) Harnett Pl sign post to Int. Hawthorne Ave and Bellevue Ave
Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 1.02 km Time = 20 mins
Climb = 22 m Descent = -35 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk crosses the road and heads right, up the hill. The walk continues up the hill to Lowanna Park gate on the left.
Turn left: From the gate on Greville St, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the play equipment and BBQs, to the gate on the Fullers Rd side of Lowanna Park.
Turn left: From Lowanna Park, this walk heads along Fullers Rd towards the mechanics, initially keeping the park on the left. The walk continues along Fullers Rd, as Millwood Ave breaks off to the right. The first left is the signposted intersection with Bellevue Ave.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' signs down Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m, tending right to the signposted intersection.

(2.51 km) Int. Hawthorne Ave and Bellevue Ave to Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave
Walk: Easy - road
Length = 51 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the hill for approximately 30m to the telegraph pole with 'Rail to River Walk' sign.

(2.56 km) Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave to Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 71 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -13 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the hill between the fences. The walk comes to the end of the laneway and descends the stairs, down through rocky outcrops to the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval.

(2.64 km) Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval to O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park
Track: Moderate - openland
Length = 134 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads across the oval to the car park to the left of the toilet block.

(2.77 km) O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park to Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive
Walk: Easy - road
Length = 381 m Time = 7 mins
Climb = 6 m Descent = -9 m
Continue straight: From the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park, this walk heads along the road with Chatswood Golf Course below on the left. The walk continues along the road for approximately 200m, passing a street on the left, to the intersection opposite house No. 17.

(3.15 km) Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive to Int. Behind the 8th Tee
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 55 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -9 m
Turn left: From the intersection opposite No. 17 Reid Drive, the walk heads down the stairs tending left down the hill to the signposted intersection behind the 8th tee.

Chatswood Golf Course Alt = 28 m
The newly renovated deck at Chatswood Golf Course makes it a great place to take a breather on your walk. The club offers snacks and meals with a $12 all day breakfast on offer. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $5-20, with a good variety on offer. Chatswood Golf Course is open seven days for meals. More info

(3.21 km) Int. Behind the 8th Tee to Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 200 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 3 m Descent = -1 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the golf course, following the Lane Cove River (on the left of the track). The walk continues under the river bank's shady vegetation for a short time to the intersection of Delhi Rd and Lady Game Dr.

Riverside Cafe Bar & Grill Alt = 2 m
The Riverside Cafe[2] is found at the end of service road on the south-west corner of Fullers Bridge. The nicely renovated building looks over the Lane Cove River and is open 7 days, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner[3]. The food is cafe-style and meals are priced upwards from $13[4]. Ph: (02) 9412 3773.

(3.41 km) Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd to O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park
Track: Hard - bushtrack,road
Length = 636 m Time = 12 mins
Climb = 19 m Descent = -9 m
Turn around: From the intersection, this walk heads down to the Lane Cove River, on the right. The walk continues under the river bank's shady vegetation for a short time to a large signposted intersection behind the 8th tee of the golf course.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill tending right, to a set of stairs which it climbs up to Reid Drive, opposite No. 17.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the road above Chatswood Golf Course (below on the right). The walk follows the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval sign along the road for approximately 200m to the oval, car park and picnic area with play equipment.

(4.04 km) O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park to Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave
Track: Moderate - openland,bushtrack,road,footpath
Length = 740 m Time = 15 mins
Climb = 49 m Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the car park, this walk heads past the metal gate and across the oval to the far side of the oval, where a track marker stands just off the oval.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the stairs, winding around and through rocky outcrops to a fence line. The track follows the fence line up to the road, where a sign is bolted to the telegraph pole, indicating 'Rail to River Walk'.
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up the road following the 'Rail to River Walk' sign to the corner of the road.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign up Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m to the signposted intersection with Fullers Rd.

(4.78 km) Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave to Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk
Track: Moderate - footpath,bushtrack,bushtrack,bushtrack,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 1.29 km Time = 26 mins
Climb = 37 m Descent = -46 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up Fullers Rd, tending right where Fullers Rd meets Millwood Ave. The walk follows Fullers Rd for a short time to Lowanna Park on the right. Entry to the park is via a gate at the near-end of the park.
Turn right: From the Fullers Rd gate entry of Lowanna Park, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the BBQs and play equipment, to the gate opening to Greville St. There is a 'Rail to River Walk' signpost outside the gate.
Turn right: From the gate, this walk heads down the hill, away from Fullers Rd. The track heads down the hill for approximately 200m to cross the road to the Harnett Pl sign, opposite No. 86.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs, coming to a house. From the house on the right, the track zigzags down the hill through mossy rock outcrops to the signposted intersection above a creek and pipe.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads down the steps and along the creek (which remains on your right) for approximately 60m to a signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track across the creek. The track then turns left, up the hill, and reaches a sign posted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the Darymple Ave arrow along the bush track. The track soon turns left, at a junction, to head to a sign posted creek crossing. Very soon after crossing the creek, the track comes to a sign posted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill to follow the creek (below on the right). The track meanders along the creek bank for a little while, coming to a large stand of bamboo on the left. The track then heads down to follow the creek more closely, soon crossing the creek and climbing up the bank to a signposted intersection in front of a house.

(6.07 km) Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk to Chatswood Station
Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 1.41 km Time = 27 mins
Climb = 54 m Descent = -11 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the laneway behind the houses. The path follows the blue markers for a short time to come to Beresford Ave, opposite Wallace Park Reserve.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads up Lone Pine Ave to turn right onto Eddy Rd. The walk continues up to the end of the road, then turns left onto Pacific Highway. The walk passes the primary school and overpass, coming to the pedestrian crossing opposite Victoria Ave.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk crosses at pedestrian crossing on Pacific Highway, or takes the foot bridge just near the intersection. This walk then continues down Victoria Ave to the entrance of the train station on the right. If the road turns left, you have gone too far.

Catch the train from Chatswood Station
Public transport (train) available from this Bushwalk Check out the facilities at Chatswood 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|
Catch the bus from Chatswood Station
Public transport (bus) available from this Bushwalk 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 Chatswood 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
Lane Cove River tourist park


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Mountain Designs Shop 16/ 9 Spring St , Chatswood (02) 9415 4566 0.4 km
Mountain Equipment 72 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9419 6955 0.5 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor 77 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9412 4777 0.5 km
Kangaroo Tent City & BBQs 165-167 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood (02) 9884 9199 1.4 km
Rays Outdoors 93- 99 Parramatta Rd , Camperdown 1800 641 867 10 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Rail to River Walk.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Rail to River Walk
Click to re-center search
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
10 km (to the NW)
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 21 km (to the SSW)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 21 km (to the N)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 25 km (to the W)
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 41 km (to the NNE)

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 9 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

Walker Feedback

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