This is a scenic walk which takes in views of the Lane Cove River and some heritage buildings. Porters Creek bridge is a fantastic example of extravagant stone work, cut locally from the creek itself. The walk generally follows the Lane Cove River, passing many favourite sun baking spots for the local water dragons. Water Dragons and water birds seem to favour this lower bank, along with picnickers who enjoy the many grassed picnic areas along the way.
(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 Riverside Walking Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Riverside Walking Track 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
5km
Time
2 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
*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
1.5km of this walk is very steep and another 1.5km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.4km is flat with no steps and the remaining 1.1km has short steep hills.
Quality of track
3.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.5km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 520m follows a clear and well formed track or trail and the remaining 370m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
2.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.9km is clearly signposted. The remaining (1.5km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
2.9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 1.5km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (1.1km) has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Online bushwalking Magazine. Download the full magazine for free Bushwalk Australia eMag The Online Magazine is produces by the community at bushwalk.com and the Wildwalks team Bushwalk.com Australia's most active bushwalking forum - Check it out. Happy Reading. Matt :)
Catch the bus to Int. Riverside Trk and Riverside Dr at park entrance
(0 km)
Int. Riverside Trk and Riverside Dr at park entrance
to
Porters Creek bridge West Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.51 km
Time = 28 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -53 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Riverside Walk' sign down the stairs. The track winds above the Lane Cove River for approximately 600m, passing some cliffs on the right. The track continues to wind above the river for another 400m, to then turn right, up Porters Creek. The track follows Porters Creek for approximately 100m to the intersection with Riverside Drive at Porters Creek bridge.
(1.51 km)
Porters Creek bridge West
to
Porters Creek bridge East Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 32 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left: At the bridge, this walk crosses the creek using the road/bridge, to the signposted intersection with the bush track, on the left.
(1.55 km)
Porters Creek bridge East
to
13 Cottonwood Glen Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.06 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 26 m
Descent = -34 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs and follows Porters Creek, on the left of the track, for approximately 100m. The track then turns right to follow the Lane Cove River for approximately 1km, winding and undulating. The track comes to an opening at Fern Valley, with picnic tables. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk passes through to Fern Valley, winding left past a small creek from a drain high on the right, which drains into the Lane Cove River below on the left. The track continues along the river bank for approximately 1km, passing through some clearings before opening out onto picnic area '19 Halfway Point'. The track heads across this clearing up to the gate on the right, to continue down the road passing the toilet block (above on the right). The track passes through picnic area '18 Korong' to the other side of its grass clearing, where the bush track starts. Continue straight: From the clearing, this walk follows the bush track around the Lane Cove River bank, keeping the river on the left, for approximately 400m to cross the '13 Cottonwood Glen' picnic area, over a small bridge to come to a car park beside the river.
13 Cottonwood Glen
Alt = 2 m
Cottonwood Glen picnic area is a large open grassy spot on the bank of the Lane Cove River. There is a grove of trees along the edge of the river, but you can still get clear views across the water from the car park area. There are several picnic tables[1] and a small toilet block[2][3] just up the hill.
(3.61 km)
13 Cottonwood Glen
to
9 Carters Creek Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 363 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -2 m
Continue straight: From the car park on the south side of 'Cottonwood Glen', this walk follows the NPWS arrow post[4] along the track into the bush, keeping the river to your left. The track leads along side the river for about 300m, first through a lovely she-oak stand[5], then through a re-vegetating tall gum forest[6] before heading down a sealed footpath[7] to come to a car park (beside the toilet block[8]) at Carters Creek picnic area.
9 Carters Creek
Alt = 4 m
Carters Creek Picnic Area is the ninth formal picnic space along this stretch of the Lane Cove River. This picnic area is home to a couple of sheltered picnic tables[9], a gas BBQ[10] a large open grassy area[11], garbage bins, toilets[12] and a car park[13]. There is some limited access to the river view[14]. A pleasant spot among the tall gums.
(3.97 km)
9 Carters Creek
to
8 Ironbarks Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 216 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From in front of the toilets at Carters Creek picnic area, this walk heads across the grass clearing[15] and across the small timber bridge[16] to come to the car park[17]. After crossing the car park, this walk continues over the grass[18], beside the road, keeping the river to your left, and then veers left and follows the NPWS arrow post[19] down around the locked gate. Here the walk follows the narrow trail for about 60m to come to an intersection[20] with a footpath on your right, just before the '8 Ironbarks' sign[21] and picnic area.
(4.19 km)
8 Ironbarks
to
Boat Shed Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 473 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -12 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[22] just west of '8 Ironbarks'[23], this walk follows the track through the picnic area, keeping the river on the left. On the far side of the picnic area, this walk follows the NPWS arrow post[24] for about 180m up over a rocky outcrop[25] to then head down a metal staircase[26]. The track winds down alongside the river for another 70m to come to the edge of another large grassy clearing. Here, this walk heads across '7 Moola' picnic area (with toilets[27] and water), crossing a small flat timber bridge[28] in the middle. The track soon leaves this clearing and continues for another 80m to come to the shop-front side of the sandstone boatshed building[29].
Lane Cove Boatshed
Alt = 3 m
Lane Cove Boatshed, in Lane Cove National Park, is situated on the bank of the (you guessed it) Lane Cove River. You can hire rowboats, kayaks, pedal boats, bikes and canoes[30], for different ways to enjoy the river. The shop also sells ice-creams, chips and drinks. The shed is open on weekend from 10am - 5pm. During summer school holidays, the shop is also open from 12-5pm[31]. For more info, call Greg on 0418600695[32].
(4.66 km)
Boat Shed
to
Illoura Picnic Area Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 158 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the shop front of the boatshed[33], this walk follows the concrete path keeping the river to the left to walk to the end of the building. Here, the walk follows the wide dirt track, past the large picnic table[34][fac=8387], keeping to the lower main (but narrowing) track for about 60m to pass through a notably narrow[fac=8386] then short rough steep[fac=8385] section of track in the acacia grove. About 15m later the walk leads below a large brick picnic shelter[35] and 50m later comes to a 'Riverside Walking Track' sign[36] at the edge of the 'Illoura'[37] picnic area.
(4.82 km)
Illoura Picnic Area
to
Lane Cove River Lookout Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 307 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk follows the 'Lane Cove River weir 0.35km' arrow[38] on the 'Riverside Walking Track' sign along the track keeping the river to the left to head alongside the 'Illoura'[39] picnic area. The walk then leads past a grove of trees to then head to the far end of the next picnic area, the 'Spoonbill'[40] picnic area[fac=8377][fac=8379][fac=8378]. Here the walk leads past the 'Riverside walking track' sign[41] up the concrete then timber ramp and along the boardwalk for about 80m (enjoying more river views) to come to a fenced lookout with a few seats[fac=8376] (and a stepped seating area[42]) and great views over the Lane Cove River[43].
(5.12 km)
Lane Cove River Lookout
to
Lane Cove Weir South Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 50 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk follows the timber boardwalk, keeping the river to the left. After about 40m the boardwalk ends and the walk follows a concrete footpath[44] to come to a t-intersection with an asphalt trail marked with a large 'Riverside walking track' sign[45] just above the weir[46] (to the left).
(5.17 km)
Lane Cove Weir South
to
Koonjeree Middle Trk Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 98 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[47] along the concrete footpath, keeping the river to the left. The path leads around the edge of the 'Koonjeree picnic area'[48] and comes to an intersection with another footpath[49] (leading through the middle of the picnic area).
Koonjeree Picnic Area
Alt = 2 m
Koonjeree Picnic Area[50] is at the southern end of Lane Cove National Park, just near Fullers Bridge. The picnic area boasts free gas barbecues, flushing toilets[51][52][53], town tap water, picnic tables and shelters[54], a large open area[55] and car parking[56]. On the bank of the Lane Cove River[57], this is a pleasant spot to enjoy the park.
(5.27 km)
Koonjeree Middle Trk
to
Fullers Bridge Bus Stop Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 193 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the road then passes over it, to the toilet blocks. Turn left: From the toilets, this walk heads through the low bushes, following the car park (which is on the left). The walk winds through the bushes to pass a stone seat on the left before crossing the entrance road to the Lane Cove National Park. This walk then continues along the footpath for a few metres to the road, which it crosses to come to the bus stop.
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.
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:
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Parking fees apply in the area.
not too much longer now :)