This walk gives you the opportunity to stroll alongside a creek and explore an open eucalypt forest. An easy mostly flat walk starting at a wonderful playground and picnic area, this is a walk for everyone. As you walk you can learn more about the diverse history of the area on the information signs, sit and enjoy the bird life, or take a picnic on the side trip up the dam.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Second Ponds Creek walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Second Ponds Creek 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
870m
Time
20 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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
Around 800m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 65m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 800m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 65m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 730m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 140m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 870m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 460m of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 410m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 870m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
The main car park is found at the end of the 750m long driveway off Worcester Rd, Rouse Hill. There is room to park about 60 cars in the shade of the tall trees[1]. There is no signposted mobility parking but each parking bay is marked and 2.7m wide.
Rouse Hill main Picnic area and playground
Alt = 45 m
Nestled among the tall eucalypt forest at the southern end of the main car park in Rouse Hill Regional Park is a lovely playground, picnic area and toilet block.
The well equiped children's playground has a timber maze[2], climbing equipment[3], slides[4], and other equpment[5][6][7].
The picnic facilities between the car park and the playground include two large sheltered tables[fac=8348] and BBQ's[fac=8349]. There are other seats and picnic tables around the area as well. About 20m west of the playground is a quieter elevated picnic shelter[fac=8345] and BBQ[fac=8346].
There is a toilet block[fac=8333][fac=8334] about 150m walk from the playground around the edge of the large clearing[8].
(0 km)
Rouse Hill main car park
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Toilet Block Optional sidetrip: Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 150 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn sharp left: From the main large car park in Rouse Hill Regional Park (beside the playground[9] and picnic area[10][fac=8348][fac=8349]), this walk follows the asphalt path[11] gently downhill towards the large clearing keeping the playground and BBQ area on the right. After about 40m this walk comes to the edge of the grassy clearing and turns left at the 3-way intersection[12], to walk along the path for about 30m to pass a picnic platform[13][fac=8330] (on the left) and come to a sheltered seating area[14][fac=8331] (on the right). This walk continues along the path passing another picnic platform[15][fac=8332] then after about 60m comes to the front of the toilet block[16][fac=8333][fac=8334]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
(0 km)
Rouse Hill main car park
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Maze Intersection Walk: Easy - footpath,bushtrack
Length = 69 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the southern edge of the main Rouse Hill Regional Park car park, this walk follows the concrete footpath, keeping the sheltered picnic areas[fac=8348] to the left for about 15m[17] to come to the 'Welcome to Rouse Hill Regional Park' sign[18]. From here this walk continues beside the playground, following the gravel track[19] for 15m come to a 4-way intersection marked with the large 'Rouse Hill Regional Park' sign[20]. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the mostly flat dirt/gravel track[21], directly away from the car park and asphalt path to head behind the 'Rouse Hill Regional Park' sign[22]. The track gently bends left[23] and after 35m comes to a clear 3-way intersection, marked by a 'Take a stroll around' sign[24] (behind the timber maze).
(0.07 km)
Maze Intersection
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Second Ponds northern int. Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 272 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the wide track keeping the playground and timber maze on the left[25]. After a few meters, this walk heads past the back entrance to the maze[26] then continues (away from the playground) for 30m to find a picnic platform[fac=8338] (on the left). This walk continues for about 15m to the 'Every plant tells a story' sign[27] where the track then starts to meander for 100m through the forest to cross a concrete ford[fac=8339], that floods during heavy or prolonged rain. This part of the track does become boggy after rain. About 30m after the ford this walk leads past a seat[fac=8340] then continues for another 70m to cross a small gulley then head gently uphill to a 3-way intersection[28][29], marked by an arrow post[30][31].
(0.34 km)
Second Ponds northern int.
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Second Ponds Picnic shelters Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 193 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Extension track' arrow[32] gently uphill along the gravel track for about 60m towards the clearing, where the track bends right to reach an intersection marked with a 'Weathering and Droughts' sign[33] (on the right). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide gravel track gently uphill initially keeping large clearing on the left. After about 70m this walk leads alongside a dam[34] (on the right) and comes to a sheltered picnic table[fac=8341] (on the edge of the dam). The walk continues along the wide gravel track for another 50m to find two more similar picnic shelters [fac=8342][fac=8343] (on the right). (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Second Ponds Picnic shelters
Alt = 43 m
Nestled in a quiet area beside the pond on the eastern edge of Rouse Hill Regional Park is a series lovely sheltered picnic tables[fac=8341][fac=8342][fac=8343]. The unfenced pond is about 60m across and provides a pleasant backdrop[35] and a waterhole for local wildlife. There are also views the other direction across the grassy hills and the old farmland[36]. A pleasant spot to sit and rest or stay to enjoy your picnic.
(0.34 km)
Second Ponds northern int.
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Maze Intersection Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 455 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Second Ponds Creek Loop' arrow[37] (in the opposite direction to the 'Extension track' arrow) gently downhill where the track soon bends right. The track leads for about 40m to pass an informal track[38] (on the left that leads towards the creek) then come to a 'Flooded with history' information sign[39] (on the left). The track continues to gently meander alongside the creek for another 80m to cross a concrete ford[fac=8335]. This ford and track floods after heavy or prolonged rain and this area may also become boggy. The walk continues along the clear track for another 50m to come to a 'Birds & black snakes' information sign[40] and a seat[fac=8336] (on the left). From here this walk meanders gently uphill through the forest for about 120m to the 'Rich Aboriginal area' sign[41] (on the left). This walk continues to meanders gently uphill through the forest[42] for another 160m to come to a 3-way intersection[43] (beside the timber maze), marked by a 'Take a stroll around' sign[44] (on the right).
(0.8 km)
Maze Intersection
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Rouse Hill main car park Walk: Easy - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 69 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt/gravel track[45], directly away from the face of the 'Take a stroll around' sign[46] gently uphill towards the playground and picnic area. The track bends right and after 35m this walk comes to a 3-way intersection, marked with a large 'Rouse Hill Regional Park[47] (on the left). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the face of 'Rouse Hill Regional Park' sign[48] along the gravel track, keeping the playground on the right. After about 15m this walk comes to a 'Welcome to Rouse Hill Regional Park' sign[49]. From here this walk follows the concrete path for 15m, past the sheltered picnic area[fac=8348] to come to the main Rouse Hill Regional Park car park[50].
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 wx67007
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity (as at )
Rouse Hill Regional ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Rouse Hill Regional Park is in Sydney's hills district and is a great place for the whole family - you can even bring your dog. The kids will love the adventure playground and space to run around. There are walks to explore in open grassland or winding among a lovely forest. You explore the area by on foot, bike, scooter or wheelchair. The park is locked at night and open 8am to 8pm during daylight savings (8am to 5pm at other times). There are picnic areas, seats and toilets in different parts of the park. The traditional custodians of this land are the Deerubbin People, the area was farmed by the Rouse family and now manged by NSW National Parks and Wildlife service. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
500 meters
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)