Middle Harbour Creek Loop
Guringai Country

5 h to 5 h 45 min

15 km
circuit

↑ 488 m
↓ -488 m

Very challenging
This walk explores the upper reaches of Middle Harbour Creek, starting and ending at the great parklands at Davidson Park, in Garigal National Park. There are plenty of nice spots along the way to rest and enjoy the views. There are several sandstone overhangs, plenty of water views and most of the walk enjoys shade from the surrounding bushland. This walk is graded so high because of a tricky creek crossing (Rocky Creek) and the faint section of track afterwards. Let us begin by acknowledging the Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Welcome to Davidson Picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Passing through a National Park gate. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Passing a small bush regeneration area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Winding along Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Passing a Lyrebird Track sign. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Winding through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking down on the creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Carroll Creek Crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking up Carroll Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Continuing along Carroll Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Governor Phillip track on the bank of Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Passing an old rope swing. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing under the pipe bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the track markers. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Stepping stones on Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the Bungaroo Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing under the pipeline. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Continuing through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing Rocky Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Heading through the burnt out bushtland. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Staying close to Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the bushtrack. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Climbing up some steps to the pipe bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Gordon Creek pipe bridge. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Following the Two Creeks Track arrow down the steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing Gordon Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Climbing up the wooden steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Passing the Gordon Creek pipe bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Entering Garigal National Park. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following Middle Harbour Creek through the Little Diggers Park. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing a narrow boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following Moores Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing a short bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the side of the hill. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Back to Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Climbing up to Ormonde Road. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Roseville Bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Heading down into Davidson Park. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Davidson Park. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF


Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.7669761,151.1996595)
Mode Bus Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Gore Hill Freeway Onramp
  • Turn on to Longueville Road then drive for 9 m
  • Turn right onto Longueville Road and drive for another 220 m
  • Keep left onto Pacific Highway Offramp and drive for another 155 m
  • Keep left onto Pacific Highway Offramp and drive for another 3.1 km
  • Turn right onto Boundary Street, A38 and drive for another 10 m
  • Turn slight right onto Boundary Street, A38 and drive for another 4.3 km
  • Make a U-turn onto Warringah Road, A38 and drive for another 910 m
  • Keep left onto Healey Way and drive for another 210 m
  • Turn sharp right onto Healey Way and drive for another 50 m
  • Keep left onto Healey Way and drive for another 1.1 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the gate at the north-western corner of Davidson Park, this walk follows the 'Lyrebird Track' sign through the metal gate and along the service trail, heading through the bush and following Middle Harbour Creek for a while before the track narrows to a bush track at a long grassy clearing.
From the clearing at the end of the management trail, this walk continues along the bush track, keeping Middle Harbour Creek on the left as it meanders along the water's edge for a while. The track climbs up the side of the hill, then flattens out and continues through the bush, steadily winding down to the edge of Carroll Creek, which it follows for a while before the track comes down to the signposted intersection of the 'Carroll Creek Track' at the stepping stones.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 1.3 km continue straight, to head along Lyrebird Track.
After another 810 m continue straight, to head along Lyrebird Track.
After another 530 m (at the intersection of Carroll Creek Track & Lyrebird Track) turn left, to head along Governor Philip Track (a footpath).
After another 9 m cross the stepping stones (about 10 m long)
After another 1.6 km (at the intersection of Pipeline track & Governor Philip Track) continue straight, to head along Governor Philip Track.
After another 690 m (at the intersection of Governor Philip Track & Bungaroo Crossing) turn left, to head along Bungaroo Crossing (a footpath).
Then cross the stepping stones (about 30 m long)
After another 55 m find the "Bungaroo" (20 m on your right).
Bungaroo
Bungaroo

Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where "the flowing of the tide ceased". Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as "the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of". Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo.
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Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where "the flowing of the tide ceased". Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as "the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of". Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo.

After another 145 m continue straight.
After another 490 m find the "Pipeline" (on your right).
Pipeline
Pipeline

This pipeline is unearthed at Hunter Street, St Ives, and travels through Garigal National Park, across Middle Harbour Creek to John Oxley Drive, Sorlie. The pipe carries water under pressure From Ryde to Pymble to the reservoir at Beacon Hill. The old smaller-capacity pipe can still be seen running parallel to the larger pipe.
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This pipeline is unearthed at Hunter Street, St Ives, and travels through Garigal National Park, across Middle Harbour Creek to John Oxley Drive, Sorlie. The pipe carries water under pressure From Ryde to Pymble to the reservoir at Beacon Hill. The old smaller-capacity pipe can still be seen running parallel to the larger pipe.

Continue straight.
After another 1.2 km continue straight.
After another 460 m pass the waterfall (15 m on your right).
After another 900 m continue straight, to head along Barrie Street Track.
After another 285 m (at the intersection of Barrie Street Track & Gordon Creek Track) turn left, to head along Gordon Creek Track.
After another 70 m cross the stepping stones (about 8 m long)
After another 145 m (at the intersection of Two Creeks Track & Gordon Creek Track) turn left, to head along Two Creeks Track (a vehicle track).
After another 215 m pass the "Gordon Creek Bridge" (6 m on your left).
After another 60 m head up the earthen steps (about 45 m long)
After another 55 m head up the earthen steps (about 20 m long)
After another 190 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Two Creeks Track & Manuwi Track) veer right, to head along Two Creeks Track.
After another 400 m pass the "World War 1" (on your left).
After another 100 m continue straight, to head along Two Creeks Track.
After another 145 m pass the shelter (on your right).
After another 70 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 15 m pass the waterfall (9 m on your right).
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Little Digger Track & Two Creeks Track) turn left, to head along Two Creeks Track.
After another 140 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
Then cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
To Ormonde Road
After another 830 m by following the "To Ormonde Road" sign continue straight.
Then head up the earthen steps (about 120 m long)
After another 140 m (at the intersection of Ormonde Road & Chase Avenue) continue straight, to head along Ormonde Road.
After another 185 m (at the intersection of Ormonde Road & Cardigan Road) continue straight, to head along Ormonde Road.
After another 110 m (at the intersection of Ormonde Road & The Kingsway) continue straight, to head along Ormonde Road.
After another 130 m (at the intersection of Ormonde Road Exit & Ormonde Road) continue straight, to head along Malga Avenue.
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Warringah Road & Malga Avenue) turn right, to head along Warringah Road (a highway|trunk_link).
After another 120 m continue straight, to head along Warringah Road.
After another 190 m veer left.
After another 90 m head through the bollard.
Continue straight.
After another 40 m cross the bridge (about 440 m long)
After another 60 m turn left, to head along Healey Way.
After another 290 m turn right, to head along Healey Way.
After another 430 m pass the picnic table (30 m on your left).
After another 150 m continue straight, to head along Healey Way.
After another 65 m pass the toilet (20 m on your left).
After another 80 m pass the shelter (25 m on your left).
After another 370 m pass the water tap (25 m on your left).
After another 6 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Middle Harbour Creek Loop


Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length 15 km
Time 5 h to 5 h 45 min
Quality of track Rough unclear track (5/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5 km apart with the largest gap of 10.9 km.

Toilet: There is one 14.6 km from the start.

Seat: There is one 11.3 km from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Shelter
10.9 km[shelter]
Seat
11.3 km[seat]
Toilet
14.6 km[toilet]
Shelter
14.6 km[shelter]
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