East Killara Bushtrack

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Time 1 hr 15 mins
One way 2.6 km One way
Climb 133 m
Grade 4 Hard track
Bus Car
no_pets
This walk explores a section of Middle Harbour and Gordon Creek following a narrow bush track. The walk provides some great views across Middle Harbour Creek and the bushland of the area. This walk also gets close to the mangroves along Middle Harbour creek. With the right tide, these mangroves can be very interesting to explore.
Top of Koola Avenue management trail Heading down the hill Start of the bushtrack Looking up the hill Track dividing the burnt and unburnt bushland Down the rocky hill Middle Harbour Creek Following the creek Heading through the trees Following the bushtrack Crossing a small creek Mangroves Middle Harbour Creek Climbing up some steps to the pipe bridge Pipeline at Gordon Creek Int Following the service trail up the hill Passing a Garigal National Park sing Top of the Barrie Street service trail

(0km) Koola Ave → Int of Albany Cres and Koola servicetracks

distance 90 m time 2 mins climb 0m descent -10m Moderate track
From the corner of Koola Avenue and Albany Crescent, this walk heads past the 'Koola Track' sign and through the metal gate. The walk heads along the management trail as it bends to the left and drops down the steep hill, coming to the 'Y' intersection with another management trail.

(0km) Int of Albany Cres and Koola servicetracks → Int of Murrumba Place servicetrail and Koola bushtrack

distance 30 m time climb 0m descent 0m Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail heading down the hill, with the ground sloping up to the right, for a short distance until coming to the intersection with the defined bush track on the left.

(0km) Int of Murrumba Place servicetrail and Koola bushtrack → Koola and Gordon Creek tracks Intersection

distance 530 m time 16 mins climb 1m descent -76m Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading south-east, through the bush and away from the management trail. After a little while, the track starts to drop down the long and, at times, quite steep rocky hill, descending into the valley. After a while,this walk comes down to the intersection of the Middle Harbour Creek track, about 20m above the creek at the bottom of the valley.

(1km) Koola and Gordon Creek tracks Intersection → Gordon Creek Pipe Bridge (bottom of Barrie Street Track)

distance 1.4 km time 29 mins climb 62m descent -61m Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the rocky bush track, keeping Middle Harbour Creek on the left. The track undulates along the side of the hill for a while, then drops down to the wide creek. The walk passes through a mangrove clearing and crosses a smaller creek, continuing along the other side. The track then climbs steeply up a rock outcrop and continues along the side of the hill for a while, before heading over the hill and along the narrow bush track, with ground sloping up to the right and running parallel with Gordon Creek (on the left). The track heads through the dense forest, then climbs a set of wooden steps, coming to the end of a management trail at a pipe bridge.

(2km) Gordon Creek Pipe Bridge (bottom of Barrie Street Track) → Garigal National Park sign

distance 470 m time 11 mins climb 62m descent -5m Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail heading up the long, steep hill, winding out of the valley for a while before climbing up to a 'Garigal National Park' sign[1] at the intersection with the 'Barrie Street Track'.

(2km) Garigal National Park sign → End of Barrie Street

distance 120 m time 2 mins climb 8m descent -1m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Barrie Street Track' management trail[2] up the gentle hill and through the bush, passing a 'Two Creeks Track' sign[3] and continuing through a metal gate to the end of Barrie Street.

Maps for the East Killara Bushtrack walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Parramatta River1:25 000 Map Series91303N PARRAMATTA RIVERNSW-91303N
Sydney1:100 000 Map Series9130 SYDNEY9130

Cross sectional view of the East Killara Bushtrack bushwalking track

Terrain profile for East Killara Bushtrack

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the East Killara Bushtrack

Altitude analysis for East Killara Bushtrack

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length2.6 km
Time1 hr 15 mins
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track		AS 2156.1GradientVery steep (4/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience RequiredSome bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

1.9km of this walk has short steep hills and another 530m is very steep. The remaining (150m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 1.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 710m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 2.4km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 240m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 240m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 710m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the East Killara Bushtrack walk.

East Killara Track

6 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

East Killara Track

This walk starts and finishes at different points on Eastern Arterial Road. The walk follows a mixture of service trails and bush tracks through Garigal National Park, along Middle Harbour Creek, then heads back out to Eastern Arterial Road, on the other side of Killara.

Total climbing: 296m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

6.8 km One way, 3 hrs

Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

This pleasant walk starts at the bottom of Eastern Arterial Road (near the speed camera) and follows the service trails and bush tracks into Garigal National Park and down the side of the valley to Middle Harbour Creek. From here the track follows Middle Harbour Creek north to the pipe bridge, and a

Total climbing: 400m

Grade 5
  • Car
  • Bus

Experienced only

Middle Harbour Creek Loop

15.1 km Circuit, 5 hrs 45 mins

Middle Harbour Creek Loop

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

Total climbing: 570m

Grade 5
  • Car
  • Bus

Experienced only

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the East Killara Bushtrack walk.

Davidson Track

2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Davidson Track

This walk starts at John Oxley Drive, and is popular with people working on their fitness. The walk follows a service trail which is initially dirt, but is sealed for most of the way, as it follows the pipeline steeply down to Middle Harbour Creek. Enjoy the view from the bank of the creek before

Total climbing: 132m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Davidson Track to Carroll Creek and Ferguson St

3.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

Davidson Track to Carroll Creek and Ferguson St

Starting from John Oxley Drive, Davidson, this walk descends steeply into Garigal National Park, along a wide asphalt service trail. The walk follows a lovely bush track along the eastern bank of Middle Harbour creek before following Carroll Creek up to the end of Ferguson St, Forestville. There are

Total climbing: 128m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Bungaroo Track

3.6 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Bungaroo Track

This walk explores a section of bush between Hunter Ave, St Ives, and Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows a reasonably well defined bush track, passing several rocky outcrops with views across the valley. The walk is named after Bungaroo, a spot of Middle Harbour creek which was described by th

Total climbing: 237m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Founders Way

3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Founders Way

This return walk starts at the Founders Way track head, in St Ives, and follows the pipeline through the National Park. The walk heads down into the valley where it comes to the Middle Harbour Creek pipe bridge. There is a short, optional side trip along the Bungaroo Track to the stepping stones cr

Total climbing: 137m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Bungaroo and Founders Way Loop

3.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

Bungaroo and Founders Way Loop

This circuit walk starts at Founders Way and follows the Bungaroo bush track through the national park to Middle Harbour Creek. There is an optional side trip to the creek crossing before returning, via the pipe bridge and the Pipeline Track. Along the Bungaroo Track there are plenty of opportuniti

Total climbing: 190m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Cascades Track (from Davidson)

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Cascades Track (from Davidson)

This pleasant, return walk starts in Davidson and follows the Cascades Track along the management trails as it winds down into the valley. In the main valley, the walk comes to the Cascades just upstream of the Frenchs and Middle Harbour Creeks junction. The Cascades are surrounded by rock platform

Total climbing: 119m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Davidson Exploration

5.8 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

Davidson Exploration

This walk partially circumnavigates the suburb of Davidson. Starting on Stone Pde, the walk follows the cascades track down to Middle Harbour Creek and follows the creek downstream to the pipeline. The walk finishes with an uphill slog, following the pipeline, to John Oxley Drive.

Total climbing: 243m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Governor Phillip Walk

7 km Return, 3 hrs 45 mins

Governor Phillip Walk

Named in honour of NSW's first Governor, this walk follows in the footsteps of his 1788 expedition to find farm land. The walk starts at the end of Ferguson St, Forestville. Passing the NPWS office and depot, the walk then follows Carroll Creek down to the official start of the Governor Phillip Wa

Total climbing: 222m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

St Ives to Davidson Park via Casuarina Track

9 km One way, 4 hrs

St Ives to Davidson Park via Casuarina Track

This walk starts in St Ives and follows the Pipeline and Bungaroo tracks down to Middle Harbour Creek, crossing the creek at the stepping stones and continuing to Davidson Picnic area. Much of this walk follows Middle Harbour Creek, providing great water views and passing some interesting sandstone

Total climbing: 399m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

The Pipeline Track

4.7 km Return, 2 hrs

The Pipeline Track

This walk explores the bush from St Ives, and follows the pipeline down the the banks of Middle Harbour. There are a few steep sections in the second half of the walk. This walk is an interesting way to get into the heart of Garigal National Park following the Founders track.

Total climbing: 206m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

The Pipeline Way

4.7 km One way, 2 hrs 15 mins

The Pipeline Way

This pleasant walk follows the pipeline, from Hunter Avenue in St Ives, to John Oxley Drive, Davidson. The walk follows the pipeline down into the valley and crosses Middle Harbour Creek (via a quick upstream detour to the Bungaroo Track crossing) before climbing out of the valley to John Oxley Driv

Total climbing: 213m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

The Lyrebird Track

5.3 km Return, 2 hrs

The Lyrebird Track

This pleasant return walk starts from the end of the Davidson Reserve picnic area and follows the Lyrebird Track through the bush, along the edge of Middle Harbour Creek, to the stepping stone crossing on Carroll Creek. The stepping stones are a great place to take a break before returning along th

Total climbing: 100m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The East Killara Bushtrack walk starts at the Koola Ave (gps: -33.750270, 151.18815)

bus Bus. (get details) car Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

The East Killara Bushtrack ends at the End of Barrie Street (gps: -33.756866, 151.18756)

bus Bus. (get details) car Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Garigal National Park

Largely following Middle Harbour Creek and stretching from Seaforth in the south to St Ives in the north Garigal National Park is hidden through Sydney's Northern suburbs. Despite how close it is to large urban centres Garigal is quite beautiful with lots of different walking and cycling tracks. For those just wishing to picnic Davidson Reserve is a great spot just next to Middle Harbour Creek, under the Roseville Bridge.

Old She Oak Reserve

Old She Oak Reserve is a bushland reserve owned and managed by Ku-ring-gai council and is bound by Garigal National park, Koola Ave, Saiala Rd, and Redfield Rd. The park protect part of the Middle Harbour catchment is is home a few small tracks.

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