Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

Download & Print Map and Notes

Tap again to allow map panning

Time 3 hrs
One way 6.8 km One way
Climb 400 m
Grade 5 Experienced only
Bus Car
no_pets
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 along the Bungaroo bush track and the pipeline service trail as it climbs up to St Ives.

* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

Start of the Gordon Creek service trail Climbing up through the bush Following the management trail Climbing up the rough bushtrack Continuing along the trail behind the houses Heading through the bush Start of the bushtrack Looking up the hill Track dividing the burnt and unburnt bushland Down the rocky hill Middle Harbour Creek Alongside Middle Harbour Creek Through the bush Along the side of the hill Continuing through the bush Crossing Rocky Creek Through the bush Crossing under the pipeline Following the bushtrack Through the bush beside the creek Crossing over a fallen tree Following the creek Steps at the bottom of the Bungaroo track Stepping stones across Middle Harbour Creek Bungaroo Track Hole in the rock on the Bungaroo track Heading up the rocky bushtrack climbing up some steps One of several view points on the Bungaroo track Steps on Bungaroo track Following the Baungaroo Track Top of Bungaroo track Top of Bungaroo track at pipeline Service trail along pipeline track Pipeline at top of Founders way track Heading behind some houses Through the bush Heading up to Hunter Avenue top of the pipeline

(0km) Eastern Arterial Rd → End of Bushrangers Reserve service trail

distance 1.5 km time 33 mins climb 83m descent -62m Moderate track
From Eastern Arterial Rd at the bottom of the hill near the speed camera (approximately 300m south of Nicholson Ave), this walk passes the 'Bushranger Reserve' sign and heads through the metal gate. The walk follows the grassy trail up the hill and through the dense bush, undulating gently as it steadily climbs the side of the valley. The walk passes an intersection with an overgrown trail (downhill on the left) and continues for a while to the end of the management trail.

(1km) End of Bushrangers Reserve service trail → Int of Koola Ave service trail and Bushranger Reserve track

distance 90 m time 3 mins climb 15m descent 0m Moderate track
Veer right: From the end of the management trail, this walk follows the bush track along the side of the hill for a short distance, before turning right and climbing steeply up the rocky hill. The walk soon comes to the base of a large rock outcrop, where the track turns left and continues up the hill, climbing up through the outcrop and the trees to an intersection with a management trail.

(2km) Int of Koola Ave service trail and Bushranger Reserve track → Int of Murrumba Place servicetrail and Koola bushtrack

distance 730 m time 15 mins climb 35m descent -19m Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, keeping the valley on the left and passing behind houses on the right. It soon comes to an intersection with a grassy management trail on the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, keeping the valley to the left. The trail passes behind the houses (up to the right) as it undulates through the bush for a while, before coming down to the intersection with the management trail (uphill on the right).
Continue straight: 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.

(2km) 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.

(3km) Koola and Gordon Creek tracks Intersection → Int of Pipeline and Middle Harbour Creek tracks

distance 1.2 km time 25 mins climb 45m descent -60m Experienced only
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the rocky bush track with the ground sloping up to the left. Keeping Middle Harbour Creek on the right, this track undulates along the bottom of the valley for a long while before rising up above the junction with Rocky Creek. The track bends left to follow Rocky Creek for a little while, then drops steeply down the hill, coming to the Rocky Creek crossing where someone has tied up a wire across the creek. From the other side of the creek, this walk follows a very faint track, climbing up the hill and continuing through the bush for a little while before coming to two pipelines. The track heads heads around the smaller pipeline and continues under the second, climbing to the 'Y' intersection of a management trail and bush track.

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.

(4km) Int of Pipeline and Middle Harbour Creek tracks → Int of Bungaroo and Lower Link Track

distance 430 m time 8 mins climb 13m descent -9m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading away from the pipeline, keeping the creek on the right as it winds through the thick bush for a while with the ground sloping up to the left. The walk comes to the intersection with the Bungaroo track (this heads up the wooden steps on the left).

(4km) Int of Bungaroo and Lower Link Track → Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks

distance 240 m time 4 mins climb 10m descent -5m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, with the ground sloping up to the left and keeping the wide creek a short distance (through the bush) to the right. The track continues through the thick bush and around some boulders for a little while before bending to the right and coming to the Middle Harbour Creek, which it crosses at the large sandstone steppingstones (not safe to cross if stepping stones covered in water). The walk then continues up the steps on the other side to the signposted intersection of the 'Governor Phillip Track'. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn 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. More info.

(4km) Int of Bungaroo and Lower Link Track → Int of Pipeline and Bungaroo Tracks

distance 1.3 km time 33 mins climb 165m descent -47m Hard track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up the steep wooden steps and follows the bush track, winding up the long hill for a while, climbing both wooden and rock steps as it winds up and around rock platforms. After climbing some more wooden steps, this walk comes to an intersection with the middle link track, at a rock surface with 3 green painted arrows.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading north-west, keeping the valley on the right as the track winds steadily up through the bush via some spaced-out wooden steps. The walk then climbs up some rock steps through a cleft in a rock outcrop, and then continues along for a short distance to the intersection of the upper link track.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, heading north through the bush for a short while before coming to the lookout rock at the track markers. From here, the walk follows the bush track, heading up the wooden steps and through the gum trees for a short while before coming to the intersection with the Pipeline Track, with a sign pointing back along the 'Bungaroo Track'.

(6km) Int of Pipeline and Bungaroo Tracks → Int of Pipeline Track and Founders Way

distance 180 m time 3 mins climb 0m descent -8m Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Pipeline Track arrow along the management trail, keeping the pipeline on the left as it heads through the bush for a while, before it passes a 'Garigal National Park' signpost and comes down to the intersection with the wide management trail heading off to the right.

(6km) Int of Pipeline Track and Founders Way → Hunter Ave (opposite Yarrabung Rd)

distance 910 m time 19 mins climb 43m descent -28m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail, keeping the pipeline on the left and the backs of the houses on the right, as the walk heads through the bush for a while before climbing up a hill to the intersection of Hunter Avenue, where the pipeline goes underground.

Maps for the Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek 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.

Hornsby1:25 000 Map Series91304S HORNSBYNSW-91304S
Parramatta River1:25 000 Map Series91303N PARRAMATTA RIVERNSW-91303N
Sydney1:100 000 Map Series9130 SYDNEY9130

Cross sectional view of the Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

Altitude analysis for Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

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.

Length6.8 km
Time3 hrs
.




Grade 5/6



Experienced only		AS 2156.1GradientVery steep (4/6)
Quality of trackRough unclear track (5/6)
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

3.8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.3km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 530m is very steep and the remaining 220m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

2.7km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.8km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 1.2km follows a rough unclear track and the remaining 1.1km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 4.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 3.5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.3km 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 3.7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3.1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek walk.

East Killara Bushtrack

2.6 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

East Killara Bushtrack

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

Total climbing: 133m

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

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

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

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

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

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 Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek walk.

Blackbutt Creek Return

5.5 km Return, 2 hrs

Blackbutt Creek Return

This walk is a popular track being close to roads, yet surrounded by nice tall trees. The walk heads down hill with tall eucalyptus surrounding the track and providing shade for most of the walk. Convenient access to the start of the walk from Gordon Railway station is another feature of this walk.

Total climbing: 121m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Moderate track

Gordon to Chatswood Station

12.2 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

Gordon to Chatswood Station

This walk is a great way to get into the bush without being far from civilisation. The walk wanders through untouched valleys and along the Lane Cove River, passing over many roads and footpaths to connect such unspoilt bush. The side trip to Baker's cottage is definitely worth the short stroll, wit

Total climbing: 381m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

Gordon to Hornsby (overnight at Scout camp)

25.8 km One way, 2 Days

Gordon to Hornsby (overnight at Scout camp)

This overnight walk starts from Gordon train station and winds through bush filled valleys to Hornsby station. From Gordon station, the walk winds down past the Gordon golf course to the Great North Walk, then continues north through the Lane Cove Valley before staying overnight at the Baden Powell

Total climbing: 1024m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

Gordon to Roseville Station (Riverside Walk)

13.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

Gordon to Roseville Station (Riverside Walk)

This walk goes from Gordon, to Roseville station, using the Riverside Walking Track. From DeBurghs Bridge, the walk follows the western bank of the Lane Cove River, passing many picnic areas and the Lane Cove River Boat Shed. The scenic walk along the Lane Cove River provides plenty of opportunities

Total climbing: 344m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

Gordon to Roseville Railway Station

10.7 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

Gordon to Roseville Railway Station

The track connecting Gordon to Roseville Railway Station is a surising scenic walk through remnant bushland. The walk escapes the urban centres to wind through the valleys and along the Lane Cove River with its abundance of water dragons, ducks and other birds. The walk is a great way to do a statio

Total climbing: 345m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

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

Two Creeks Track

6.1 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

Two Creeks Track

A popular walk that explores Gordon, Middle Harbour and Moores Creeks. This walk crosses a section of Garigal National park and a few reserves managed by Ku-ring-gai Council, you will see some great water views, sandstone caves and heritage sandstone works. The track is well signposted. The optiona

Total climbing: 237m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Moderate track

Lindfield Park and Little Digger Track Loop

6.7 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

Lindfield Park and Little Digger Track Loop

This pleasant walk starts from Lindfield Park and heads through the bushland to the Two Creeks Track, which it follows through the National Park to, and along, Middle Harbour Creek. The walk returns to Lindfield Park via the picturesque Little Digger Track, and through a few shortcut alley ways in E

Total climbing: 287m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate 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

Sheldon Cascades walk

360 m Return, 15 mins

Sheldon Cascades walk

This short walk explores a set of cascades, finishing at the top of a small waterfall. From the road, the walk follows the creek to a bridge just near the waterfall. You will often see rosellas feeding in the clearing near the first bridge.

Total climbing: 4m

Grade 2
  • Car
  • Bus

Easy 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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek walk starts at the Eastern Arterial Rd (gps: -33.751550, 151.17164)

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

The Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek ends at the Hunter Ave (opposite Yarrabung Rd) (gps: -33.741780, 151.16694)

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.

Comments