The Bluff Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

986 m Return

23 m

Moderate track

This short return walk starts from the end of Grattan Crescent, Frenchs Forest and follows the service trails along the Bluff Track to the spectacular lookout perched above Bantry Bay. There is an optional side trip down the into the valley to the Natural Bridge, which is a interesting natural rock archway bridging a creek.

Coming to the end of the management track

(0km) End of Grattan Crescent → Int of Bluff and Natural Bridge Tracks

290 m

5 mins

-12m Easy track

From the end of the road, this walk heads through the large metal gate and past the 'Garigal National Park' sign, continuing south-west along the management trail until coming to an intersection with a track, signposted as the 'Natural Bridge Track'.

(0km) Int of Bluff and Natural Bridge Tracks → Natural Bridge

500 m

15 mins

-71m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Natural Bridge Track along the bush track, heading away from the service trails for a short distance before coming to the intersection of the Currie Road Oval bush track at the track marker.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track marker along the bush track, heading west through the bush for a short distance to a large rock outcrop. From here, the walk continues along the defined bush track, winding down the long and sometimes steep rocky hill, into the valley. The vegetation gradually gets thicker, until this walk comes down to a wide rock arch crossing a creek - the Natural Bridge. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Natural Bridge

The Natural Bridge is a sandstone arch in Garigal National Park. The arch spans an unnamed creek feeding into Bantry Bay. The Natural Bridge track uses this arch to cross the creek, and is not always noticed by walkers as the surrounding vegetation hides the full view of the feature from the track. The arch has formed the eroding forces of water flowing down the creek. The arch provides an interesting natural feature to explore and enjoy.

(0km) Int of Bluff and Natural Bridge Tracks → The Bluff Lookout

210 m

4 mins

-11m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the Bluff Track signpost along the service trail, heading south-east through the bush for a short while before coming to the intersection with an unsignposted track on the left, which heads through the bush.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail (with the bush track on the left) heading south through the bush for a while before it comes to the Bluff Lookout at the signposted intersection of "The Bay Track", looking down on Bantry Bay and the magazine buildings.

Bluff Lookout

The Bluff is a large, unfenced rocky hilltop, in Garigal National Park, that provides great views up Middle Harbour. The views extend across the bushland of the National Park, along Bantry Bay, to the city of Sydney (You can even see Centrepoint Tower). Apart from the distant views, the bluff is also an interesting rock feature, with a number of caves containing honeycomb rock formations.

Maps for the The Bluff Track 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 River	1:25 000 Map Series	91303N PARRAMATTA RIVER	NSW-91303N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the The Bluff Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Bluff Track

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.

		Length	986 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited 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

Around 290m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 210m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

290m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 160m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (50m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 440m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 50m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 490m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 490m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 290m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 210m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the The Bluff Track walk.

Curry Rd to The Bluff (via the Natural Bridge)

3.7 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

From Currie Rd in Forestville, this walk visits the sandstone archway known as the Natural Bridge before climbing the hill and continuing to the Bluff. The Bluff is a large rocky point, with its own interesting shapes and a fantastic view down Middle Harbour and across to the city.

Total climbing: 165m

Hard track

East Bantry Bay

4.6 km One way, 2 hrs

Starting at Currie Road in Forestville, this walk follows the edge of Bantry Bay to Seaforth Oval. The main highlights of the walk include the Natural Bridge, the views from the Bluff Lookout and Bantry Bay Picnic Area. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views and wildlife along the w

Total climbing: 274m

Hard track

Seaforth Oval to Davidson Park

10 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

The Seaforth to Davidson Park walk is a wonderful and historic loop around Bantry Bay. The walk continues from Bantry Bay, along Middle Harbour's treelined foreshore, to Davidson Park. This walk explores some wonderful bush and water views tucked into the valleys of Sydney.

Total climbing: 491m

Hard track

Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay

10 km One way, 4 hrs

Starting at Seaforth Oval, this walk follows a section of the 'Harbour to Hawkesbury' track along Middle Harbour Creek. The walk has many highlights, including great views of Bantry Bay, the Historic Magazine Buildings and the Natural Bridge. This walk is blessed with great bushland and views of M

Total climbing: 491m

Hard track

Spit to Lindfield

22.6 km One way, 9 hrs 45 mins

This full day walk starts at the southern end of the Spit Bridge and explores a lot of Garigal National Park and Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows the 'Harbour to Hawkesbury' track into Garigal National Park, skirting around Bantry Bay and along Middle Harbour Creek before crossing Roseville Br

Total climbing: 1181m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the The Bluff Track walk.

Currie Rd Track

4.5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This nice walk explores some of the service trails at the northern end of Bantry Bay, in Garigal National Park. This walk is a great way to see many wildflowers, and some wildlife, of the area. The side trip to the Natural Bridge is worth the effort to see this interesting rock formation. Most of

Total climbing: 145m

Hard track

Currie Rd to Davidson Park

7.2 km One way, 3 hrs

Starting at Currie Rd in Forestville, this walk follows Middle Harbour to Davidson Park, under Roseville Bridge. There are two optional side trips, one to Natural Bridge and the other short one to Flat rock beach. The walk starts on a service trail, but mostly follows bush tracks, providing great

Total climbing: 280m

Moderate track

Currie Rd Track to Ferguson St via Magazine Buildings and Davidson Park

11.2 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

Starting at Currie Road in Forestville, this walk explores much of the northern shore of Middle Harbour Creek. There are some great side trips, in-particular to Natural Bridge and to Flat Rock Beach. Davidson Picnic area has great facilities if you are looking for a BBQ picnic lunch, otherwise the

Total climbing: 575m

Hard track

Magazine Track

3.4 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk is named after the heritage magazine buildings at about the halfway point. There is not a great view of the buildings but the walk provides great views of Bantry bay, and visits the secluded flat rock beach. Most of the walk is on bush track and there are plenty of rocky points along the

Total climbing: 139m

Moderate track

Natural Bridge Walk

1.4 km Return, 45 mins

Starting at Cook Street in Forestville, this walk follows service trails and bush tracks through Garigal National Park, to the Natural Bridge. The walk uses the arch as a natural bridge to cross the creek. The rock formation is the main highlight of this walk, though the wild flower displays in the

Total climbing: 71m

Moderate track

Governor Phillip Walk

7 km Return, 3 hrs 45 mins

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

Moderate track

Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks

7 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

Starting at Davidson Park, this walk first explores the eastern banks of Middle Harbour Creek before heading up Carroll creek. The walk returns to Davidson Park via the higher Casuarina track. You will enjoy great views of the Middle Harbour and Garigal National Park from two distinctly different

Total climbing: 289m

Hard track

Casuarina Track (Davidson Park to Ferguson St)

3.8 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting at Davidson Picnic area, this walk follows the ridge above Middle Harbour Creek, giving some great views along the way. The walk explores the sandstone formations, and passes an aboriginal midden along the way. Soon after passing the national park office, the walk finishes at the end of F

Total climbing: 293m

Hard track

Davidson Park to St Ives Chase

14.1 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk, between Davidson Park and Warrimoo Ave, is a fantastic harbour side trip. The focus for the walk is the waterway views, scattered throughout. This walk is a great way to explore the valley between the suburbs and the interesting, diverse flora it contains.

Total climbing: 591m

Moderate track

Middle Harbour Creek Loop

15.1 km Circuit, 5 hrs 45 mins

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

Experienced only

The Lyrebird Track

5.3 km Return, 2 hrs

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

Moderate track

Flat Rock Beach track

516 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk starts from the end of Killarney Drive, in Killarney Heights and heads down the hill to Flat Rock Beach. The beach is a secluded sandy area on the shores of Middle Harbour. A nice spot for swimming, relaxing and enjoying the boats as they pass by.

Total climbing: 50m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The The Bluff Track walk starts and ends at the End of Grattan Crescent (gps: -33.763039, 151.22935)

Bus. (get details)

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.

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