The Pipeline Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

4.7 km Return

206 m

Moderate 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.

The pipeline crossing Middle Harbour Crk

(0km) Hunter Ave (opposite Yarrabung Rd) → Int of Pipeline Track and Founders Way

910 m

19 mins

28m

-43m Easy track

From the intersection, this walk heads through the metal gate and follows the service trail down the hill, keeping the pipeline on the right, as it heads through the bush and behind the houses to the intersection of the wide service trail on the left.

(1km) Int of Pipeline Track and Founders Way → Int of Pipeline and Bungaroo Tracks

180 m

3 mins

0m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail keeping the pipeline on the right as it heads up the gentle hill and past a Garigal National Park sign. It then continues through the bush for a while before coming to the signposted intersection with the Bungaroo Track.

(1km) Int of Pipeline and Bungaroo Tracks → Int of Pipeline and upper Link track

150 m

3 mins

-11m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail in the opposite direction to the Pipeline Track arrow. The track keeps the pipe line on the right while heading through the bush, until the track comes to the intersection of the upper link track almost directly below the high-tension power lines. (Look for an arrow marked into the concrete pipeline support opposite the bush track.)

(1km) Int of Pipeline and upper Link track → Int of Pipeline and middle Link track

340 m

8 mins

-25m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail, keeping the pipeline on the right as the track heads through the bush. The trail comes down a gentle hill to the intersection with the middle link track as it flattens out. (Look for an 'X' marked into the concrete pipeline support opposite the bush track)

(2km) Int of Pipeline and middle Link track → Int of Pipeline and Middle Harbour Creek tracks

760 m

20 mins

-88m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail, keeping the pipeline on the right as it steadily heads down the long hill into the valley, coming to the intersection with the Middle Harbour Creek bush track at the pipe bridge.

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.

Maps for the The Pipeline 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.

Hornsby	1:25 000 Map Series	91304S HORNSBY	NSW-91304S
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the The Pipeline Track bushwalking track

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

Altitude analysis for The Pipeline 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	4.7 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		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	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

1.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 760m has short steep hills. The remaining (180m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 2.3km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 1.2km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.1km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 2.3km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 2.3km 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 The Pipeline Track walk.

Founders Way

3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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

Moderate track

Bungaroo and Founders Way Loop

3.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

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

Hard track

Bungaroo Track

3.6 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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

Hard track

The Pipeline Way

4.7 km One way, 2 hrs 15 mins

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

Hard track

Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

6.8 km One way, 3 hrs

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

Experienced only

St Ives to Davidson Park via Casuarina Track

9 km One way, 4 hrs

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

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

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

East Killara Track

6 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

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

Hard track

East Killara Bushtrack

2.6 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

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

Hard track

Cascades Track (from Davidson)

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

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

Moderate track

Davidson Exploration

5.8 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

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

Hard track

Blackbutt Creek Return

5.5 km Return, 2 hrs

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

Moderate track

Gordon to Chatswood Station

12.2 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

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

Hard track

Gordon to Hornsby (overnight at Scout camp)

25.8 km One way, 2 Days

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

Hard track

Gordon to Roseville Station (Riverside Walk)

13.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

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

Hard track

Gordon to Roseville Railway Station

10.7 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

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

Hard track

Sheldon Forest Walk

1.8 km One way, 50 mins

This is a pleasant walk exploring the Sheldon Forest from the 1st Turramurra Scout Hall to Troon place in Pymble. The forest is one of the few remaining pieces of the Blue Gum high forest in the Sydney Basin, and is supported by community bushcare programs. This walk meanders through rainforest for

Total climbing: 33m

Moderate track

Cascades Track, return from St Ives

3.5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk explores part of the northern section of Garigal National Park and the upper reaches of Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows a service trail from Douglas Street, St Ives, to cross Middle Harbour Creek, then explores a large rock platform with the Cascades. The cascades themselves are n

Total climbing: 171m

Moderate track

The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)

3.2 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk explores a section of Garigal National Park from St Ives following service trails through the forest and into the valley. The cascades, from which this track derives its name, are at the junction of Middle Harbour and Frenchs creeks. After taking time to explore the rock platform, this w

Total climbing: 117m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The The Pipeline Track walk starts and ends at the Hunter Ave (opposite Yarrabung Rd) (gps: -33.741780, 151.16694)

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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