Davies Reserve to Henry Lawson Drive

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30 mins

1.2 km One way

19 m

Moderate track

This great walk starts from Davies Reserve and follows the service trails, footpaths, boardwalks and bushtracks winding downstream along the edge of Salt Pan Creek. This walk passes a few picnic areas along the way, before crossing under the Henry Lawson Drive bridge and climbing up the wooden staircase on the other side, to the road.

The concrete service trail becomes a hardened path

Benches and seats are common along the side of the creek

Crossing under the Henry Lawson Drive bridge

Davies Reserve

This park can be accessed from the end of Tallawarra Ave or directly from Davies Road in Padstow. The Reserve is one of the spots along the Salt Pan Creek walking track. The facilities provided at this reserve include play equipment, a toilet block and picnic tables and seats. There is plenty of open space, and shade from a few large trees. There is parking for about 20 cars.

(0km) Davies Reserve → Picnic area at base of Pipe Bridge

280 m

6 mins

-10m Very easy

From under the power lines at Davies Reserve, the walk follows the sealed management trail towards the creek, down the hill (initially with the play equipment on the right). The trail soon turns right and heads parallel to Salt Pan Creek. The walk continues, until the trail opens out from the trees at the picnic area under a large pipe bridge.

Pipe bridge picnic area

This small picnic area has a collection of low picnic tables in a grassy clearing by the edge of the Salt Pan Creek. The large pipe bridge crossing the creek provides some shade during the heat of the day. There are no water or toilet facilities. The unfenced edge of the picnic area provides clear access to the creek. This is one of the few spots along Salt Pan Creek walk where there is a clear view of the creek.

(0km) Picnic area at base of Pipe Bridge → Salt Pan Creek picnic area

390 m

7 mins

-5m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk follows the bush track, keeping the river to the left for a short while. Soon the track becomes a wooden boardwalk and continues to the bottom of Weenamana Place steps, which head up to the right.
Continue straight: From the bottom of the steps, this walk follows the boardwalk, keeping Salt Pan Creek on the left. The walk soon climbs up some steps onto a bush track, and continues along the side of the creek until it drops back down some more steps to the Salt Pan Creek picnic area.

Salt Pan Creek picnic area

This small picnic area on the Salt Pan Creek walking track can be accessed directly from the stairs at the end of Werona Ave. This clearing provides a couple of picnic benches and tables, natural shade and a small, grassy clearing. The space if big enough for a bit of running around or to spread out a picnic blanket. The picnic area is on the edge of Salt Pan Creek, with dense mangroves along to river bank. There are a number of houses overlooking the area from the cliffs above.

(1km) Salt Pan Creek picnic area → Bottom of Alma Road track

260 m

5 mins

-5m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk follows the bush track south (keeping the river on the left) up the wooden and dirt steps. The track then winds along the side of the river for a while until it drops back down onto a boardwalk, winding through some mangroves to the intersection at the bottom of Alma Road track on the right.

(1km) Bottom of Alma Road track → Western end of Salt Pan Creek Bridge

290 m

5 mins

-3m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the boardwalk (keeping the water on the left) through some mangroves, and out the other side. The track soon passes a few picnic chairs then loops around underneath the bridge and winds up a wooden staircase to Henry Lawson Drive.

Maps for the Davies Reserve to Henry Lawson Drive 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.

Botany Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	91303S BOTANY BAY	NSW-91303S
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Davies Reserve to Henry Lawson Drive bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Davies Reserve to Henry Lawson Drive

Altitude analysis for Davies Reserve to Henry Lawson Drive

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	1.2 km
		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	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		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

Around 940m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 280m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

670m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 280m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (260m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 770m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 460m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 960m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 260m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.2km 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 Davies Reserve to Henry Lawson Drive walk.

Davies Reserve to the Pipe Bridge Picnic Area

566 m Return, 15 mins

This short, leisurely, wheelchair accessible walk starts from the Davies Reserve and follows the concrete service track through the trees, keeping to the right of Salt Pan Creek until coming to the neat little picnic area at the base of the large pipe bridge.

Total climbing: 16m

Very easy

Padstow to the Salt Pan Creek Picnic Area

2.6 km One way, 1 Hr

This walk starts from Pastow train station and follows the streets to the end of Bridge street before it heads down stream along the boardwalks, service trails and bushtracks that follow the creek. As the walk winds along the creek, it passes the Davies Reserve and the small picnic area under the la

Total climbing: 40m

Moderate track

Alma Road to Padstow along Salt Pan Creek

2.8 km One way, 1 Hr

This short walk starts from the corner of Alma Road and Wainright Avenue and follows the footpath down to Salt Pan Creek walk. The walk then follows the creek upstream along the boardwalks and bushtracks, passing a few great picnic areas and parks to the end of Bridge Street. From here the walk fol

Total climbing: 52m

Moderate track

Padstow to the Pipe Bridge Picnic Area

4.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This relaxing, return walk starts from the Padstow train station. The walk follows the streets to the end of Bridge street, then the boardwalks, footpaths and service trails along the right hand side of the creek, passing through Davies Reserve. The walk finishes at the pleasant little picnic area a

Total climbing: 62m

Very easy

Morgans Creek to Padstow

8 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This pleasant walk starts from the Morgans Creek park, at Henry Lawsons Drive, and follows the Georges River past the Boomerang Reserve, winding through the bush around Mickeys Point and under the Alfords Point bridge. The walk then continues up through Padstow Heights to the Henry Lawson Drive Brid

Total climbing: 144m

Moderate track

East Hills to Padstow along the Georges River

15.8 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This pleasant day walk starts from the East Hills train station and follows Henry Lawson Drive to Lambeth Reserve, at the Georges River's edge. Following the boardwalks, footpaths and bushtracks, the walk explores the edge of the river, including Yeramba Lagoon (popular amongst birdwatchers) and Sal

Total climbing: 347m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Davies Reserve to Henry Lawson Drive walk.

Davies Reserve to the Salt Pan Creek Footbridge

1 km Return, 20 mins

This leisurely creek side walk follows the footpaths and boardwalks from Davies Reserve to the footbridge crossing Salt Pan Creek, just upstream from the railway bridge. The only facilities along this walk include seats and a toilet block at Davies Reserve. This is a nice way to explore the mangrove

Total climbing: 18m

Very easy

The Ridge Track Loop

2.9 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This circuit walk follows the well signposted Ridge Track as it winds up through the bush between Henry Lawson Drive and the Georges River. The walk starts at Morgans Creek picnic area and heads back down to the river at Cattle Duffers Flats, then loops back to the start along the driveway. This wa

Total climbing: 123m

This walk starts at the historical and beautiful Audley picnic area and dance hall. Have a picnic or enjoy a coffee from the cafe, before wandering along the quiet public road alongside Hacking River. After heading around the locked gate, you walk along the old Lady Carrington Drive trail for about

Total climbing: 55m