Morgans Creek to Padstow

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 45 mins

8 km One way

144 m

Moderate track

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 Bridge where it follows the boardwalks, bushtracks and service trails along Salt Pan Creek. The last section is along the roads to Padstow station.
Closed:

the salt pan creek boardwalk crossing under the railway bridge

heading through the trees to the end of bridge street

Morgans Creek

This large, riverside area starts at the intersection of Henry Lawson Drive and The River Road, following the 'Georges River National Park' sign down the driveway, where it passes a large car park for the boat ramp and bends around to the right, continuing along the side of the river with several picnic areas and plenty of open space. There are toilets and taps at the northern end of the reserve, at the car park for the boat ramp.

(0km) Int of Morgans Creek and the Ridge Track → Boomerang Reserve

570 m

10 mins

-11m Moderate track

From the intersection, the walk follows the road up the gentle hill, passing the entry ticket booth and coming to the intersection with Henry Lawson Drive.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows Henry Lawson drive, keeping Georges River to the right. The road bends to the right and soon reaches Boomerang Reserve, on the left.

Boomerang Reserve

This relatively small park can be found on Henry Lawson drive, between the Little Salt Pan creek and The River road. The park is surrounded by dense forest on three sides and a small timber barrier on the road side. The park has a few sheltered picnic benches and a large map of Bankstown that was erected by the local Rotary club. There is plenty of open space and a few nice large trees for shade.

(1km) Boomerang Reserve → Int of the Henry Lawson drive and Georges River National Park service trail

570 m

10 mins

10m

-7m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows Henry Lawson drive, keeping the river to the right. The road crosses the Little Salt Pan creek bridge then heads up to the intersection with the Georges River service trail, on the right (approximately 150 metres past the bridge).

(1km) Int of the Henry Lawson drive and Georges River National Park service trail → End of Gorges river service trail

530 m

10 mins

11m

-9m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the service trail away from the road, around the metal gate and towards Mickeys Point. The trail winds past mangroves and through thick bush until it comes out at a large open clearing. At the other end of the clearing the service trail ends at a small turning circle.

(2km) End of Gorges river service trail → West end of Mickeys Point Beach

230 m

4 mins

-6m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the end of the service trail, the walk follows the bush track through the long grass towards the river. At the river, the track turns left and meanders up and down along the side of the river, until reaching the start (western end) of a long sandy beach.

(2km) West end of Mickeys Point Beach → Base of Alfords Point Bridge

600 m

10 mins

-9m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the end of the bush track, the walk follows the beach (keeping the water on the right). The walk stays on the beach until reaching the base of the large Alfords Point bridge.

(3km) Base of Alfords Point Bridge → Int of One Tree Point service trail

320 m

6 mins

-2m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the base of the bridge, the walk heads off the sand and winds around mangroves and through reeds (keeping the river on the right). After the clearing on the left, the walk comes to the sandy One Tree point service trail, near the trees.

(3km) Int of One Tree Point service trail → Int of One Tree Point bushtrack and Playford road

500 m

12 mins

38m

-2m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the old service trail away from the river. The trail passes through the reeds and the pine trees as it winds up a steep rocky hill. At the top of the hill, the trail passes under the powerlines, bends to the left and soon reaches an intersection with a bush track, to the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track beside the powerlines up the small hill to the metal gate at the bend in Playford Rd.

(3km) Int of One Tree Point bushtrack and Playford road → Int of Villiers and Dilke road

510 m

8 mins

-4m Very easy

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath along Playfords road to the north-east, keeping the road on the right. The walk continues to follow Payford Rd when it bends to the right (at the intersection with Roma avenue), then turns left into Dilke road at the 'T' intersection. The walk continues to the intersection with Villers Rd (there is a corner store and public phone on the left plus a large water tank on the right).

Convenience Store

This great little convenience store can be found on the corner of Villiers and Dilke Roads, and serves hot food, ice creams and cold drinks, as well as many convenient groceries. There is a public phone out the front. The store is open 7 days.

(4km) Int of Villiers and Dilke road → End of Riverview road

920 m

15 mins

-34m Very easy

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows Villiers road east (initially keeping the water tank on the right). Soon, the walk turns left onto Queensbury road and follows it, before turning right at the 'T' intersection onto Richmond avenue. The walk immediately turns left onto Riverview road, and continues to the end of the road.

(5km) End of Riverview road → Western end of Salt Pan creek Bridge

190 m

3 mins

-10m Easy track

Turn left: From the end of the road, the walk follows the concrete footpath (following the power lines) between house numbers 5 and 6. After a short distance the walk reaches the footpath on Henry Lawson Drive.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath on Henry Lawson drive down the hill, (keeping the road on the left) towards the bridge. Just before the bridge, the walk comes to the top of a wooden staircase, to the right.

(5km) Western end of Salt Pan Creek Bridge → Salt Pan Creek picnic area

550 m

10 mins

-7m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the boardwalk down the wooden staircase and loops around under the bridge. The walk passes a few picnic chairs and winds around through some mangroves, following the boardwalk to the intersection of the Alma Road concrete footpath track on the left.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath north (keeping the river on the right) onto a bush track and then up some wooden steps. The track continues along for a while until it drops 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.

(5km) Salt Pan Creek picnic area → Picnic area at base of Pipe Bridge

390 m

7 mins

-6m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk follows the bush track up the steps (keeping the river on the right) and winds along the side of Salt Pan Creek until it drops back down some steps onto a boardwalk. The track continues along the boardwalk, alongside the creek, until it comes to the bottom of Weenamana Place steps on the left.
Continue straight: From the bottom of the steps, this walk follows the boardwalk as it winds alongside the river (keeping the river on the right), through mangroves for a short while. Soon the boardwalk becomes a bush track and continues to the picnic area under the 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.

(6km) Picnic area at base of Pipe Bridge → Davies Reserve

280 m

6 mins

10m

-6m Very easy

Continue straight: From the picnic area, the walk follows the hardened management trail (keeping the creek on the right) as it winds along the side of the river. The walk passes a fenced-off area on the left before it turns left heads up the hill, coming near to the play equipment at Davies Reserve.

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.

(6km) Davies Reserve → End of Bridge Street

700 m

13 mins

14m

-12m Very easy

Turn right: From Davies Reserve, this walk follows the fenced boardwalk running parallel to the power lines, keeping Salt Pan Creek on the right. The track passes through the wetlands for a short distance, coming to an intersection with the Truro Parade boardwalk on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk continues along the short board walk (keeping the power lines above to the right). Soon the boardwalk joins onto a hardened footpath, which continues along through the grass clearing, running parallel to Salt Pan Creek. The track passes behind a number of houses, and then passes a couple of transmission towers as the footpath tends left to the end of Meager Avenue.
Veer right: ###This section of the track is closed for End of 2010 to sometime in 2011. Please walk along Meager Ave to Davies Rd as an alternate route### From the end of Meager Ave, the walk follows the footpath lined with wooden posts (with the white house at no.2 initially on the left) into the bush and down the gentle hill. After a short distance, the footpath joins a board walk and continues through some mangroves and out to the creek edge. The boardwalk then turns left, crossing under the railway bridge to the intersection with the Salt Pan Creek footbridge on the right.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the boardwalk around the creek's edge (keeping the train line on the left) and through some mangroves for a short distance, until coming to a concrete footpath. This path continues past a transmission tower to the end of Bridge Street.

(7km) End of Bridge Street → Padstow Railway Station

1.1 km

19 mins

16m

-4m Very easy

Turn left: From the car park at the end of the street, this walk follows the foot path along Bridge Street to the 'T' intersection of Davies Road, where the walk turns left. Following the footpath, this walk soon crosses the railway bridge and comes to the intersection with Meager Avenue.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south (away from the trail line) along Davies Road, along the footpath. After a short while, the walk turns right into Ryan Rd, crossing at the traffic lights. This walk follows the footpath through the suburbs to cross, straight ahead at the roundabout, onto Howard Road. The road then passes a few shops and comes to the Padstow railway station on the right.

Maps for the Morgans Creek to Padstow 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 Morgans Creek to Padstow bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Morgans Creek to Padstow

Altitude analysis for Morgans Creek to Padstow

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	8 km
		Time	2 hrs 45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		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	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

4.5km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 3.1km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (450m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

4.1km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (1.8km) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 5km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.2km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 730m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Morgans Creek to Padstow 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

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

Davies Reserve to Henry Lawson Drive

1.2 km One way, 30 mins

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 stai

Total climbing: 19m

Moderate track

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

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 Morgans Creek to Padstow walk.

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

Hard track

Ridge Track to Burrawang Flats circuit

769 m Circuit, 30 mins

This short walk follows part of the Ridge Track through the Georges River National Park. The walk follows the first section of the Ridge track before turning down to the Burrawang Flats. From here, the walk follows the driveway and Georges River past a number of picnic areas to return to the start.

Total climbing: 37m

Moderate track

Yeramba Lagoon Loop

1.8 km Circuit, 45 mins

This pleasant loop walk circumnavigates the Yeramba Lagoon, following a series of small bush tracks that undulate along the side of the hills in the surrounding area. The Yeramba Lagoon is a great spot for bird watchers, and is a home to more than 100 species of birds.

Total climbing: 37m

Moderate track

Fitzpatrick Park to Georges River National Park

2.5 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk starts from the end of the Fitzpatrick Park driveway and follows the Georges River. The walk heads downstream along the waters edge, through the park and across the bridge, to the half way point at Henry Lawson Drive. From here the walk continues along a series of bush tracks, winding alo

Total climbing: 112m

Moderate track

Fitzpatrick Park to Morgans Creek via Yeramba Lagoon

4 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk starts from the end of the Fitzpatrck Park driveway and follows the Georges River through the park, where it comes to Yeramba Lagoon. From here the walk explores the lagoon, following the bush tracks around in a big loop before coming back to Henry Lawson Drive and continuing along the rid

Total climbing: 147m

Moderate track

Lambeth Reserve to Picnic Point

1.3 km One way, 30 mins

This pleasant, wheelchair accessible walk starts from the Lambeth Reserve and follows the footpaths and boardwalks along the Georges River's edge to the tip of Picnic Point, where there are picnic areas and some food available at the boat shed.

Total climbing: 26m

Very easy

Loftus to Winifred Falls

11 km One way, 4 hrs

Following well-maintained bush tracks and service trails, this walk descends into the Royal National Park, to a spectacular set of pools and cascading falls on South Western Creek. The Royal National Park Information Centre, on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, is approximately in the middle of this walk a

Total climbing: 400m

Hard track

Engadine to Audley

5.8 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

From Engadine Railway Station, this walk ventures into the centre of the Royal National Park, through light scrub. Highlights include Tuckawa Rill Creek, where the cascading water and small rock pools contrast beautifully with the surrounding dry bushland. On from here, there are great views of the

Total climbing: 181m

Hard track

Bungoona Path

918 m Return, 20 mins

This is a smooth and mostly flat walk with a fantastic lookout in the Royal National Park. The concrete path starts at the Area Office car park, passes a pleasant and usually quiet picnic area, then winds gently down through the bush. The path leads to the fenced Bungoona Lookout, where you can en

Total climbing: 30m

Very easy

Audley to Gibraltar Rock

2.2 km Return, 45 mins

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

Easy track

Heathcote to Audley

10 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

Passing through scrub and heath, this track goes into the Royal National Park along a well managed bush track, passing great pools and sections of creek at Karloo Pools and Uloola Falls. With some lovely rest spots at both of these places (especially with the toilet at Uloola) this walk is very plea

Total climbing: 327m

Hard track

Heathcote to Engadine via Audley

15 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

Covering a large section of central Royal National Park, this walk goes through the heath and scrub along a well managed and signposted track. The walk loops from Heathcote Railway Station around to Engadine Station. With public transport at both ends, toilets and water at both Uloola Falls and Rei

Total climbing: 635m

Hard track