The Ridge Track Loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 15 mins

2.9 km Circuit

123 m

Hard track

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 walk is a great way to explore the diverse plants, and views of the park.

Following the bushtrack around the side of the hill

heading down the hill towards Cattle Duffers Flats

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 → Int of Ridge and Burrawang Flat tracks

350 m

9 mins

26m

-16m Moderate track

From the road, this walk follows the 'Ridge track' sign up the rock steps and up the bush track. The track climbs up and along the side of the ridge until it comes to the intersection of the signposted 'Burrawang Reach' on the left.

(0km) Int of Ridge and Burrawang Flat tracks → Int of Ridge and Cattle Duffers Flats tracks

980 m

23 mins

62m

-45m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Cattle Duffers Flats' sign, keeping Georges River to the left while heading around the rock ledge. The track heads through some really nice sandstone rock formations, with plenty of gum trees and ferns around. The track continues through the bush until it comes to an un-signposted downhill track on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track winding along the side of the ridge, with the Georges River visible through the trees to the left. The track heads along the side of the hill, crossing a small creek and heading uphill on the other side. The walk goes under a set of power lines, then along the ridge for a while before crossing under two more sets of power lines and over some metal pipes. The track then comes to a signposted intersection with a track on the left (which heads down to Cattle Duffers Flats).

(1km) Int of Ridge and Cattle Duffers Flats tracks → Northern point of Cattle Duffers Flat

120 m

4 mins

-24m Hard track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Cattle Duffers Flat' sign down the hill. There are a number of rocky steps as the track heads down through the sandstone to the clearing at Cattle Duffers Flat. At the bottom of the hill, the track comes out in a grassy clearing, across the road from the toilet block.

(1km) Northern point of Cattle Duffers Flat → Int of the Ridge Access Track at Burrawang Flats

1 km

19 mins

24m

-29m Very easy

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the road (keeping the river on the right) towards the entrance of Cattle Duffers Flats. The road bends to the right and as it approaches the river, there are great views off to the right. The road bend to the left and comes to a green gate with a welcome to 'Cattle Duffers Flats' sign next to it.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the road, keeping Georges River on the right. The walk continues past the sign into Cattle Duffers Flat and passes a toilet block, following the river for a while until coming to another toilet block at the signposted intersection of the 'Ridge Track' (on the left side of the road at Burrawang Flat).

(2km) Int of the Ridge Access Track at Burrawang Flats → Int of Morgans Creek and the Ridge Track

360 m

7 mins

11m

-9m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the road, keeping the Georges River to the right. The road passes the 'Barrawang Flat' sign then bends to the left, passing the entrance to the large car park, and climbs up the hill to the signposted intersection with the Ridge Track on the right side of the road.

Maps for the The Ridge Track Loop 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 The Ridge Track Loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Ridge Track Loop

Altitude analysis for The Ridge Track Loop

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	2.9 km
		Time	1 hr 15 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		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

1.7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1km is flat with no steps. The remaining (120m) is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 1.5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 1.4km follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 2.7km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 190m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 1.5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 190m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

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

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

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

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 The Ridge Track Loop walk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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