Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed

Download & Print Map and Notes

Tap again to allow map panning

Time 1 hr 30 mins
Return 3.4 km Return
Climb 98 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Car
no_pets
This walk, from the Lane Cove Tourist Park to the Lane Cove River Boat Shed, meanders along the placid Lane Cove River, passing many picnic areas along the way. The Boat Shed itself is surrounded by a large picnic area with plenty of space for the kids to run around and play. You can even hire a boat and go for a paddle.

Lane Cove River tourist park

Lane Cove River tourist park
This is a well-established caravan park on the edge of Lane Cove National Park, offering a variety of camp sites from tent to powered sites for caravans and even en suite cabins. The campsite is a great point to access many wonderful walks in Lane Cove Valley. There are many facilities including a laundry, toilets, showers (including facilities for people with disabilities and with infants), recreation room, Internet kiosk (with free access to Wildwalks.com), wireless Internet, BBQ's and a pool. There is bike hire available and the reception has basic supplies for sale (bread, milk, snacks, newspapers).

(0km) Lane Cove Tourist Park → 13 Cottonwood Glen

distance 670 m time 14 mins climb 6m descent -54m Moderate track
From the office of the 'Lane Cove Tourist Park'[1], this walk heads down the internal road, past the boom gates[2] for about 50m to turn left just past the laundry[3]. The walk then continues along this road as it bends right after about 100m, then leads down to a T-intersection[4]. Just on the other side (and to the left) of this intersection, there is a set of steps beside the large 'Lane Cove National Park' sign[5]. From this concreted section between sites 152 and 151, this walk follows the sign[6] down the stone steps[7] for about 60m, where the track then leads gently down to a T-intersection marked with a timber signpost[8] (beside a large scribbly gum).
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows 'Lane Cove River Weir' sign[9] south down the hill. The track leads gently down the side of the hill for about 80m to pass a 'Native Flora' information sign[10][11], then about 90m later passes a 'Bush Regeneration' information sign[12] among the ferns. Just 30m past this sign, the track leads over a small metal bridge[13] beside the tall fern trees[14] and 'Native Fauna' information sign[15]. Here the track continues for a short distance to come to an intersection with Riverside Drive, where a 'Tourist Park' sign[16] points back up the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Riverside walk' arrow post down the steps[17] and then follows the road down past the '12 Blackbutt' picnic area[18]. Soon the road leads to a Y-intersection[19] and veers right down to the car park[20] beside '13 Cottonwood Glen' picnic area[21] and the Lane Cove River.

13 Cottonwood Glen

13 Cottonwood Glen
Cottonwood Glen picnic area is a large open grassy spot on the bank of the Lane Cove River. There is a grove of trees along the edge of the river, but you can still get clear views across the water from the car park area. There are several picnic tables[22] and a small toilet block[23][24] just up the hill.

(1km) 13 Cottonwood Glen → 9 Carters Creek

distance 360 m time 6 mins climb 5m descent -2m Moderate track
Turn right: From the car park on the south side of 'Cottonwood Glen', this walk follows the NPWS arrow post[25] along the track into the bush, keeping the river to your left. The track leads along side the river for about 300m, first through a lovely she-oak stand[26], then through a re-vegetating tall gum forest[27] before heading down a sealed footpath[28] to come to a car park (beside the toilet block[29]) at Carters Creek picnic area.

9 Carters Creek

9 Carters Creek
Carters Creek Picnic Area is the ninth formal picnic space along this stretch of the Lane Cove River. This picnic area is home to a couple of sheltered picnic tables[30], a gas BBQ[31] a large open grassy area[32], garbage bins, toilets[33] and a car park[34]. There is some limited access to the river view[35]. A pleasant spot among the tall gums.

(1km) 9 Carters Creek → Boat Shed

distance 690 m time 13 mins climb 14m descent -17m Moderate track
Continue straight: From in front of the toilets at Carters Creek picnic area, this walk heads across the grass clearing[36] and across the small timber bridge[37] to come to the car park[38]. After crossing the car park, this walk continues over the grass[39], beside the road, keeping the river to your left, and then veers left and follows the NPWS arrow post[40] down around the locked gate. Here the walk follows the narrow trail for about 60m to come to an intersection[41] with a footpath on your right, just before the '8 Ironbarks' sign[42] and picnic area.
Continue straight: From the intersection[43] just west of '8 Ironbarks'[44], this walk follows the track through the picnic area, keeping the river on the left. On the far side of the picnic area, this walk follows the NPWS arrow post[45] for about 180m up over a rocky outcrop[46] to then head down a metal staircase[47]. The track winds down alongside the river for another 70m to come to the edge of another large grassy clearing. Here, this walk heads across '7 Moola' picnic area (with toilets[48] and water), crossing a small flat timber bridge[49] in the middle. The track soon leaves this clearing and continues for another 80m to come to the shop-front side of the sandstone boatshed building[50].

Lane Cove Boatshed

Lane Cove Boatshed
Lane Cove Boatshed, in Lane Cove National Park, is situated on the bank of the (you guessed it) Lane Cove River. You can hire rowboats, kayaks, pedal boats, bikes and canoes[51], for different ways to enjoy the river. The shop also sells ice-creams, chips and drinks. The shed is open on weekend from 10am - 5pm. During summer school holidays, the shop is also open from 12-5pm. For more info, call Greg on 0418600695.

Maps for the Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed 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 River1:25 000 Map Series91303N PARRAMATTA RIVERNSW-91303N
Sydney1:100 000 Map Series9130 SYDNEY9130

Cross sectional view of the Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed

Altitude analysis for Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed

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.

Length3.4 km
Time1 hr 30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureGenerally 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

740m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 690m is flat with no steps. The remaining (290m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

1.4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 220m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (130m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 1.4km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 290m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.7km 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 Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed walk starts and ends at the Lane Cove Tourist Park (gps: -33.789442, 151.14332)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Lane Cove National Park

This small but picturesque city park is a haven of peaceful bushland along the winding Lane Cove River. Home to the Kukundi Wildlife Shelter and 27 km of the Great North Walk, you can also hire a boat, take a stroll or enjoy a picnic by the weir.

Comments