Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Central Garigal National Park Circuit hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Central Garigal National Park Circuit
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
6 Hrs 30 mins
16 km
718 m
One way
3.5 km NNE of Lindfield
Garigal National Park
Track: Hard
Travelling through the center of Garigal National Park this track explores Middle Harbour Creek on both the eastern and the western sides. This track is great for fit experianced walkers looking for a feel of what Garigal has to offer. Davidson Reserve in the middle of this walks is a good opportunity to take a break and enjoy the serenity of the creek.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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(0 km) End of Barrie St to Gordon and Middle Harbour Creeks Int Track: Moderate - servicetrail, bushtrack
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -99 m
From the end of Barrie St this track begins by bypassing the large boom gate and heading east and then south downhill along the servicetrail. In the first section of thois track the trail passes several signs including a large green one saying "Garigal National Park". The track continues downhill until reaching an intersection with several small bushtracks heading off to both the east and the west. This intersection is marked by a large pipe heading across Gordon Creek to the south. From the stormwater pipe the track heads east along the narrow bushtrack until coming to an intersection with a bushtrack heading up and away from the creek.
(1.1 km) Gordon and Middle Harbour Creeks Int to Mangroves Optional Side Trip: Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -5 m
From this intersection the track heads South east towards middle harbour descending into the mangroves and fading out quickly. From the mangroves there are fantastic views over Middle Harbour Creek and at low tide its possible to walk through the surrounding grasslands.
(1.1 km) Gordon and Middle Harbour Creeks Int to Int of Pipe Line and Middle Harbour Crk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 120 m
Descent = -125 m
From the intersection the track heads north along the side of the hill running parallel to Middle Harbour Creek. The track heads north until descending slightly down into a cleared dried mangrove area. Across the clearing the track fades until beginning at a set of stairs in the northern end. From the mangroves the bushtrack continues north west until coming to an intersection with another bushtrack heading up the hill. From the intersection the track heads north, going downhill and running parallel to Middle Harbour Creek. This continues as the creek turns to the west. At this point the track becomes quite faded and overgrown however it is still clearly visible. This continues until it crosses Rocky Creek over large boulders which are used as stepping stones. The place by which to make this creek crossing is marked by a large spray-painted arrow on a boulder on the northern side of the creek. Having crossed the creek the track turns back to the east and continues along the bushtrack until coming to a large water water pipe that crosses Middle Harbour Creek.
(2.94 km) Int of Pipe Line and Middle Harbour Crk to Bungaroo and Governor Philip Track Int. Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 34 m
Descent = -25 m
From the waterpipe the track heads north running parallel next to Middle Harbour Creek. During the first section of this track the trail is a reasonably clear bushtrack however as this continues it becomes consistently more overgrown and scattered. This continues until in the track clears slightly and comes to an intersection with a track heading steeply up the hill to the south-west via a set of old carved rock stairs. From the intersection the track heads west along the bushtrack for a short while before coming to a large set of stepping stone boulders going across Middle Harbour Creek. The track crosses these and on the other bank comes up to an intersection with the Governor Philip Walk.
(3.53 km) Bungaroo and Governor Philip Track Int. to Davidson Park- Bottom of Casuarina Steps Track: Moderate - bushtrack, road
Distance = 3.4 km
Time = 1 Hrs 20 mins
Climb = 125 m
Descent = -133 m
From the intersection the track heads south-east alongside Middle Harbour Creek. The track soon comes to an intersection with a servicetrail then slightly up the hill is signposted as the Davidson Track. (This intersection is just before the large pipeline going across Middle Harbour Creek.) From the intersection the track heads south towards the large pipeline. The track crosses underneath the pipeline and continues south next to Middle Harbour Creek. During this section there are several small creeks that the track crosses. The track continues until comeing to Carrol Creek. (signposted 'Governor Phillip Walk'). The track crosses the creek and immediately comes to an intersection with a bushtrack. From the intersection at Carroll Creek,signposted as the 'Governor Phillip Trail', the track heads west along the shoreline. Soon the the track goes up onto the side of the hill the turns to the south and continues above Middle Harbour Creek until going down and following next to the creek. Soon the track breaks out into a small clearing and merges with a servicetrail. From here the track follows the servicetrail south until reaching Davidson Park. At this point Roseville Bridge is visable to the south. From the boomgate the track heads east through Davidson Park along the road until coming to the bottom of a steep set of stairs signposted as the Casuarina Track.
(6.89 km) Davidson Park- Bottom of Casuarina Steps to Echo Point Park Walk: Easy - road
Distance = 2.9 km
Time = 1 Hrs
Climb = 117 m
Descent = -110 m
From the bottom of the Casuarina Staircase the track heads east following the road around the edge of Davidson Reserve and going through the park across the small bridges. This continues until reaching Roseville Bridge where the track follows the road under the bridge and on for about 150m until coming to a carpark area. (There is another bushtrack heading off to the north east). From the intersection the track heads north-west out of Davidson Park and up onto Warringah Rd. At this point the trail turns left and goes across Roseville Bridge. Once over the bridge the trail continues south-west until turning left into Babbage Rd. The trail follows this north-east until coming to Echo Point Park.
(9.84 km) Echo Point Park to Western side of Eastern Arterial Rd Track: Moderate - bushtrack, servicetrail, tunnel, bushtrack
Distance = 6.1 km
Time = 2 Hrs 5 mins
Climb = 297 m
Descent = -261 m
From Echo Point Park this track heads north-west alongside Middle Harbour Creek through the park. At the northern end of the park the track changes to being a bushtrack that continues for short while past the old pipe bridge then just before reaching Roseville Bridge the track climbs steeply up to an intersection with a servicetrail. From the intersection just east of Roseville Bridge the track heads west – then north under the bridge. At this point the track narrows to a bushtrack. The track tends north west running parallel to Middle Harbour Creek with views over to Davidson Park to the north. Gradually the track turns to the west and away from the creek until coming to a small wooden footbridge. After crossing the bridge the track comes to an intersection with another bushtrack. From the intersection marked with the signpost saying 'Carlyle Road' the track heads north along the bushtrack. After about 200m the track crosses a small bridge over a small creek. The track then turns to the east until reaching Middle Harbour Creek the it turns north and runs paralellel to Middle Harbour Creek along a flat bushtrack until coming to a steep set of stairs. At the bottom of these stairs the track joins up with the servicetrail and heads west. Approximately 200m along this the track passes a large water pipeline that crosses Gordon Creek to the north-west. Continueing on shortly after the track comes to an intersection with a small track, a set of stairs off to the right. From the intersection the track heads south-west along the servicetrail. This gradually turns more to the south before coming to an intersection with a bushtrack heading off to the west. From the intersection the track heads west down the set of stairs and under Eastern Arterial Rd using the tunnel. Once at the western end of the tunnel the track follows the bushtrack past the sign saying 'Two Creeks Track' beside Gordon Creek for a short while before turning south and heading up to a small intersection. This intersection is marked with signposts saying 'Tryon Road' and Slade Carpark. (this tunnel cannot be used during of after heavy rain) From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack across the small creek to the east and continues until emerging on the western side of Eastern Arterial Rd. This is marked by a sign stating 'Two Creeks Track 100m'
Catch the bus from Western side of Eastern Arterial Rd
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
