This walk is a great way to get into the bush without being far from civilisation. The walk wanders through untouched valleys and along the Lane Cove River, passing over many roads and footpaths to connect such unspoilt bush. The side trip to Baker's cottage is definitely worth the short stroll, with the heritage building having a long history.
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(0 km)
Gordon Station
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Int. Blackbutt Creek Trk and Vale St Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 980 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -54 m
From the top of the station, this walk heads towards the shops, down the stairs and to the road next to Gordon Station bus depot. From Gordon Station bus depot, this walk heads up the hill of St Johns Ave to the Pacific Highway. The walk crosses to the other side at the pedestrian crossing. From here, this walk follows the shop fronts up the Pacific Highway, then turns left onto Moree St. This street is followed until the walk turns right onto Vale St. This walk continues along Vale St for a short time to the intersection with the bush track on the left of the street.
(0.98 km)
Int. Blackbutt Creek Trk and Vale St
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Int. Lady Game Drive and Falls Creek Trk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.77 km
Time = 33 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -54 m
From the intersection next to house No. 31, this walk heads past a gate to follow a line of houses on the right. The track continues down a slight gradient for approximately 300m, turning left to come to the intersection, approximately 10m above a concrete sewerage inspection hole. From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, passing a concrete sewerage inspection hole on the right. The trail continues along the creek line for another 20m, to the intersection which leads down to the creek on the right. From the intersection, this walk follows the creek downstream for approximately 200m to the signposted intersection. From the intersection, this walk follows the left-hand arrow on the 'Blackbutt Creek Track' sign, down the hill. The track contours with the creek on the right, and the houses high on the left, for approximately 1km to then steeply descend to the intersection above the concreted water-crossing. From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, across the concrete watercourse, to turn right along the creek. The trail tends left away from the creek, up to a white gate.
(2.75 km)
Int. Lady Game Drive and Falls Creek Trk
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Allen Park Walk: Easy - road
Length = 1.21 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 49 m
Descent = -23 m
From the white metal gate, this walk heads up the hill along Lady Game Dr, crossing to the right side where safe. This walk then turns right on De Burgh Rd, then right again onto Beaumont Rd. At the end of Beaumont Rd, this walk turns left onto Blaxland Rd, then comes to an intersection at 'Allen Park' at the end of Blaxland Rd.
Allen Park
Alt = 48 m
Allen Park is a very small grassed clearing at the end of Blaxland Rd. The park is not shaded and backs onto a house. The park is a thoroughfare to access the Great North Walk from Blaxland Rd.
(3.96 km)
Allen Park
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Fiddens Wharf Oval Trk Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 1.98 km
Time = 42 mins
Climb = 57 m
Descent = -96 m
From the corner of Terrace and Blaxland Roads, this walk passes the gate and heads straight across the grassed area of Allen Park. The track then tends left down the hill, passing a Great North Walk sign on the right before coming to a signposted intersection. From the intersection, the track follows the sign to 'Visitor Centre Loop' along the hillside for approximately 100m to follow a cliff line to a boulder. From the boulder, the track drops onto a small rock shelf, and follows the valley (below on the left). From the rock shelf, the track heads left to wind around and down through a pass in some rock. The track then turns to walk in front of the rock, as it continues to wind and undulate above the river (below on the right). A sign with directions to 'Visitor Centre' is followed, leading along side a small creek. The track leads upstream to a bridge in front of a small waterfall, where the track crosses and continues downstream on the other side of the creek. The creek then meets with the Lane Cove River again as the track continues, winding along the river bank to the signposted intersection.
(5.94 km)
Fiddens Wharf Oval Trk
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Int. Opposite Bakers Flat Track: Moderate - servicetrail,road,road
Length = 1.73 km
Time = 34 mins
Climb = 57 m
Descent = -60 m
From the intersection, the track follows the 'Visitors Centre Loop' arrow along the river bank, with the water to the right of the track. This walk comes to a set of stairs which lead the track onto a rocky outcrop. From the top of the stairs, this walk winds around the hillside for a short while, to then pass into a gully before rising to a small service trail cul-de-sac. This walk then tends right, up the hill for approximately 40m to the signposted intersection. From the intersection, this walk heads around the hillside, with the river below on the right. The walk tends left as it contours around the hill. It then descends over speed bumps for approximately 50m to the car park of Thistlethwaytes picnic area. From the picnic area, this walk heads down the road, with the water to the right. The walk continues down the road for a short time, to the intersection with the entrance of the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Depot on the left, and the Schwartz Homestead a short distance up the hill. From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, with the water on the right. The walk tends left, continuing up the road to pass a brick building on the right, before coming to the signposted intersection, opposite Baker's Flat.
(7.67 km)
Int. Opposite Bakers Flat
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Baker's Cottage Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 120 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -1 m
From the intersection, the track heads up the stairs tending right, up the hill. The track passes a sign about native grasses before continuing right, to Baker's Cottage.
Baker's Cottage
Alt = 13 m
Baker's Cottage was built in 1865 as the residence of William Baker and his family. The cottage once stood in the middle of a well-kept garden and orchard. The cottage itself was once larger, with more rooms and a verandah surrounding it. The residence changed hands only twice, and was then appropriated by the Minister of Lands in 1938.
(7.67 km)
Int. Opposite Bakers Flat
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Lane Cove Weir South Walk: Easy - road,footpath,footpath,footpath,road
Length = 587 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -20 m
From the intersection, this walk heads down the road towards the car park at '29 Bakers Flat'. The walk continues along the road to pass the clearing and tend right, up the hill, to an intersection with a bush track on the right. From the intersection, this walk heads down the path for approximately 50m to pass a toilet block on the left of the track. The track continues to an intersection with a railed footpath. From the intersection, this walk heads down the slight gradient, away from the toilet block to the large concreted area above the weir. From the intersection, this walk heads directly down the hill to the weir at the water. From the Great North Walk marker on the northern end of the weir, this walk traverses the concrete road of the weir to the other side at the intersection.
Lane Cove Weir
Alt = 1 m
The Lane Cove River Weir, built in 1938, was originally constructed to create a lake, in order to make the popular picnic spot in the Lane Cove valley even more so. The weir, however, created environmental issues such as a decline in native fish populations. The south side of the weir now has a fish ladder to help rehabilitate these populations. The weir is part of the Great North Walk.
(8.25 km)
Lane Cove Weir South
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Fullers Bridge Bus Stop Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 288 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -7 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath around the waters edge to pass a stone memorial on the right. The walk then comes to an intersection with a track through the middle of the Koonjeree picnic area. From the intersection, this walk heads towards the road then passes over it, to the toilet blocks. From the toilets, this walk heads through the low bushes, following the car park (which is on the left). The walk winds through the bushes to pass a stone seat on the left before crossing the entrance road to the Lane Cove National Park. This walk then continues along the footpath for a few metres to the road, which it crosses to come to the bus stop.
Lane Cove River Steak and Seafood Restaurant
Alt = 1 m
The Lane Cove River Steak and Seafood Restaurant is open 7 days. Lunch is served 12-3pm (excluding Saturdays) and dinner 6-10pm. The restaurant serves a diversity of seafood and poultry with prices ranging from $14-30. Ph. 9412 3773 More info
(8.54 km)
Fullers Bridge Bus Stop
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Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd Track: Moderate - footpath,road,road
Length = 112 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -3 m
From the bus stop, this walk heads across Fullers Bridge to the pedestrian crossing on the other side. From the intersection, this walk crosses at the pedestrian crossing, to the other side of Lady Game Drive, away from the bridge. From the intersection, this walk crosses Delhi Rd at the pedestrian crossing, then heads right to cross The Fairway. The walk immediately comes to an intersection with a bush track.
(8.65 km)
Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd
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Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 255 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -3 m
From the intersection, this walk heads down to the Lane Cove River, on the right. The walk continues under the river bank's shady vegetation for a short time to a large signposted intersection behind the 8th tee of the golf course. From the intersection, the track heads up the hill tending right, to a set of stairs which it climbs up to Reid Drive, opposite No. 17.
(8.91 km)
Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive
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Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval Track: Moderate - road,openland
Length = 515 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -6 m
From the intersection, this walk heads up the road above Chatswood Golf Course (below on the right). The walk follows the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval sign along the road for approximately 200m to the oval, car park and picnic area with play equipment. From the car park, this walk heads past the metal gate and across the oval to the far side of the oval, where a track marker stands just off the oval.
(9.42 km)
Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval
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Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 71 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, the track heads up the stairs, winding around and through rocky outcrops to come to a fence line. The track follows the fence line up to the road where a sign is bolted to the telegraph pole, indicating 'Rail to River Walk'.
(9.49 km)
Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave
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Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave Walk: Easy - road,footpath
Length = 535 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 32 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk heads up the road following the 'Rail to River Walk' sign to the corner of the road. From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign up Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m to the signposted intersection with Fullers Rd.
(10.03 km)
Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave
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Harnett Pl sign post Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 538 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -22 m
From the intersection, this walk heads up Fullers Rd, tending right where Fullers Rd meets Millwood Ave. The walk follows Fullers Rd for a short time to Lowanna Park on the right. Entry to the park is via a gate at the near-end of the park. From the Fullers Rd gate entry of Lowanna Park, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the BBQs and play equipment, to the gate opening to Greville St. There is a 'Rail to River Walk' signpost outside the gate. From the gate, this walk heads down the hill, away from Fullers Rd. The track heads down the hill for approximately 200m to cross the road to the Harnett Pl sign, opposite No. 86.
(10.57 km)
Harnett Pl sign post
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Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 502 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 32 m
Descent = -24 m
From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs, coming to a house. From the house on the right, the track zigzags down the hill through mossy rock outcrops to the signposted intersection above a creek and pipe. From the intersection, the track heads down the steps and along the creek (which remains on the right) for approximately 60m to a signposted intersection. From the intersection, the track heads up the gully, with the creek on the right. The track continues climbing up the gully for approximately 100m to an intersection in a clearer area. From the intersection, the track follows the 'Rail to River Walk' arrow on the signpost, to head up the gully. The track leads up along the creek (which is on the right) for approximately 50m to some steppingstones over the creek. Approximately 50m on, the track comes out onto a grassed clearing, from which the track continues along the service trail to Park Ave.
(11.07 km)
Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk
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Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk Walk: Easy - road
Length = 32 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign up the road for approximately 30m to the next signpost.
(11.1 km)
Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk
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Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 336 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -1 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign off the road and along the bush track. The track heads relatively straight alongside a stormwater drain and a line of houses, to then pass a tennis courts' cyclone fence (above on the left). The track then comes to a memorial bench which marks the intersection. From the memorial bench, this walk heads up the hill, with the stormwater on the right and the house fences on both sides. The track heads up the hill for approximately 150m to a clearing with a playground. This walk passes the playground (with the playground on the left), continuing to the gate and road.
(11.44 km)
Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk
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Chatswood Station Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 623 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 37 m
Descent = -9 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the "Rail to River" sign down Edgar St, to turn left onto Western Way. The walk along Western Way takes a dogleg turn right onto Jenkins Rd, then left onto Western Way again, and to the Pacific Highway. At the highway, this walk turns right (south) to the pedestrian crossing at Victoria Ave. From the intersection, this walk crosses at pedestrian crossing on Pacific Highway, or takes the foot bridge just near the intersection. This walk then continues down Victoria Ave to the entrance of the train station on the right. If the road turns left, you have gone too far.
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 19 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
not too much longer now :)