Tap again to allow map panning

Time 45 mins
One way 2.2 km One way
Climb 39 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Bus Car
no_pets
Starting at Seaforth Oval, this walk follows the Engravings track parallel to the Wakehurst Parkway to the end of Bantry Bay Road, Forestville. The first half of the walk is along bush track and the second half follows a service trail. The engravings, after which this track is named, are fenced off to protect the area, the fence limits the view of the rock platform and engravings.

Seaforth Oval

Seaforth Oval
Seaforth Oval is a large playing oval on the Wakehurst Parkway in North Balgowlah. It is managed by Manly Council, who have also recently been upgrading the Timber Getters Track in association with NPWS. There is a distant view of Chatswood from the oval. There are toilets, but they are usually locked. There is a large car park, shelter and sign with information about the Harbour to Hawkesbury walk. More info.

(0km) Seaforth Oval → Int of the Timbergetters and Engraving Tracks

distance 50 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -2m Moderate track
From the corner of the car park with the information signs, the walk heads into the bush and down the wooden steps to the bottom, where it flattens out at the signposted intersection with the Engraving Track[1].

(0km) Int of the Timbergetters and Engraving Tracks → Int of Engraving and Wakehurst Parkway Tracks

distance 1.6 km time 29 mins climb 38m descent -25m Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Engraving Track' arrow on the sign[2], winding along the flat track through the thick scrub. After a little while, the track steps up onto a short rock platform, passes a short track (which heads out to Wakehurst Parkway) and continues past the end of a metal fence. From here, the track continues through the bush for a short distance before coming to the end of a management trail at a telegraph pole.
Continue straight: From the end of the track, this walk follows the management trail running parallel with the power lines and Wakehurst Parkway (you can usually hear traffic noise through the bush). The walk continues along the management trail through the tall scrub for a while before coming to an intersection with a short track on the right (connecting to Wakehurst Parkway).

(2km) Int of Engraving and Wakehurst Parkway Tracks → Aboriginal Rock Engravings

distance 180 m time 2 mins climb 0m descent -2m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the trail running parallel with some power lines on the left, and the sound of Wakehurst Parkway to the right. After only 20 metres, the walk comes to an intersection with another track on the left (which crosses under the power lines).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the trail running parallel with the power lines (over to the left). The trail heads through the tall scrub for a while before coming to a long fence on the left, and follows this for a short distance until coming to a small 'Aboriginal Site' sign[3] .

Rock Engraving Site

Rock Engraving Site
This protected site boasts a number of Aboriginal engravings in the sandstone platform. The area is fenced off from the Engraving Track, limiting the view of the engravings. Remember this area has special meaning to the traditional owners, and care should be taken to preserve this site for future generations.

(2km) Aboriginal Rock Engravings → End of Bantry Bay Road

distance 350 m time 5 mins climb 1m descent -2m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the trail, keeping the Aboriginal Site and the power lines on the left. The trail meanders through the bush for a while before heading through a metal gate and past a 'Garigal National Park' sign[4], continuing along in the same manner for a little while longer to the end of Bantry Bay Road.

Maps for the Engravings Track 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 Engravings Track bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Engravings Track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Engravings Track

Altitude analysis for Engravings Track

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.

Length2.2 km
Time45 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

1.3km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 760m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (45m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 1.4km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 760m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 1.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 850m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 2.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 2.2km 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 Engravings Track walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Engravings Track walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Engravings Track walk starts at the Seaforth Oval (gps: -33.781957, 151.23724)

The Engravings Track ends at the End of Bantry Bay Road (gps: -33.764211, 151.23209)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Garigal National Park

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.

Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (Manly Dam)

In 1892 the CUrl Curl creek was dammed to for a water reservoir for Manly village, over the years the wall was raised till it held 2 mega litres. Now a War Memorial Park it boasts a series of picnic areas along the western shoreline, with children play areas and other facilities. There are also a number of walking and cycling tracks around the lake. The lake is used by powered and unpowered boats, and can be quite busy on hot weekend days.

Comments