Walking tracks
Fiddens Wharf walking track
The walk starts at Jenkins Hall and goes to Fiddens Wharf, returning via a loop on the upper slopes and then along Max Allen Drive to the visitor centre.
Take the walking track from Max Allen Drive, across from the administration office. Follow the old quarry road up the hill, turn left under the powerlines and walk through the casurina forest until you reach a sealed road. Turn left and cross the road to locate the track entrance on the right where you will see a sign directing you to Fiddens Wharf (one kilometre). Follow the trail and turn left at the scribbly gum. After descending a long flight of steps you will have reached the base of the creek, the track to your right is the way back. The river should be on your right as you follow it back, notice the old wharf and diving areas. The track then takes you to picnic area 31, follow the bitumen back to the administration centre.
Location:
shown on Picnic areas and tourist park map
Riverside Walk
From the weir the track follows the river bank most of the way to DeBurghs Bridge. Return by the same route or leave a car at the finish.
At the weir you'll see the fish ladder, designed to aid the native bass swimming upstream, as well as waterbirds such as ducks, egrets and spoonbills. Follow the river noting the bush regeneration sites where exotic species such as liquid amber have been removed. Pass the boat hire (this walk can be done by canoe) and stay with the river until you reach the bushland. Follow the track in, keeping an eye out for the many birds in the area including kookaburras and lorikeets. Cross Carters Creek, which is lined with ferns and sweet smelling pittosporum, as well as bluegums and blackbutts in the picnic area.
Take a break at Commandment Rock, where a family lived on the flat rock in 1866 with a small vegetable and strawberry farm. At Halfway Point you have traveled two kilometres. From here on in the walk is more serene and has no picnic areas. Cross Porters Creek on Riverside Drive, the bridge was constructed over 50 years ago, continue along the river until you reach the entry gate at DeBurghs Bridge.
Plant communities: grassy woodlands
Location:
shown on Picnic areas and tourist park map
Great North walk - Lane Cove National Park
Great North walk is a mammoth multi-day hike and at 250km, it’s not for the faint-hearted. Created in 1988 to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary, the walk links Sydney with the Hunter Valley and Newcastle. It is a one-stop-shop for some of the best scenery New South Wales has to offer.
It takes about 16 days to walk the entire Great North walk track and there are lots of places to camp overnight along the way.
If you don’t want to tackle the whole distance in one go, it’s easy to walk part of the track as a day walk; 27km of the track passes through Lane Cove National Park, so you can walk as much or as little as you like. There are lots of scenic spots to stop for a picnic or break along the way and you’ll be blown away by the sheer beauty of the landscape. Around each corner you’ll see dramatic drops into the river valley below, rugged sandstone, dense mangrove swamps and plateaus with magnificent lookouts. You’ll most likely catch a glimpse or two of some of our native wildlife. Walk quietly to increase your chances.
Location:
shown on park map
Walking: events and activities
| Commercial activity | Australian Eco Adventures  For over 20 years Australian Eco Adventures has been providing complete luxury, small group touring packages across Sydney and New South Wales, continually setting the benchmark for first class itineraries, guides and vehicle comfort. Not only do guests benefit from a more personalised small group service but additionally guests are able to enjoy some very memorable experiences that no other tour company provides.
Our Diamond Series range of touring specialises in premium, luxury charters tailored for clients wishing to experience the best Australia has to offer. These private experiences are the ultimate in first class touring.
We also operate a wide range of extended outback Australia tours to many off-the-beaten track destinations in Australia. These small, group tours include accommodation, and we visit national parks and areas that are only accessible with our custom made vehicles, offering a complete experience in total comfort.
More info: Australian Eco Adventures, Phone: 02 9971 2402 (international +612 9971 2402) | . |
| Commercial activity | Auswalk  At Auswalk we are committed to providing quality holidays that are excellent value for money. Each trip has been thoroughly researched to ensure that high standards are met and maintained. Leave the logistics of your holiday to us. We'll organise all the accommodation, meals, transport etc in advance, saving you time and ensuring that you'll experience the best an area has to offer.
We know the best places to stay and which ones to avoid. We know the best walking routes and how to help you discover more of an area than you could on your own. We believe that the best way to really experience an area is to pass through it on foot. Our walking routes are not simply the shortest distance between two points. They take you to secluded, unspoiled places not bustling with tourists; always beautiful, sometimes remote, usually peaceful, often wild.
More info: Auswalk, Phone: 03 5356 4971 (international +613 5356 4971) | As required |
| Commercial activity | EcoTreasures  EcoTreasures experienced local guides are going to show you some hidden gems around Sydney's Northern Beaches. Choose from a range of nature experiences including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, bushwalking, coastal walks and Indigenous walks.
The Basin Campground - EcoTreasures offers guided stand up paddle board (SUP) safari, snorkelling tours and SUP Hire and kayak hire during the school holidays and by group request all year. Indigenous guided nature/culture walk to ancient engravings available by request. Customised group programs available with transport and catering options available for all tours. Please book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Sydney Harbour National Park - EcoTreasures provides guided coastal walks around Manly's foreshores, North Head and through Sydney Harbour National Park. If you are a family, team building group or a private groups who would enjoy a local nature experience with a local eco guide then the Coastal Walk is a perfect option. Customised programs, educational work sheets and team building programs are available specifically designed to meet the aims and objectives of your day.
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - You be in charge and tell me what your group would like. Private Tours are available by request. Choose from a range of nature based experiences options including stand up paddle boarding, snorkelling, bushwalking, bird watching and Indigenous guided walks. Perfect for school groups, team building groups, family and private groups. More info: Ecotreasures, Phone: 0415 121 648 (international +61415 121 648) | . |
| Commercial activity | Life's an Adventure  Visitors to Sydney and the Blue Mountains will love Life's An Adventure's extensive range of active day experiences and overnight adventures. Choose from a range of unique and personalised kayaking, hiking and mountain biking guided tours with a maximum of 15 participants. Adventures are paced to suit you, with average fitness levels suitable for most activities. Tours are available daily and include gourmet food and the option of hotel pick-ups from the Sydney CBD or Manly area.
More info: Life's an Adventure, Phone: 02 9913 8939 (international +612 9913 8939) | . |
| Commercial activity | Sydney Coast Walks  Sydney Coast Walks are the Sydney walking people. With some of the city's best natural beauty only accessible on foot, Sydney Coast Walks provides expertly guided half day, full day and overnight hiking adventures through Sydney Harbour and Royal National Parks, enabling guests to reconnect with nature in Australia's largest city. Small groups, maximum 12 guests, for a better walking experience.
Sydney Harbour National Park Walking Tours
Royal National Park Walking Tours
- Jibbon Aboriginal Tour Learn the traditions of the Dharawal Aboriginal people, view thousand-year-old rock carvings and listen to Dreaming stories.
- Marley Explore Royal's majestic sandstone coastline on a full day walk.
- Wattamolla (Coast Track) Discover awe-inspiring views and fascinating history as you hike the iconic Coast Track. Enjoy a fully catered and supported camping experience.
When: year-round. Bookings essential. More info: Sydney Coast Walks, Phone: 02 8521 7423 (international +612 8521 7423) | As required |
| Commercial activity | Wild Women on Top  Wild Women on Top specialise in adventure fitness training for women. Our 10-week trek training programs and Wild Weekends operate in and around NSW's spectacular national parks and prepare women for trekking adventures both in Australia and overseas.
We also run the Wild Women on Top Sydney Coastrek, which is a 100km trek along the world class coast of Sydney. This is an event for women and mixed teams, including corporates, who are interested in participating in team building challenges to promote health through walking and raising funds for charity.
In addition this, Wild Women on Top offer Wild Weekends to assist women in preparing for extreme and moderate trekking challenges. More info: Wild Women on Top, Phone: 0434 027 912 (international +61434 027 912) | As required |
