Starting from John Oxley Drive, Davidson, this walk descends steeply into Garigal National Park, along a wide asphalt service trail. The walk follows a lovely bush track along the eastern bank of Middle Harbour creek before following Carroll Creek up to the end of Ferguson St, Forestville. There are plenty of lovely water views, and several interesting sandstone overhangs on this walk. Let us begin by acknowledging the Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Davidson Track trackhead at John Oxley Drive. | Photo by admin, 2009.Down into the valley. | Photo by admin, 2009.Continuing through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2007.Coming down to the pipe bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.Following Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.The Governor Phillip Walk. | Photo by admin, 2007.Passing an old rope swing. | Photo by admin, 2009.Heading through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2009.Middle Harbour from Governor Phillip track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Following the waters edge. | Photo by admin, 2009.winding through the trees. | Photo by admin, 2009.Looking out across the creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.Following the Governor Phillip Walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.The Carroll Creek Crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.The Carroll Creek Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Following the edge of the creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.Waterfall on Carroll Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.Cave near top of the Carroll Creek track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Climbing up to the end of the management trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.Nothern Beaches Area Depot Servicetrail. | Photo by admin, 2009.Top of Nothern Beaches Area Service trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From John Oxley Drive, just a little way south of Prahran Ave, this walk follows the dirt management trail and the 'Davidson Track' sign around the gate, keeping the pipe on the left of the track. The track soon passes a brick pump house, as the track becomes asphalt and starts to steeply head downhill. Partway down the hill, there is a lookout point on the pipe, then at the bottom of the first hill is a creek-crossing and sign welcoming people to 'Garigal National Park'. Past the sign, the track starts to head downhill again, as it winds down to the creek and the signposted intersection with Governor Phillip track, just near the pipe bridge.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 165 m pass the playground (80 m on your right).
After another 30 m pass the "Maitland Reserve" (55 m on your right).
After another 8 m pass the "Richard Healy Reserve" (15 m on your left).
After another 255 m continue straight.
After another 500 m continue straight.
After another 130 m find the "Pipeline" (50 m on your right).
Pipeline
Pipeline
This pipeline is unearthed at Hunter Street, St Ives, and travels through Garigal National Park, across Middle Harbour Creek to John Oxley Drive, Sorlie. The pipe carries water under pressure From Ryde to Pymble to the reservoir at Beacon Hill. The old smaller-capacity pipe can still be seen running parallel to the larger pipe.
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This pipeline is unearthed at Hunter Street, St Ives, and travels through Garigal National Park, across Middle Harbour Creek to John Oxley Drive, Sorlie. The pipe carries water under pressure From Ryde to Pymble to the reservoir at Beacon Hill. The old smaller-capacity pipe can still be seen running parallel to the larger pipe.
After another 1.4 km cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 9 m turn left.
After another 730 m turn right.
Then head up the steps (about 10 m long)
Turn left.
After another 25 m pass the sign.
After another 400 m turn left.
After another 35 m pass the sign.
After another 90 m pass the sign (35 m on your right).
After another 4 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Davidson Track to Carroll Creek and Ferguson St
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
3.8 km
Time
1 h 30 min to 3 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)