Davidson Exploration
Guringai Country

2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

5.8 km
oneway

↑ 196 m
↓ -191 m

Hard track
This walk partially circumnavigates the suburb of Davidson. Starting on Stone Pde, the walk follows the cascades track down to Middle Harbour Creek and follows the creek downstream to the pipeline. The walk finishes with an uphill slog, following the pipeline, to John Oxley Drive. 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. 
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Cascades Trackhead at Stone Pde. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Cascades Track Head. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing Borgnis Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Cascades track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Cascades track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rock platform at Tributary Cascades. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Tributary Cascades. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Cascades Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Cascades Track and Frenchs Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Cascades. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Waterhole at the Cascades. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Cascades. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking down on the waterhole. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Small cave on Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Stepping stones across Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
track on middle Harbour creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Governor Phillip track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
winding through the bush on Governor Phillip walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Governor Phillip track at base of Davidson Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Governor Phillip track near pipe bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The pipeline crossing Middle Harbour Crk. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Bottom of Davidson track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Davidson service trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Davidson service trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Garigal national park boundary. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Viewing point on Davidson service trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The view. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Steep section on Davidson service trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Pumping station on Davidson service trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Davidson Track trackhead at John Oxley Drive. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start At the intersection of Stone Parade & Cascades Trail (-33.7372726,151.1961826)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Lane Cove Road, A3
  • Turn on to Forest Way then drive for 3.7 km
  • Turn right onto Hews Parade and drive for another 700 m
  • Turn left onto Pringle Avenue and drive for another 315 m
  • Turn right onto Haigh Avenue and drive for another 1.6 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Kambora Avenue and drive for another 200 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Kambora Avenue and drive for another 400 m
  • Turn right onto Borgnis Street and drive for another 70 m
  • Turn left onto Stone Parade and drive for another 290 m
Finish (-33.7469933,151.1998873)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Bus   Car   (There is free parking available.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the intersection, the walk passes through the metal gate marked with the Cascades Track sign, and follows the (initially) asphalted service trail. The service trail winds down into the valley, steeply at times, until it comes to the signposted intersection with the French's Creek Track.....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Stone Parade & Cascades Trail Start heading along Cascades Trail (a vehicle track).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Tributary Cascades. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 930 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & French's Creek Track) continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail.
After another 560 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Middle Harbour Track) continue straight, to head along Middle Harbour Track (a walking track).
After another 40 m find the "The Cascades" (on your right).
The Cascades
The Cascades

The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.
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The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.

After another 9 m (at the intersection of Middle Harbour Track & Double B) continue straight, to head along Middle Harbour Track.
After another 2.4 km turn right, to head along Middle Harbour Track.
After another 55 m pass the waterfall (25 m on your left).
After another 200 m (at the intersection of Governor Philip Track & Bungaroo Crossing) continue straight, to head along Governor Philip Track.
After another 185 m find the "Bungaroo" (30 m on your right).
Bungaroo
Bungaroo

Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where "the flowing of the tide ceased". Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as "the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of". Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo.
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Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where "the flowing of the tide ceased". Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as "the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of". Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo.

After another 510 m (at the intersection of Governor Philip Track & Pipeline track) turn sharp left, to head along Pipeline track (a vehicle track).
After another 500 m continue straight, to head along Pipeline track.
After another 460 m come to "Richard Healy Reserve".
The end.
About 55 m past the end is "Maitland Reserve".
About 80 m past the end is a playground .

An optional side trip to Tributary Cascades.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 45 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 45 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Davidson Exploration


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 5.8 km
Time 2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min
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)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
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Articles
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