Davidson Exploration

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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.

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.)
Directions	From 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.)

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 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 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.

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)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

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.

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.

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.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Terrey Hills Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 27 July
  
  18°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning. Light winds.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Sunday 28 July
  
  8°C → 14°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h turning southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon and evening.
  
  Monday 29 July
  
  6°C → 14°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Tuesday 30 July
  
  6°C → 14°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, with possible small hail along the coastal fringe. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 31 July
  
  6°C → 15°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 August
  
  7°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Friday 2 August
  
  8°C → 16°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Garigal National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Section of Casuarina track closed for track maintenance
  Part of Casuarina track is closed from Thursday 23 March 2023 until further notice due to maintenance on the footbridge.
  The closed area is the section of Casuarina track between the end of Boree Road and the Carrol Creek track intersection.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Other planned events: Pay machine upgrade
  Pay machines in this park are being upgraded to provide an even more reliable service for your convenience. Whilst this process is underway, coins may not be accepted at pay machines, however cash payments for park use fees can still be made at visitor centres. Pay machines will continue to accept credit card. ParknPay remains available in all Parks via the ParknPay app.
  
  Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between 1 February 2024 and 31 July 2024 in Garigal National Park. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Forestville 9451 3479 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  Closed areas: Flat Rock track partial closure
  The section of Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance to the Downpatrick Street entrance, is permanently closed as the old track passes through private property near Killarney Point.
  Please note:
  
  Walkers heading west should exit Flat Rock track at the eastern end of Killarney Drive and use Killarney Drive until you reach Downpatrick Street. Then walk down the street and re-enter Flat Rock track from the Downpatrick Street fire trail.
  
  Walkers heading east should exit Flat Rock track at the Downpatrick Street fire trail and use Downpatrick Street, then Killarney Drive until you reach the end of Killarney Drive. Re-enter Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance.
  
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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