Davidson Park to St Ives Chase
Guringai Country

5 h to 5 h 30 min

14.4 km
oneway

↑ 476 m
↓ -321 m

Moderate track
This walk, between Davidson Park and Warrimoo Ave, is a fantastic harbour side trip. The focus for the walk is the waterway views, scattered throughout. This walk is a great way to explore the valley between the suburbs and the interesting, diverse flora it contains. 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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Rotary Rotunda. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Welcome to Davidson Picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Bottom of Casuarina Steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Climbing up the Casuarina Stairway. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Davidson Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Start of the Lyrebird Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the waters edge through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Crk at Davidson Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Passing a small bush regeneration area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the waters edge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Winding along Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Heading through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The servicetrail north of Davidson Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Middle Harbour Crk. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Passing a Lyrebird Track sign. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The track goes quite close to the creek. | Photo by admin, 2007.
climbing up the hill and away from the creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking down on the creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Crk. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Continuing along Carroll Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Just near where Carroll Crk and Middle Harbour Crk meet. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Int of Lyrebird and Carroll Creek tracks. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Carroll Creek Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Carroll Creek Crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking up Carroll Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Southern end of Governor Phillip Walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing Carroll Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Mud Flats on Middle Harbour creek just north of Carroll crk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking out across the creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Governor Phillip track on the bank of Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the bushtrack. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Governor Phillip Walk along the rocky section. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the waters edge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Alongside Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
In some places the track can be quite wet and muddy. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Governor Phillip Walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Heading through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Passing an old rope swing. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Governor Phillip Walk. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Crossing under the pipe bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Coming down to the pipe bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following Middle Harbour Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the track markers. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the bushtrack. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Fallen tree on Governor Phillip walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Governor Phillip track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Governor Phillip track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Cave on Governor Phillip walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Bungaroo Track Stepping Stones. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Looking down Middle Harbour Creek from stepping stones. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Bungaroo Trk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Middle Harbour Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Cascades Track and Frenchs Creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking down on the waterhole. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Cascades. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Continuing through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Climbing up the side of the valley. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Cascades Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Lower Cambourne Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The Upper Cambourne Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Following the service trail through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Start of the Upper Cambourne Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The gate to Kitchener Street. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Coming to the carpark off Warrimoo Road. | 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 (-33.7688936,151.2039156)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Pacific Highway, A1, A38
  • Turn on to Boundary Street, A38 then drive for 10 m
  • Turn slight right onto Boundary Street, A38 and drive for another 4.3 km
  • Make a U-turn onto Warringah Road, A38 and drive for another 910 m
  • Keep left onto Healey Way and drive for another 210 m
  • Turn sharp right onto Healey Way and drive for another 50 m
  • Keep left onto Healey Way and drive for another 670 m
Finish (-33.700635,151.1655472)
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, this walk follows the road, keeping the park and Middle Harbour on the left. After a little while, this walk comes to the signposted intersection at the bottom of the 'Casuarina Stairway', uphill on the right.
From the intersection at the bottom of the 'Casuarina Stairway', this walk follows the driveway, keeping the park and Middle Harbour Creek on the left. The walk heads along for little while before coming to the end of the driveway, at the signposted start of the 'Lyre Bird Track 4km'.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Healey Way.
There is a toilet (about 30 m back from the start).
After 140 m pass the shelter (25 m on your left).
After another 370 m pass the water tap (25 m on your left).
After another 1.3 km continue straight, to head along Lyrebird Track.
After another 810 m continue straight, to head along Lyrebird Track.
After another 530 m (at the intersection of Carroll Creek Track & Lyrebird Track) turn left, to head along Governor Philip Track (a footpath).
After another 9 m cross the stepping stones (about 10 m long)
After another 1.6 km (at the intersection of Pipeline track & Governor Philip Track) continue straight, to head along Governor Philip Track.
After another 690 m (at the intersection of Governor Philip Track & Bungaroo Crossing) continue straight, to head along Middle Harbour Track.
After another 130 m find the "Bungaroo" (30 m on your left).
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 125 m turn left, to head along Middle Harbour Track.
After another 110 m pass the waterfall (25 m on your right).
After another 2.3 km (at the intersection of Double B & Middle Harbour Track) continue straight, to head along Middle Harbour Track.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Middle Harbour Track) turn left, to head along Cascades Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 15 m cross the ford.
Then find the "The Cascades" (on your left).
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 165 m cross the ford (about 15 m long)
After another 115 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Bare Creek Trail) continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail.
After another 500 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Lower Cambourne Track) continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail.
After another 65 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Upper Cambourne Track) turn right, to head along Upper Cambourne Track (a walking track).
After another 400 m continue straight, to head along Upper Cambourne Track.
After another 160 m (at the intersection of Cambourne Avenue & Upper Cambourne Track) turn right, to head along Cambourne Avenue (a residential road).
After another 240 m (at the intersection of Cambourne Avenue & Kenwyn Close) continue straight, to head along Cambourne Avenue.
After another 750 m pass the "Blackburn Park" (10 m on your right).
After another 105 m pass the playground (20 m on your right).
At the intersection of Blackburn Street & Acron Road turn right, to head along Blackburn Street.
After another 210 m (at the intersection of Blackburn Street & Whitehaven Street) turn right, to head along Whitehaven Street.
After another 325 m (at the intersection of Whitehaven Street & Linigen Place) continue straight, to head along Whitehaven Street.
After another 80 m (at the intersection of Roma Road & Whitehaven Street) turn right, to head along Roma Road.
After another 145 m (at the intersection of Jessica Gardens & Roma Road) continue straight, to head along Roma Road.
After another 45 m (at the intersection of Kitchener Street Trail & Roma Road) veer left, to head along Kitchener Street.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Trevalgan Place & Kitchener Street) continue straight, to head along Kitchener Street.
After another 145 m continue straight, to head along Kitchener Street.
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Mona Vale Road & Kitchener Street) continue straight, to head along Kitchener Street.
After another 410 m (at the intersection of Green Valley Avenue & Kitchener Street) continue straight, to head along Kitchener Street.
After another 90 m continue straight, to head along Kitchener Street.
After another 610 m turn left.
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Warrimoo Avenue & Phillip Road) turn right, to head along Warrimoo Avenue.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Milburn Place & Warrimoo Avenue) continue straight, to head along Warrimoo Avenue.
After another 100 m come to the end.
About 35 m past the end is "Ku-ring-gai National Park - Carpark".
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Davidson Park to St Ives Chase


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 14.4 km
Time 5 h to 5 h 30 min
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
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 Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 145 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one 3 m from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
3 m[toilet]
Shelter
145 m[shelter]
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