Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock
Darug Country

2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

6.9 km
oneway

↑ 150 m
↓ -142 m

Hard track
This walk, to Cheltenham Station from Epping Station, visits Whale Rock and Lane Cove River. This is not the most direct route between the two stations, but it is a great way to explore Devlins Creek. With a train station at each end, this walk mostly follows well define management trails with a narrow section of track at the upper end of Devlins Creek. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
Show all
Tunnel under the M2. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Motorway Tunnel. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track along fence near M2. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Bushtrack away from M2. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Lane Cove National Park sign. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Bush track through heath. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Signposted intersection for Whale Rock. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Signpost to Whale Rock. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track towards Cheltenham and Pennant Hills Tracks. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Weeds covering bush next to track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track viewing Devlin's Creek. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Signpost near Whale Rock. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track towards Lane Cove River. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track above Devlins Ck. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Creek crossing. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.
Track up to Pennant Hills Park. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track over rocks. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Bushtrack around grass tree. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Railed steps. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track through the heath. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Watercrossing. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track to Pennant Hills. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Service trail out of the valley. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Signpost to Pennant Hills. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Track beside house. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
Signpost at road. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2008.
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 Langston Place & Cambridge Street (-33.7724644,151.0824454)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
DirectionsFrom Silverwater Road, A6
  • Turn on to Marsden Road, A6 then drive for 305 m
  • Keep right onto Lawson Street and drive for another 280 m
  • Turn right onto Brush Road and drive for another 295 m
  • Turn left onto Rutledge Street and drive for another 1.7 km
  • Turn slight left onto Blaxland Road and drive for another 2 km
  • Continue onto Langston Place and drive for another 165 m
Finish (-33.7556378,151.078847)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Bus   Car   (There is free parking available.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
The walk exits Epping Station on the Oxford St side. The walk then crosses Cambridge St and continues down Oxford St. The walk follows the footpath past the shops down Oxford St passing Chester St, Surrey St. Just after Surry St the walk turns left onto Derby St to the end. Nearing the end of Derby St the walk tends left around the yellow gate and onto the concrete driveway which veers left off the road. The walk continues towards the tunnel to come to an intersection just before the tunnel entrance.....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Langston Place & Cambridge Street Start heading along Oxford Street (a highway|tertiary).
There is a cafe (about 30 m back from the start).
After 235 m pass the shelter (9 m on your left).
After another 165 m continue straight.
After another 215 m turn left.
After another 275 m continue straight.
After another 60 m veer right.
Then head down the concrete steps (about 6 m long)
Then head down the concrete steps (about 4 m long)
After another 20 m head through the tunnel (about 50 m long)
After another 280 m head down the steps (about 30 m long)
After another 480 m veer left.
After another 25 m pass the sign (10 m on your left).
After another 560 m continue straight, to head along Devlins Creek Trail.
After another 80 m pass the sign (10 m on your left).
After another 170 m find the "Big Ducky Waterhole" (on your left).
Big Ducky Waterhole
Big Ducky Waterhole

The service trail loops around the top of the Big Ducky waterhole and there is a nice rock overhang in which to break. Is also a popular bird watching area. Unfortunately, recently there has been large quantities of rubbish in the area. (If going down to the waterhole please consider carrying out some of the rubbish if every walker carrys out a bit it will make a difference)
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The service trail loops around the top of the Big Ducky waterhole and there is a nice rock overhang in which to break. Is also a popular bird watching area. Unfortunately, recently there has been large quantities of rubbish in the area. (If going down to the waterhole please consider carrying out some of the rubbish if every walker carrys out a bit it will make a difference)

After another 420 m (at the intersection of Devlins Creek Trail & Boundary Road Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Devlins Creek Trail.
After another 100 m find the "Whale Rock" (6 m on your left).
Whale Rock
Whale Rock

This is a large boulder that looks eerily like a whale, complete with eye socket. It is a good place to break and climb around the Rock.
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This is a large boulder that looks eerily like a whale, complete with eye socket. It is a good place to break and climb around the Rock.

After another 165 m cross the ford (about 35 m long)
Then cross the ford.
After another 75 m cross the ford (about 30 m long)
Then cross the ford.
After another 210 m continue straight, to head along Devlins Creek Trail.
Then cross the ford (about 25 m long)
After another 8 m cross the ford.
After another 150 m (at the intersection of Devlins Creek Trail & Pennant Hills Trail) turn left, to head along Pennant Hills Trail.
Then head up the very steep (10% ~ 5.7°) concrete incline (about 75 m long)
Then pass the sign (6 m on your right).
After another 200 m head up the very steep (20% ~ 11.3°) concrete incline (about 170 m long)
After another 330 m continue straight, to head along Pennant Hills Trail.
After another 230 m continue straight, to head along Pennant Hills Trail.
After another 345 m turn left.
After another 340 m continue straight.
After another 95 m veer right.
After another 105 m veer left, to head along Kurrajong Walking Track.
After another 135 m turn right, to head along Kurrajong Walking Track.
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Kurrajong Walking Track.
After another 25 m pass the sign (on your left).
At the intersection of Day Road Fire Trail & Byles Creek Track turn right, to head along Day Road Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 80 m continue straight, to head along Day Road Fire Trail.
After another 135 m pass the picnic table (9 m on your right).
After another 105 m pass the car park (20 m on your right).
At the intersection of Malton Road & Day Road continue straight, to head along Day Road.
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Day Road & Robecq Avenue) continue straight, to head along Day Road.
After another 390 m (at the intersection of Sutherland Road & Day Road) turn right, to head along Sutherland Road.
After another 130 m to find the car park.
After another 60 m turn left.
After another 10 m to find the car park.
Then come to a park.
The end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 6.9 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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