Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
4 hrs
11.2 km Circuit
302 m
Hard track
(0km) Chatswood Station → Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk
990 m
20 mins
10m
-50m
Moderate track
From Chatswood Train Station, this walk exits the station onto Victoria Ave. The walk then continues up Victoria Ave, passing Chatswood RSL on the left. This walk continues to the Pacific Highway where it crosses over the at a pedestrian crossing or the foot bridge near by.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north up the Pacific Highway, to turn left onto Western Way. The walk continues down Western Way through a dogleg, turning right onto Jenkins Rd then quickly left back onto Western Way. The walk heads down Western Way to turn right onto Edgar St and to the Edgar Reserve Park with green gate.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk passes the gate, then the playground on the right, and continues through the clearing. The track continues for approximately 150m to an intersection marked by a memorial bench.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads between the tennis court fence on your right and the houses on your left for approximately 150m. The track then comes to an intersection with Park Ave, and a ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign[1].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign down the road for approximately 30m to the next signpost.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north up the Pacific Highway, to turn left onto Western Way. The walk continues down Western Way through a dogleg, turning right onto Jenkins Rd then quickly left back onto Western Way. The walk heads down Western Way to turn right onto Edgar St and to the Edgar Reserve Park with green gate.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk passes the gate, then the playground on the right, and continues through the clearing. The track continues for approximately 150m to an intersection marked by a memorial bench.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads between the tennis court fence on your right and the houses on your left for approximately 150m. The track then comes to an intersection with Park Ave, and a ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign[1].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign down the road for approximately 30m to the next signpost.
(0.99km) Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk → Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Trk
320 m
8 mins
1m
-24m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ signpost past the ‘Ferndale Park’ sign, down the management trail. The walk continues along the trail for approximately 60m to a large grassed clearing. The walk then continues away from the clearing along a bush track, which soon comes to some steppingstones across the creek. Approximately 50m later, the walk comes to a signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the creek (which remains on your left) down the gully for approximately 100m to the signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the creek (which remains on your left) down the gully for approximately 100m to the signposted intersection.
(1.31km) Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Trk → Int. Lowanna Park and Greville St
360 m
9 mins
41m
-6m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads along the creek (which remains on the left) for approximately 60m to turn up the steps to a signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign up the hill. The track zigzags up through mossy rock outcrops to a house on the left. This walk continues up the stairs to the intersection with the road.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk crosses the road and heads right, up the hill. The walk continues up the hill to Lowanna Park gate on the left.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign up the hill. The track zigzags up through mossy rock outcrops to a house on the left. This walk continues up the stairs to the intersection with the road.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk crosses the road and heads right, up the hill. The walk continues up the hill to Lowanna Park gate on the left.
(1.67km) Int. Lowanna Park and Greville St → Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval
960 m
19 mins
2m
-53m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the gate on Greville St, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the play equipment and BBQs, to the gate on the Fullers Rd side of Lowanna Park.
Turn left: From Lowanna Park, this walk heads along Fullers Rd towards the mechanics, initially keeping the park on the left. The walk continues along Fullers Rd, as Millwood Ave breaks off to the right. The first left is the signposted intersection with Bellevue Ave.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ signs down Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m, tending right to the signposted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign down the hill for approximately 30m to the telegraph pole with ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign down the hill between the fences. The walk comes to the end of the laneway and descends the stairs, down through rocky outcrops to the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval.
Turn left: From Lowanna Park, this walk heads along Fullers Rd towards the mechanics, initially keeping the park on the left. The walk continues along Fullers Rd, as Millwood Ave breaks off to the right. The first left is the signposted intersection with Bellevue Ave.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ signs down Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m, tending right to the signposted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign down the hill for approximately 30m to the telegraph pole with ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign down the hill between the fences. The walk comes to the end of the laneway and descends the stairs, down through rocky outcrops to the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval.
(2.64km) Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval → Int. Behind the 8th Tee
570 m
11 mins
6m
-22m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads across the oval to the car park to the left of the toilet block.
Continue straight: From the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park, this walk heads along the road with Chatswood Golf Course below on the left. The walk continues along the road for approximately 200m, passing a street on the left, to the intersection opposite house No. 17.
Turn left: From the intersection opposite No. 17 Reid Drive, the walk heads down the stairs tending left down the hill to the signposted intersection behind the 8th tee.
Continue straight: From the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park, this walk heads along the road with Chatswood Golf Course below on the left. The walk continues along the road for approximately 200m, passing a street on the left, to the intersection opposite house No. 17.
Turn left: From the intersection opposite No. 17 Reid Drive, the walk heads down the stairs tending left down the hill to the signposted intersection behind the 8th tee.
(3.21km) Int. Behind the 8th Tee → 8th Green
470 m
8 mins
2m
-3m
Easy track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the track past the metal fence and along the right-hand side of the 8th fairway of Chatswood Golf Course, keeping the river on the right of the track. The walk continues up the fairway and over a bridge, passing two sand bunkers on the left. Approximately 20m after the second bunker, the walk comes to an intersection with a management trail, on the right.
Chatswood Golf Course
The newly renovated deck at Chatswood Golf Course makes it a great place to take a breather on your walk. The club offers snacks and meals with a $12 all day breakfast on offer. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $5-20, with a good variety on offer. Chatswood Golf Course is open seven days for meals. More info.
(3.68km) 8th Green → Int. Avro Rd Trk and River Access Trk
970 m
20 mins
35m
-34m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk leaves the golf course and heads along the mangroves and waterline, to the right of the track. The walk follows the mangroves for a short time to the signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow for the ‘River Walk’, keeping the Lane Cove River on the right. The track continues along some boardwalk sections which are raised above the mangroves in places. The track continues to a signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘River Track’ sign, keeping the river below on the right. Large sections of track are suspended above the mangroves on a boardwalk. The track continues to wind along the Lane Cove River bank for approximately 400m to a signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow for the ‘River Walk’, keeping the Lane Cove River on the right. The track continues along some boardwalk sections which are raised above the mangroves in places. The track continues to a signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘River Track’ sign, keeping the river below on the right. Large sections of track are suspended above the mangroves on a boardwalk. The track continues to wind along the Lane Cove River bank for approximately 400m to a signposted intersection.
(4.65km) Int. Avro Rd Trk and River Access Trk → Int. River Trk and Upper Access Trk
260 m
4 mins
3m
-3m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads west along the Lane Cove River bank, with the water to the right of the track. The track quickly opens out onto a clearing next to the river bank. The walk continues over two sections of boardwalked track, leading to a signposted intersection.
(4.91km) Int. River Trk and Upper Access Trk → Mowbray car park (near oval)
520 m
11 mins
25m
-21m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the signposted intersection, this walk heads towards the large rock next to the water (below on the right). The walk uses pins bolted into the rock as handholds, and climbs to the other side of the river bank. The track then continues along the gap between the mangroves and a rocky outcrop, to come to the Mowbray Park athletics field.
Turn sharp left: From the oval’s far corner, closest to the river and furthest from the road, this walk heads up the steps to the signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside towards the oval (below on the right). The track winds through the bush for approximately 60m to pass over a bridge and a ‘Mowbray Park’ sign in a grassed area. The walk crosses this grass area to come to the intersection with the footpath.
Continue straight: From the park bench, this walk heads down the footpath, keeping the oval below on the right. The walk continues down the hill for a short time to soon come to the intersection to the side of the oval.
Turn sharp left: From the oval’s far corner, closest to the river and furthest from the road, this walk heads up the steps to the signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside towards the oval (below on the right). The track winds through the bush for approximately 60m to pass over a bridge and a ‘Mowbray Park’ sign in a grassed area. The walk crosses this grass area to come to the intersection with the footpath.
Continue straight: From the park bench, this walk heads down the footpath, keeping the oval below on the right. The walk continues down the hill for a short time to soon come to the intersection to the side of the oval.
(5.43km) Mowbray car park (near oval) → Int. Epping Rd and Sam Johnson Way
1.4 km
25 mins
39m
-20m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the car park, this walk heads away from the oval and towards the bridge near the river. The walk crosses the car park to then follow the railed pathway under the bridge. Here the walk bends left and heads up the stairs to the intersection with Epping Rd.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the shared footpath[2], keeping the traffic to your left. After about 100m, the walk crosses the factory driveway[3] and comes to a set of traffic lights[4] (opposite the end of Mowbray Rd).
Continue straight: From the traffic lights, this walk heads uphill along the footpath beside Epping Rd to the first driveway entry to the large Shell petrol station.
Continue straight: From the driveway, this walk heads up the hill along side Epping Rd, passing under a footbridge tothe traffic lights. Here the walk crosses Sam Johnson Way to the other side of the intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the shared footpath[2], keeping the traffic to your left. After about 100m, the walk crosses the factory driveway[3] and comes to a set of traffic lights[4] (opposite the end of Mowbray Rd).
Continue straight: From the traffic lights, this walk heads uphill along the footpath beside Epping Rd to the first driveway entry to the large Shell petrol station.
Continue straight: From the driveway, this walk heads up the hill along side Epping Rd, passing under a footbridge tothe traffic lights. Here the walk crosses Sam Johnson Way to the other side of the intersection.
(6.8km) Int. Epping Rd and Sam Johnson Way → Int. Elizabeth Pde and Lower Stringybark Trk
1.1 km
21 mins
28m
-18m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection next to the pedestrian crossing, the walk heads down the stairs past the track marker. The track winds down the hill and tends left along the hillside for a short time before coming out under a bridge. The track heads under the bridge to the signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Murray St’ sign along the creek bank, away from the bridge. The track passes through sections of rocks and ferns for approximately 700m before coming to an unmarked intersection on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads east along the creek (below on the right). The track winds through rocks and undulates for approximately 150m to an unmarked intersection on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Elizabeth Pde’ arrow[5], undulating a little alongside the creek for approximately 150m, then turns right, up the hill, to the intersection with the road.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Murray St’ sign along the creek bank, away from the bridge. The track passes through sections of rocks and ferns for approximately 700m before coming to an unmarked intersection on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads east along the creek (below on the right). The track winds through rocks and undulates for approximately 150m to an unmarked intersection on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Elizabeth Pde’ arrow[5], undulating a little alongside the creek for approximately 150m, then turns right, up the hill, to the intersection with the road.
(7.94km) Int. Elizabeth Pde and Lower Stringybark Trk → Int. Stringybark Trk and Centennial Ave
280 m
5 mins
13m
-3m
Moderate track
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill along Elizabeth Pde, with the houses initially to the right. Soon, the walk passes the roundabout with Gordon Cr (on the left) and continues up to Centennial Ave. The walk turns left onto Centennial Ave, crossing the road as safe to the bush track, marked by an ‘Upper Stringybark Creek Reserve’ sign[6].
(8.22km) Int. Stringybark Trk and Centennial Ave → End of Murray St
550 m
9 mins
17m
-5m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads past the ‘Upper Stringybark Creek Reserve’ sign[7] and down past a sandstone quarry interpretive sign[8]. The track leads down and along the creek line for approximately 600m to then follow a boardwalked section of track for a short time. The walk comes to the end of the boardwalk after crossing the creek and meets the grassed park of Stringybark Reserve and some more interpretive signs.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads north up the grassed hill to the road, at the end of Murray St.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads north up the grassed hill to the road, at the end of Murray St.
(8.77km) End of Murray St → Sharland Ave entrance to Campbell Park
700 m
13 mins
26m
-12m
Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads down Sharland Ave for approximately 150m to the park entrance on the left, marked by a signpost.
(9.47km) Sharland Ave entrance to Campbell Park → Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk
330 m
8 mins
0m
-20m
Moderate track
Turn left : From the road, this walk passes through the top gate of Campbell Park and down along the footpath to the lower gate at Dalrymple Ave.
Continue straight: From the entrance to Campbell Park, this walk crosses Dalrymple Ave into another grassy area marked by a ‘Ferndale Park’ sign. The track winds around to an interpretation sign which it passes to drop into a creek. The track then winds left along the side of a grassy clearing to follow the creek bank for approximately 50m along the back of some houses to the signposted intersection[9].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill to the next arrow and sign at the corner of the house. The track winds down a slight gradient for approximately 100m to a signposted intersection[10].
Continue straight: From the entrance to Campbell Park, this walk crosses Dalrymple Ave into another grassy area marked by a ‘Ferndale Park’ sign. The track winds around to an interpretation sign which it passes to drop into a creek. The track then winds left along the side of a grassy clearing to follow the creek bank for approximately 50m along the back of some houses to the signposted intersection[9].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill to the next arrow and sign at the corner of the house. The track winds down a slight gradient for approximately 100m to a signposted intersection[10].
(9.8km) Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk → Chatswood Station
1.4 km
27 mins
54m
-11m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the laneway behind the houses. The path follows the blue markers for a short time to come to Beresford Ave, opposite Wallace Park Reserve.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads up Lone Pine Ave to turn right onto Eddy Rd. The walk continues up to the end of the road, then turns left onto Pacific Highway. The walk passes the primary school and overpass, coming to the pedestrian crossing opposite Victoria Ave.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk crosses at pedestrian crossing on Pacific Highway, or takes the foot bridge just near the intersection. This walk then continues down Victoria Ave to the entrance of the train station on the right. If the road turns left, you have gone too far.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads up Lone Pine Ave to turn right onto Eddy Rd. The walk continues up to the end of the road, then turns left onto Pacific Highway. The walk passes the primary school and overpass, coming to the pedestrian crossing opposite Victoria Ave.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk crosses at pedestrian crossing on Pacific Highway, or takes the foot bridge just near the intersection. This walk then continues down Victoria Ave to the entrance of the train station on the right. If the road turns left, you have gone too far.
Maps for the Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Parramatta River | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91303N PARRAMATTA RIVER | NSW-91303N |
| Sydney | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9130 SYDNEY | 9130 |
Cross sectional view of the Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 11.2 km | ||
| Time | 4 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 3.5km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 2.6km has short steep hills and the remaining 55m is very steep.
Quality of track
6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 4.3km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (590m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 4.8km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 11km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 140m requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 11km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 140m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk walk starts and ends at the Chatswood Station (gps: -33.797073, 151.18037)Your transport options to Chatswood Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/q
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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