De Burghs Bridge to Fullers Bridge
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs 30 mins
6 km One way
200 m
Hard track
(0km) Int. Opposite the end of Lady Game Drive → Int of Great North Walk and Ryde Road track
320 m
7 mins
3m
-23m
Moderate track
From the intersection, this walk passes over the timber railing and turns left down the hill. The track winds down the hill for approximately 200m to the signposted intersection.
(0.32km) Int of GNW and Ryde Road trail (west) → Int. Great North Walk and Blue Hole Trk
660 m
13 mins
15m
-22m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[1] south, gently downhill past the NPWS no bikes or pets post[2] and along the track which soon bends left. The track leads gently down through a weedy section[3], then among the rocks and grass trees[4] for about 400m to come to a metal handrail[5]. The walk follows the two sections of handrail down this steeper stretch of rocky track, then the track mostly flattens out and leads under the large concrete Deburghs Bridge[6], with some graffiti[7]. Once on the other side of the bridge, this track leads along the side of the valley for another 50m to climb up a couple of steps[8] and come to three-way intersection, where a ‘Thornleigh via Great North Walk’ sign[9] points back along the track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the sign to ‘Lane Cove River Weir via Great North Walk’[10] down the hill and steps, keeping the valley to your right. The track soon leads down some stone steps[11], then a little further along, partway down some timber steps, this walk comes to a three-way intersection[12], marked with a GNW arrow post.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the sign to ‘Lane Cove River Weir via Great North Walk’[10] down the hill and steps, keeping the valley to your right. The track soon leads down some stone steps[11], then a little further along, partway down some timber steps, this walk comes to a three-way intersection[12], marked with a GNW arrow post.
(0.98km) Int. Great North Walk and Blue Hole Trk → Blue Hole
30 m
0m
0m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads straight down the timber steps[13]. Partway down the hill, metal steps[14] lead between a couple of rocks, where the track then comes to a sandy beach[15] and water hole, ‘Blue Hole’ on the Lane Cover River, in view of Deburghs Bridge[16]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.
Blue Hole
Blue Hole[17] is found in the Lane Cove River, downstream of De Burghs Bridge[18]. Within Lane Cove National Park this small pleasent waterhole has a flat rock and small sandy beach[19] on the north side of the river. The water is polluted by run-off and rubbish, especially after rain, so it is not suitable for swimming. It is still a pleasent place to relax and enjoy the valley.
(0.98km) Int. Great North Walk and Blue Hole Trk → Sandstone caves
660 m
16 mins
44m
-34m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post along the flat track[20], keeping the valley to your right. The track soon bends left then follows a GNW arrow post down off a rock platform[21] to cross the rocky Blackbutt Creek[22][23]. Here, the walk heads up a series of timber steps[24], then the track flattens out and turns right at another GNW arrow post[25]. Here the track widens into a trail and leads up over a partially buried, green metal pipeline[26] (sometimes hissing[27]) then follows the power lines[28] for about 50m before turning left and coming to a signposted intersection partway up the hill[29]. There is a ‘Great North Walk – Deburghs Bridge’ sign pointing back downhill[30].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post down the steps and along the narrower track[31], directly away from the face of the ‘Great North Walk’ sign. This track soon passes under some power lines[32] then continues through the open forest[33] for about 50m to head down some rocky steps[34]. From here, the walk follows the base of the rock wall[35] to head through a long tunnel-like sandstone overhang[36][37]. Here the track leads down to cross a mossy and rocky gully[38], then heads up around the left side of a large cube boulder[39] (know as ‘The Block’). The walk then follows along the base of long sandstone wall[41] (on your left) for about 130m and then enters a sandstone overhang[42].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post down the steps and along the narrower track[31], directly away from the face of the ‘Great North Walk’ sign. This track soon passes under some power lines[32] then continues through the open forest[33] for about 50m to head down some rocky steps[34]. From here, the walk follows the base of the rock wall[35] to head through a long tunnel-like sandstone overhang[36][37]. Here the track leads down to cross a mossy and rocky gully[38], then heads up around the left side of a large cube boulder[39] (know as ‘The Block’). The walk then follows along the base of long sandstone wall[41] (on your left) for about 130m and then enters a sandstone overhang[42].
Sandstone caves
This fairly large sandstone overhang is found on the eastern side of the Lane Cove Valley. The walking track leads through the two caves that run in series, with the northern cave being larger. The lip of the overhang hangs down a bit, providing some extra protection from wind and rain. The cave also provide some shade and a cooler spot on hot days, and there are also a couple of well placed boulders forming nice seats[43].
(1.64km) Sandstone caves → Fiddens Wharf Oval Trk
1.6 km
32 mins
49m
-62m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the cave, this walk follows the track through the second cave[44], keeping the valley to your right. Soon after the second cave, the track bends right and leads down to an unfenced rock platform[45]. Here the walk turns left and follows the rocky track down for 100m, then crosses a small flat timber bridge[46]. Just past the bridge, this walk turns right at the top of a smaller unfenced cliff and heads down the small gully, where the track then turns sharply left[47][48] to follow along the base of this cliff[49].
The track continues for just shy of 400m, passing a few more rock walls[50][51] (on your left), to then pass along the top of an unfenced cliff[52] (to your right). The track continues through the eucalypt and grass tree forest[53] and soon starts leading down the side of the hill, then follows the track along the bank of the Lane Cove River for about 250m. The track leaves the river and climbs a small rise to a signposted intersection.
The walk continues straight, following the ‘Visitors Centre’ sign downhill, then soon goes down some steps[54] to cross the creek on a timber foot bridge[55]. The track turns right on the other side of the bridge and leads out of the lush gully to follow the bank of the Lane Cover River[56] again for about 120m, coming to rock platform and small beach on the bank of the river[57]. Here the walk heads over the rock and follows the short section of timber boardwalk[58], where the track then leads past a small sandstone overhang[59]. About 60m later, the track crosses over a flat timber boardwalk bridge[60] and comes to a signposted three-way intersection and a ‘Blue Hole’ sign[61] pointing back along the track.
(3.19km) Bottom of Fiddens Wharf Oval Trk → Thistlethwaytes Picnic Area
1.1 km
23 mins
49m
-51m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the track follows the ‘Visitors Centre Loop’ arrow[62][63] along the track, keeping the river to your right. After about 50m, this walk heads over a short timber boardwalk[64] and crosses the ‘weedy’[65][66] creek. The walk then heads up some steps and a staircase to the top of a rock platform, where there is a ‘Blackbutts’ information sign[67]. The track leads gently up along the side of hill for about 70m, passing an unfenced cliff to your right[68], where the track bends left to lead across a rock gully[69]. The track then leads past the ‘Sydney Peppermint’[70] and ‘Sandstone Gully Community’[71] information signs and across a ferny gully to find a ‘Sydney Red Gum’ information sign[72]. From here, the walk heads up a series of timber steps[73] to where the track suddenly widens into a mostly flat trail. This trail soon bends right and leads through the casuarina forest, past the ‘Scribbly Gum’ information sign[74] to an intersection (with a narrower track on your left), just before the ‘Sandstone Hillslope Community’ information sign[75][76].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads around the hillside, with the river below on the right. The walk tends left as it contours around the hill. It then descends over speed bumps for approximately 50m to the car park of Thistlethwaytes picnic area.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads around the hillside, with the river below on the right. The walk tends left as it contours around the hill. It then descends over speed bumps for approximately 50m to the car park of Thistlethwaytes picnic area.
(4.34km) Thistlethwaytes Picnic Area → Int. Opposite Bakers Flat
620 m
12 mins
13m
-13m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk heads down the road, with the water to the right. The walk continues down the road for a short time, to the intersection with the entrance of the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Depot on the left, and the Schwartz Homestead a short distance up the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, with the water on the right. The walk tends left, continuing up the road to pass a brick building on the right, before coming to the signposted intersection, opposite Baker’s Flat.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, with the water on the right. The walk tends left, continuing up the road to pass a brick building on the right, before coming to the signposted intersection, opposite Baker’s Flat.
(4.97km) Int. Opposite Bakers Flat → Baker’s Cottage
120 m
3 mins
10m
-1m
Moderate track
Turn left : From the intersection, the walk heads up the stairs tending right, up the hill. The walk passes a sign about native grasses before continuing right, to Baker’s Cottage. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Baker’s Cottage
Baker’s Cottage was built in 1865 as the residence of William Baker and his family. The cottage once stood in the middle of a well-kept garden and orchard. The cottage itself was once larger, with more rooms and a verandah surrounding it. The residence changed hands only twice, and was then appropriated by the Minister of Lands in 1938.
(4.97km) Int. Opposite Bakers Flat → Int. Max Allen Dr and Jenkins Hill Trk
330 m
7 mins
15m
-10m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the road towards the car park at ’29 Bakers Flat’. The walk continues along the road to pass the clearing and tend right, up the hill, to an intersection with a bush track on the right.
(5.3km) Int. Max Allen Dr and Jenkins Hill Trk → Lane Cove Weir South
260 m
6 mins
0m
-9m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the path for approximately 50m to pass a toilet block on the left of the track. The track continues to an intersection with a railed footpath.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the slight gradient, away from the toilet block to the large concreted area above the weir.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads directly down the hill to the weir at the water.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[77] (past a seat on the right) to cross over the concrete ford (top of the weir wall[78]) to the other side of Lane Cove River to find an intersection marked with another GNW arrow post[79]. After heavy or prolonged rain, this crossing may be closed. It is unsafe to cross if water is flowing over the top.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the slight gradient, away from the toilet block to the large concreted area above the weir.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads directly down the hill to the weir at the water.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[77] (past a seat on the right) to cross over the concrete ford (top of the weir wall[78]) to the other side of Lane Cove River to find an intersection marked with another GNW arrow post[79]. After heavy or prolonged rain, this crossing may be closed. It is unsafe to cross if water is flowing over the top.
Lane Cove Weir
The Lane Cove River Weir was built in 1938 during the depression. The motivation for building the lake was to make the area more appealing for visitors’ picnics. The weir created environmental issues such as silting and a decline in native fish populations. In more recent years, a ‘fish ladder’[81] has been constructed to allow fish to undertake their natural migration route for breeding. The weir proves an easy way for walkers to cross the Lane Cove River whilst enjoying the views up[83] and downstream[84].
(5.56km) Lane Cove Weir South → Koonjeree Middle Trk
100 m
2 mins
1m
-1m
Very easy
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[85] along the concrete footpath, keeping the river to the left. The path leads around the edge of the ‘Koonjeree picnic area’[86] and comes to an intersection with another footpath[87] (leading through the middle of the picnic area).
Koonjeree Picnic Area
Koonjeree Picnic Area[88] is at the southern end of Lane Cove National Park, just near Fullers Bridge. The picnic area boasts free gas barbecues, flushing toilets[89][90][91], town tap water, picnic tables and shelters[92], a large open area[93] and car parking[94]. On the bank of the Lane Cove River[95], this is a pleasant spot to enjoy the park.
(5.66km) Koonjeree Middle Trk → Fullers Bridge Bus Stop
190 m
4 mins
7m
-6m
Very easy
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the road then passes over it, to the toilet blocks.
Turn left: From the toilets, this walk heads through the low bushes, following the car park (which is on the left). The walk winds through the bushes to pass a stone seat on the left before crossing the entrance road to the Lane Cove National Park. This walk then continues along the footpath for a few metres to the road, which it crosses to come to the bus stop.
Turn left: From the toilets, this walk heads through the low bushes, following the car park (which is on the left). The walk winds through the bushes to pass a stone seat on the left before crossing the entrance road to the Lane Cove National Park. This walk then continues along the footpath for a few metres to the road, which it crosses to come to the bus stop.
(5.85km) Fullers Bridge Bus Stop → Riverside Cafe
40 m
0m
0m
Easy track
Turn left : From the intersection between the bus stop and bridge, this walk heads down the steps[96] (away from the road) to almost immediately come to an intersection with another footpath[97].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath under Fullers Bridge[98] and comes to the end of a minor road[99], in front of the ‘Riverside Cafe Bar AND Grill’[100].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath under Fullers Bridge[98] and comes to the end of a minor road[99], in front of the ‘Riverside Cafe Bar AND Grill’[100].
Riverside Cafe Bar & Grill
The Riverside Cafe[101] is found at the end of service road on the south-west corner of Fullers Bridge. The nicely renovated building looks over the Lane Cove River and is open 7 days, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is cafe-style and meals are priced upwards from $13. Ph: (02) 9412 3773.
(5.89km) Riverside Cafe → Corner of Delhi Rd and River Ave
70 m
1 mins
4m
0m
Easy track
Maps for the De Burghs Bridge to Fullers Bridge 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 De Burghs Bridge to Fullers Bridge bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the De Burghs Bridge to Fullers Bridge
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 | 6 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| 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
4.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.6km is flat with no steps. The remaining (130m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
3.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.5km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 340m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 200m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 3.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.8km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 4.1km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.9km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 55m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 4.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.7km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
1.3 km Return
1 Hr
Moderate track
1.5 km Return
45 mins
Moderate track
2.6 km One way
1 Hr
Moderate track
4.3 km Circuit
1 hr 27 mins
Moderate track
4.4 km One way
1 hr 45 mins
Hard track
5.1 km One way
2 hrs
Hard track
5.3 km One way
2 hrs
Hard track
5.3 km Circuit
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
5.5 km One way
2 hrs
Hard track
5.9 km Return
2 hrs 30 mins
Moderate track
6 km One way
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
6.9 km Circuit
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
8.9 km One way
3 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
9.7 km One way
3 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
10.7 km One way
4 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
11.6 km One way
4 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
11.7 km One way
4 hrs 15 mins
Hard track
11.9 km Circuit
5 hrs
Hard track
12.2 km One way
4 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
13.3 km One way
4 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
16.3 km One way
6 hrs
Hard track
18.1 km One way
6 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
25.8 km One way
2 Days
Hard track
33 km One way
2 Days
Hard track
44.4 km One way
3 Days
Hard track
Other Nearby walks
3.4 km Return
1 hr 30 mins
Moderate track
6.1 km One way
2 hrs 30 mins
Moderate track
6.7 km Circuit
2 hrs 45 mins
Moderate track
5.5 km Return
2 hrs
Moderate track
8.4 km Circuit
3 hrs
Moderate track
6.8 km One way
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
10.2 km One way
3 hrs 45 mins
Moderate track
17.5 km One way
6 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
5.3 km One way
2 hrs
Moderate track
8 km One way
3 hrs
Hard track
4.1 km One way
1 hr 30 mins
Moderate track
8.4 km One way
3 hrs 15 mins
Hard track
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The De Burghs Bridge to Fullers Bridge walk starts at the Int. Opposite the end of Lady Game Drive (gps: -33.77338, 151.1352)Your transport options to Int. Opposite the end of Lady Game Drive are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The De Burghs Bridge to Fullers Bridge ends at the Corner of Delhi Rd and River Ave (gps: -33.793028, 151.15615)
Your transport options to Corner of Delhi Rd and River Ave are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/dbbtfb
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 🙂
Comments