Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock
Download & Print Map and Notes2 hrs 30 mins
184 m
Hard track
(0km) Epping Station → Int of Derby street service trail
940 m
18 mins
3m
-33m
Very easy
(0.94km) Int of Derby street service trail → Int of Epping Trk and Malton Rd Trail
1.5 km
25 mins
7m
-21m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the Whale Rock sign down the service trail which narrows into a bushtrack and follows Devlin creek through the gully all the way along until it widens out into a rocky service trail again and comes to the intersection of the Cheltenham service trail.
(2.43km) Int of Epping Trk and Malton Rd Trail → Big Ducky Waterhole
190 m
3 mins
3m
-1m
Easy track
Big Ducky Waterhole
(2.61km) Big Ducky Waterhole → Whale Rock
480 m
8 mins
6m
-9m
Easy track
Whale Rock
(3.09km) Whale Rock → Int of Powerline and Develin creek bushtracks
2.5 km
54 mins
110m
-95m
Hard track
Turn left : From the intersection the track follows the Pennant Hills ovals sign up the steep rocky service trail winding all the way up the side of the valley, flattening out to a gentle climb as it approaches the top and passing the intersection of a powerline service trail, continuing along the top of the ridge all the way to the intersection of the second second powerline service trail. From here the track continues along the ridge, following the service trail through the thick bushland all the way to the intersection of the third powerline service trail.
Turn left : From the intersection the track heads south along the service trail all the way to the power lines where it turns right and continues to the end of the service trail following the powerlines.
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the rocky bushtrack from the end of the service trail to the base of the large power tower, continuing all the way down the side of the ridge to the intersection of the develin creek bushtrack.
(5.64km) Int of Powerline and Develin creek bushtracks → Int of North Epping service trail
310 m
7 mins
11m
-16m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection the bushtrack follows the powerlines, down the gentle hill and down the long set of steps to the bottom where it crosses the creek to the signposted intersection of the Cheltenham bushtrack.
Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the Cheltenham sign up the bushtrack and up some steps to the intersection of the North Epping service trail
(5.95km) Int of North Epping service trail → End of Malton Rd
120 m
2 mins
7m
0m
Moderate track
(6.07km) End of Malton Rd → Cheltenham Train Station
770 m
15 mins
37m
-3m
Very easy
Maps for the Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock 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.
Hornsby | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91304S HORNSBY | NSW-91304S |
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 Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock
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 | 6.8 km | ||
Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
. | |||
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
3.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.7km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 1.3km is very steep and the remaining 430m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
2.7km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1.7km) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 3.5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 3.3km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 4.7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.1km 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 790m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 3.5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3.3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock walk starts at the Epping Station (gps: -33.772529, 151.08242)Your transport options to Epping Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)
Train. (get details)
The Epping to Cheltenham Station via Whale Rock ends at the Cheltenham Train Station (gps: -33.755809, 151.07879)
Your transport options to Cheltenham Train Station are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)
Fire Danger
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.Weather Forest
This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.Forecast snapshot
Park Information & Alerts
Short URL = http://wild.tl/etcsvwr
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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