Rail to River Walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
3 hrs
7.5 km Circuit
222 m
Hard track
(0km) Chatswood Station → Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway
210 m
3 mins
7m
0m
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.
(0.21km) Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway → Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk
410 m
10 mins
2m
-37m
Moderate track
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.
(0.62km) Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk → Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk
340 m
6 mins
1m
-12m
Moderate track
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].
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].
(0.96km) Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk → Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk
30 m
1 mins
0m
-1m
Easy track
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 → Harnett Pl sign post
500 m
13 mins
22m
-30m
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.
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.
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.
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.
(1.49km) Harnett Pl sign post → Int. Hawthorne Ave and Bellevue Ave
1 km
20 mins
22m
-35m
Easy track
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 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 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.
(2.51km) Int. Hawthorne Ave and Bellevue Ave → Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave
50 m
1 mins
0m
-5m
Easy track
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.
(2.56km) Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave → Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval
70 m
2 mins
0m
-13m
Moderate track
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 → O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park
130 m
2 mins
0m
-4m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads across the oval to the car park to the left of the toilet block.
(2.77km) O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park → Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive
380 m
7 mins
6m
-9m
Easy track
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.
(3.15km) Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive → Int. Behind the 8th Tee
60 m
2 mins
0m
-9m
Hard track
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.
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.
(3.21km) Int. Behind the 8th Tee → Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd
200 m
3 mins
3m
-1m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the golf course, following the Lane Cove River (on the left of the track). The walk continues under the river bank’s shady vegetation for a short time to the intersection of Delhi Rd and Lady Game Dr.
Riverside Cafe Bar & Grill
The Riverside Cafe[2] 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.
(3.41km) Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd → O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park
640 m
12 mins
19m
-9m
Hard track
Turn around: From the intersection, this walk heads down to the Lane Cove River, on the right. The walk continues under the river bank’s shady vegetation for a short time to a large signposted intersection behind the 8th tee of the golf course.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill tending right, to a set of stairs which it climbs up to Reid Drive, opposite No. 17.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the road above Chatswood Golf Course (below on the right). The walk follows the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval sign along the road for approximately 200m to the oval, car park and picnic area with play equipment.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill tending right, to a set of stairs which it climbs up to Reid Drive, opposite No. 17.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the road above Chatswood Golf Course (below on the right). The walk follows the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval sign along the road for approximately 200m to the oval, car park and picnic area with play equipment.
(4.04km) O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park → Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave
740 m
15 mins
49m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the car park, this walk heads past the metal gate and across the oval to the far side of the oval, where a track marker stands just off the oval.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the stairs, winding around and through rocky outcrops to a fence line. The track follows the fence line up to the road, where a sign is bolted to the telegraph pole, indicating ‘Rail to River Walk’.
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up the road following the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign to the corner of the road.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign up Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m to the signposted intersection with Fullers Rd.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the stairs, winding around and through rocky outcrops to a fence line. The track follows the fence line up to the road, where a sign is bolted to the telegraph pole, indicating ‘Rail to River Walk’.
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up the road following the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign to the corner of the road.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Rail to River Walk’ sign up Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m to the signposted intersection with Fullers Rd.
(4.78km) Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave → Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk
1.3 km
26 mins
37m
-46m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up Fullers Rd, tending right where Fullers Rd meets Millwood Ave. The walk follows Fullers Rd for a short time to Lowanna Park on the right. Entry to the park is via a gate at the near-end of the park.
Turn right: From the Fullers Rd gate entry of Lowanna Park, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the BBQs and play equipment, to the gate opening to Greville St. There is a ‘Rail to River Walk’ signpost outside the gate.
Turn right: From the gate, this walk heads down the hill, away from Fullers Rd. The track heads down the hill for approximately 200m to cross the road to the Harnett Pl sign, opposite No. 86.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs, coming to a house. From the house on the right, the track zigzags down the hill through mossy rock outcrops to the signposted intersection above a creek and pipe.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads down the steps and along the creek (which remains on your right) for approximately 60m to a signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track across the creek. The track then turns left, up the hill, and reaches a sign posted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the Darymple Ave arrow along the bush track. The track soon turns left, at a junction, to head to a sign posted creek crossing. Very soon after crossing the creek, the track comes to a sign posted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill to follow the creek (below on the right). The track meanders along the creek bank for a little while, coming to a large stand of bamboo on the left. The track then heads down to follow the creek more closely, soon crossing the creek and climbing up the bank to a signposted intersection in front of a house.
Turn right: From the Fullers Rd gate entry of Lowanna Park, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the BBQs and play equipment, to the gate opening to Greville St. There is a ‘Rail to River Walk’ signpost outside the gate.
Turn right: From the gate, this walk heads down the hill, away from Fullers Rd. The track heads down the hill for approximately 200m to cross the road to the Harnett Pl sign, opposite No. 86.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs, coming to a house. From the house on the right, the track zigzags down the hill through mossy rock outcrops to the signposted intersection above a creek and pipe.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads down the steps and along the creek (which remains on your right) for approximately 60m to a signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track across the creek. The track then turns left, up the hill, and reaches a sign posted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the Darymple Ave arrow along the bush track. The track soon turns left, at a junction, to head to a sign posted creek crossing. Very soon after crossing the creek, the track comes to a sign posted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill to follow the creek (below on the right). The track meanders along the creek bank for a little while, coming to a large stand of bamboo on the left. The track then heads down to follow the creek more closely, soon crossing the creek and climbing up the bank to a signposted intersection in front of a house.
(6.07km) Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk → Chatswood Station
1.4 km
27 mins
54m
-11m
Moderate track
Continue straight: 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 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 Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rail to River 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 | 7.5 km | ||
| Time | 3 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 | No experience required (1/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| 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 is flat with no steps and another 2.9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.1km has short steep hills and the remaining 110m is very steep.
Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (310m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 3.8km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3.7km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 750m 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 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/rtrw
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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