Riverside Walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs
5.3 km One way
114 m
Hard track
(0km) Max Allen Drive Bridge → Lane Cove Weir South
130 m
2 mins
0m
-1m
Moderate track
From the car parking area near the bridge on Max Allen Drive[1][2], this walk follows the ‘Sydney Cove’ sign[3] along the concrete footpath past the garbage bins[4]. The path leads past a sheltered BBQ as the path bends right along the water’s edge it also leads past a few picnic tables and comes to another GNW marker[5] and an intersection with a sealed management trail beside the weir[6] (on your left).
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[7] (past a seat on the right) to cross over the concrete ford (top of the weir wall[8]) to the other side of Lane Cove River to find an intersection marked with another GNW arrow post[9]. After heavy or prolonged rain, this crossing may be closed. It is unsafe to cross if water is flowing over the top.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[7] (past a seat on the right) to cross over the concrete ford (top of the weir wall[8]) to the other side of Lane Cove River to find an intersection marked with another GNW arrow post[9]. 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’[11] 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[13] and downstream[14].
(0.13km) Lane Cove Weir South → Lane Cove River Lookout
50 m
1 mins
0m
0m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the southern side of the weir[15], this walk follows the sealed trail up (away from the weir) for about 10m to turn right and follow the ‘Riverside walking track’ sign[16] along the concrete footpath[17]. The path soon leads to and follows a timber boardwalk for 40m to come to a fenced lookout with a few seats (and a stepped seating area[18]) and great views over the Lane Cove River[19].
(0.18km) Lane Cove River Lookout → Illoura Picnic Area
310 m
6 mins
7m
-7m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk heads along the timber boardwalk for about 80m (enjoying more river views to the right) to then head down a timber ramp at the edge of a grassy clearing. The walk now follows the ‘Riverside walking track’ sign[20] along the wide dirt track between the river and ‘Spoonbill’[21] picnic area for about about 80m. The walk then leads past a grove of trees to the far side of the next picnic area, ‘Illoura’[22] picnic area, to find an intersection at the ‘Riverside Walking Track’ sign (pointing back to ‘Lane Cove River weir 0.35km’[23]).
(0.48km) Illoura Picnic Area → Boat Shed
160 m
3 mins
1m
-1m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk follows the ‘Boatshed 0.15km’ arrow[24] on the ‘Riverside Walking Track’ sign along the track keeping the river to the right. After 50m this walk leads below a large brick picnic area[25] then about 15m later leads through an acacia grove with a short rough steep section then a narrow section of track. After another 60m the track leads to a grassy clearing with a large picnic table[26] then continues to head along the concrete path[27] on the river side of the sandstone building[28] coming to the hire and kiosk area of the boatshed[29].
Lane Cove Boatshed
Lane Cove Boatshed, in Lane Cove National Park, is situated on the bank of the (you guessed it) Lane Cove River. You can hire rowboats, kayaks, pedal boats, bikes and canoes[30], for different ways to enjoy the river. The shop also sells ice-creams, chips and drinks. The shed is open on weekend from 10am – 5pm. During summer school holidays, the shop is also open from 12-5pm. For more info, call Greg on 0418600695.
(0.64km) Boat Shed → 8 Ironbarks
470 m
9 mins
12m
-8m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the shop-front side of the boatshed, this walk follows the riverside track upstream, keeping the river just to your right. The track soon narrows and after about 80m, comes to a large clearing, the ‘7 Moola’ picnic area (with toilets[33] and water). The track leads over a small flat timber bridge[34] in the middle of the picnic area to then find a NPWS arrow post[35] on the far side. Here this walk follows the arrow along the track for about 70m to then climb up the metal staircase[36], where the track continues for another 180m, first up and over a rocky outcrop[37] then along a flat track to find another large clearing. On the far side of this picnic area, just past the ‘8 Ironbarks’ sign[38], this walk comes to a three-way intersection[39] (with a concrete path on your left).
(1.11km) 8 Ironbarks → 9 Carters Creek
220 m
4 mins
5m
-6m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the NPWS arrow post[40] along the narrow management trail, keeping the river to your right. After about 60m, this walk heads around a locked gate[41], then heads up over the grass to find a picnic area[42]. Here the walk heads over the timber bridge[43], past the ‘9 Carters Creek’ sign[44] and into the picnic area. The walk veers left across the picnic area[45] to come back to the car park, just below the toilet block[46] on the far side of the picnic area.
9 Carters Creek
Carters Creek Picnic Area is the ninth formal picnic space along this stretch of the Lane Cove River. This picnic area is home to a couple of sheltered picnic tables[47], a gas BBQ[48] a large open grassy area[49], garbage bins, toilets[50] and a car park[51]. There is some limited access to the river view[52]. A pleasant spot among the tall gums.
(1.33km) 9 Carters Creek → 13 Cottonwood Glen
360 m
6 mins
2m
-5m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk follows the NPWS arrow post[53] across a small creek and up the footpath, away from the picnic area. From the the top of the small hill, the track now leads (keeping the river on your right) for almost 300m, passing through a re-vegetating tall gum forest[54] then a pleasant she-oak stand[55], to come to a large gravel car park[56] just before Cottonwood Glen picnic area.
13 Cottonwood Glen
Cottonwood Glen picnic area is a large open grassy spot on the bank of the Lane Cove River. There is a grove of trees along the edge of the river, but you can still get clear views across the water from the car park area. There are several picnic tables[57] and a small toilet block[58][59] just up the hill.
(1.69km) 13 Cottonwood Glen → Porters Creek bridge East
2.1 km
35 mins
34m
-26m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the car park, this walk follows riverside walk arrow across ’13 Cottonwood Glen’ picnic area, over the small bridge, keeping the river on the rightOnce back into the bush the track continues for approximately 400m to come to the ’18 Korong’ picnic area.
Continue straight: From ’18 Korong’ picnic area, this walk heads across the clearing and up the road to the sign marked ’19 Halfway Point’. The walk passes this sign and the gate next to it, heading to the bottom of the grass clearing. The track then turns left and follows the Lane Cove River for approximately 1km, passing through some small clearings. The track then rounds to the left over a rocky section, then passes a creek fed by a drain high on the left. The track winds right, into the picnic area ’20 Fern Valley’ where there are picnic tables.
Continue straight: From Fern Valley, this walk heads north along the river. The track winds and undulates for approximately 1km, following the Lane Cove River. The track then turns left to head up Porters Creek for approximately 100m, then heads up some stairs to Porters Creek bridge, on Riverside Drive.
Continue straight: From ’18 Korong’ picnic area, this walk heads across the clearing and up the road to the sign marked ’19 Halfway Point’. The walk passes this sign and the gate next to it, heading to the bottom of the grass clearing. The track then turns left and follows the Lane Cove River for approximately 1km, passing through some small clearings. The track then rounds to the left over a rocky section, then passes a creek fed by a drain high on the left. The track winds right, into the picnic area ’20 Fern Valley’ where there are picnic tables.
Continue straight: From Fern Valley, this walk heads north along the river. The track winds and undulates for approximately 1km, following the Lane Cove River. The track then turns left to head up Porters Creek for approximately 100m, then heads up some stairs to Porters Creek bridge, on Riverside Drive.
(3.75km) Porters Creek bridge East → Porters Creek bridge West
30 m
1 mins
0m
-1m
Very easy
Turn right: At the bridge, this walk crosses the creek using the road/bridge, to the signposted intersection with the bush track, on the right.
(3.79km) Porters Creek bridge West → Int. Riverside Trk and Riverside Dr at park entrance
1.5 km
28 mins
53m
-23m
Hard track
Turn right: From Porters Creek bridge, this walk heads down the stairs and along the creek bank, with the creek on the right, for approximately 100m. The track then turns left to follow the Lane Cove River, on the right of the track, for approximately 400m, passing some cliffs on the left. From the cliffs, the walk continues for approximately 600m to lead left up some stairs to the signposted intersection on the road.
Maps for the Riverside 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 Riverside Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Riverside 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 | 5.3 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
1.5km of this walk is very steep and another 1.5km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.2km is flat with no steps and the remaining 1.1km has short steep hills.
Quality of track
3.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.5km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 520m follows a clear and well formed track or trail and the remaining 210m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
2.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.7km is clearly signposted. The remaining (1.5km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 5km 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
2.7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 1.5km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (1.1km) has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Riverside Walk walk starts at the Max Allen Drive Bridge (gps: -33.790718, 151.15604)Your transport options to Max Allen Drive Bridge are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
The Riverside Walk ends at the Int. Riverside Trk and Riverside Dr at park entrance (gps: -33.777048, 151.1381)
Your transport options to Int. Riverside Trk and Riverside Dr at park entrance are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/p
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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