Riverside Walking Track
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs
5.5 km One way
85 m
Hard track
(0km) Int. Riverside Trk and Riverside Dr at park entrance → Porters Creek bridge West
1.5 km
28 mins
23m
-53m
Hard track
From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Riverside Walk’ sign down the stairs. The track winds above the Lane Cove River for approximately 600m, passing some cliffs on the right. The track continues to wind above the river for another 400m, to then turn right, up Porters Creek. The track follows Porters Creek for approximately 100m to the intersection with Riverside Drive at Porters Creek bridge.
(1.51km) Porters Creek bridge West → Porters Creek bridge East
30 m
1 mins
1m
0m
Very easy
Turn left: At the bridge, this walk crosses the creek using the road/bridge, to the signposted intersection with the bush track, on the left.
(1.55km) Porters Creek bridge East → 13 Cottonwood Glen
2.1 km
35 mins
26m
-34m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs and follows Porters Creek, on the left of the track, for approximately 100m. The track then turns right to follow the Lane Cove River for approximately 1km, winding and undulating. The track comes to an opening at Fern Valley, with picnic tables.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk passes through to Fern Valley, winding left past a small creek from a drain high on the right, which drains into the Lane Cove River below on the left. The track continues along the river bank for approximately 1km, passing through some clearings before opening out onto picnic area ’19 Halfway Point’. The track heads across this clearing up to the gate on the right, to continue down the road passing the toilet block (above on the right). The track passes through picnic area ’18 Korong’ to the other side of its grass clearing, where the bush track starts.
Continue straight: From the clearing, this walk follows the bush track around the Lane Cove River bank, keeping the river on the left, for approximately 400m to cross the ’13 Cottonwood Glen’ picnic area, over a small bridge to come to a car park beside the river.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk passes through to Fern Valley, winding left past a small creek from a drain high on the right, which drains into the Lane Cove River below on the left. The track continues along the river bank for approximately 1km, passing through some clearings before opening out onto picnic area ’19 Halfway Point’. The track heads across this clearing up to the gate on the right, to continue down the road passing the toilet block (above on the right). The track passes through picnic area ’18 Korong’ to the other side of its grass clearing, where the bush track starts.
Continue straight: From the clearing, this walk follows the bush track around the Lane Cove River bank, keeping the river on the left, for approximately 400m to cross the ’13 Cottonwood Glen’ picnic area, over a small bridge to come to a car park beside the river.
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[1] and a small toilet block[2][3] just up the hill.
(3.61km) 13 Cottonwood Glen → 9 Carters Creek
360 m
6 mins
5m
-2m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the car park on the south side of ‘Cottonwood Glen’, this walk follows the NPWS arrow post[4] along the track into the bush, keeping the river to your left. The track leads along side the river for about 300m, first through a lovely she-oak stand[5], then through a re-vegetating tall gum forest[6] before heading down a sealed footpath[7] to come to a car park (beside the toilet block[8]) at Carters Creek 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[9], a gas BBQ[10] a large open grassy area[11], garbage bins, toilets[12] and a car park[13]. There is some limited access to the river view[14]. A pleasant spot among the tall gums.
(3.97km) 9 Carters Creek → 8 Ironbarks
220 m
4 mins
6m
-5m
Easy track
Continue straight: From in front of the toilets at Carters Creek picnic area, this walk heads across the grass clearing[15] and across the small timber bridge[16] to come to the car park[17]. After crossing the car park, this walk continues over the grass[18], beside the road, keeping the river to your left, and then veers left and follows the NPWS arrow post[19] down around the locked gate. Here the walk follows the narrow trail for about 60m to come to an intersection[20] with a footpath on your right, just before the ‘8 Ironbarks’ sign[21] and picnic area.
(4.19km) 8 Ironbarks → Boat Shed
470 m
9 mins
8m
-12m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection[22] just west of ‘8 Ironbarks’[23], this walk follows the track through the picnic area, keeping the river on the left. On the far side of the picnic area, this walk follows the NPWS arrow post[24] for about 180m up over a rocky outcrop[25] to then head down a metal staircase[26]. The track winds down alongside the river for another 70m to come to the edge of another large grassy clearing. Here, this walk heads across ‘7 Moola’ picnic area (with toilets[27] and water), crossing a small flat timber bridge[28] in the middle. The track soon leaves this clearing and continues for another 80m to come to the shop-front side of the sandstone boatshed building[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.
(4.66km) Boat Shed → Illoura Picnic Area
160 m
3 mins
1m
-1m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the shop front of the boatshed[33], this walk follows the concrete path keeping the river to the left to walk to the end of the building. Here, the walk follows the wide dirt track, past the large picnic table[34], keeping to the lower main (but narrowing) track for about 60m to pass through a notably narrow then short rough steep section of track in the acacia grove. About 15m later the walk leads below a large brick picnic shelter[35] and 50m later comes to a ‘Riverside Walking Track’ sign[36] at the edge of the ‘Illoura’[37] picnic area.
(4.82km) Illoura Picnic Area → Lane Cove River Lookout
310 m
6 mins
7m
-7m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk follows the ‘Lane Cove River weir 0.35km’ arrow[38] on the ‘Riverside Walking Track’ sign along the track keeping the river to the left to head alongside the ‘Illoura’[39] picnic area. The walk then leads past a grove of trees to then head to the far end of the next picnic area, the ‘Spoonbill’[40] picnic area. Here the walk leads past the ‘Riverside walking track’ sign[41] up the concrete then timber ramp and along the boardwalk for about 80m (enjoying more river views) to come to a fenced lookout with a few seats (and a stepped seating area[42]) and great views over the Lane Cove River[43].
(5.12km) Lane Cove River Lookout → Lane Cove Weir South
50 m
1 mins
0m
0m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk follows the timber boardwalk, keeping the river to the left. After about 40m the boardwalk ends and the walk follows a concrete footpath[44] to come to a t-intersection with an asphalt trail marked with a large ‘Riverside walking track’ sign[45] just above the weir[46] (to the left).
(5.17km) Lane Cove Weir South → Koonjeree Middle Trk
100 m
2 mins
1m
-1m
Very easy
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[47] along the concrete footpath, keeping the river to the left. The path leads around the edge of the ‘Koonjeree picnic area’[48] and comes to an intersection with another footpath[49] (leading through the middle of the picnic area).
Koonjeree Picnic Area
Koonjeree Picnic Area[50] is at the southern end of Lane Cove National Park, just near Fullers Bridge. The picnic area boasts free gas barbecues, flushing toilets[51][52][53], town tap water, picnic tables and shelters[54], a large open area[55] and car parking[56]. On the bank of the Lane Cove River[57], this is a pleasant spot to enjoy the park.
(5.27km) 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.
Maps for the Riverside Walking Track 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 Walking Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Riverside Walking Track
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 | 5.5 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 | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| 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 1.4km 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 370m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
2.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.9km is clearly signposted. The remaining (1.5km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
2.9km 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 Walking Track walk starts 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. Parking fees apply in the area.(get details)
The Riverside Walking Track ends at the Fullers Bridge Bus Stop (gps: -33.792742, 151.15678)
Your transport options to Fullers Bridge Bus Stop are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/rwt
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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