Lane Cove River
North ShoreThe Lane Cove River is a northern tributary of the Parramatta River, which. in its lower reaches, is a tide-dominated, drowned valley estuary west of Sydney Harbour. The river winds through a bushland valley and joins Parramatta River at Greenwich and Woolwich, where together they form an arm of Sydney Harbour, and serves as a border along with Middle Harbour separating Sydney's North Shore.
Lane Cove River at Fiddens Wharf
The Lane Cove River rises near Thornleigh and flows generally south for about 15 kilometres. Its upper reaches flow through a picturesque, narrow, forested valley eroded into the North Shore Plateau. Along this stretch of the river is Fiddens Wharf, the site of early 19th century logging. The middle reaches are impounded by a weir just upstream of Fullers Bridge. Sections of the valley are forested and are protected within the Lane Cove National Park, an area of 598 hectares. The lower reaches of the Lane Cove River, downstream from the weir near Fullers Bridge, are tidal and merge into Sydney Harbour at Greenwich and Woolwich. There are significant areas of mangrove communities along the shores.
This National Park protects the peaceful bushland valley of the Lane Cove River, which passes through the North Shore's suburbs, making it within easy reach of the centre of Sydney.
The Lane Cove River valley is home to some of the finest bushland in the Sydney area. There are bushland tracks leading into the park from most suburbs surrounding the park so access to its natural bushland is easy.
Fullers Bridge
Unlike surrounding areas where evidence of Aboriginal occupation has been obliterated by urban development, such sites in the park have been preserved. Midden heaps along the river recall feasts of the oysters, fish, crabs and waterfowl found in the estuaries, while the forests would have provided possum, kangaroos, bandicoots and other animals. Rock carvings of kangaroos, an echidna, animal tracks and human-like drawings can also be seen. The carving of a wombat and a sea-creature, as well as axe grinding grooves, can be found near the headwaters of Carters Creek. At the western edge of the park near Browns Waterhole there is a carved set of wallaby tracks.
The Park is the perfect place to get away from it all for a picnic, a bushwalk beside the river, hire a row boat or visit the Kukundi Wildlife Shelter. Swimming in the river is not advisable. Entry fee applies.
Click on or tap an attraction to read the description. Click or tap again to hide the description.
One of the more popular access points is Fidden s Wharf. This historic section of Lane Cove National Park recalls Joseph Fidden, who arrived in NSW in 1801 and established a timber cutting business at the end of Fiddens Wharf Road. Fidden lived here for 25 years. Back then, timber cut across the Lower North Shore was brought along a bullock track (now Fiddens Wharf Road) to the wharf, from where the logs were floated downstream to Sydney. Convict Steps to the Old Government Sawing Establishment above Fidden's Wharf remain. Trails through the bushland up and downstream, which are part of the Great North Walk, allow bushwalking alongside a very picturesque section of the river. UBD Map 194 Ref K 4. Fiddens Wharf Road, West Lindfield.
Facilities: toilets, playing fields, bush trails.
Public transport: train to Chatswood, bus No. 565, alight at terminus, or drive to end of Fiddens Wharf Rd, Killara.
One of the main tributaries of the Lane Cove River on Sydney's picturesque north shore, Devlins Creek flows through Lane Cove National Park. Walking trails alongside the Lane Cove River and Scout, Devlins and Terrys Creeks follow these watercourses through a large tract of natural bushland towards the Lane Cove National Park and the Lane Cove Valley Walk which is part of the Great North Walk. A walking track commencing from the end of Britannia Street, Pennant Hills follows Devlins Creek, fording the creek at various locations.
The Lane Cove Valley Walk and Whale Rock Circuit give access to the valleys of the upper Lane Cove River, Devlins Creek and other lesser tributaries. The upper reaches of the river within the National Park are surrounded by virgin bushland, and are well serviced by tracks for bushwalking. You can make your walk as long or as short as you like, from an hour around Devlins Creek to a full day's trek taking in Wahroonga, Pymble, Killara, Chatswood West, East Ryde and Gladesville (following the Great North Walk). A walk from the end of Boundary Rd, North Epping to Browns Waterhole and return is some 4 km in length and takes in Whale Rock and Hanging Rock, numerous water races and Aboriginal rock art. Easy to moderate, includes fording Devlins Creek.
How to get there: drive by car to end of Boundary Rd, North Epping. Follow walking track.
The Lane Cove Valley Walk and Whale Rock Circuit give access to the valleys of the upper Lane Cove River, Devlins Creek and other lesser tributaries. The upper reaches of the river within the National Park are surrounded by virgin bushland, and are well serviced by tracks for bushwalking. You can make your walk as long or as short as you like, from an hour around Devlins Creek to a full day s trek taking in Wahroonga, Pymble, Killara, Chatswood West, East Ryde and Gladesville (following the Great North Walk).
A walk from the end of Boundary Rd, North Epping to Browns Waterhole and return is some 4 km in length and takes in Whale Rock and Hanging Rock, numerous water races and Aboriginal rock art. Easy to moderate, includes fording Devlins Creek. How to get there: drive by car to end of Boundary Rd, North Epping. Follow walking track.
The Lane Cove Valley provided a wide range of food for a number of Aboriginal language groups prior to 1788. Midden heaps along the Lane Cove River indicate that Aboriginal people occupied the area for thousands of years. The estuaries provided foods such as oysters, fish, crabs and waterfowl, while the forests would have provided possum, kangaroos, bandicoots and other animals.
There are still sites in the Lane Cove Valley containing rock carvings of kangaroos, an echidna, animal tracks and human-like drawings. The carving of a wombat and a sea-creature, as well as axe grinding grooves, can be found near the headwaters of Carters Creek. Near Browns Waterhole, at the western edge of the park, is a carved track of wallaby imprints. The park abounds with plants that were used by the original dwellers for food and utensils.
The Lane Cove Valley Walk and Whale Rock Circuit give access to the valleys of the upper Lane Cove River, Devlins Creek and other lesser tributaries. The upper reaches of the river within the National Park are surrounded by virgin bushland, and are well serviced by tracks for bushwalking. You can make your walk as long or as short as you like, from an hour around Devlins Creek to a full day's trek taking in Wahroonga, Pymble, Killara, Chatswood West, East Ryde and Gladesville (following the Great North Walk).
A walk from the end of Boundary Rd, North Epping to Browns Waterhole and return is some 4 km in length and takes in Whale Rock and Hanging Rock, numerous water races and Aboriginal rock art. Easy to moderate, includes fording Devlins Creek. How to get there: drive by car to end of Boundary Rd, North Epping. Follow walking track.
A walk from the end of Boundary Rd, North Epping to Browns Waterhole and return is some 4 km in length and takes in Whale Rock and Hanging Rock, numerous water races and Aboriginal rock art. Easy to moderate, includes fording Devlins Creek. How to get there: drive by car to end of Boundary Rd, North Epping. Follow walking track.