Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay
Download & Print Map and Notes
4 hrs
10 km One way
491 m
Hard track
Seaforth Oval
Seaforth Oval is a large playing oval on the Wakehurst Parkway in North Balgowlah. It is managed by Manly Council, who have also recently been upgrading the Timber Getters Track in association with NPWS. There is a distant view of Chatswood from the oval. There are toilets, but they are usually locked. There is a large car park, shelter and sign with information about the Harbour to Hawkesbury walk. More info.
(0km) Seaforth Oval → Int of the Timbergetters and Engraving Tracks
50 m
1 mins
0m
-2m
Moderate track
From the corner of the car park with the information signs, the walk heads into the bush and down the wooden steps to the bottom, where it flattens out at the signposted intersection with the Engraving Track[1].
(0.05km) Int of the Timber Getters and Engraving Tracks → Int of the Timbergetters and Old Bullock Track
340 m
9 mins
4m
-34m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Timbergetters Track’ sign[2] down the wooden steps and through the bush, winding steadily down a long hill as it drops down several more sets of steps, following the bush track to the signposted intersection with the Old Bullock Track[3] (closed for maintenance at time of writing).
(0.38km) Int of the Timber Getters and Old Bullock Track → Bantry Bay Picnic Area
510 m
15 mins
5m
-75m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection (with the signposted ‘Old Bullock Track’[4] on the right), this walk heads west down the three wooden steps and along the track, winding through the dense scrub for a while. The walk crosses a small creek at some stepping stones and passes an old telegraph pole with no power lines attached. The track continues in this manner for a little while longer before it comes to the top of a short set of rock steps, where it starts to wind down into the valley using several scattered sets of wooden steps and one long set of rock steps, until coming down to the large picnic area at the bottom.
Bantry Bay Picnic Area
The area of Bantry Bay has been popular with day visitors since the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, the picnic area was also home to a dance hall (foundations still visible), dining room, picnic ground and overnight accommodation. Today, the picnic area has a picnic table and a number of fireplaces. There is also a public wharf, toilets, open grassy area, shade from trees and a great view across the water. There are no garbage facilities. The picnic area is at the bottom of the Timber Getters Track, below Seaforth Oval, on the eastern shore of Bantry Bay. More info.
(0.89km) Bantry Bay Picnic Area → The Bluff Lookout
1.8 km
48 mins
166m
-77m
Hard track
Turn right: From the picnic area (keeping the water on the left), this walk follows the “Bantry Bay Track” sign along the rocky bush track which undulates along the side of the hill, winding through the bush for a little while. The walk passes by the base of some cliffs and starts to climb up the hill at a rocky outcrop, continuing to wind up the long rocky hill as the track climbs to the top of the valley, eventually winding up some rock steps to a large rock platform, Here, the walk passes some track markers pointing back down the valley to a short bush track, leading to the signposted intersection of the Bluff Track at the lookout.
Bluff Lookout
The Bluff is a large, unfenced rocky hilltop, in Garigal National Park, that provides great views up Middle Harbour. The views extend across the bushland of the National Park, along Bantry Bay, to the city of Sydney (You can even see Centrepoint Tower). Apart from the distant views, the bluff is also an interesting rock feature, with a number of caves containing honeycomb rock formations.
(2.72km) The Bluff Lookout → Int of Bluff and Natural Bridge Tracks
210 m
4 mins
11m
0m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bluff Track’ sign along the rocky service trail, heading away from the lookout and through the bush for a little while before coming to the intersection with a defined bush track on the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the track follows the service trail (with the bush track on the right), heading north-west through the bush for a little while before coming to the signposted intersection with the Natural Bridge Track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the track follows the service trail (with the bush track on the right), heading north-west through the bush for a little while before coming to the signposted intersection with the Natural Bridge Track.
(2.92km) Int of Bluff and Natural Bridge Tracks → Natural Bridge
500 m
15 mins
1m
-71m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the Natural Bridge Track along the bush track, heading away from the service trails for a short distance before coming to the intersection of the Currie Road Oval bush track at the track marker.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track marker along the bush track, heading west through the bush for a short distance to a large rock outcrop. From here, the walk continues along the defined bush track, winding down the long and sometimes steep rocky hill, into the valley. The vegetation gradually gets thicker, until this walk comes down to a wide rock arch crossing a creek – the Natural Bridge.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track marker along the bush track, heading west through the bush for a short distance to a large rock outcrop. From here, the walk continues along the defined bush track, winding down the long and sometimes steep rocky hill, into the valley. The vegetation gradually gets thicker, until this walk comes down to a wide rock arch crossing a creek – the Natural Bridge.
Natural Bridge
The Natural Bridge is a sandstone arch in Garigal National Park. The arch spans an unnamed creek feeding into Bantry Bay. The Natural Bridge track uses this arch to cross the creek, and is not always noticed by walkers as the surrounding vegetation hides the full view of the feature from the track. The arch has formed the eroding forces of water flowing down the creek. The arch provides an interesting natural feature to explore and enjoy.
(3.43km) Natural Bridge → Int of Natural Bridge and Currie Road Tracks
250 m
6 mins
39m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the bridge, the walk follows the bush track heading west (with downstream to the left) up the hill and away from the creek, steadily winding up a gentle hill. This steepens as the walk climbs up a few sets of wooden steps, continuing up the rock hill to the top, where it comes to the signposted intersection of the Currie Road Track.
(3.68km) Int of Natural Bridge and Currie Road Tracks → Int of Bates Creek and Currie Rd tracks
180 m
3 mins
5m
-1m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the H/H walker on the ‘Currie Road Track’ sign south, along the service trail. The track soon comes to a four-way intersection with a large gum tree in the centre.
(3.86km) Int of Bates Creek and Currie Rd tracks → Int of Magazine Track and Tipperary Road service trail
730 m
13 mins
5m
-35m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, heading through the dense vegetation. After a little while, the track starts to zigzag down the rocky hill and through the bush until it flattens out and crosses Bates Creek. The walk then turns left and continues through the bush, meandering along the flat bush track until coming to the signposted intersection with the Magazine Track.
(4.59km) Int of Magazine Track and Tipperary Road service trail → Back of Magazine Buildings
1.1 km
27 mins
45m
-79m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Magazine Track’ sign along the wide, flat trail which winds around behind some houses (on the right). The track continues along a narrower, rocky bush track which steadily winds down a long hill to the bottom of the valley, where it flattens out just above the water. From here, the walk continues along the bush track, winding up and down along the side of the hill until it follows a track marker up to the magazine buildings’ fence line. The track runs parallel to this fence as it heads along to an open, square concrete tank just off to the left of the track, from which the roofs of the magazine buildings and Middle Harbour Creek are both visible.
Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine complex
The Magazine Buildings were the premier storage facility for merchants’ explosives between 1915 and 1974. During this time, the carefully constructed building where crucial for the safe storage of explosives used for building public works such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and additionally used by the Australian Navy during World War II. There is currently no public access to the site, and the buildings are best viewed from across the water at Bantry Bay Picnic Area, or anywhere on the other side of Bantry Bay. More info.
(5.74km) Back of Magazine Buildings → Int of Magazine and Flat Rock Beach Tracks
1.1 km
23 mins
44m
-53m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the open concrete tank, this walk follows the bush track, with the ground sloping up to the right, as it heads down a short rocky hill. The track flattens out and follows the fence line to the end, where it turns left and continues down the rocky hill, along the bush track running parallel to a shorter fence. Soon, the track turns right and leaves the fence line. The walk follows the bush track heading away from the buildings and down the rocky hill, to the waters edge where it continues along the side of the hill, following Middle Harbour Creek for a long while. In time, the track winds around behind a small beach to the intersection of a narrow bush track heading down a short hill on the left.
(6.79km) Int of Magazine and Flat Rock Beach Tracks → Flat Rock Beach
30 m
1 mins
0m
-6m
Moderate track
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the narrow bush track heading down the hill to the small beach at the bottom. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.
Flat Rock Beach
Flat Rock Beach is a small, south-facing beach on Middle Harbour, in Garigal National Park. The sand is deposited on a rock shelf that pokes through in places, forming interesting sculptures. The beach is frequented by walkers and boaters enjoying their day by the water. The beach can be accessed by a bush track from the end of Killarney Drive, Killarney Heights. Historically, the beach was a popular picnic area and serviced by a ferry in the early 1900’s. Today, there are no facilities, but some shade is provided by the trees at the back of the beach.
(6.79km) Int of Magazine and Flat Rock Beach Tracks → Int of Flat Rock and Magazine Tracks
190 m
5 mins
36m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track with the ground sloping up to the right, heading up the wooden steps. The track flattens out and turns right, following the track marker through the bush and up the rocky hill, using the spread-out sets of wooden steps. The walk comes to an intersection and a signpost for the ‘Magazine Track’[5].
(6.98km) Int of Flat Rock and Magazine Tracks → Int of Downpatrick Road Servicetrail and Flat Rock Track
1.5 km
39 mins
86m
-116m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Flat Rock Track’ sign along the bush track heading down the side of the hill, with the ground sloping up to the right. The walk winds down the rocky track for a little while, before flattening out as it passes by a small pipeline and then continues along the side of the hill. The track meanders through the bush for a while before coming to the four-way intersection with a bush track (which heads up the rocky hill to the right, and down to a private property at the bottom of the hill on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track along the side of the hill, with the ground sloping up to the right. The track meanders through the dense bushland, occasionally catching a nice view over Middle Harbour Creek down to the left, and continues to the intersection of a rough service trail on the right, which heads uphill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track along the side of the hill, with the ground sloping up to the right. The track meanders through the dense bushland, occasionally catching a nice view over Middle Harbour Creek down to the left, and continues to the intersection of a rough service trail on the right, which heads uphill.
(8.52km) Int of Downpatrick Road Servicetrail and Flat Rock Track → Int of Davidson Park driveway and Flat Rock Track
690 m
16 mins
32m
-41m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track along the side of the hill, with the ground sloping up to the right as it heads through the bush. The walk stays above Middle Harbour Creek for a while before it drops down a steep set of wooden steps to the intersection with the Davidson Park driveway, at a wooden picnic seat.
(9.21km) Int of Davidson Park driveway and Flat Rock Track → Int of Davidson Park driveway and Rotary Rotunda path
770 m
13 mins
12m
-11m
Very easy
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the flat driveway towards the Roseville Bridge, heading under a pipe bridge and coming to the intersection with the driveway to Davidson Park.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Davidson Park driveway, crossing under Roseville Bridge with Middle Harbour Creek on the left. The walk passes a small car park and bends to the right, winding around the large picnic areas (on the left), passing a building with some toilets (also on the left), and continuing along for a little while before coming to the signposted intersection of the Rotary Rotunda footpath.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Davidson Park driveway, crossing under Roseville Bridge with Middle Harbour Creek on the left. The walk passes a small car park and bends to the right, winding around the large picnic areas (on the left), passing a building with some toilets (also on the left), and continuing along for a little while before coming to the signposted intersection of the Rotary Rotunda footpath.
Davidson picnic area
Davidson Picnic Area is in Garigal National Park, under Roseville Bridge (access via Warringah Road, south bound lanes, or via many walking tracks in the area). The picnic area has a boat ramp, wheelchair-accessible toilets, large open grassy areas, picnic tables, free electric BBQ’s, and a large rotunda. There are plenty of shady spots provided by the trees. The northern section of the picnic area has a small beach swimming area, and the southern section boasts a boat ramp. The park is open 6am to 8pm (6:30pm outside daylight savings time). Ticket machines are provided to pay the car access fee.
Maps for the Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay 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 Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay
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 | 10 km | ||
| Time | 4 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 | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| 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
5km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.8km is very steep. Whilst another 1.2km is flat with no steps and the remaining 770m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 770m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (610m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 4.2km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 7km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 10km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay walk starts at the Seaforth Oval (gps: -33.781957, 151.23724)Your transport options to Seaforth Oval are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay ends at the Int of Davidson Park driveway and Rotary Rotunda path (gps: -33.7682, 151.20325)
Your transport options to Int of Davidson Park driveway and Rotary Rotunda path are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/sotrbvbb
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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