Overview

The upper reaches of the Lane Cove River, from De Burghs Bridge, Lane Cove National Park

The upper reaches of the Lane Cove River, from De Burghs Bridge, Lane Cove National Park

Lane Cove National Park protects a narrow strip of land in the Lane Cove River Valley on Sydney's lower north shore. Much of the land near the banks of the river has been transformed by the planting of exotic trees, due to the park's beginning as first an orchard, and then as "Fairyland Pleasure Grounds". However, away from the banks the original environment still remains. It is constantly under pressure due to the small size of the park and the developed areas around that back on to and drain into the park.

Access

The road entry points to the lower section of the park are at Lady Game Drive in Chatswood, and from Lane Cove Rd in Ryde. Note that due to the construction of the Chatswood to Epping rail link, there is currently no road access between the Lane Cove Rd entrance and the Lady Game Drive entrance. There are locked gates at the weir (at the Lady Game Drive entrance) and again about 500m further up the road.

The Lady Game Drive entrance can be reached by car, by the 259 or 545 bus from Chatswood Station, or a 1.5km walk from the same station. The Lane Cove Rd entrance can be reached by car, by the 545 bus from Chatswood Station or the 292 bus from Wynyard or St Leonards Stations, or by a 1km walk from Macquarie Centre bus interchange.

The upper section of the park can be reached by walking tracks and cycle tracks that lead in off various back streets from the suburbs of Pymble, Turramurra, Wahroonga, Thornleigh, Pennant Hills, Beecroft and Macquarie Park.

Activities

Bushwalking

Lane Cove National Park has a large number of walking tracks although due to its small size most of them are relatively short. The main track is the section of the Great North Walk that runs from the Fullers Rd bridge all the way to the top of the park up near Pennant Hills. Other short walks exist in the lower section of the park.

Canoeing/Kayaking

The only waterway of size is the Lane Cove River. However this can be paddled quite easily by smaller craft upstream of the weir near Fullers Bridge, and downstream by any craft. Upstream is pleasant paddling, although there are numerous exotic weeds on the banks which detract from the experience.

Mountain Biking

There are a limited number of trails in the upper Lane Cover River Valley that can be ridden, although a number of them have been replaced by cycleways. Lower down there is not really any mountain biking, but the ride through the park from Lane Cove Rd to Lady Game Drive on the sealed road is enjoyable and relatively free from traffic except around the middle of the day on weekends. It is only about 5km one way.

Walks

Riverside Loop

Time: 3 hrs Distance: 11km Fitness: E Skill: E Ascent: 50m

An interesting loop walk with a variety of flora and fauna to be seen

Chatswood West to Thornleigh

Time: 5 hrs Distance: 14km Fitness: EM Skill: E Ascent: 160m

An easily accessible walk by public transport in the bushland of Sydney's northern suburbs

Hunters Hill to Chatswood West

Time: 5 hrs Distance: 17km Fitness: EM Skill: E Ascent: 50m

A pleasant mix of street and bush walking through parts of Sydney's lower North Shore