The Casuarina Track & Middle Harbour Creek - Garigal National Park

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Route: Healey Way, Davidson Park Reserve, Casuarina Track, Carroll Creek, Governor Phillip Track, Creek Beach, Davidson Trail, Middle Harbour Creek Stepping Stones, Bungaroo Track, Barrie Street Track, Gordon Creek, Two Creeks Track, Davidson Park Reserve

Date: 16/10/2022
From: Davidson Park Reserve

Parking: Davidson Park Boat Ramp
Start Point: Davidson Park Reserve
Finish Point: Davidson Park Reserve
Region: Garigal National Park

Route length: 16.5km
Time taken: 05:07
Average speed: 4.0km/h
Ascent: 418m
Descent: 413m

Points of Interest: Carroll Creek, Middle Harbour Creek

Having been exploring much of the Blue Mountains recently I decided it was time to head elsewhere and keep a little closer to home. Middle Harbour is the northern arm of Port Jackson, home to Sydney Harbour. The source of Middle Harbour is the creek of the same name that flows from Garigal National Park. The rugged shores of the bay meant it was largely overlooked by the European settlers from Sydney and much of the shoreline remains undeveloped today.

There is a large National Park car park located off Warringah Road, but it is only accessible if you are travelling south and arrivals heading north along the road (like I was) are required to find somewhere in Forestville to turn around. Like many of the large National Park car parks, there is a day-use fee to pay (unless you hold a park pass).

Once parked I made my way along Healey Way, through Davidson Park Reserve to the Casuarina Track which immediately climbs a short distance up some steps to get above Middle Harbour. There is a lookout here with the main path continuing along the hillside.

It was a fine morning in North Sydney

The mangroves of Middle Harbour

Davidson Park Reserve

The beginning of the Casuarina Track

Middle Harbour seen from the Casuarina Track

The Casuarina Track meanders along the side of the hill for a couple of kilometres, crossing a few small streams before passing under some power lines and descending to Carroll Creek.

Garigal National Park

There are some interesting sections along the Casuarina Track

A small cairn marks the junction with a track down to Middle Harbour

A fire-damaged area below the Casuarina Track

Views over Garigal National Park

Carroll Creek

The Governor Phillip Walk starts from Carroll Creek

Crossing the creek takes you onto the Governor Phillip Track, named in honour of NSW’s first Governor Arthur Phillip. It follows the course of Middle Harbour Creek, recreating the route of a 1788 expedition to find farmland for the new colony in Sydney. This is the nicest part of this hike where the track rarely strays from the edge of the creek as it follows its course to a place known as Bungaroo. This is the tidal limit of Middle Harbour and the location where the expedition made camp. Stepping stones across the creek now link the Governor Phillip Track to the Bungaroo Track.

Carroll Creek

Middle Harbour Creek

Creek Beach can be found along the banks of Middle Harbour Creek

The Governor Phillip Track follows Middle Harbour Creek

Middle Harbour Creek

Some steps lead down to the Bungaroo Track

Crossing Middle Harbour Creek

After only a short distance the Bungaroo Track leaves the creek being replaced by an unnamed path that follows Middle Harbour Creek back towards the mouth of the bay - following the creek on the opposite side to the Governor Phillip Track. Despite following a similar route, the views of the creek are quite different so it never feels like you are repeating yourself. 

Submerged rocks in Middle Harbour Creek

Middle Harbour Creek

Middle Harbour Creek

Garigal National Park

A small waterfall on Rocky Creek

Mangroves in Middle Harbour Creek

Crossing an un-named creek at Old She-Oak Reserve

After the crossing, a brief climb leads to the Two Creek Track

The Two Creeks Track provides a view over Middle Harbour Creek

A number of kilometres later, I reached the Two Creeks Track which is one of the main routes that wind a course through Garigal National Park. It is a popular hike that explores Gordon, Middle Harbour and Moores Creeks and ultimately forges a route back towards Davidson Reserve. There are several notable areas along the track, including a large stand of mangroves around Moores Creek and several small creeks and waterfalls.

Two Creeks Track

Moores Creek

Two Creeks Track

Jumbled rocks along Moores Creek

Middle Harbour

Eventually, I made it back to Davidson Reserve, albeit on the opposite side of the harbour, requiring a scruffy climb underneath Roseville Bridge to reach the road. The curving concrete bridge is one of only two road crossings over Middle Harbour, the other being Spit Bridge, and provides a means for getting back to the car park. All in all, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this circuit of Middle Harbour Creek and would definitely recommend it to anyone reading this. 

A sulphur-crested white cockatoo - a familiar sight in Sydney

Roseville Bridge over Middle Harbour