Bungaroo Track, Middle Harbour Creek & The Cascades - Garigal National Park

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Route: Lawson Parade, Melaleuca Drive, Bungaroo Track, Middle Harbour Track, The Cascades, Cascades Trail, Bare Creek Trail, Bare Creek, Treeloppers Tip Trail, Roma Road, Blackburn Avenue, Acron Street, City View, Acron Oval, Killeaton Street, Yarrabung Road, Lawson Parade

Date: 25/06/2023
From: St Ives

Parking: Lawson Parade
Start Point: Pipeline Track
Finish Point: City View
Region: Garigal National Park

Route length: 17.3km
Time taken: 04:13
Average speed: 4.4km/h
Ascent: 474m
Descent: 

Points of Interest: Bungaroo, The Cascades

I've been consciously exploring Garigal National Park, a sprawling area surrounding Middle Harbour Creek and Middle Harbour. The rugged shores of the bay and its many coves meant it was largely overlooked by the European settlers from Sydney so much of the shoreline remains undeveloped, even today. For this hike, I was keen to check out The Cascades, arguably one of the highlights of the national park.

I started the day on the leafy streets of the wealthy suburb of St Ives, located west of Middle Harbour and Garigal National Park. After a bit of manoeuvring, I was ready to begin my exploration by descending the Pipeline Track and Bungaroo Track to reach Middle Harbour Creek. Ignoring the Pipeline Track (as it follows a large Sydney Water sewer pipe), the neighbouring Bungaroo Track is one of the prettiest in the national park.

One of the bushland reserves near St Ives

The native bush around St Ives

The Bungaroo Track descends steeply through some rocky outcrops to the creek where there are some permanent stepping stones across the channel. It was around this location that, in 1788, early European settlers first made camp after exploring the length of Middle Harbour Creek. At the time it was described as "the most desert wild and solitary seclusion the imagination can form any idea of..." but things have changed a little today.

The pipeline at the entrance to Garigal National Park

The Bungaroo Track runs parallel to the Pipeline Track

Looking down towards Middle Harbour Creek

The Bungaroo Track

Powerlines are a reminder that you are not far from Sydney

The Bungaroo Track

After crossing the stepping stones, you will encounter a divergence in the paths. The westward direction leads to the continuation of this trek towards the Cascades via the Middle Harbour Track. Conversely, the eastern route guides you along the Governor Phillip Track, leading to Middle Harbour—a superb route that I had the opportunity to explore not long ago.

Middle Harbour Creek

The stepping stones across Middle Harbour Creek

The stones that form the crossing are cemented in place but will be submerged if the creek floods

Following the Middle Harbour Track alongside the creek is a bit of an adventure, passing beneath several sandstone overhangs along with the odd squeeze between some rocks - tight enough to have to take off your pack. All the while there are plenty of views of the creek and before long, I made it to the Cascades.

Middle Harbour Creek

Middle Harbour Creek

The Middle Harbour Track

Sandstone outcrops along the Middle Harbour Track

A narrow squeeze

Middle Harbour Creek

Approaching The Cascades

Middle Harbour Creek

Middle Harbour Creek

The Cascades are a series of small waterfalls centred around a rock platform, located at the meeting point of Middle Harbour Creek and Frenches Creek. Depending on the time of year and recent rainfall, the rocks that form the platforms, pools and waterfalls that make up the Cascades can be completely submerged or almost entirely exposed. Both versions are equally beautiful, however, when it is dry, there is more to explore.

The large pool below The Cascades

The Cascades

The Cascades

The Cascades

On a dry day, there will be plenty to explore

Frenchs Creek

After wandering around the Cascades for a while I continued on my way, heading further north. The wide management track from The Cascades follows the course of Bare Creek until it reaches the Heath Trail. At the junction of the two tracks is a third path which climbs out of the valley. 

The Cascades Trail links to the Bare Creek Trail

One the Bare Creek Trail

Bare Creek

Bare Creek

The path climbs through the trees to the interestingly named Treelopers Tip Trail - I assume the name is a reference to previous logging in the area. While its name is interesting, the trail itself is fairly uninspiring as it makes an unassuming traverse around the head of Middle Harbour Creek. The wide fire trail is more popular with runners and bikers than it is for hikers.

Treeloppers Tip Trail

Treeloppers Tip Trail

Powerlines over Middle Harbour Creek

The trail emerges at Kitchener Street in the suburb of St Ives once again. I was intent on reaching City View, a lookout adjacent to Acron Oval and the beginning of the Cascades Trail that can be reached by following the gridded streets of St Ives. Much of the view is hidden behind a thick stand of trees, however, I'm told you can see Sydney and the Harbour Bridge. 

City View has a peak at the towers of Greater Sydney

From the lookout, it was only a short distance further from where I had left the car in the morning. While this is a nice hike, I wouldn't rush to repeat the northern section around the Tree Loppers Tip Trail. The Cascades on the other hand are superb and well worth a visit. For any Sydney locals, they look to be a perfect spot for some summer swimming.