Bidjigal Reserve - The Platypus Track and Burraga Loop

This map was created using GPS Visualizer's do-it-yourself geographic utilities.

Please wait while the map data loads...

Route: Coonara Avenue, Highs Road, Grangewood Place, Bidjigal Reserve, Excelsior Creek, Platypus Track, Burraga Track, Darling Mills Creek, Aboriginal Cave, Darling Mills Cascade, Richard Webb Reserve, Oratava Avenue, Cumberland State Forest, Forestry Trail, Calgaroo Picnic Area

Date: 03/12/2023
From: Cumberland Forest

Parking: Cumberland Forest
Start Point: Calgaroo Picnic Area
Finish Point: Cumberland Forest
Region: Bidjigal Reserve

Route length: 10.1 km
Time taken: 02:46
Average speed: 4.2 km/h
Ascent: 229m
Descent: 219m

Points of Interest: The Aboriginal Cave, Darling Mills Creek

Bidjigal Reserve, located in the Hills district of New South Wales, is a relatively small nature reserve that weaves through several suburbs, including Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Carlingford, North Rocks, and Northmead. It is one of the best bushwalking areas in Sydney's North Shore.

Bidjigal was previously split between Excelsior Reserve and Darling Mills State Forest but was combined and renamed to celebrate the area's rich indigenous history. The earliest record of Indigenous people in Bidjigal Reserve dates back 10,000 years.

There are plenty of hiking trails in Bidjigal Reserve with the Platypus Track being the most picturesque and popular. It is also one of the shortest circuits but can be combined with others to form an enjoyable day out. The Hills Shire Council describe many of the hikes in this detailed booklet.

I had planned to use the Metro to get to Cherrybrook station, but numerous closures and trackwork meant the trains weren't running, which was a shame. Instead, I drove to the Cumberland State Forest and parked in the Calgaroo Picnic Area for the day, one of several dotted around the modest woodland. From here, I followed the suburban streets of Coonara Avenue and Highs Road to one of the entrances to Bidjigal Reserve.

Entering Bidjigal Reserve

Immediately after leaving the road, the path dives into the bush towards Excelsior Creek before turning left and following the creek's course at a high level. The path leads to a junction with the Platypus Track, which joins using a modest footbridge (you will not need to cross the bridge to complete this circuit).

The upper slopes of Excelsior Creek

The flaky bark of the local Eucalyptus trees

The Platypus Track is marked by blue posts

The Platypus Track at Excelsior Creek

The Platypus Track travels south to Saw Mill Creek through a beautiful stretch of rainforest. Aside from the general pleasantness of the area, an interesting spot is Bidgiwong Rock, a large rock popular with the local Water Dragons that inhabit the reserve. After Saw Mill Creek you will join the Burraga Track and continue south, crossing Excelsior Creek a handful of times over a series of large concrete weirs, designed to reduce the risk of flooding to the City of Parramatta downstream. 

The Platypus Track

A local Water Dragon

The Platypus Track

Stepping stones allow you to cross some of the minor creeks

Excelsior Creek

Bidgiwong Rock on Excelsior Creek

Excelsior Creek

One of the concrete weirs on Excelsior Creek

Darling Mills Creek

The Burraga Track alongside Excelsior Creek leads to Darling Mills Creek, which contains the most substantial and intact bushland in the Upper Parramatta River catchment. The creek was named after a steam-driven flour mill established in 1823 by John Raine at North Rocks where Darling Mills Creek and Hunts Creek met.

Darling Mills Creek

A short distance along Darling Mills Creek is an enormous rock overhang - a local landmark known locally as the Aboriginal Cave. The shelter is described in early European occupation as a cave used by the Bidjigal people. Several other aboriginal rock shelters also lie within Bidjigal Reserve, including one thought to be the earliest human habitation site known in the Sydney area, dated over 10,000 years old.

The Aboriginal Cave

The Aboriginal Cave

After marvelling at the shelter, I continued along Darling Mills Creek where the track eventually joins a larger fire trail.

Darling Mills Creek

The path along Darling Mills Creek

Native bush in Bidjigal Reserve

The wider maintenance track along Darling Mills Creek

The fire trail passes a modest cascading waterfall which can be reached by scrambling down the bank next to the trail. The waterfall (referred to simply as 'Darling Mills) is the highlight of the hike as there are plenty of opportunities to clamber around it. Swimming isn't recommended due to the polluted runoff in the area.

Cascades on Darling Mills Creek

Darling Mill Creek

Below the cascades

Darling Mill Creek

Above the cascades

After the waterfall, the path starts climbing as it follows Darling Mills Creek towards its source in the Cumberland State Forest. Getting to the forest involves crossing Aitken Road and following Oratava Avenue to the southern entrance off Bryant Road. 

Richard Webb Reserve

Oratava Avenue

The forest is unique because it is the only metropolitan state forest in Australia, containing 40 ha of native forest. The original privately owned land was cleared in 1908. In 1938 its management was taken over by the then NSW Forestry Commission and was dedicated as a State forest in 1939. One-third of the land was planted as an arboretum while the rest regenerated naturally. There are three easy trails through the forest, catering for all abilities and ages.

Cumberland State Forest

There are plenty of signs to tell you what is what

A local dam is one of the sources of Darling Mills Creek

I followed several paths and trails through the forest, ending up back at the Calgaroo Picnic Area where I had parked earlier in the day. Whether you’re interested in a family-friendly walk or a challenging hike, Bidjigal Reserve has trails that cater to all preferences. Enjoy the natural beauty and tranquillity of this protected bushland, which serves as an escape from the city without straying too far from its reach.