Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.7819415,151.237195)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Warringah Freeway, M1 Turn on to Military Road Offramp, A8 then drive for 6.8 km Turn left and drive for another 255 m At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Frenchs Forest Road and drive for another 2.6 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
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.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a toilet (about 65 m back from the start). Seaforth Oval (about 7 m back from the start). 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. There is a car park (about 5 m back from the start). Find the sign at the start.
	After another 35 m (at the intersection of Engraving Track & Timbergetters Track) veer left, to head along Timbergetters Track. After another 55 m pass the sign.
	After another 2 m continue straight, to head along Timbergetters Track. After another 340 m come to the viewpoint. After another 345 m come to the viewpoint. Then head down the steps (about 35 m long)
	After another 6 m continue straight, to head along The Bay Track. Then find the "Bantry Bay Picnic Area" (10 m on your left). 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. After another 6 m pass the toilet (7 m on your right). After another 690 m come to the viewpoint. After another 920 m come to the viewpoint. After another 95 m come to the viewpoint. Then find the "Bluff Lookout" (5 m on your right). 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. After another 35 m come to a sign.
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.6 km to get back to the start.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.2 km
Time	2 h 30 min to 3 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.7 km apart with the largest gap of 4.3 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-57 m	[toilet]
Toilet	850 m	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on 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.

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.

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.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Sydney Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  25°C
  Showers developing. Possible storm.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:00am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]
  
  Friday 1 November
  
  16°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light early in the morning then becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon.
  
  Saturday 2 November
  
  15°C → 22°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the morning and afternoon. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon.
  
  Sunday 3 November
  
  16°C → 30°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 4 November
  
  19°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Tuesday 5 November
  
  18°C → 24°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Wednesday 6 November
  
  18°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Garigal National Park alerts
  Hazard reduction burns: Bantry Bay HR
  There is a planned Hazard Reduction burn in this park from 23/10/2024. The fire is called Bantry Bay HR. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between 1 August 2024 and 31 January 2025 in Garigal National Park. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Forestville 9451 3479 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  Closed areas: Flat Rock track partial closure
  The section of Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance to the Downpatrick Street entrance, is permanently closed as the old track passes through private property near Killarney Point.
  Please note:
  
  Walkers heading west should exit Flat Rock track at the eastern end of Killarney Drive and use Killarney Drive until you reach Downpatrick Street. Then walk down the street and re-enter Flat Rock track from the Downpatrick Street fire trail.
  
  Walkers heading east should exit Flat Rock track at the Downpatrick Street fire trail and use Downpatrick Street, then Killarney Drive until you reach the end of Killarney Drive. Re-enter Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance.
  
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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