Platypus & Darling Mills Circuit

Starting from the car park at the end of Excelsior Avenue, Castle Hill, this circuit walk takes you on a journey in the Bidjigal Reserve via Platypus and Burraga tracks. This walk heads through an urban and natural area and is a gem for families. You'll be able to view the Darling Mills Cascades via a side trip as well. The word 'Burraga' means 'bandicoot' in the Dharug language. Remember to look for eastern water dragons, koalas, and echidnas. BBQs, a picnic area and toilets are present, and dogs are allowed on lead. The Platypus Track might get crowded, but once you get to the southeastern parts, you will truly be one with nature. Watch out for exposed tree roots. Some clambering and rock hopping across creeks might be needed. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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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	From the Excelsior Avenue (-33.7491274,151.0084306)
Mode	Bus Car
Directions	From M2 Hills Motorway, M2, Baulkham Hills. Turn on to Windsor Road Offramp then drive for 330 m Keep right onto Windsor Road Offramp and drive for another 130 m Continue onto Windsor Road and drive for another 850 m Turn right onto Old Northern Road and drive for another 2.3 km Turn right onto Excelsior Avenue and drive for another 1.1 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the end of Excelsior Avenue, head towards the grey metal gate (should be open) along the paved path. Pass through the gap between the said gate and the white metal poles that have a chain between them. Head along the dirt track for about 80 metres, then keep left at the 3-way intersection to continue along the Platypus & Darling Mills Circuit (clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Excelsior Avenue Start (a walking track). Find the car park at the start. Find the toilet at the start. This toilet is male and female.
	After another 40 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track. After another 15 m pass the sign (4 m on your right).
	After another 150 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track. After another 35 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track.
	After another 175 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long) After another 9 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track. After another 200 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track. After another 20 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight.
	After another 15 m (from the Platypus Track) veer right, to head along Platypus Track.
	After another 400 m (from the Platypus Track) turn left.
	After another 165 m veer left.
	After another 80 m turn right. After another 225 m (from the Parakeet Place) continue straight.
	After another 70 m veer left.
	After another 470 m veer right.
	The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Mungarra Place. Can be useful if you're planning on using the bus. Details below. After another 660 m continue straight.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to Darling Mills. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 670 m turn right.
	After another 165 m continue straight.
	After another 730 m turn right. After another 85 m continue straight. After another 490 m continue straight.
	After another 130 m turn right. After another 25 m (from the Platypus Track) turn left, to head along Platypus Track.
	After another 115 m (from the Platypus Track) turn right. After another 20 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track. After another 20 m (from the Platypus Track) turn right, to head along Platypus Track. After another 560 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track.
	After another 20 m (from the Platypus Track) turn sharp left. Continue another 75 m to find from the Excelsior Avenue at the end.

This side trip takes you to Darling Mills.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 25 m turn left. After another 35 m continue straight. After another 460 m pass the "Darling Mills" (20 m on your left).
	After another 60 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 580 m to the main route.

An alternate access point from/to Mungarra Place. Can be useful if you're planning on using the bus.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	Continue another 85 m to find from the Mungarra Place at the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Platypus & Darling Mills Circuit

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	5.9 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 2 h 45 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 35 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	35 m	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| Bidjigal Reserve - PocketOz | Platypus Track - Hills District Mums | Darling Mills Cascades - Hiking the World
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Parramatta Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Sunday 5 January
  
  35°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower and the chance of a thunderstorm in the west in the afternoon and early evening. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day, increasing to 30 to 40 km/h along the coastal fringe, then becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: High
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 5:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Monday 6 January
  
  21°C → 37°C
  Possible late shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Sunny morning. Medium chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Tuesday 7 January
  
  20°C → 23°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the west. Winds southerly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Wednesday 8 January
  
  18°C → 24°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light during the evening.
  
  Thursday 9 January
  
  17°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 10 January
  
  18°C → 29°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Saturday 11 January
  
  19°C → 30°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
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