Fiddens Wharf Walking Track
Darug Country

1 h 30 min to 3 h

4.2 km
circuit

↑ 130 m
↓ -130 m

Moderate track
This walk explores some of the hills and river banks of the Lane Cove National Park. Leaving the weir precinct on Max Allen Drive, the walk follows the Great North Walk over the hill and down to Fiddens Wharf (just near the oval). The return journey, past Schwartz Homestead, provides a great chance to see some local heritage. The track passes several picnic areas by the river providing a great chance to rest, eat and enjoy the view. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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NPWS Centre. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Max Allen Drive. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Max Allen Drive. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Heading up and away from the reserve. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Service trail to Booraba Ave. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Signpost next to Great North Walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track down to Bradfield Rd. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Arrow Posts near Bradfield Rd. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Arrow markers across management trail. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Bradfield Rd arrow marker. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Pea Flower (Dillwynia elegans). | Photo by admin, 2008.
Boardwalk down to intersection. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track down to Fiddens Wharf. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Fiddens Wharf area from above. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Regeneration area. | Photo by admin, 2008.
No dogs or bikes sign. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track down to Fiddens Wharf. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Max Allen Dr to Schwartz Homestead. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Cormorant Corner picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Schwartz Homestead. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Picnic area next to road. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Max Allen Dr. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Down past Max Allen Dr to Jenkins Hill. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Jenkins Hill Park. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.7907245,151.1560663)
Mode Bus Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Delhi Road Offramp
  • Turn on to Delhi Road Offramp then drive for 2.3 km
  • Turn left onto Lady Game Drive and drive for another 235 m
  • Turn left onto Max Allen Road and drive for another 75 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the bridge, this walk heads gently uphill along the road to the intersection with the visible concrete stairs just below the National Parks Office.
From the intersection, this walk follows the road uphill, keeping the short sandstone wall and National Parks office on your left. The road soon bends left and leads up past the staff parking, to an intersection (with a track on your right) marked with a large 'Great North Walk' sign.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Max Allen Road.
The Great North Walk (about 15 m back from the start).
After 40 m find the "BBQ" (15 m on your left).
BBQ
BBQ

Two free electric BBQs hotplates in sheltered picnic area. The BBQ table is 92cm high, 2.05m wide and 75cm deep. Hot plates are 45/45cm.
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Two free electric BBQs hotplates in sheltered picnic area. The BBQ table is 92cm high, 2.05m wide and 75cm deep. Hot plates are 45/45cm.

Then find the "Picnic Table" (10 m on your left).
Picnic Table
Picnic Table

Two timber slat picnic tables. The table is 79cm high, 73cm deep and 3.3m wide. The seats are 46cm high, 44cm deep and 2.7m wide (no backrest). Room for a few chairs at end. 4x2.7m slab.
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Two timber slat picnic tables. The table is 79cm high, 73cm deep and 3.3m wide. The seats are 46cm high, 44cm deep and 2.7m wide (no backrest). Room for a few chairs at end. 4x2.7m slab.

After another 8 m pass the car park (5 m on your left).
Then find the "Parking Accessible" (on your left).
Parking Accessible
Parking Accessible

There are 8 car parking bays in the immediate area. Three are marked mobiilty parking bays at the southern edge. The mobility parking area is ashphalt, 2.4m wide and 6.3m deep.
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There are 8 car parking bays in the immediate area. Three are marked mobiilty parking bays at the southern edge. The mobility parking area is ashphalt, 2.4m wide and 6.3m deep.

After another 20 m continue straight, to head along Max Allen Road.
After another 105 m continue straight, to head along Max Allen Road.
After another 55 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & Max Allen Road) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track).
After another 40 m pass the sign (25 m on your left).
After another 250 m continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Lane Cove Depot Road & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along Lane Cove Depot Road (a service road).
After another 15 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & Lane Cove Depot Road) veer right, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track).
After another 410 m continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 315 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
After another 200 m cross the ford.
After another 130 m cross the bridge
Then head down the 7 stone steps (about 3 m long)
After another 55 m head down the 26 steps (about 20 m long)
Then cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
After another 40 m turn right.
After another 6 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 2 m turn left, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 55 m head up the 26 steps (about 20 m long)
After another 55 m head up the 7 stone steps (about 3 m long)
Then cross the bridge
After another 330 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
After another 315 m continue straight.
After another 225 m come to the viewpoint (9 m on your right).
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Max Allen Road.
After another 70 m pass the toilet (25 m on your left).
After another 2 m continue straight, to head along Max Allen Road.
There is a shelter (about 5 m back from the start).
After another 80 m (at the intersection of Max Allen Road & Lane Cove Depot Road) continue straight, to head along Max Allen Road.
After another 40 m find the "Schwartz Homestead" (20 m on your left).
Schwartz Homestead
Schwartz Homestead

The Schwartz Homestead is a neat little white and green 1920's timber cottage with a balcony on three sides. It was probably built by orchardist George Warr, who leased the land from 1917.
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The Schwartz Homestead is a neat little white and green 1920's timber cottage with a balcony on three sides. It was probably built by orchardist George Warr, who leased the land from 1917.

Veer left, to head along Max Allen Road.
After another 55 m pass the toilet (25 m on your left).
After another 255 m continue straight, to head along Max Allen Road.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Baker's Cottage. To start this optional side trip turn around here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Max Allen Road.
After another 30 m pass the toilet (25 m on your left).
After another 280 m veer right.
After another 180 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 45 m continue straight.
After another 40 m turn right, to head along Max Allen Road.
After another 55 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Baker's Cottage.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Max Allen Road.
After another 15 m continue straight.
Continue another 65 m to find Baker's Cottage at the end.
About 50 m past the end is "Baker's Cottage".
Baker's Cottage
Baker's Cottage

Baker's Cottage was built in 1865 as the residence of William Baker and his family. The cottage once stood in the middle of a well-kept garden and orchard. The cottage itself was once larger, with more rooms and a verandah surrounding it. The residence changed hands only twice, and was then appropriated by the Minister of Lands in 1938.
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Baker's Cottage was built in 1865 as the residence of William Baker and his family. The cottage once stood in the middle of a well-kept garden and orchard. The cottage itself was once larger, with more rooms and a verandah surrounding it. The residence changed hands only twice, and was then appropriated by the Minister of Lands in 1938.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 80 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Fiddens Wharf Walking Track


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 4.2 km
Time 1 h 30 min to 3 h
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 (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 3.2 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 840 m apart with the largest gap of 3.1 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
3.1 km[toilet]
Shelter
3.2 km[shelter]
Toilet
3.3 km[toilet]
Toilet
3.6 km[toilet]
Toilet
4.1 km[toilet]
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Articles
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Reviews & Feedback
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Weather & Alerts
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