Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

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	(-33.7515329,151.1717022)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Mona Vale Road, A3 Turn on to Link Road then drive for 500 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Horace Street and drive for another 1.1 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Eastern Arterial Road and drive for another 1.7 km
Finish	(-33.7417333,151.1666367)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Eastern Arterial Rd at the bottom of the hill near the speed camera (approximately 300m south of Nicholson Ave), this walk passes the 'Bushranger Reserve' sign and heads through the metal gate. The walk follows the grassy trail up the hill and through the dense bush, undulating gently as it steadily climbs the side of the valley. The walk passes an intersection with an overgrown trail (downhill on the left) and continues for a while to the end of the management trail. ....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 35 m head through/around the gate. After another 75 m continue straight.
	After another 750 m continue straight.
	After another 710 m veer left.
	After another 660 m continue straight. After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 580 m turn sharp left.
	After another 1.2 km continue straight. After another 50 m find the "Pipeline" (on your left). Pipeline This pipeline is unearthed at Hunter Street, St Ives, and travels through Garigal National Park, across Middle Harbour Creek to John Oxley Drive, Sorlie. The pipe carries water under pressure From Ryde to Pymble to the reservoir at Beacon Hill. The old smaller-capacity pipe can still be seen running parallel to the larger pipe.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 390 m turn sharp left, to head along Bungaroo Track.
	After another 1.3 km (at the intersection of Pipeline track & Bungaroo Track) veer right, to head along Pipeline track (a vehicle track).
	After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Pipeline track.
	After another 115 m continue straight. After another 590 m pass the "Barra Brui Reserve" (15 m on your left). W:www.kmc.nsw.gov.au After another 345 m come to a gate.
	Veer right. After another 10 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Int of Gov. Phillip and Bungaroo tracks.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Bungaroo Track.
	After another 200 m come to the end. About 20 m past the end is "Bungaroo". Bungaroo Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where "the flowing of the tide ceased". Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as "the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of". Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 200 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start heading along Bungaroo Track.

After another 200 m come to the end.

About 20 m past the end is "Bungaroo".

Bungaroo

Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where "the flowing of the tide ceased". Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as "the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of". Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 200 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Killara to St Ives via Rocky Creek

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	6.8 km
Time	2 h 45 min to 3 h

Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
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)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Pipeline
This pipeline is unearthed at Hunter Street, St Ives, and travels through Garigal National Park, across Middle Harbour Creek to John Oxley Drive, Sorlie. The pipe carries water under pressure From Ryde to Pymble to the reservoir at Beacon Hill. The old smaller-capacity pipe can still be seen running parallel to the larger pipe.

Bungaroo
Governor Arthur Phillip (first governor of NSW) described this section of the river as where "the flowing of the tide ceased". Phillip and his party of nine camped here in 1788 whilst looking for land suitable for farming. John White (Surgeon General) described the the area as "the most desert, wild and solitary seclusion that the imagination can form any idea of". Over the past 200 years the river has changed, but somewhere not far upstream of the stepping stone is Bungaroo.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Terrey Hills Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  29°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloud clearing during the early morning to a mostly sunny day. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe, most likely in the early afternoon. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning, shifting southerly 30 to 40 km/h in the early afternoon before tending south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon. Winds reaching up to 50 km/h along the coastal fringe with the southerly change during the afternoon.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Extreme
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]
  
  Tuesday 24 December
  
  15°C → 23°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h early in the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning.
  
  Wednesday 25 December
  
  15°C → 26°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Thursday 26 December
  
  16°C → 28°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  19°C → 37°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely later in the day. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northerly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 30 km/h before shifting southerly 15 to 25 km/h later.
  
  Saturday 28 December
  
  18°C → 27°C
  Mostly sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Slight chance of a shower during the morning. Mostly sunny day. Winds southerly 15 to 25 km/h turning easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Sunday 29 December
  
  18°C → 30°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Garigal National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Total Fire Ban - All tracks and trails closed in Garigal National Park - Monday 23 December 2024
  All tracks and trails in Garigal National Park are closed on Monday 23 December 2024 due to a Total Fire Ban and elevated Fire Danger rating.
  Davidson Picnic Area and Boat Ramp will remain open.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.
  
  Please review RFS information on Total Fire Bans, Fire Danger Ratings, and keep up to date using the Hazards Near Me app:
  https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans
  https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app
  
  Fire bans: Total Fire Ban
  A total fire ban has been declared by the NSW Rural Fire Service. The total fire ban applies for the entire 24-hour period. Total fire ban rules apply. This ban may be extended. Please continue to check this website. To find out where and when total fire bans are currently in effect, please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service.
  
  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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