Fairylands Loop Track

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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	(-33.7929956,151.1560893)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Lane Cove Road, A3 Turn on to Epping Road then drive for 1.1 km Keep left and drive for another 2.3 km Turn right onto River Avenue and drive for another 15 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the intersection on River Ave (near Delhi Rd), this walk follows the 'Great North Walk - Sydney Cove' sign up along the rocky track. The track soon leads up a steep rock staircase and past a small bench seat. The track continues to wind quite steeply up, passing a few GNW arrow posts and winding among some large boulders to climb up onto a large, flat rock platform. Here, the walk veers left and follows a mostly flat narrow track through the bush for about 170m, then heads around a locked gate to find the end of Quebec Rd.
From the locked gate, this walk follows the sealed Quebec Rd, keeping the fenced Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens on your right. The narrow road continues for about 300m passing a couple of driveways (to your left) to come to a T-intersection with Quebec Rd and Fairylands Ave. Here the walk turns right and follows the now wider Quebec Rd as it bends left and leads downhill. Just before the road bends left again (near the bottom of this hill) this walk comes to an intersection with a track (on your right), marked with a GNW arrow post.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 100 m pass the toilet (75 m on your right). After another 690 m pass the "Crematorium Cafe" (90 m on your right). Continue straight.
	After another 15 m turn right. After another 90 m pass the "Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium" (90 m on your right).
	After another 115 m turn right. Then pass the "Lane Cove National Park" (on your right). After another 350 m pass the car park (260 m on your right). Then find the "Lookout" (25 m on your left). Lookout This small, informal and unfenced viewpoint is atop a large natural rock platform, between Fairyland and River Ave. There are a few in the area, but this is the most distinct. From here, there are nice views down the Lane Cove River. The area is unfenced and there is a significant drop off the side. After another 330 m pass the park (210 m on your left). Then pass the "Fairyland Pleasure Grounds Map" (8 m on your left).
	After another 70 m veer right. After another 25 m find the "Fairyland" (20 m on your left). Fairyland Once formally known as 'Fairyland Pleasure Grounds', and casually as 'The Rest', this site was similar to several others in Sydney. The land was purchased by Robert Swan in 1896 and encompassed about 17 acres in total. Part of the land was cleared for a market garden, growing strawberries and melons. By the early 1900s, the market garden had closed and the area had become a popular picnic and play ground, for people arriving mostly by boat. This was a very popular spot to visit for a special day out. Today, the buildings have (mostly) gone and the cleared area has grown back, but it still can offer a relaxing picnic and lunch spot by the river. Then come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
	After another 20 m continue straight. After another 60 m pass the "Fairyland Pleasure Grounds Board" (7 m on your left).
	After another 110 m turn left.
	After another 195 m veer left.
	After another 380 m continue straight. After another 15 m pass the "Lane Cove National Park" (8 m on your right). After another 35 m head up the steps (about 15 m long) Then pass the "The Great North Walk" (6 m on your right).
	Turn right. Then cross the bridge (about 95 m long)
	Continue straight.
	After another 135 m turn left.
	After another 50 m turn left. After another 30 m pass the car park (90 m on your right).
	Continue straight. After another 205 m pass the car park (205 m on your right).
	Continue straight. After another 25 m pass the car park (25 m on your left). After another 85 m pass the car park (110 m on your right).
	Continue straight. Then pass the "Mowbray Park" (on your left). After another 25 m head through the bollard. After another 90 m head through the bollard. After another 35 m pass the car park (150 m on your right).
	Turn left. Then head down the steps (about 30 m long)
	Turn right.
	After another 220 m continue straight. After another 65 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your left).
	After another 45 m turn left. After another 20 m head into the "Mowbray Park".
	After another 25 m turn right. After another 305 m pass the park (75 m on your left).
	Veer left. After another 115 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your right).
	After another 25 m turn left. After another 400 m pass the park (55 m on your left). After another 130 m continue straight.
	After another 255 m continue straight. After another 70 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long) After another 160 m pass the "Mulhall Park" (165 m on your left).
	Turn left. After another 470 m pass the water tap (20 m on your right).
	Continue straight.
	After another 180 m turn left. After another 20 m head through the tunnel (about 20 m long)
	After another 15 m turn right. After another 6 m cross the bridge (about 60 m long)
	Turn right.
	After another 7 m turn right. About 260 m past the end is "Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium". Then pass the park (20 m on your left). After another 15 m pass the "Whitefire Grill and Bar" (15 m on your right). W:www.whitefiregrill.com.au T:+61 2 8097 0280 11:30-22:30 Then find the "Riverside Cafe Bar & Grill" (20 m on your right). Riverside Cafe Bar & Grill The Riverside Cafe is found at the end of service road on the south-west corner of Fullers Bridge. The nicely renovated building looks over the Lane Cove River and is open 7 days, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is cafe-style and meals are priced upwards from $13. Ph: (02) 9412 3773.
	After another 30 m come to the end. "The Great North Walk".

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Fairylands Loop Track

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.3 km
Time	2 h to 2 h 30 min

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
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)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 100 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	100 m	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Lookout
This small, informal and unfenced viewpoint is atop a large natural rock platform, between Fairyland and River Ave. There are a few in the area, but this is the most distinct. From here, there are nice views down the Lane Cove River. The area is unfenced and there is a significant drop off the side.

Fairyland
Once formally known as 'Fairyland Pleasure Grounds', and casually as 'The Rest', this site was similar to several others in Sydney. The land was purchased by Robert Swan in 1896 and encompassed about 17 acres in total. Part of the land was cleared for a market garden, growing strawberries and melons. By the early 1900s, the market garden had closed and the area had become a popular picnic and play ground, for people arriving mostly by boat. This was a very popular spot to visit for a special day out. Today, the buildings have (mostly) gone and the cleared area has grown back, but it still can offer a relaxing picnic and lunch spot by the river.

Riverside Cafe Bar & Grill
The Riverside Cafe is found at the end of service road on the south-west corner of Fullers Bridge. The nicely renovated building looks over the Lane Cove River and is open 7 days, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is cafe-style and meals are priced upwards from $13. Ph: (02) 9412 3773.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Parramatta Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  30°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% 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 → 26°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 → 29°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
  
  17°C → 33°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  21°C → 41°C
  Possible shower.
  40% 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
  
  19°C → 31°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  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
  
  19°C → 34°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  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
- Lane Cove National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Total Fire Ban - All tracks and trails closed in Lane Cove National Park - Monday 23 December 2024
  All tracks and trails in Lane Cove National Park are closed on Monday 23 December 2024 due to a Total Fire Ban and elevated Fire Danger rating.
  The main visitor precinct, including picnic areas accessible from Max Allen Dr and Riverside Dr, 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.
  
  Closed areas: Lane Cove National Park Cafe closed for maintenance
  The Lane Cove National Park Cafe will be closed for maintenance from Monday 23 December until Thursday 26 December 2024 inclusive. For more information contact the local area office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Pennant Hills Park fire trail surface works
  Surface works will be carried out on the Pennant Hills Park fire trail in Lane Cove National Park starting on Monday 9 December to Monday 23 December 2024 inclusive, weather permitting. The work will take place from the National Park section of the fire trail near Pennant Hills Park down to the intersection with the Devlins Creek trail. Please follow all signage and instruction from NPWS staff and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Sugarloaf carpark closed
  Sugarloaf carpark in Lane Cove National Park is no longer open to the public. We apologise for any inconvenience.
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Chatswood Area office on 02 8448 0400. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  Other planned events: 1080 pest management
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits and fresh baits 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 Lane Cove National Park. Don’t touch baits. 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.
  For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Lane Cove: 8448 0400 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  Closed areas: Toilet closures in Lane Cove National Park
  Some toilets within this park will be closed during the week, opening only on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays. The closed toilets are at:
  
  Carters Creek (Area 9)
  
  Scribbly Gums (Area 17)
  
  Haynes Flat (Area 32)
  
  Please note: This does not apply to bookings. Where there are bookings, toilets will be opened.
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Chatswood area office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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