Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay

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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 Manly Road, A8 Turn on to Sydney Road then drive for 275 m At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Frenchs Forest Road and drive for another 2.6 km
Finish	(-33.7688936,151.2039156)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)

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.....

An optional side trip to Flat Rock Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the car park at the start. Find the Seaforth Oval at 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. Find the toilet at the start. Find the water tap at the start. Find the BBQ at the start. Find the sign at the start.
	After another 25 m veer left. After another 110 m pass the sign. Continue straight. After another 345 m come to the viewpoint. After another 350 m come to the viewpoint. Then head down the steps (about 35 m long)
	After another 6 m continue straight. 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 720 m come to the viewpoint. After another 930 m come to the viewpoint. After another 55 m 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 50 m pass the sign.
	After another 55 m continue straight. After another 80 m continue straight.
	After another 45 m continue straight. After another 15 m pass the sign (on your left).
	After another 45 m veer left.
	After another 470 m find the "Natural Bridge" (on your left). Natural Bridge The Natural Bridge is a sandstone arch in Garigal National Park. The arch spans an unnamed creek feeding into Bantry Bay. The Natural Bridge track uses this arch to cross the creek, and is not always noticed by walkers as the surrounding vegetation hides the full view of the feature from the track. The arch has formed the eroding forces of water flowing down the creek. The arch provides an interesting natural feature to explore and enjoy. After another 40 m continue straight.
	After another 220 m turn left.
	After another 185 m continue straight. After another 1.5 km veer right. After another 410 m find the "Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine complex" (30 m on your left). Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine complex The Magazine Buildings were the premier storage facility for merchants' explosives between 1915 and 1974. During this time, the carefully constructed building where crucial for the safe storage of explosives used for building public works such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and additionally used by the Australian Navy during World War II. There is currently no public access to the site, and the buildings are best viewed from across the water at Bantry Bay Picnic Area, or anywhere on the other side of Bantry Bay.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Flat Rock Beach. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1 km continue straight.
	After another 60 m turn right. Then head down the steps (about 130 m long)
	After another 20 m turn right.
	After another 800 m continue straight.
	After another 800 m continue straight. After another 380 m pass the car park (30 m on your left).
	After another 305 m turn right.
	After another 15 m continue straight.
	After another 50 m veer left. After another 430 m pass the picnic table (30 m on your left). Then pass the shelter (80 m on your left).
	After another 145 m come to the end. About 20 m past the end is a toilet.
	Start. Then head up the steps
	After another 10 m come to the end. About 55 m past the end is "Flat Rock Beach". Flat Rock Beach Flat Rock Beach is a small, south-facing beach on Middle Harbour, in Garigal National Park. The sand is deposited on a rock shelf that pokes through in places, forming interesting sculptures. The beach is frequented by walkers and boaters enjoying their day by the water. The beach can be accessed by a bush track from the end of Killarney Drive, Killarney Heights. Historically, the beach was a popular picnic area and serviced by a ferry in the early 1900's. Today, there are no facilities, but some shade is provided by the trees at the back of the beach. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 10 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge via Bantry Bay

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	9.9 km
Time	3 h 15 min to 5 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
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

Shelter: There is one 9.7 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 2.5 km apart with the largest gap of 9.1 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	9 m	[toilet]
Toilet	850 m	[toilet]
Shelter	9.7 km	[shelter]
Toilet	9.9 km	[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.

Natural Bridge
The Natural Bridge is a sandstone arch in Garigal National Park. The arch spans an unnamed creek feeding into Bantry Bay. The Natural Bridge track uses this arch to cross the creek, and is not always noticed by walkers as the surrounding vegetation hides the full view of the feature from the track. The arch has formed the eroding forces of water flowing down the creek. The arch provides an interesting natural feature to explore and enjoy.

Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine complex
The Magazine Buildings were the premier storage facility for merchants' explosives between 1915 and 1974. During this time, the carefully constructed building where crucial for the safe storage of explosives used for building public works such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and additionally used by the Australian Navy during World War II. There is currently no public access to the site, and the buildings are best viewed from across the water at Bantry Bay Picnic Area, or anywhere on the other side of Bantry Bay.

Flat Rock Beach
Flat Rock Beach is a small, south-facing beach on Middle Harbour, in Garigal National Park. The sand is deposited on a rock shelf that pokes through in places, forming interesting sculptures. The beach is frequented by walkers and boaters enjoying their day by the water. The beach can be accessed by a bush track from the end of Killarney Drive, Killarney Heights. Historically, the beach was a popular picnic area and serviced by a ferry in the early 1900's. Today, there are no facilities, but some shade is provided by the trees at the back of the beach.

Davidson picnic area
Davidson Picnic Area is in Garigal National Park, under Roseville Bridge (access via Warringah Road, south bound lanes, or via many walking tracks in the area). The picnic area has a boat ramp, wheelchair-accessible toilets, large open grassy areas, picnic tables, free electric BBQ's, and a large rotunda. There are plenty of shady spots provided by the trees. The northern section of the picnic area has a small beach swimming area, and the southern section boasts a boat ramp. The park is open 6am to 8pm (6:30pm outside daylight savings time). Ticket machines are provided to pay the car access fee.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Sydney Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Sunday 27 April
  
  Rain.
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of rain easing to showers later this evening. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Monday 28 April
  
  17°C → 24°C
  Showers easing.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 2:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 5 [Moderate]
  
  Tuesday 29 April
  
  15°C → 24°C
  Showers increasing.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 9mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the west in the early morning. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then tending south to southwesterly in the late afternoon.
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  15°C → 20°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  13°C → 20°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  2 → 20mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm along the coastal fringe. Winds south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  13°C → 21°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  14°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly during the day.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  15°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Garigal National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Road drainage works: Forestville Office and Depot
  Road drainage works are occurring on the internal road at the Sydney North Area: Forestville Office and Depot between Monday 28 April - Friday 2 May 2025.
  Access to the Forestville office and Carroll Creek Fire Trail is permitted however delays may occur.
  Please follow signage and instructions of NPWS staff and contractors.
  For more information, please contact the NPWS local area office.
  
  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.
  
  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 between1 February 2025 and 31 July 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)
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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