This great return walk starts from Seaforth oval and follows the Timbergetters Track down to Bantry Bay, and the pleasant waterfront picnic area. The walk then climbs steadily, out of the valley, to the Bluff Lookout. From this lookout you can see all the way across Middle Harbour. Let us begin by acknowledging the Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Top of the Timber Getters Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Following the signposts. | Photo by admin, 2009.Heading down the wooden steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.Looking up the hill. | Photo by admin, 2009.Heading through a bush regeneration area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Following the defined track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Passing the Old Bullock Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Crossing a small stream. | Photo by admin, 2009.View from the stream crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.Passing an old telegraph pole. | Photo by admin, 2009.Looking back up the hill. | Photo by admin, 2009.Views of the magazine buildings from the side of the valley. | Photo by admin, 2009.Long set of wooden steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.Winding down the hill. | Photo by admin, 2009.Heading down the last set of rock steps before the bottom. | Photo by admin, 2009.Bottom of the Timber Getters Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Bantry Bay picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Bantry Bay picnic area wharf. | Photo by admin, 2009.The Bay Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.View of the magazine buildings. | Photo by admin, 2009.Following the Bushtrack. | Photo by admin, 2009.The Bay Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Following the Bay Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Heading up the rocky hill. | Photo by admin, 2009.Looking down the valley towards the Bay. | Photo by admin, 2009.Rock steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.View from the Bluff Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2009.
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.
Turn on to Military Road Offramp, A8 then drive for 6.8 km
Turn left and drive for another 255 m
At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Frenchs Forest Road and drive for another 2.6 km
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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.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
There is a toilet (about 65 m back from the start).
Seaforth Oval (about 7 m back from the start).
Seaforth Oval
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.
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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.
There is a car park (about 5 m back from the start).
Find the sign at the start.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Engraving Track & Timbergetters Track) veer left, to head along Timbergetters Track.
After another 55 m pass the sign.
After another 2 m continue straight, to head along Timbergetters Track.
After another 340 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 345 m come to the viewpoint.
Then head down the steps (about 35 m long)
After another 6 m continue straight, to head along The Bay Track.
Then find the "Bantry Bay Picnic Area" (10 m on your left).
Bantry Bay Picnic Area
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.
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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 690 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 920 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 95 m come to the viewpoint.
Then find the "Bluff Lookout" (5 m on your right).
Bluff Lookout
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.
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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 35 m come to a sign.
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.6 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
5.2 km
Time
2 h 30 min to 3 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
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 are 2 on route, on average they are 1.7 km apart with the largest gap of 4.3 km.
Bushwalk
2 h 30 min to 3 h
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.7 km apart with the largest gap of 4.3 km.
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Seaforth Oval (about 7 m back from the start).
There is a car park (about 5 m back from the start).
Find the sign at the start.
After another 340 m come to the viewpoint.
Then head down the steps (about 35 m long)
