Starting from the car park at the end of Excelsior Ave, Castle Hill, this return walk takes you on a stroll in the Bidjigal Reserve via the Platypus Track. This walk is a gem for families with children as it is relatively undemanding and its location is convenient. You can have a short, tranquil walk through the forest and along the stream and get away from the urban crowdedness for a while. It is best to visit the area during springtime as the wildflowers bloom and the diversity of the flora through the walk becomes clearer. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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 Windsor Road Offramp then drive for 330 m
Keep right onto Windsor Road Offramp and drive for another 130 m
Continue onto Windsor Road and drive for another 850 m
Turn right onto Old Northern Road and drive for another 2.3 km
Turn right onto Excelsior Avenue and drive for another 1.1 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the end of Excelsior Avenue, head towards the grey metal gate (should be open) along the paved path. Pass through the gap between the said gate and the white metal poles that have a chain between them. Head along the dirt track for about 80 metres, then turn right at the 3-way intersection. Keep left as you come to another intersection in 10 metres to continue along the Platypus Track (counterclockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Excelsior Avenue Start (a walking track).
Find the car park at the start.
Find the toilet at the start. This toilet is male and female.
After another 40 m (from the Platypus Track) turn sharp right, to head along Platypus Track.
After another 20 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track.
Keep left.
After another 650 m (from the Platypus Track) veer right, to head along Platypus Track.
After another 65 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track.
The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Candowie Crescent. Details below.
After another 115 m (from the Platypus Track) turn left, to head along Platypus Track.
After another 40 m (from the Platypus Track) turn sharp left, to head along Platypus Track.
After another 15 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track.
After another 490 m (from the Platypus Track) veer left.
After another 10 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track.
After another 195 m (from the Platypus Track) veer right, to head along Platypus Track.
After another 40 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
After another 370 m pass the sign (4 m on your left).
After another 4 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight.
Continue another 75 m to find from the Excelsior Avenue at the end.
An alternate access point from/to Candowie Crescent.
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Platypus Track Start (a walking track).
After another 160 m turn right.
Continue another 190 m to find at the intersection of Candowie Crescent & Karabil Crescent at the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Platypus Track
Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length
2.2 km
Time
40 min to 1 h
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Bushwalk
40 min to 1 h
Toilet: There is one 35 m from the start.
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Find the car park at the start.
After another 20 m (from the Platypus Track) continue straight, to head along Platypus Track.
After another 40 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
After another 370 m pass the sign (4 m on your left).
