If you’re looking for a blend of urban and bushwalking near Sydney, the Gordon to Chatswood walk is an excellent choice. This hike offers a mix of peaceful bush tracks, a few technical challenges, and minimal road walking. Here’s my detailed hike report to help you plan your own adventure.
Gordon to Chatswood: An Urban Hike
- When: 31 January 2025
- Where: Lane Cove National Park
- Weather: Overcast humid Sydney summer’s day with a 30% chance of rain forcast. Low of 66°F (19°C) and a high of 78.8°F (25°C)
- Departure: From Gordon train station
- Length: 9.81 miles, 15.8 km
- Elevation gain: 899 ft, 274 m
- Duration: 4 hours 31 minutes moving time
Starting Point: Gordon Train Station
This walk began in the northern suburb of Gordon, about 18 km from Sydney’s CBD. At 8 am, our group of 13 set off from the train station, ready to explore the urban bushland.
After a short section of road walking along St John’s Avenue, we made our way to St John’s Trail. Almost immediately, we were immersed in bushland, following the tranquil Blackbutt Creek. Thanks to recent rainfall, the track was wet and slippery, so we took extra care as we hiked.
Entering Lane Cove National Park
Crossing Lady Game Drive, we entered Lane Cove National Park. Here, the trail followed a pipeline that supplies water from Lane Cove River to the Gordon Golf Course. One of the first challenges was climbing up to a higher rock ledge using the slippery pipeline as a step. A helpful rope and a makeshift non-slip rag tied around the pipe made this section manageable, adding a fun technical element to the hike.
Continuing along the track, we reached a junction where the Great North Walk intersects with St John’s Trail. Turning right, we encountered another challenge crossing Blackbutt Creek. Despite the slippery rocks, everyone successfully navigated the crossing with dry feet.
Walking Along the Lane Cove River
The trail then meandered along the Lane Cove River, passing scenic spots like the Blue Hole before reaching De Burgh Bridge. After a brief road crossing, we arrived at Tunks Hill Road and made our way to a picnic spot for morning tea.
Morning Tea at Tunks Hill
This picnic area has a rich history. It was once farmland purchased by Richard William Howard Tunks in 1933. Richard Tunks (9.8.1882 – 1.2.1954) was a 4th generation Australian born, direct descendant of William Tunks (a marine on the Sirius in the First Fleet) and Sarah Lyons a convict from the 2nd Fleet. Today, the only remaining structure is a stone shed built for storing pig feed, now repurposed as a picnic shelter. This historical connection added a unique touch to our break.
Continuing the Journey to Lunch as Mowbray Park
After morning tea, we retraced our steps down Tunks Hill Road and joined the Riverside Walk, hugging the Lane Cove River. Along the way, we spotted bush turkeys and Australian water dragons. Those at the front were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a wallaby darting through the bush.
A short unsigned track led us to Riverside Drive, and from there, we navigated a combination of bush trails and suburban streets. One section of the hike took us under and over the M2 Motorway, offering an unexpected mix of urban and natural scenery.
We stopped at Mowbray Park for lunch, enjoying the convenience of urban facilities, including water refills and restrooms.
The Final Stretch to Chatswood
After lunch, we continued along the Lane Cove River, joining the River Walk and then the Ferndale Walk. This section of the trail was familiar from a previous hike, offering a satisfying sense of continuity.
Reaching Chatswood, some of us celebrated the end of the walk with refreshing drinks at the local RSL Club, capping off a day of adventure with great conversation and laughter.
My Final Thoughts
This urban hike is a gem, balancing natural beauty with minimal road walking. The careful planning of our leader ensured we stayed on bush tracks as much as possible, making the experience feel far removed from the city. Highlights included wildlife sightings of bush turkeys, water dragons, and even a wallaby and the historical charm of Tunks Hill.
If you’re a fan of urban bushwalking, this trail is well worth exploring. Have you tried any great urban walks recently? Share your experiences in the comments below, I’d love to hear about them! Happy Hiking!