Epping to Eastwood Station - Lane Cove River Hike (10.2km)

The Epping to Eastwood walk via the Lane Cove River is the longer and more immersive bush route between the two stations, offering a welcome contrast to nearby suburbia. Stretching for 10.2 kilometres through Lane Cove National Park, this grade 3 hike usually takes around four hours and rewards steady walking with a series of creek crossings, shaded gullies, and some of the most peaceful river scenery in northern Sydney. Water is a constant presence on this walk, shaping the valleys you move through and providing natural places to pause along the way.

From Epping Station, leave on the Oxford Street side and follow the footpaths past the local shops, heading downhill along Oxford Street before turning left into Derby Street. At the end of the road, the route slips past a yellow gate and onto a concrete driveway that curves gently left. Just before reaching a tunnel beneath the M2, an intersection marks the transition from suburban edges into bushland.

Following the Great North Walk signage, the track passes through the tunnel and immediately begins to feel more secluded. Dense vegetation closes in as the path winds through a gully, skirting a fenced sewage vent before reaching the sign that marks entry into Lane Cove National Park. Soon after, a signposted junction leads you left toward Whale Rock, where the trail narrows and follows Devlins Creek deeper into the valley.

The path eventually broadens again near the Cheltenham service trail before continuing toward Big Ducky Waterhole. This quiet bend in the creek is a natural place to stop, with a rock overhang providing shelter and good birdwatching opportunities. Sadly, rubbish can sometimes be an issue here, and even carrying out a small amount makes a difference. From the waterhole, the track continues through the valley toward Whale Rock, a large boulder whose shape and markings resemble a whale resting among the trees. It is an easy place to linger, explore, and take a short break.

Beyond Whale Rock, the route follows service trails through the valley, crossing small concrete creek crossings and gradually approaching the Pennant Hills area. After descending a short, steep hill, the track reaches a causeway crossing of the Lane Cove River before climbing gently again along wide management trails. The walking here is generally straightforward, with the river often visible to your right and tall forest surrounding the path. Power lines briefly cut across the landscape, offering an open outlook over the river below before the track reaches Browns Waterhole.

Browns Waterhole is a broad, shallow section of the river below a concrete weir and is another highlight of the walk. A shared cycle and footpath crosses the top of the weir, and on the western side there is a picnic table and small clearing overlooking the water. After rain, the causeway can be slippery or impassable, so care is needed. Leaving the waterhole, the walk heads uphill on a concrete trail toward Terry’s Creek Walking Track.

The character of the walk changes again as the route follows Terry’s Creek through dense bush, metal walkways, wooden steps, and shaded gullies. The track weaves under the M2 and continues through a network of bush paths, repeatedly crossing creeks and passing sewage access points that serve as practical navigation markers. Although there are many junctions, clear signage for Eastwood Station keeps the route easy to follow.

A short side trip leads to Terry’s Creek Waterfall, a small but pleasant cascade tucked into a fern filled gully. It is well worth the brief detour and makes a calm place to rest before returning to the main track. From the waterfall, the walk continues upstream through more open forest, crossing Terry’s Creek and gradually transitioning back toward parkland.

The final section passes through Forrester Park and along nearby streets, briefly returning to suburbia. After crossing Terry’s Creek again, the route follows Vimiera Road, then Balaclava Road and Blaxland Road, before turning into Ethel Street. Eastwood Railway Station appears at the end of the road, marking the conclusion of a walk that feels surprisingly remote for much of its length.

This route suits walkers looking for a longer day out with plenty of variation, reliable shade, and frequent access to water. While navigation requires attention at times, the well signed tracks and changing landscapes make this a rewarding way to travel between Epping and Eastwood on foot.