Hike at a Glance

Australia > New South Wales > Garigal National Park

Quick overview: Experience the beauty of Garigal National Park on a challenging 5.5km return hike, starting and ending at Seaforth Oval, New South Wales. This Grade 4 trail promises an enjoyable adventure with steep climbs, rock scrambling and stunning views across Middle Harbour from the Bluff Lookout. Traverse the Timbergetters Track, delight in waterfront picnics at Bantry Bay and navigate through lush bush, muddy stretches and rocky terrains. For added excitement and a touch more distance, consider a circuit return via Gahnia and Engravings Tracks.

Length:

5.5km

Duration:

3 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Return

Max elevation: 118m

Min elevation: 16m

Total Ascent: 324m

Start: Seaforth Oval

End: Seaforth Oval

Garigal National Park

New South Wales

Nearby town: Seaforth

From state capital: 14.3km

Latitude: -33.78196081

Longitude: 151.2371733784676

4 Reviews

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Hike overview

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.

The climb to the Bluff Lookout is steep and involves some rock scrambling but the views at the top are well worth the effort. This is an excellent trail through Garigal National Park in Northern Sydney, New South Wales.

Timbergetters Track features a considerable number of stairs and a few muddy stretches, but it offers a delightful stroll through the lush bush. On the other hand, The Bay Track is notably muddy, with rocky sections interspersed throughout, yet it also boasts some picturesque areas.

For a slightly longer hike, and change of scenery, you can also create a circuit by returning to the trail head via Gahnia and Engravings Tracks. This variation adds approximately 500m to the overall length.

Track grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Walk map and GPX file
Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout Walk (5.5km)

Total distance: 5659 m
Max elevation: 118 m
Min elevation: 16 m
Total climbing: 324 m
Total descent: -324 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Explore safely

Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Planning checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Garigal National Park.

This walk starts at Seaforth Oval, Wakehurst Parkway, Seaforth. To get there, make your way to Warringah Road, Frenchs Forest. At Blackpitt Reserve head south into Wakehurst Parkway. Turn right into Seaforth Oval (opposite Burnt Street).

It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited. Parking is available at Seaforth Oval, Wakehurst Parkway, Seaforth, and on Gratton Crescent if you start the walk at Forestville.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find Accommodation

Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Allambie Heights, Belrose, Davidson, Forestville, Frenchs Forest, Lindfield, Manly, Manly Vale, Narraweena, North Manly, North Turramurra, Northbridge, Round Corner, St Ives, Terrey Hills, The Entrance, Wahroonga, West Pymble

About the region

Explore the scenery of Garigal National Park by bike, horse or canoe. It's so close to Sydney making it perfect for a school excursion, and the opportunities for fishing, picnicking and bushwalking are limitless.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Garigal National Park. Just a short drive from Sydney's CBD, its impressive sandstone country offers great water and bush views, waterfalls and several significant Aboriginal sites and historic places. It's the ideal escape for a daytrip or picnic.

Garigal is home to a remarkable array of animals and plants, including the threatened southern brown bandicoot and protects thousands of years of heritage. You can retrace Governor Phillip's steps along the heritage walk to Bungaroo, where he camped for two nights on his first expedition in 1788.

Discover Garigal on foot along the extensive walking track system or ride your mountain bike on one of the challenging fire trails. The park is also great for boating, canoeing and fishing along tranquil Middle Harbour Creek.

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Trail Features (select all that apply)Aboriginal ArtAlpine HutsAlpine RegionBeach & CoastalBicycle TrailConcrete PathDog FriendlyDrinking WaterExposed LedgesFishing SpotsGoldfields & MiningGorgesGravel PathHeritageHorse RidingLakesLighthouseManual WheelchairMotorised WheelchairMountain Bike TrailOff TrailOvernight CampsitesPrams & StrollersRail TrailRainforestRiver CrossingsRiversRock ScramblingRough TrailSandy TrailScenic ViewpointsSteep TerrainSwimming SpotsTimber BoardwalkTrail RunningUndefined TrailUntreated WaterUrbanWaterfallsWell Marked Trail

Access Conditions (select all that apply)2WD Access4WD AccessAccessible ParkingAccessible ToiletBBQ FacilitiesBitumen RoadCampfire PitCamping AreaDrinking WaterEntry FeeGravel RoadLarge Car ParkPicnic ShelterPicnic TablePublic ToiletsPublic TransportSmall Car ParkSpeed BumpsSteep RoadUntreated WaterVehicle FordWinding Road

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Reviews
Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout Walk (5.5km)

4 Reviews on “Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout Walk (5.5km)”

Overall rating

Trail Hiking Australia

Mud, mud, muddy then a some rock scrambling. What fun.

16/10/2023, 17:46

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Acknowledgement of Country

Seaforth oval to the bluff lookout walk (5. 5km) trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Track grade

Walk map and GPX file
Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout Walk (5.5km)

Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout Walk (5.5km)

Explore safely

Leave a trip plan

Planning checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

About the region

Similar walks nearby

Seaforth Oval to Davidson Park Hike (10km)

Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge – Bantry Bay Hike (10km)

Timber Getters Track (1.8km)

Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts Hike (6.3km)

Gallery

Suggest an edit

Reviews
Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout Walk (5.5km)

Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout Walk (5.5km)

4 Reviews on “Seaforth Oval to the Bluff Lookout Walk (5.5km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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