National park · Australia

Lane Cove National Park

Go for a half day, not a whole one: park at Max Allen Drive or the boatshed, walk the river track 1–2 hours, and be out before 11:00 on weekends — vehicle entry is A$8 per day, or free if you arrive on foot from North Ryde metro.Go for a half day, not a whole one: park at Max Allen Drive or the boatshed, walk the river track 1–2 hours, and be out before 11:00 AM on weekends — vehicle entry is A$8 per day, or free if you arrive on foot from North Ryde metro.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

4 km²1 sq mi

approximate

Established

1938

Best months

Mar–May, Sep–Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7

Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

At a glance

Country: Australia
Area: 4 km²1 sq mi; 372 ha of bush along the Lane Cove River, about 10 km north-west of the Sydney CBD; the park is never more than about 1 km wide except in its north-west corner.
Established: 1938
Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Permits: For some areas
Base: Sydney

Lane Cove National Park is a 372-hectare strip of eucalypt forest, casuarina woodland and saltmarsh wrapped around the Lane Cove River about 10 km north-west of the Sydney CBD, and it is the only national park you can reach from central Sydney by metro and a 15-minute walk. The river track through the middle is part of the 250 km Great North Walk, so a signed section can be walked in an hour or two and abandoned at any bridge. Almost everything a visitor does sits in the central valley between Fullers Bridge and De Burghs Bridge: picnic areas, the cafe, Jenkins Kitchen, the boatshed and the weir with its fish ladder. North of that the valley narrows and steepens toward Tunks Hill and the Pennant Hills edge, with no picnic facilities and far fewer people. The park is surrounded by suburbs on every side, so it is a half-day add-on to a Sydney stay rather than a destination in itself, and the vehicle day pass is the only cost most visitors pay.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1938.

Size and age

4 km²1 sq mi · national park since 1938

372 ha of bush along the Lane Cove River, about 10 km north-west of the Sydney CBD; the park is never more than about 1 km wide except in its north-west corner.

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Sydney.

Why go

A real river-valley bushwalk inside Sydney: eucalypt forest, casuarina and saltmarsh 10 km from the CBD.A real river-valley bushwalk inside Sydney: eucalypt forest, casuarina and saltmarsh 6.2 mi from the CBD.
The main river track is part of the 250 km Great North Walk, so you can walk a signed section and turn back whenever you like.The main river track is part of the 155 mi Great North Walk, so you can walk a signed section and turn back whenever you like.
Kayaks and rowboats at the historic boatshed, plus picnic areas and a cafe on the riverbank.
Wildlife you can actually find: eastern water dragons on the riverbank, echidnas in mild weather, tawny frogmouths and boobooks after dusk.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanCaution
FebCaution
MarBest
AprBest
MayBest
JunGo
JulGo
AugGo
SepBest
OctBest
NovGo
DecCaution

JanHot and humid; start before 8:00Hot and humid; start before 8:00 AM
FebWarm; afternoon storms
MarMild, stable; good river levels
AprDry, clear, comfortable walking
MayCool mornings, dry tracks
JunCold nights; quiet weekdays
JulColdest; crisp, clear days
AugCool and dry; wattle out
SepWarming; angophoras shed bark
OctWarm and dry; busiest weekends
NovWarm; afternoon showers
DecHoliday crowds; heat and storms

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Lane Cove National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Eastern water dragonSep–Apr · Look for black stripes and a spiny crest on riverbanks and rocks.	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes
EchidnaMar–May, Aug–Oct · Mostly nocturnal; sometimes out on mild days. Keep quiet and still.	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Southern boobook and tawny frogmouthAll year · Calls at dusk and through the night; frogmouths are often mistaken for owls.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Australian bass running upstreamAug–Nov · The fish ladder beside the weir lets them reach freshwater breeding grounds.	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	no

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Sydney CBD

Metro to North Ryde, then about 15 min on foot to the park edge; or drive via the Pacific Highway and Fullers Road.

30–45 min

Open the page →

From Chatswood

Bus to the Lane Cove area, then walk in; driving, turn off Fullers Road into Lady Game Drive.

20–30 min

From Pennant Hills and Epping

Pedestrian access from Britannia Street and Ferguson Avenue; from Epping take Epping Road and turn onto Delhi Road.

20–35 min

From Sydney trip planning

Where this park fits with the harbour, beaches and day trips.

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Lane Cove National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Central river section (Fullers Bridge to De Burghs Bridge)	Picnic areas, the cafe, Jenkins Kitchen and the flattest riverside walking.	Open with a vehicle day pass or on foot.
Boatshed reach	Kayak and rowboat hire, weir and fish ladder, riverbank wildlife.	Open; hire fees apply.
Northern rugged section	Steeper bush on the valley slopes toward Tunks Hill and the Pennant Hills edge.	Open on foot; no picnic areas.
Lane Cove River Tourist Park	Camping, cabins and glamping inside the park at Macquarie Park.	Booked guests only.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions along the river valley from Fullers Bridge to the tourist park, for orientation only.

1Fullers Bridge (main entry) · Gate≈-33.790, 151.155Map ↗
2Lane Cove Boatshed · Ranger station≈-33.792, 151.152Map ↗
3Jenkins Kitchen · Headquarters≈-33.790, 151.155Map ↗
4Lane Cove River Tourist Park · Sleep≈-33.790, 151.144Map ↗
5Tunks Hill · Viewpoint≈-33.775, 151.137Map ↗
6North Ryde metro access · Ranger station≈-33.794, 151.139Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy1–2 h one wayRiverside track (Great North Walk section)Follows the river from Fullers Bridge past the picnic areas; the park's stretch of the Great North Walk runs about 20 km one way, so turn back when you have had enough.

Boat tripsEasy1–2 hKayak or rowboat from the boatshedThe calmest water and the best wildlife views are upstream of the weir, early in the day.Booking: Hire on site; busy on weekend mornings

CultureEasy30 minJenkins KitchenAn 1856 kitchen building, one of the few surviving from that era in Sydney; open afternoons Tuesday to Sunday (check).

ViewpointsModerate1–2 hTunks Hill and the northern slopesQuieter, steeper bush away from the river; no picnic facilities.

WildlifeEasy1–2 hDawn birdwalk along the riverBest chance of water dragons, echidnas and frogmouths before the joggers arrive.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check

Fees for Lane Cove National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Vehicle entry (per car, per day)	AUD 8	vehicle	2026 estimate; collected at the boom gates on Max Allen Drive and Lady Game Drive (check current rate).
Parking at the boatshed and picnic areas	AUD 0–8	vehicle	Included in the day vehicle fee where gates apply; some street parking outside the gates is free.
Entry on foot or by bike	Free	person	No charge at pedestrian access points from North Ryde, Chatswood and Pennant Hills.
Kayak or rowboat hire at the boatshed	AUD 20–40	hour	2026 estimate; single and double kayaks priced differently (check).
Camping or cabin at Lane Cove River Tourist Park	AUD 41–170	night	2026 estimate: unpowered site from about A$41 for two, powered about A$43, studio cabin about A$148, family cabin about A$170.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Vehicle day pass permit or guide

Pay at the entry station on Max Allen Drive or Lady Game Drive; arrive on foot, by bike or by bus to skip it.

Fishing licence permit or guide

Freshwater and saltwater rules apply on the Lane Cove River under NSW recreational fishing rules; check the current licence requirement before you cast.

Camping or cabin booking permit or guide

Book the Lane Cove River Tourist Park (Plassey Road, Macquarie Park) in advance for weekends and school holidays.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Fishing: Allowed in parts of the Lane Cove River under NSW recreational fishing rules; check current restrictions and licences before fishing.
Dogs: Not allowed in the national park; leave them at home.
Fires and barbecues: Use only provided electric or gas barbecues in picnic areas; no open fires or solid-fuel stoves.
Wildlife: Do not feed or handle birds, lizards or echidnas; keep noise down near the riverbank.
Bikes: Ride only on management trails and roads where permitted; give way to walkers on shared tracks.

Where to stay

In the park

Lane Cove River Tourist Park

Campground with 206 sites for tents, camper trailers, caravans and car camping, plus cabins and a one-room glamping site; book ahead.

Near the park

Chatswood and North Ryde

Hotels and apartments 10–20 min away, with metro and bus links to the park.

Near the park

Sydney CBD

Widest choice of accommodation, 30–45 min by metro and foot.

Safety

Bushfire medium

On hot, windy days check the NSW Rural Fire Service and national parks alerts before setting out; leave immediately if you smell smoke or hear sirens.

Slippery riverbank and weir edges medium

Stay back from the weir and fish ladder; rocks are slick after rain.

Snakes and ticks low

Wear covered shoes, stay on tracks in warm months, and check for ticks after walking through long grass.

Heat and limited water points medium

Carry your own water; summer afternoons in the valley are humid and shade is patchy on the upper slopes.

Accessibility

The central picnic areas, cafe and Jenkins Kitchen are reached by sealed roads with short, mostly level paths.
The riverside track is a mix of sealed path, boardwalk and uneven dirt; the northern slopes are steep and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
North Ryde metro and Chatswood bus stops put you within a 15–25 min walk of the park edge.

Visiting lightly

Take your rubbish out; bins are limited away from the main picnic areas.
Keep to formed tracks to protect saltmarsh and riverbank vegetation.
Do not feed wildlife or leave food scraps; it changes animal behaviour and attracts rats.
Use the fish ladder viewing point from the bank rather than wading near the weir.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Lane Cove National Park?

A vehicle day pass is about A$8 per car (2026 estimate), paid at the boom gates on Max Allen Drive or Lady Game Drive. There is no charge if you arrive on foot or by bike, which is why the North Ryde metro and Chatswood bus options are popular. Kayak hire and camping are separate costs.

What are the best hikes in Lane Cove National Park?

The riverside track from Fullers Bridge is the easiest and most popular, and it forms part of the Great North Walk. For something quieter and steeper, head to the northern slopes around Tunks Hill. The park's section of the Great North Walk runs about 20 km one way, so most visitors walk an out-and-back section rather than the whole thing.

When is the best time to visit Lane Cove National Park?

March to May and September to October give mild, mostly dry walking weather. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, and weekends and school holidays fill the picnic areas and car parks by mid-morning. Winter days are cool but clear and much quieter.

Can I get to Lane Cove National Park without a car?

Yes. North Ryde metro station is about a 15-minute walk from the park edge, and buses from Chatswood station stop nearby. There are also pedestrian access points from Pennant Hills via Britannia Street and Ferguson Avenue.

Can I camp inside Lane Cove National Park?

Yes, at the Lane Cove River Tourist Park on Plassey Road, Macquarie Park. It has about 206 sites for tents, camper trailers, caravans and car camping, plus cabins and a small glamping site. Book ahead for weekends and holidays.

Is Lane Cove National Park good for kids?

Yes for short walks, picnics and boat hire on the calm river. The central picnic areas have facilities and the riverside track is mostly gentle, but the northern slopes are steep and not stroller-friendly.

Are there snakes in Lane Cove National Park?

Yes, snakes are present in warm months. Stay on formed tracks, wear covered shoes, and do not attempt to move or handle any snake you see.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go