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.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (4 km²)
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 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (4 km²)
- 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 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (4 km²) · 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 (6.2 mi) from the CBD.A real river-valley bushwalk inside Sydney: eucalypt forest, casuarina and saltmarsh 6.2 mi (10 km) from the CBD.
- The main river track is part of the 250 km (155 mi) 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 (250 km) 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
- 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
| 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
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
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
| 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
- 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 ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the river valley from Fullers Bridge to the tourist park, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry (per car, per day) | AUD 8 (≈ US$6) | 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 (≈ US$0–6) | 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 (≈ US$14–30) | hour | 2026 estimate; single and double kayaks priced differently (check). |
| Camping or cabin at Lane Cove River Tourist Park | AUD 41–170 (≈ US$30–120) | 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
Fishing licence permit or guide
Camping or cabin booking permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$8≈ US$6
- A$20–40≈ US$14–30
- A$41–170≈ US$30–120
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service — Lane Cove National Park before you go.
Park rules
- 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
Slippery riverbank and weir edges medium
Snakes and ticks low
Heat and limited water points medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
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