National park · Australia
Garigal National ParkGarigal National Park (Guringai country)
Go for a half day, not a full one: walk in free at the roadside gates (Currie Road, Douglas Street, Hunter Avenue, Ralston Avenue), or drive to Davidson Park for the picnic area, boat ramp and the 6.8 km Natural Bridge track — the vehicle fee there is check; skip it for a big wilderness day and drive north to Ku-ring-gai Chase instead.Go for a half day, not a full one: walk in free at the roadside gates (Currie Road, Douglas Street, Hunter Avenue, Ralston Avenue), or drive to Davidson Park for the picnic area, boat ramp and the 4.2 mi Natural Bridge track — the vehicle fee there is check; skip it for a big wilderness day and drive north to Ku-ring-gai Chase instead.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
22 km²8 sq mi
approximate
Established
1991
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
- 22 km²8 sq mi
- About 22 km² of bushland in Sydney's northern suburbs, split into several blocks by roads and the Lane Cove River (check — area not confirmed by the sources used here).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Sydney
Garigal is a small, fragmented national park inside Sydney's northern suburbs: about 22 km² of dry eucalypt forest, sandstone ridges and mangrove-lined creeks on both sides of Middle Harbour and the Lane Cove River, reserved in 1991 mainly to protect more than 100 recorded Aboriginal sites — rock engravings, shelters, middens and grinding grooves. There is no visitor centre, no cafe, no camping and no road through it. Four of the five entry points are free and roadside-only; Davidson Park in Forestville is the single gate with a car park, a picnic area, a boat ramp and a vehicle fee. Treat it as a half-day bushwalk from the city, not a destination park, and drive north to Ku-ring-gai Chase or south to Lane Cove if you want a full wilderness day.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
22 km²8 sq mi · national park since 1991
About 22 km² of bushland in Sydney's northern suburbs, split into several blocks by roads and the Lane Cove River (check — area not confirmed by the sources used here).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Sydney.
Why go
- Bushwalking inside Sydney: Middle Harbour creek, sandstone ridges and eucalypt forest 20–30 min from the CBD.
- More than 100 recorded Aboriginal sites, including rock engravings, shelters, middens and grinding grooves.
- Free access at four of the five entry points; only Davidson Park charges.
- Links up with Ku-ring-gai Chase and Lane Cove national parks for longer, connected walks.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot and humid; start early
- FebHumid; tracks can be muddy
- MarWarm days, drier bush
- AprMild, clear, good walking
- MayCool and dry; quiet
- JunCool; a jacket is enough
- JulColdest mornings; fine by midday
- AugDry; wattle starting
- SepMild, wildflowers, dry tracks
- OctWarm and clear
- NovWarm; afternoon storms build
- DecHot and busy on weekends
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (cockatoos, kookaburras, honeyeaters, raptors over Middle Harbour)All year · Most active in the first two hours after dawn. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wallabies and bandicootsMar–May, Sep–Nov · Dusk and early morning; keep quiet and keep distance. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Snakes (including red-bellied black snakes near creeks)Oct–Mar · Warm months; stay on track and wear covered shoes. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| KoalasAll year · Listed for the park but rarely seen; do not go looking off-track. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Sydney CBD
Drive over the Harbour Bridge and the A38 (Wakehurst Parkway / Warringah Road) to Forestville or Belrose, then walk in from a roadside gate; or train to Chatswood and a local bus toward Forestville, then walk (check routes and times).
25–40 min by car (check)
Open the page →
From Chatswood
Local bus along Warringah Road toward Forestville, then walk to the Currie Road or Davidson Park gate (check routes and times).
20–30 min (check)
From Manly or the Northern Beaches
A38 south-west to the Ralston Avenue or Davidson Park entrances.
20–30 min (check)
From Sydney plan
Where this fits in a Sydney week, and the other harbour and bush parks.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson Park and the Lane Cove River | Picnic area, boat ramp, the river flats and the start of the Natural Bridge track. | Paid vehicle entry; open daylight hours. |
| Middle Harbour and Bantry Bay | The largest block: steep bush, the old Bantry Bay explosives site and the Bluff lookout above Middle Harbour. | Free; walk in from Douglas Street, Hunter Avenue or Ralston Avenue. |
| St Ives and the Cascades | The western block around Stepping Stone Crossing and the Cascades trail. | Free; walk or ride in from Currie Road or Hunter Avenue. |
| Belrose and Bare Creek | Northern block with the easier Heath and Bare Creek mountain bike trails. | Free; Ralston Avenue roadside parking. |
Sketch map
- 1Davidson Park picnic area and boat ramp · Gate≈-33.769, 151.204Map ↗
- 2Currie Road entrance, Forestville · Gate≈-33.756, 151.206Map ↗
- 3Douglas Street entrance, St Ives · Gate≈-33.744, 151.186Map ↗
- 4Ralston Avenue entrance, Belrose · Gate≈-33.717, 151.195Map ↗
- 5Stepping Stone Crossing · Trail≈-33.744, 151.186Map ↗
- 6The Bluff lookout · Viewpoint≈-33.767, 151.229Map ↗
- 7Bantry Bay (former explosives site) · Village≈-33.764, 151.222Map ↗
- 8Cascades trail · Trail≈-33.732, 151.193Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry, Davidson Park (Forestville) | Free | vehicle per day | Davidson Park is the only entry point with a car park and the only one where a fee applies; the current amount is check at the gate. 2026 estimate. |
| Entry on foot or by bike at Currie Road, Douglas Street, Hunter Avenue or Ralston Avenue | Free | person | No gate, no ticket; roadside parking only. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Mountain bike trail use no permit
Aboriginal sites no permit
Park rules
- Stay on marked tracks
- Off-track walking damages engravings, middens and grinding grooves, and the sandstone overhangs are unstable.
- Do not touch Aboriginal sites
- No chalk, paint, rubbing or climbing on engravings; report damage to the park office. Photography and access rules for individual sites are check.
- Dogs
- Dogs are not permitted in the national park, including Davidson Park (check current park rules).check
- Fires and barbecues
- No open fires; use only provided electric or gas barbecues at Davidson Park, and check total fire bans in summer (check).check
- Bikes
- Ride only on the signed mountain bike and management trails; walking tracks are for walkers.
- Closures
- Tracks close after heavy rain and during hazard reduction burns; check the park alerts page before you drive.
Where to stay
Near the park
Chatswood and Macquarie Park
Hotels and serviced apartments on the train line, 15–25 min from the Forestville gates.
Near the park
Northern Beaches (Manly, Dee Why)
Beach-side hotels and hostels east of the park, 20–30 min by car.
Near the park
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
The nearest camping, north of the park, if you want to sleep in the bush.
Safety
Bushfire high
Heat and humidity medium
Slippery sandstone and creek crossings medium
Snakes low
Patchy phone signal in the valleys low
Accessibility
- Davidson Park picnic area, the boat ramp and its toilets are reachable by car with level, sealed paths.
- The Bluff lookout and the Cascades and Natural Bridge tracks are rough, stepped and not suitable for wheelchairs or prams.
- No public transport runs into the park; the nearest bus stops are on the surrounding suburban roads.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish out; bins are limited and wildlife raids them.
- Do not feed or approach wildlife, and keep food sealed in your pack.
- Stay on formed tracks to protect the sandstone engravings and the creek banks.
- Use the Davidson Park boat ramp and paddle the Lane Cove River rather than driving between blocks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Garigal National Park?
Nothing at four of the five entry points — Currie Road, Douglas Street, Hunter Avenue and Ralston Avenue are free, with roadside parking only. Davidson Park in Forestville is the exception: it has the only car park and charges a vehicle entry fee, but the current amount is check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Garigal National Park?
For a short walk, the 2.7 km Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail (0.5–1 h one way). For a half day, the 6.8 km Natural Bridge track to Davidson Park (3–4 h one way) along Middle Harbour and Bantry Bay. The Bluff lookout at Killarney Heights is a 30–45 min return climb for a harbour view.
When is the best time to visit Garigal National Park?
Autumn (March–May) and spring (September–November) are the most comfortable: mild, mostly dry and quiet. Summer (December–February) is hot and humid, so start early and carry water. Winter is cool but fine for walking with a jacket.
Is there parking at Garigal National Park?
Only at Davidson Park in Forestville, which is also the only paid entry. The other four entrances have limited street parking in residential streets — read the signs, as some are time-limited or resident-only.
Can I get to Garigal National Park by public transport?
Not directly. There are no ferries on the Lane Cove River and no bus route into the park. Take a train to Chatswood or a bus along Warringah Road, then walk 15–30 min to the nearest gate (check routes and times).
Can I camp in Garigal National Park?
No. There is no camping and no accommodation in the park. Sleep in Chatswood, Macquarie Park or on the Northern Beaches, or camp at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to the north.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are not permitted in the national park, including Davidson Park and the picnic area (check current park rules).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks — Garigal National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — Natural Bridge track to Davidson Park
- officialNSW National Parks — Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail
- officialNSW National Parks — Cascades trail
- officialNSW National Parks — Gahnia and Serrata mountain bike trails
- officialNSW National Parks — Heath and Bare Creek trails
- officialNSW National Parks — Davidson Park picnic area and boat ramp
- secondaryWikipedia — Garigal National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Garigal National Park, revision 4836512 (CC BY-SA 4.0)