Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are rediscovering and raving about this hidden gem in Belrose, comprising a 4.5km scenic trail alongside the picturesque Frenchs Creek Track.
Located inside the Garigal National Park, the exciting trail is situated some 30 minutes away from Sydney CBD by car or 10 minutes from Frenchs Forest. It ends in a beautiful cascading waterfall, also found within the massive park.
First-time visitors to the site will find the beginning of their track along a sealed area after a private residence on Wanniti Rd in Belrose by following the red ribbon marks. There is no car park in the area but there is a sign leading to a downhill walk.
After a few minutes, hikers will see the top area of the Cascades waterfalls. Pushing ahead of this hidden gem for 15 minutes or so, then hikers will hear the next body of water’s section.
The centre of the Cascades is located on a large rock platform on the creek. It makes for a great spot when resting for the hike.
Not everyone, however, will see the full beauty of the multi-tiered falls, per the Australian Waterfalls. Runners and hikers who frequent the site said the view around the walking track is a lot better during the winter months, especially after rain than during the dry summer months because the falls will not be flowing with water.
The track is pretty narrow, rocky, and steep so hikers are advised to take extra caution and wear the most appropriate walking shoes. There are also no toilets in the area so plan your walk accordingly.
Located within the North Shore and Forest District of Sydney is Belrose’s Garigal National Park—a protected park that is ideal for several outdoor activities or quick getaway trips with family and friends.
If you are planning on having a picnic or maybe a short trip for fishing and bushwalking, but still haven’t decided where to go, here is a list of reasons why Garigal National Park is the place you must visit.
Garigal National Park serves as a natural habitat for a number of native and threatened animal species. Given the parks massive size that spans all the way from Sydney Harbour to Blue Mountains, it is no wonder that Garigal has a rich biological diversity of animals.
If you stay at the park for quite a while, you will definitely get to see animal species that are no longer sighted nor inhabit urban areas. Included amongst the animals you might encounter at the park are tiger quolls, broad-headed snakes, red-crowned toadlets, giant burrowing frog,swamp wallabies, echidna, southern brown Bandicoot, Rosenberg’s goanna, the powerful owl, the barking owl, and more.
Birds are also abundant at Garigal National Park, with birdwatchers to be on the lookout for lorikeets, sulfur-crested cockatoos, glossy black cockatoos, wrens, finches, firetails, king parrots, rosellas, lorikeets, honeyeaters, laughing kookaburras, and Azure kingfishers
Bungaroo and former Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine complex are just two of the many places of historical interest that can be found at Garigal National Park. These two sites are more popular than other historical sites found at the park mainly because they serve a great role in the early establishment of Sydney. They also act as important reminders of the rich history of Sydney since colonisation.
Rich Aboriginal Heritage
Photo credit: Clytemnestra/ Wikimedia Commons
For thousands of years, the Guringai people have been the traditional custodians of the land that is now reserved as Garigal National Park. At present, evidence from the past is very much evident throughout the park.
There are over 100 Aboriginal sites, recorded to date, that are only found at Garigal. These sites display the past Aboriginal activities that took place in the area, which include shelters, cave art, rock engravings, middens, grinding grooves, and a few stone arrangements.
Thinking of ways to pass the time whilst you are at Garigal National Park? No need to think further because there are countless activities that you may freely do and enjoy at the park.
Explore the trails and tracks of Garigal by riding horses, mountain bike, or simply on foot. Get to enjoy water activities such as canoeing or boat riding from the ramp at Davidson Park. Fishing is also great at Garigal National Park especially at the Middle Harbour where you can catch flathead, flounder, mullet and bream.
Abundance of Rare Plants
Photo credit: Geoff Derrin/ Wikimedia Commons
Similar to the abundance of rare animals species that inhibit Garigal, rare plants and wildflowers also crop up along the tracks and throughout the park. Indeed, both fauna and flora are opulent at Garigal National Park.
Some of the rare plant species found at the park include: Tetratheca glandulosa, Genoplesium baueri, and Melaleuca deanei. All these plants are listed as endangered and vulnerable to extinction in New South Wales.
