The Flat Rock Gully Walking Track in Willoughby on Sydney’s Lower North Shore is a family-friendly trail that winds through a pocket of scenic bushland.
The track roughly follows Flat Rock Creek between Bicentennial Reserve in Willoughby and Long Gully Bridge in Cammeray.
From the 1940s, industrial and domestic waste was dumped and burnt in the Flat Rock Gully area, a practice that ended in 1985. In the years that followed, extensive earthworks were carried out to regenerate the bushland and create walking tracks.
| Flat Rock Gully Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 2 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (some steep sections) |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
Getting There
The best place to start the walk is at the eastern end of Small Street in the suburb of Northbridge (see map).
There’s a small parking area just past the gate (which closes at 5:30 pm). If the gate is closed or the car park is full, you can try parking in nearby suburban streets or use the car park at the Willoughby Leisure Centre.
The closest bus stop is on Willoughby Road, about a 6-minute walk from the start of the track.
Map
There are several intersections in the Flat Rock Gully area, which can make it a bit tricky to stay on track.
We’ve created the map below of the full 4 km walking route, which you can download here and take with you when you do the walk.
An even better option is to download the Willoughby Walks app, developed by Willoughby City Council. This handy app offers an interactive, self-guided walking tour of the Flat Rock Gully Track, complete with a map and key highlights.
Track Notes
The Flat Rock Gully Walking Track is approximately 4 km long. It’s a relatively easy walk overall, though there are some steps and sections with uneven or slippery surfaces.
There are a few creek crossings that may be impassable after heavy rain. Dogs are welcome on the walk, provided they’re on a lead.
If you’ve parked at the end of Small Street, simply follow the trail south and look out for the signs. As mentioned earlier, we recommend downloading the Willoughby Walks app to help you stay on track and make the most of the walk.
Below, we’ll share some of the highlights with photos.
1. Wilksch Walk
The first section of the walk, from the car park to Cammeray Bridge, mostly follows the Wilksch Walk. It’s named after Eric Wilksch, a Naremburn local who played a key role in protecting the bushland of Flat Rock Gully.
The scenery along this stretch is impressive, with coachwood, water gum, and sandpaper fig trees, as well as a diverse mix of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, frogs, and mammals.
The path crosses Flat Rock Creek a couple of times, with a few small waterfalls to enjoy along the way, before arriving at Tunks Park beneath Cammeray Bridge.
2. Cammeray Bridge
Cammeray Bridge, also known as Northbridge, Suspension Bridge, or Long Gully Bridge, is a concrete arch road bridge that carries Strathallen Avenue across Flat Rock Creek and Tunks Park, connecting the suburbs of Cammeray and Northbridge.
The bridge originally opened in January 1892 as a steel suspension bridge and was rebuilt in 1939 as a reinforced concrete two-rib arch bridge, with the sandstone towers retained.
From the bridge, you’ll need to return along the same path to one of the creek crossings. However, you can take some time to explore Tunks Park before continuing the main walk.
3. Tunks Park
Tunks Park was created in the late 1930s through land reclamation. Before that, it was the area where Flat Rock Creek flowed into Long Bay.
It’s believed that the Cammeraygal people lived in this area and used the creek as a source of fresh water.
The park was named after William Tunks, the first mayor of St Leonards, who served from 1867 to 1883.
The playing fields at Tunks Park opened in the 1950s. They are an off-leash dog area when there are no organised sports taking place.
4. Fatty Dawson’s Ruins
As mentioned earlier, to continue along the main walking track, return to the previous creek crossing and then head straight at the next junction.
The trail climbs uphill for a short stretch through thriving bushland before reaching an old structure known as Fatty Dawson’s Ruins.
These ruins are the remains of a sandstone property built by Mr “Fatty” Dawson, who ran a piggery nearby in the 1870s.
The piggery was located just beyond the house ruins, below the corner of West and Dawson Streets.
5. Henry Lawson Cave
From the ruins, continue up to West Street, then turn left into Dawson Street and re-enter the bushland via the path next to the playground.
From here, the path is mostly paved all the way back to the starting point on Small Street. It follows Flat Rock Creek just south of the baseball field and oval at Hallstrom Park.
One of the highlights along this stretch is a large cave on the left-hand side of the path. The cave is named after Henry Lawson, one of Australia’s most famous writers.
Lawson was known to visit this cave to sleep, listening to the nearby Naremburn Falls. Interestingly, this waterfall no longer exists, as it was filled in during the 1930s.
6. Flat Rock Bridge
Not far from the cave are the remains of Flat Rock Bridge.
This small sandstone bridge was built in 1886 to safely carry traffic from Sydney over Flat Rock Creek into the Willoughby area.
From the bridge, turn right and follow the path north alongside Willoughby Road, behind the Bicentennial Reserve Oval in Hallstrom Park.
7. Hallstrom Park
Hallstrom Park is named after Sir Edward Hallstrom (1886–1970), owner of the Silent Knight Refrigerator Factory in Willoughby.
In 1946, Hallstrom contributed funds to improve the land for recreation and sport.
Today, Hallstrom Park is a popular spot in Willoughby, home to a large adventure playground, a sports oval, a toilet block, and a café.
From the park facilities, follow the path around the oval, past the playground and the Incinerator Café, and make your way back to your starting point via the Willoughby Leisure Centre.
