Bidjigal Reserve, Castle Hill

Fast Facts

Time: About 2 hours

Distance: 6km (but hilly!)

Off-Leash Area: None

History

Most of Bidjigal Reserve has been parkland since European settlement. While the names and boundaries have changed, over the last 250 years, this reserve is a time capsule of what much of Sydney would have looked like before colonisation. The reserve and surrounding bushland are lare enough to support a wide variety of native species, such as echidnas and swamp wallabies, so ensure your dog remains on leash to protect the wildlife.

The Walk

The trail starts behind the toilet block and buildins of the first oval. (These are on your left a few hundred metres after you enter the reserve). You will see the Platypus Track marked in blue. This descends through bushland until you ross Coachwood Creek and reach a small stone weir which marks Loch Bruce.

Shortly after Loch Bruce you will pass over a small bride, and around 750 metres later you will meet the junction of Burraga Track.

(If you’ve already had enough at this time, keep to the Platypus track by crossing the creek and heading back to the car park. If you do take this shortcut, the total walk is around an hour.)

At the junction Burraga Track, turn left onto the Burraga Track itself – marked in yellow. This climbs slowly along the fire trails, crosses Angophora Creekn adn walks the houses of West Pennant HIlls before descending to Bellbird Creek.

Burraga Track now follows Bellbird creek down to Mills Creek. Turn Right at this junction and now follow the red signs of the Murri-yanna Track.

About another kilometre along, the track crosses Mills Creek via stepping stones and you will be at another junction. Turn right, and follow the yellow trackand you will shortly cross Christmas Bush Creek. After another 200 metres, you’ll meet back up with the blue signed Platypus Track.

The Platypus Track now winds steeply up the hill, with views across the valley. Keep to the blue track and you will emerge by the playing fields of Eric Mobbs Reserve where you can head back to your car.