The Cambourne Loop

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Cambourne Avenue & Upper Cambourne Track (-33.7237688,151.1824381)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Mona Vale Road, A3 Turn on to Douglas Street then drive for 1.4 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Upper Cambourne Track' arrow through the metal gate and along the management trail. After crossing the creek, the walk continues up and along to the intersection with the Douglass Street East service trail (at the track marker).
From the intersection, the walk follows the service trail along the side of the hill with the ground sloping up to the right. The trail then zigzags all the way down to the intersection with the Cascades service trail, marked with an 'Upper Cambourne Track' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Cambourne Avenue & Upper Cambourne Track Start heading along Upper Cambourne Track (a walking track).
	After another 160 m continue straight, to head along Upper Cambourne Track.
	After another 400 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Upper Cambourne Track) turn left, to head along Cascades Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 65 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Lower Cambourne Track) turn left, to head along Lower Cambourne Track. After another 1.3 km find the "Lower Cambourne waterhole" (25 m on your right). Lower Cambourne waterhole This unnamed waterhole and cascade is on Middle Harbour Creek, just below its junction with Bare Creek in Garigal National Park. The waterhole accessed by a short track from the Lower Cambourne track. There is a large rock platform, and a waterhole with a small waterfall flowing into it. This can be a great spot to relax and enjoy the local area, if you sit quietly enough you may see a Water Dragon.
	After another 130 m (at the intersection of Bare Creek Trail & Lower Cambourne Track) turn right, to head along Bare Creek Trail. After another 1 km cross the ford (about 15 m long)
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to The Cascades. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 105 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Bare Creek Trail) turn sharp right, to head along Cascades Trail.
	After another 500 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Lower Cambourne Track) continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail.
	After another 65 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Upper Cambourne Track) turn right, to head along Upper Cambourne Track (a walking track).
	After another 400 m continue straight, to head along Upper Cambourne Track.
	After another 160 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to The Cascades.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Cascades Trail & Bare Creek Trail Start heading along Cascades Trail (a vehicle track). After another 115 m cross the ford (about 15 m long)
	After another 180 m (at the intersection of Middle Harbour Track & Cascades Trail) turn around, to head along Cascades Trail. After another 6 m come to "The Cascades". The Cascades The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 315 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Cambourne Loop

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	4.3 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 2 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Lower Cambourne waterhole
This unnamed waterhole and cascade is on Middle Harbour Creek, just below its junction with Bare Creek in Garigal National Park. The waterhole accessed by a short track from the Lower Cambourne track. There is a large rock platform, and a waterhole with a small waterfall flowing into it. This can be a great spot to relax and enjoy the local area, if you sit quietly enough you may see a Water Dragon.

The Cascades
The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Terrey Hills Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Sunday 8 September
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Light winds.
  
  Monday 9 September
  
  12°C → 23°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then tending west to southwesterly in the middle of the day.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:30am to 2:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 5 [Moderate]
  
  Tuesday 10 September
  
  11°C → 21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds.
  
  Wednesday 11 September
  
  11°C → 24°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny day. Slight chance of a shower in the evening. Light winds.
  
  Thursday 12 September
  
  14°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Friday 13 September
  
  12°C → 17°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Saturday 14 September
  
  11°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely later in the day. Light winds becoming southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Sunday 15 September
  
  11°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Garigal National Park alerts
  Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between 1 August 2024 and 31 January 2025 in Garigal National Park. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Forestville 9451 3479 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  Closed areas: Flat Rock track partial closure
  The section of Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance to the Downpatrick Street entrance, is permanently closed as the old track passes through private property near Killarney Point.
  Please note:
  
  Walkers heading west should exit Flat Rock track at the eastern end of Killarney Drive and use Killarney Drive until you reach Downpatrick Street. Then walk down the street and re-enter Flat Rock track from the Downpatrick Street fire trail.
  
  Walkers heading east should exit Flat Rock track at the Downpatrick Street fire trail and use Downpatrick Street, then Killarney Drive until you reach the end of Killarney Drive. Re-enter Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance.
  
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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