Second Ponds Creek walk
Rouse Hill Regional Park
Overview
Go for a bike ride or take your dog for a walk along the short Second Ponds Creek walk in Rouse Hill Regional Park. It’s a great way to start or finish to your picnic.
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Distance
- 1km loop
- Time suggested
- 15 - 45min
- Grade
- Grade 2
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Enjoy a short brisk walk along Second Ponds Creek with your kids and dogs, or hop on your bike for an easy ride through remnant woodland past the scenic pond.
There's plenty of shade along this mostly flat walking track, so it’s a good one for a sunny day. Be sure to look and listen out for the birds along the way. You’re sure to feel energised after a little dose of nature.
The walk starts from Rouse Hill picnic area and playground. Why not take a walk before your picnic to work up a hunger?
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/second-ponds-creek-walk/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Rouse Hill Regional Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Rouse Hill Regional Park is open 8am to 6pm from May to August and 8am to 8pm from September to April. The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Second Ponds Creek walk.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1km loop
Time
15 - 45min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Flat
Steps
No steps
Quality of path
Formed track
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Second Ponds Creek walk is in Rouse Hill Regional Park, in western Sydney. To get there from Sydney:
- Exit the M7 at Old Windsor Road (which eventually becomes Windsor Road) and turn right to travel north
- At Rouse Hill, turn left into Rouse Road
- Turn right into Worcester Road entrance, then follow the road to its end at the main carpark.
- he walk begins at the playground and picnic area.
Parking
Parking is available at Rouse Hill picnic area carpark. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Best times to visit
Rouse Hill Regional Park is a great place to visit all year round. Head to the park for an early morning jog in spring, a weekend picnic in the winter sun or enjoy a day of bike riding in autumn.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 28°C
Highest recorded
41.7°C
Winter temperature
Average
4°C and 19°C
Lowest recorded
–3.9°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
250mm
Facilities
- Please take your rubbish with you when you leave the park.
- There are rainwater tanks, but it is recommended that you boil this water before drinking.
- Toilet facilities are located near the oval and at the pavilions.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- The full 1km circuit follows a flat, hard dirt track. It can be accessed by visitors in a wheelchair and those with limited mobility, with some assistance.
- Rouse Hill picnic area, where this track starts and ends, is fully accessible. There are picnic tables here, and wheelchair accessible toilets are available at the oval next to the picnic area carpark.
Medium access presents some minor difficulties, such as a grassy surface. You may require a little assistance to get around in some areas.
Permitted
Pets
You can walk your dog on-lead at this location. See other regional parks in NSW that have dog walking areas.
Prohibited
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Second Ponds Creek walk is in Rouse Hill Regional Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Beautiful venue
If you're looking for a memorable location for your wedding or special event, think about hiring the Crebra or Fibrosa Pavilions. These fabulous open pavilions sit strikingly in the landscape, allowing your guests to enjoy the surroundings while being sheltered from the elements. Every weekend Rouse Hill Regional Park is full of the sounds of families enjoying themselves riding bikes around the trails, clambering about the adventure playground, enjoying a kids' party at the barbecues and taking the dog for a walk. There's plenty of room to stretch your legs in the wide open spaces; once the paddocks of Rouse Hill House.
- Fibrosa and Crebra Pavilions Fibrosa and Crebra Pavilions are great locations for a family celebration or birthday party. Perfect for small or large gatherings, there are picnic tables and barbecues surrounded by green space.
- Rouse Hill picnic area and playground Dog-friendly Rouse Hill Regional Park is a great day out – enjoy a barbecue, walk or bike ride and let the kids explore the playground. It’s great for a birthday party.
Woodland surrounds
Angophora species such as broad-leaved apple trees and eucalypt varieties like grey box and forest red gum are prevalent throughout Cumberland Plain woodland, supported by Rouse Hill Regional Park. Other endangered ecological communities found in the area include shale sandstone transition forest and Sydney coastal river-flat forest. Rouse Hill Regional Park is also a significant home to local endangered microbats, such as the fishing bat.
- Second Ponds Creek walk Go for a bike ride or take your dog for a walk along the short Second Ponds Creek walk in Rouse Hill Regional Park. It’s a great way to start or finish to your picnic.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.
-
Tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
Found throughout Australia, the tawny frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl due to its wide, powerful beak, large head and nocturnal hunting habits. The ‘oom oom oom’ call of this native bird can be heard echoing throughout a range of habitats including heath, woodlands and urban areas.
-
Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)
The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.