Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail

Garigal National Park

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Overview

Located in Garigal National Park, Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail is an easy walk that you can enjoy by walking, horse riding or mountain biking.

Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Distance
2.6km one-way
Time suggested
27min - 1hr
Grade
Grade 3
Entry fees

Park entry fees apply at Davidson Park only

What to
bring
Sunscreen, hat, drinking water, gps, topographic map
Please note
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching

Garigal National Park is blessed with an extensive network of tracks and trails that can be enjoyed by walking, by mountain biking, or by horse riding. Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail is one of several tracks located on Middle Harbour Creek, near Chatswood. Perfect for a Sunday stroll, this track joins Cascades trail with Pipeline and Bungaroo tracks, and Davidson Park to Stepping Stone Crossing. Be sure to check out these other tracks so you can plan your adventure.

This gently undulating trail follows creek banks lined with diverse wet eucalypt forest, including blackbutt, swamp she-oak, angophoras and black wattle, until it reaches a gorgeous series of rockpools known as 'Cascades'.

At Cascades, you’ll see remnants of a sandstone wall that was built in 1928 to dam the first pool. While swimming is not recommended here today due to urban run-off, it’s a lovely spot to take in an abundance of wildlife and enjoy birdwatching. Look out for azure kingfishers, cockatoos, kookaburras, parrots and owls. In the water, you may spot water dragons and other reptiles, as well as several saltwater fish species.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/stepping-stone-crossing-to-cascades-trail/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

  • in Garigal National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Garigal National Park is open 6am to 6.30pm (8pm during daylight savings) but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day applies only at Davidson Park only. Day passes are available from on-park pay machines that accept coins and credit cards, and you can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.

    Bus: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day).

    Daily entry fee exemption for teachers and educational supervisors (1 adult per 10 children) applies only for organised and pre-arranged group bookings.

    Buy annual pass (//pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/).
See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

2.6km one-way

Time

27min - 1hr

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

Some bushwalking experience recommended

Gradient

Gentle hills: The walk has short, steep inclines, including places where you'll need to climb up or down rock shelves.

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles: The walk is 1m-wide and a mix of hard-packed ground, soft sand and rock.

Steps

Occasional steps: There are 33 built steps on this walk, along with many natural rock steps that are scattered all the way along the track.

Other barriers

Gates: There are no gates along the walk itself, but all the access trails that lead to the start of this walk have vehicle gates. Some of these gates only have narrow gaps for pedestrians to get around them.

Pinch points: The track narrows at points where it goes between trees and rocks.

Other barriers:

  • There are many points along the walk where there are protruding tree roots or old trees across the track that you'll need to climb over. 
  • There are 3 water crossings, 2 that appear after rain and one that's permanent.
  • To get to the start of the track, you'll need to walk along access trails for at least 1.5km and up to 3km, depending on where you park.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail is in the central precinct of Garigal National Park. To get there:

    • From Belrose: From the end of Rawson Parade, take the road past the large repeater tower (right) and house (left) to the signposted 'Heath trail' intersection (to the right), then take Heath track, Bare Creek track and Cascades trail for approximately 3.7km to Cascades.
    • From St Ives: From Douglas Street near Acron Oval, take Cascades trail for approximately 1.3km to Cascades at Middle Harbour Creek.
    • From St Ives: Enter Pipeline trail from Hunter Avenue, turn left and walk approximately 300m to the signposted start of Bungaroo track on the left, then take Bungaroo track to Stepping Stone Crossing over Middle Harbour Creek to Middle Harbour Creek track.
    • From Davidson: From Stone Parade, take Cascades trail for approximately 1.5km to Cascades at Middle Harbour Creek.
    • From Davidson: From John Oxley Drive, take Davidson trail to Governor Phillip walk, turn right and walk for approximately 500m to Stepping Stone Crossing to join Middle Harbour Creek track.
    • From Forestville: From Davidson Park, take Lyrebird track and Governor Phillip walk for 3.8km to Stepping Stone Crossing and Middle Harbour Creek track.

    Parking

    Street parking is available nearby along the end of Stone Parade, John Oxley Drive (Davidson) and Douglas Street or Hunter Avenue (St Ives). There's also street parking at Ferguson Street, Forestville.

    It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Garigal National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

    Spring

    Spot wildflowers turning the undergrowth into a painter's palette along the Cascades trail during late winter and early spring.

    Summer

    Davidson Park is a popular place for a family picnic or barbecue, so pack up the kids and a tasty lunch to enjoy some time in the great outdoors.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    18°C and 26°C

    Highest recorded

    44°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    10°C and 16°C

    Lowest recorded

    -1.7°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    March

    Driest month

    September

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    290mm

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    Bushwalking safety

    If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    River and lake safety

    The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

    Accessibility

    Disability access level - no wheelchair access

    Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail is a 1m-wide walk that's a mixture of hard-packed ground, soft sand and rock.

    The walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams and may be challenging for people with reduced mobility:

    • There are short, steep inclines, including places where you'll need to climb up or down rock shelves.
    • There are 33 built steps and many natural rock steps
    • There are protruding tree roots and old trees across the track that you'll need to climb over
    • There are 3 water crossings, 2 that appear after rain and one that's permanent.
    • The track narrows at points where it goes between trees and rocks

    To get to the start of the track, you'll need to walk along access trails for at least 1.5km, depending on where you park. All access trails have gates, some with only narrow gaps for pedestrians to get around them.

    Check the weather before you set out as the access trails and the track can become boggy when it rains.

    Prohibited

    Cycling

    Cycling is not permitted on this track.

    Gathering firewood

    Gathering firewood and the use of heat beads is not permitted.

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

    Learn more

    Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail is in Garigal National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Outdoor action

    Davidson picnic area, Garigal National Park. Photo: Shaun Sursok

    There are countless ways to pass the time in Garigal. Explore the park's trails and tracks on horseback, mountain bike or on foot. If you enjoy water activities, launch your canoe or boat from the ramp at Davidson Park or drop a line in one of the great fishing spots throughout the park, like Middle Harbour, where you can catch flathead, flounder, mullet and bream.

    • Cascades trail Cascades trail is ideal for walking, horseriding and mountain biking in Garigal National Park. A medium difficulty walk or ride along a fire trail, it traverses Middle Harbour creek.
    • Davidson Park picnic area and boat ramp If you're looking for something to do in Sydney, Davidson Park is a pretty harbourside park with boating and canoeing access, just a short drive from the Sydney CBD.
    • Natural Bridge track to Davidson Park This challenging walking track winds through Garigal National Park, and features impressive sandstone rock formations and spectacular water views.

    Rich Aboriginal heritage

    Cascade trail, Garigal National Park. Photo: Kim McClymont

    Aboriginal people have been custodians of the land in Garigal National Park for thousands of years and this connection and legacy is evident throughout the park. Garigal has extensive Aboriginal art sites, with over 100 Aboriginal sites recorded to date, including cave art, rock engravings, shelters, middens and grinding grooves.

    Wartime stories

    Pipeline and Bungaroo tracks to Stepping Stones trail, Garigal National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    There are many places of historical interest in the park, such as Bungaroo and the former Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine complex. Both sites played a key role in the early establishment of Sydney and are important reminders of our history since colonisation. Enjoy a walk to Bantry Bay, where you'll see a collection of historically important buildings surrounded by stunning foreshore and bushland views.

    Wildlife haven

    Silver banksia (Banksia marginata), Garigal National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Garigal is part of an important wildlife corridor that spans all the way from Sydney Harbour to the national parks of the Blue Mountains. It's the natural habitat for a number of threatened native animal species, such as tiger quolls, broad-headed snakes and red-crowned toadlets, so keep your eyes peeled. If you see a hole in the ground it may be that of the endangered southern brown bandicoot.

    • Cascades trail Cascades trail is ideal for walking, horseriding and mountain biking in Garigal National Park. A medium difficulty walk or ride along a fire trail, it traverses Middle Harbour creek.
    • Hawkesbury to harbour walk: Stage 3 Join this great 7hr, 14km guided walk and explore Garigal National Park in northern Sydney. It's the third walk in a series of 5 walks.
    • Hawkesbury to harbour walk: Stage 4 Explore the sights of Garigal National Park by joining this 7.5hr, 16km guided walk on the Sydney's lower north shore.
    • Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail Located in Garigal National Park, Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail is an easy walk that you can enjoy by walking, horse riding or mountain biking.

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Eastern water dragon. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

      Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii)

      The eastern water dragon is a subaquatic lizard found in healthy waterways along eastern NSW, from Nowra to halfway up the Cape York Pensinsula. It’s believed to be one of the oldest of Australian reptiles, remaining virtually unchanged for over 20 million years.

    Plants

    •  Grey mangrove, Towra Point Nature Reserve. Photo: John Spencer

      Grey mangrove (Avicennia marina)

      Grey mangrove is the most common and widespread mangrove found within intertidal zones across Australia, and throughout the world. Growing to a height of 3-10m, they thrive best in estuaries with a mix of fresh and salt water. They excrete excess salt through their long thick leaves, and absorb oxygen through their aerial root system.

    • Old man banksia, Moreton National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

      Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)

      Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.

    • Grass trees, Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

      Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)

      An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.

    • A red triangle slug on the trunk of a scribbly gum tree in Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Elinor Sheargold/OEH

      Scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma)

      Easily identifiable Australian native plants, scribbly gum trees are found throughout NSW coastal plains and hills in the Sydney region. The most distinctive features of this eucalypt are the ‘scribbles’ made by moth larva as it tunnels between the layers of bark.

    Environments in this park

    Education resources (1)