Sunday 17 March, 9am – 12 noon
Track Length
Approximately two kilometres return.
Track Grade
Easy to medium – bush track with stepping stones, steep steps and tree roots to negotiate. Sturdy shoes essential.
Ferndale Park in West Chatswood, a designated Wildlife Protected Area, is one of the best examples of Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest in the Lane Cove River catchment. Tall trees such as Blackbutt, Sydney Blue Gum, Turpentine and Angophora frame the creek-side forests of Coachwood and Lillypilly and provide protection for the 24 fern species which give the park its name. How many will we be able to identify? The high tree canopy, mid-storey and creeks provide habitat for birds, reptiles, frogs and mammals. On a recent visit we saw two Powerful Owls high up in a tall tree. If we walk quietly we may be lucky enough to see a variety of wildlife.
This will be a return walk commencing at the Ferndale Park entrance in Dalrymple Avenue, following Swaines Creek gently downhill through cool, green, ferny forest with tall trees higher on the slopes. Nearing Lane Cove River the bush opens out into a patch of dryer, more open, Coastal Sandstone Foreshore Forest with a ground cover of ferns, rushes and grasses. On the walk, you will learn about the bush, the resident wildlife and the history of the area.
At the O M Reid Memorial Park, our turn around point, we can enjoy a rest, a snack and chat. Toilets are available here. We will return to Dalrymple Avenue along the same track – always different from the opposite direction.
