STEVENSON CREEKWhat You Will See: Beautiful creek valleys, sandstone shelters and some sandstone heath land. This walk is one of the more challenging walks in the Hills Shire.

Distance: 3.35 kilometres

Grade: Moderate. Some steep sections and three creek crossings on stepping stones

Time: Two hours

Facilities: Toilets at Ted Horwood Reserve

Track Status: Rough bush tracks and paved paths

Starting Point: Corner of Willow Drive and Cook Street, Baulkham Hills. Park in Willow Drive.

Safety InformationThis is a general safety guide for participants undertaking suggested self-guided bush walks.Walking in council reserves and other bush locations provides a great opportunity for relaxation and the exploration of local environs. However, its important to always be prepared.

Plan your walk• Research your walk and check everyone is comfortable

with the planned route • Walk in groups – in an emergency one of you might

need to wait with the injured person while the other gets help.

• Checkthedifficulty.Somewalksincludesteepterrain.Ifyou’reunsureofthedifficulty,contactcouncil.

• Check weather forecasts and reserve conditions and be aware that weather conditions can change, especiallyduringthelongfireseason.

• Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) - http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/

• Rural Fire Service Map - https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

Tell somebody• Give route details to your friends and family. Tell them

about any medical conditions and when to expect you back, and check in with them when you return.

Stay on track• Walking tracks are not always signposted or

maintained, so please take care.• To protect our landscapes for future generations,

please ensure that native plant and animal habitat and heritage sites are not disturbed.

What to bring• For longer walks take plenty of water, snacks and a

basicfirstaidkit.• Wear or take appropriate clothing and closed-toe

footwear and consider the need for a waterproof jacket and sun protection.

• Take a copy of the topographic map and compass and beconfidentwithhowtousethem.

FAC

TSHEET

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0555

TED HORWOOD RESERVE

DisclaimerThe Hills Shire Council has taken all reasonable care in providing walk descriptions and related information however does not provide any guarantee as to the completeness or currency of the spatial and textual information that has been generated in this document. The use of the information provided herein is entirely at the user’s risk and The Hills Shire Council accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury, damage, mishap or inconvenience sustained by anyone relying on the information contained within this document.The geographical information provided for the walk route is a suggestion only and it is the responsibility of each person undertaking the bush walk to assess for themselves the best and safest way to proceed through the walk. Each individual must exercise their own independent judgment as to whether the walk routes suggested by The Hills Shire Council are safe for the walker having regard to their fitness, training, skill, age and experience.All outdoor activities involve some risk of death or injury such as bush fires, snake bites, ankle sprains, heat exhaustion (as some examples only) and users of these maps and bushwalking routes must be aware of such risks in carrying out a bushwalk and each individual bears their own responsibility for the potential risks.

• Consider bringing a mosquito spray or spray your clothes prior to the walk.

Report • Report any fallen trees or other obstacles and any

pollution events in creeks and ponds.

Dogs• Dogs must be on a leash at all times when walking in

reserves and bushland areas. Direction and Points of Interest:

1. From Willow Drive turn left and walk down Cook Street for about 170 metres to a small clearing beside Stevenson Creek.

2. Follow the path which goes into the bush at the end of the clearing. This path follows the creek for about 280 metres through a narrow valley where tall Angophoras, Blackbutts and tree ferns grow.

3. The path then crosses the creek on stepping stones. Follow the path up the hill until a track appears on the left. Steps on this track lead back into the valley. This detour is necessary to bypass a very steep and narrow gorge on the creek.

4. Back at the creek the path follows the right hand side. Almost immediately there is a large sandstone shelter on the right. This is one of several in the area which have been surveyed by archaeologists for evidence of habitation.

5. At the end of the valley the path crosses the creek and it is then a short walk to Darling Mills Creek and the concrete supports for the M2 motorway. Darling Mills Creek is one of the tributaries of the Parramatta River. Turn left and walk up Darling Mills Creek through coachwood woodland to the Renown Road Bridge.

6. Here it is necessary to cross the creek on stepping stones.

7. Walk for 230 metres on the right hand side of the creek and cross it again on stepping stones just where the sewer pipe also crosses the creek. Take care with this crossing it can be tricky when the water level is high in the creek. Continue walking along the left hand side of the creek for 200 metres.

8. Just after crossing a small gully on a bridge there is a track going uphill to the left. Take this track and walk uphill to Ted Horwood Reserve. As the path climbs higher the vegetation community changes to more heath like plants such as Banskias.

9. At the top of the path there is a concrete pathway. Turn left on to this path and follow it past the tennis courts, watertank,ExercitegymandsoccerfieldsNo4and5.

10. At the soccer clubrooms turn right and walk to a large car park. The Bidjiwong Community Nursery is on the other side of this car park. It is open to the public on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. Walk on the path beside

the car park through a stand of Turpentines to Renown Road.

11. Turn right on Renown Road and walk to a pedestrian refuge. Cross the road here and turn right.

12. Walk to Cook Street. On the left is Kalmar which was built about 1918. The land was used as a fruit and poultry farm. At Cook Street turn left and walk back to Willow Drive.

CopyrightThe base cadastre and contours information provided on the following maps are subject to Copyright belonging to NSW Spatial Services and the 2016 aerial photography on this map is subject to Copyright belonging to Jacobs SKM.Allcadastremodificationsincludingadditionaldataprovided herein are subject to Copyright of The Hills Shire Council.

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0555