The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Lane Cove National Park

A short side track off the Step Track brings you out to this rocky lookout above the Lane Cove valley. The view is more about layers of bushland than a big open panorama, with eucalypts filling the slopes below and the valley dropping away through the trees. It’s only a quick detour from the main track, so it’s well worth following the Scenic Views sign when you reach the junction.

Terrys Creek Walking Track follows its namesake creek through a peaceful corridor of remnant bushland between Epping and Eastwood, part of Lane Cove National Park. The path winds past a small waterfall, ducks beneath the M2 motorway, and continues on to Browns Waterhole, with a mix of natural bush trail, metal walkways, and wooden steps along the way. The terrain can be uneven with roots and rocks in places, and the track can turn boggy or even flood after heavy rain, so it's best to tackle it in dry weather.

The Riverside Walking Track follows the edge of the Lane Cove River through shaded bushland, mangroves, and quiet picnic areas in the heart of the national park. The track mixes sealed paths, boardwalks, dirt sections, and short stair climbs, with regular river views and several spots to stop beside the water along the way. It’s one of the park’s most accessible walks, linking the weir, riverside cafés, picnic grounds, and bushier sections further upstream.

The Lane Cove River winds through the centre of the national park, surrounded by sandstone bushland, mangroves, and tall eucalypts that make this stretch feel far removed from suburban Sydney. Along the Riverside Walking Track, the river alternates between still sections near the weir and narrower bush-lined bends further upstream, with regular sightings of water dragons, ducks, herons, and cockatoos along the banks. The calm water also makes this one of the park’s most popular areas for kayaking and canoeing.

This riverside lookout sits beside the Lane Cove Weir, with clear views across the calm water and surrounding bushland from the edge of the track. It’s an easy place to pause along the Riverside Walk, especially early in the morning when the river is still and reflections sit across the water beneath the gums.

Devlins Creek Trail follows the creek corridor through shaded bushland, linking narrower single-track sections with rocky creek crossings and sandstone terrain. Compared to the wider fire trails higher in the park, this route feels more enclosed, with dense vegetation and a rougher surface underfoot. Tree roots, rocks, and smaller creek crossings slow the pace in sections, especially after rain when parts of the track can become muddy or slippery. The trail also forms part of the wider Great North Walk network through Lane Cove National Park.

Devlins Creek is a sandstone creek system flowing through the upper sections of Lane Cove National Park before joining Terrys Creek to form the Lane Cove River. Along the trail, the creek passes through shaded bushland with rocky banks, shallow crossings, and small waterholes tucked beneath the forest canopy. Water flow varies depending on rainfall, with calmer pools in drier periods and stronger movement after rain. The creek is named after James Devlin, a nineteenth century landowner connected to the area.

Lane Cove River runs for about 15 kilometres from Pennant Hills to the Parramatta River, flowing through Lane Cove National Park as a calm, slow-moving waterway. The river is tidal in sections, so water levels can vary, but it’s often still and reflective, especially in sheltered areas. You’ll see kayaks and small boats near the boatshed, while quieter stretches feel more enclosed by bushland.