The Governor Phillip Walk is a quiet and untamed trail, leading first through bushland and then along the creek in a more lush and humid part of the forest. Despite walking on a Saturday, we saw just two other people on this trail. Garigal National Park really seems to fly under the radar, despite having some really great tracks.
We heard more bird life on this trail than on any other walk in Sydney. It was an almost constant backdrop and the screeches of the cockatoos really added to that into the wild feeling.
If you’re looking for a walk very close to the city, but with an 100% “back to nature” feeling, the Governor Phillip Walk is a great choice.
Here’s what to expect from one of our favourite trails in Garigal National Park.
The Governor Phillip Walk
The stats
Distance: 7.7km
Elevation: 185m
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of trail: Return
The Governor Phillip Walk is a moderate trail, that undulates for much of the way and can be fairly rough in patches (there are moments where you will have to climb over rocks).
It doesn’t take too long though, we suggest allowing 2-2.5 hours for the whole walk at a leisurely pace.
Starting the trail
You could be forgiven for wondering why on earth we’d recommend this walk when you first set foot on the trail. For the first ten minutes of the track I definitely thought I’d picked a dud.
You head into the bush along a fire trail, and then make a right turn onto the Carroll Creek Track, and the path seems to disintegrate. It was clearly once a road and is now in a sorry state, with broken tarmac and a general air of abandonment.
It continues like this for 400m before you reach a staircase and can breathe a sigh of relief.
Beyond the staircase lies a whole new world of tree ferns and dense vegetation. You immediately start to hear the sounds of the cockatoos, kookaburras and the tinkling of small cascades.
Into the bush
The narrow path is in pretty good shape and and the scenery is great, with large overhangs, and the creek running inbetween the rocks.
Roughly 1.3km into the track, you’ll reach a creek crossing and a junction with the Lyrebird Track and the Governor Phillip Track.
You’ll head over the stepping stones, crossing the creek and on to the Governor Phillip walk. The path becomes sandy and the forest closes in around you.
After a few hundred metres you’ll reach a gorgeous section with hundreds and hundreds of ferns.
The track starts to get a bit rougher in places, with some rocks to climb over. It never gets steep but due to the terrain, it does feel like it is constantly undulating.
Without the rocky sections, the trail would actually be pretty flat.
From this point on the creek is a lot wider, and it’s pretty emerald water looks like an inviting place to take a dip, especially as the humidity starts to increase the further along the trail you get. After walking between another really dense patch of ferns you’ll soon come to a little beach.
There are several more along the track but this was one of the bigger ones.
Heading to the stepping stones
After a further 500m, and another fairly big beach, the track climbs slightly, and you get a nice view of the creek from above.
There are quite a few more rocky patches on this next section of the trail, including a couple of quite big rocks to scramble up. It’s not difficult, but it does slow you down.
It’s incredibly wet and green in this area and there are some huge mossy boulders which always feel tropical to us.
After you’ve been walking for 3.1km, you’ll come across the huge pipeline, and the track very briefly heads onto the road before you make a left turn back into the forest following the sign post for the Bungaroo Track.
There are a couple of little creek crossings but lots of rocks make it easy. This part of the walk definitely feels a bit more wild, and climbing around some of the bigger boulders make it feel like a little bit of an adventure.
You’ll reach the stepping stones 750m beyond the pipeline, and this is the end of the Governor Phillip Walk. The stepping stones make a nice spot to stop for a break or a bit of lunch before returning back the way you came.
If you wanted to extend the trail, you can walk for roughly another 3km to the Cascades, which is really worthwhile if you have the time and energy. This part of the trail through wet eucalyptus forest is gorgeous and we’ve gone into more detail about it in this article.
Heading back
Heading back felt a bit easier than the way out, until you reach the final uphill section back to your car.
We saw people who’d brought a raft down to float along the creek which looked pretty incredible and something we’d like to try next time!
Packing suggestions for Garigal National Park
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies and any other bugs. Check it out on Amazon.
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about the Governor Phillip Walk
Parking for the walk
The trail starts from Ferguson Street in Forestville which offers free and unlimited parking.
Public transport to the walk
You can get to the start of this trail fairly easily by public transport. Hop on the 270 or 271 bus from Wynyard and get off at the Woodlands Road stop on the Warringah Highway in Forrestville (it should only take about 25 minutes). From here it is a 10 minute walk to the start of the trail.
Garigal National Park entry fee
The Governor Phillip Track, as walked from Ferguson Street, doesn’t require you to pay the $8 entry fee that walks starting from Davidson Park incur.
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Are you planning on a walk in Garigal National Park? Have you done the Governor Phillip Walk? Let us know in the comments below!
