The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Douglas Street & Cascades Trail (-33.7257401,151.1780407)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Mona Vale Road, A3 Turn on to Douglas Street then drive for 800 m
Finish	(-33.7372726,151.1961826)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Douglas Street, this walk follows the management trail through the National Park gate marked with 'The Cascades Track' sign. The walk heads down the hill briefly until coming to a four-way intersection with a bush track (heading towards the large soccer oval to the right).
From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill and through the bush for a little while, coming to an intersection with a bush track on the left.
From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, with the ground sloping up to the left. Soon, it comes to a 'Y' intersection with another management trail at the 'Upper Cambourne Track' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Douglas Street & Cascades Trail Start heading along Cascades Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail. After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail.
	After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail. After another 530 m continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail.
	After another 110 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Upper Cambourne Track) continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail. After another 65 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Lower Cambourne Track) continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail.
	After another 500 m (at the intersection of Cascades Trail & Bare Creek Trail) continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail. After another 115 m cross the ford (about 15 m long)
	After another 180 m (at the intersection of Middle Harbour Track & Cascades Trail) turn left, to head along Cascades Trail. After another 8 m find the "The Cascades" (on your right). The Cascades The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.
	After another 550 m continue straight, to head along Cascades Trail.
	After another 920 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	3.2 km
Time	1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

The Cascades
The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Terrey Hills Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 11 October
  
  23°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely this evening. The chance of a thunderstorm at night. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:20am to 4:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 7 [High]
  
  Saturday 12 October
  
  14°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h, increasing to 25 to 40 km/h in the east.
  
  Sunday 13 October
  
  13°C → 20°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 14 October
  
  13°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.
  
  Tuesday 15 October
  
  14°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Wednesday 16 October
  
  13°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Thursday 17 October
  
  15°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Garigal National Park alerts
  Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between 1 August 2024 and 31 January 2025 in Garigal National Park. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Forestville 9451 3479 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  Closed areas: Flat Rock track partial closure
  The section of Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance to the Downpatrick Street entrance, is permanently closed as the old track passes through private property near Killarney Point.
  Please note:
  
  Walkers heading west should exit Flat Rock track at the eastern end of Killarney Drive and use Killarney Drive until you reach Downpatrick Street. Then walk down the street and re-enter Flat Rock track from the Downpatrick Street fire trail.
  
  Walkers heading east should exit Flat Rock track at the Downpatrick Street fire trail and use Downpatrick Street, then Killarney Drive until you reach the end of Killarney Drive. Re-enter Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance.
  
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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