Flat Rock Creek

Flat Rock Creek runs through Flat Rock Gully in Naremburn, a steep-sided pocket of remnant bushland on Sydney's Lower North Shore where sandstone walls, small cascades and a heritage bridge sit barely ten minutes from North Sydney. It feels like a proper bushwalk, with one firm condition: the gully is a designated Wildlife Protection Area, and dogs are on the lead the entire time.

Leash status

There is no off-leash walking here, on any track, at any hour. The Wildlife Protection Area designation protects the bird, reptile and frog populations in the gully, and rangers do patrol. Keep the lead clipped on from the car park, bag the waste immediately, and if your dog needs a free run, save it for a designated off-leash park elsewhere in Willoughby or a fenced option nearby.

Water and terrain

The classic route is the Flat Rock Gully loop, roughly 2.7 kilometres, which drops into the rehabilitated bushland, follows the creek past small waterfalls and sandstone terracing, and passes under the heritage-listed 1892 Long Gully Bridge. For a longer outing, the track links through to the Tunks Park to Artarmon Reserve corridor, around 7.7 kilometres return, tracing the valley down towards Middle Harbour. Expect wooden stairs, uneven sandstone steps and stepping-stone creek crossings throughout.

Max: leash on from the car, no exceptions, and give the stepping stones a miss the morning after heavy rain. Wet sandstone is a slipped-dog-and-slipped-owner situation.

Getting there and parking

The main trailheads sit off Flat Rock Drive, which links Northbridge, Naremburn and Cammeray, with street parking along the drive and more near Hallstrom Park and the Willoughby Leisure Centre. Buses along Willoughby Road and near Cammeray Bridge put you within walking distance if you would rather come in on foot.

Worth knowing

The creek is the hazard as much as the feature: runoff from the surrounding suburbs pushes water levels up quickly during rain, and the lower tracks are the first to flood. Skip them for a day or two after a downpour. The walk is easy to moderate in dry conditions, but the stairs make it a workout for dogs and humans alike. Early mornings are cooler, quieter, and when the birdlife is at its best.

While you're out there

The Incinerator Cafe at Willoughby is the classic post-walk coffee, and St Leonards Picnic Ground Fenced Dog Park gives a leashed dog its off-lead reward nearby. The longer Tunks Park to Artarmon Reserve walk shares this valley if you want to extend the day.

More options are on the New South Wales dog friendly trails guide and the Naremburn destination page.