Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

Flat Rock Gully Walking Track is a roughly 4 km bushland loop linking Tunks Park and Hallstrom Park in Northbridge on Sydney's lower North Shore. It follows Flat Rock Creek through gum forest with a small waterfall along the way, a solid mid-length option if your dog needs more than a lap of the local park.

Leash status

Dogs stay on-leash for the full length of the track. The gully is a mapped wildlife protection area, home to bandicoots and echidnas, so Willoughby Council treats leash compliance as a real rule rather than a formality. Stick to the formed track instead of cutting through the bush.

The walk

The surface is natural throughout, with several creek crossings, uneven footing and roots, and enough undulation to make it a genuine bush walk. Allow an hour to an hour and a half at a dog-friendly pace.

It is a different character from the flat riverside loops further south: sandstone, birdsong and a creek running through the middle of the gully, ten minutes from the city. Toilets, picnic tables and BBQs sit at Tunks Park and Hallstrom Park at either end.

Water

There are no taps or bins directly on the track itself, so plan water for the whole loop and top up before you start. The creek is not a reliable drinking source, particularly downstream of stormwater.

Hazards

Creek crossings turn slippery after rain and can become impassable after sustained wet weather, so check conditions before setting out with a dog that cannot scramble. This is not a track for a dog with sore paws or an owner in thongs.

Getting there and parking

Free parking is available at the Tunks Park carpark, or on Small Street in Willoughby near the Incinerator building; both are common trailheads. Sydney Buses run along Willoughby Road if you are walking in.

When to go

Weekend mornings from about 10am to 1pm are the busiest window; weekday mornings and mid-week afternoons are quieter. In summer, the forest canopy gives more cover than an open oval, but start early all the same.

Max: the creek crossings get greasy after rain. Bring a lead you do not mind getting muddy and expect a slower pace than the distance suggests.

More walks nearby

The Incinerator Cafe on Small Street has dog-friendly outdoor seating right near the trailhead, a natural stop after the loop. If you want more distance, the Flat Rock Creek walk in Naremburn, the Wilksch Walk and the Primrose Park walking track are all on our list nearby.

More options are on the NSW trails guide and the Northbridge destination page.