Vineyard Creek Reserve

Vineyard Creek Reserve threads a strip of bushland through Telopea, Dundas and Oatlands, with small creek crossings, rocky paths and pockets of Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest. It is a wildlife protection area, so dogs stay on a lead and on the track.

Lead rules

City of Parramatta lists the reserve as a wildlife protection area. Dogs must be on a lead at all times and kept to the established tracks, which protects the birdlife and the creek.

The walk

The track is mostly dirt, rock and earth, with small bridges, a few stairs and paved street links at the entries. It is easy to moderate going, past small waterfalls and gullies.

It links neighbourhood parks including Elizabeth Macarthur Reserve and Walter Brown Park, so you can set the length yourself.

Water and shade

Bush canopy shades much of the track. There are no reliable dog bubblers, so carry water, and note that bins are at the entries and thin out deeper in.

Max: Kookaburras and cockatoos are part of the appeal here. A short lead on the narrow rocky bits keeps a keen nose on the path.

Getting started

Free street parking is easy near access points such as Walter Brown Park on Gibbons Street.

Afterwards, Courtyard Dining & Espresso in Telopea is close for a coffee.

The shade makes this one of the better summer walks around here. Sure-footed dogs will enjoy the rocky sections most.