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    Platypus Track (Bidjigal Reserve)

    4.4·3600 reviews·Google

    Description

    Bidjigal Reserve (formerly Excelsior Reserve) packs 186 hectares of remnant bushland into the gap between Castle Hill, West Pennant Hills and Baulkham Hills, and the Platypus Track is the family pick. This 1.7km creek-side loop from the end of Excelsior Avenue in Castle Hill is the easy "real bushwalk" Hills parents reach for: cool gully bush, stepping-stone creek crossings and a circuit most families knock over in 45 minutes to an hour.

    Why We Love It

    • A loop short enough for little legs at 1.7km on graded fire-trail-and-bush paths, kids get a proper bushwalk without an epic distance or a backtrack. Note there are some steps and a steep climb but stopping for breaks along the way should help.

    • Creek crossings and rock platforms break up the walk stepping stones, a small bridge and patches of cool fern gully keep small explorers moving instead of asking how much further.

    • Built-in nature-spotting Eastern water dragons bask along Excelsior Creek and birds, lizards and frogs are everywhere, so a frog or bird checklist turns the loop into a mission.

    • It feels remote despite the suburbs next door the gully bush closes in fast, giving that proper bushland hush just minutes from home.

    Good To Know

    Shade: Natural tree shade
    Parking available
    Toilets
    Dogs allowed

    Tips

    • Start at the end of Excelsior Avenue: drive to the very end past the houses; the trailhead and a map shelter are on the left before the Eric Mobbs Reserve fields driveway. Park in the street.

    • Use a carrier, not a pram: the loop has steps, no paved pathway exposed roots and a creek crossing on stepping stones, so babies ride better in a carrier than a stroller.

    • Go after rain for the best gully: the creek runs and the fern patches come alive, but the rocks turn slippery, so put everyone in grippy closed shoes.

    • Pack water and a snack: there are no shops or taps on the loop itself, so bring your own and leave time for dawdling and bug-spotting.

    • Dogs welcome on lead: it is a leashed-dog reserve, so it doubles as a solid family-plus-dog outing.

    • Toilets available: at Eric Mobbs reserve by the middle oval.

    Parking Options

    Excelsior Avenue street parking
    FREE
    Free roadside parking at the end of Excelsior Avenue, near the Eric Mobbs Reserve fields and the Platypus Track trailhead.
    Eric Mobbs Reserve Car Park
    FREE
    Plenty of spaces available if no spaces at the end of Excelsior Avenue. You can access the track by walking down the road next to the toilet block.

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    Price (Per Person)

    Free entry

    Opening Hours

    Monday-Sunday
    Open 24 hours

    Contact

    1300 426 654
    End of Excelsior Avenue, Castle Hill NSW 2154, Australia
    Visit Website

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