There’s no doubt we’d all love to get our kids outdoors and into nature more often. Thankfully, there are some beautiful family-friendly bushwalks right here in and around the Ryde district.

From short pram-friendly paths to waterfalls, peaceful bushland trails and longer adventures for older children, we’ve rounded up some great local walks to explore as a family.

Please remember that distances and track conditions can vary depending on your chosen route. Bush tracks may also become muddy, slippery or temporarily inaccessible after heavy rain, so wear suitable shoes and supervise children closely around creeks, waterfalls and steep sections.

Hunts Creek Reserve, Carlingford (including Balaka Falls)

• Distance: From approximately 250m to 2.5km
• Pram friendly: Partially
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best suited to: Ages 3+
• Highlight: Balaka Falls

Hidden in the bushland between North Rocks and Carlingford, Hunts Creek Reserve offers several walking trails of varying lengths.

For the quickest route to Balaka Falls, enter the reserve from Norfolk Place in Carlingford. It’s an easy walk of approximately 280m, making it a good option for younger children.

To see the waterfall from below, you’ll need to walk down sandstone steps, so prams will need to be left at the top with an adult.

Balaka Falls is at its best after a solid downpour, when you may also spot keen photographers capturing it in full flow. During dry weather, the waterfall may be little more than a trickle.

Terry’s Creek, Epping (including waterfall)

• Distance: Approximately 1.5km
• Pram friendly: No
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best suited to: Ages 3+
• Highlight: Bushland Creek and waterfall

This lovely bushwalk follows Terry’s Creek between Vimiera Park on Essex Street and Dence Park on Stanley Road in Epping.

The track winds through peaceful bushland and passes a small waterfall, which is best visited after good rainfall. Be prepared for some muddy and slippery sections following wet weather.

There are toilets at the Dence Park end of the walk.

All details on entrance points can be found here and here.

Darvall Park, Denistone

• Distance: Approximately 1.9km
• Pram friendly: No
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best suited to: Ages 4+

Running from Eastwood towards West Ryde, the Tall Timbers Walk through Darvall Park is a peaceful escape in the middle of suburbia.

The track passes through remnant Blue Gum High Forest and provides a glimpse of how the local area may have looked before European colonisation.

After your walk, children can enjoy a play at one of the park’s modest playgrounds or burn off some extra energy on the surrounding grass.

Learn more here.

Whale Rock, North Epping

• Distance: Flexible; approximately 500m to several kilometres
• Pram friendly: No
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Best suited to: Ages 4+
• Highlight: Whale Rock

Enter via the fire trail at the end of Boundary Road, near Braidwood Avenue in North Epping. From here, follow the trail towards Whale Rock—the enormous rock formation that gives this walk its name.

Families can simply visit Whale Rock and return or continue along the surrounding trails for a longer adventure. Beyond the rock, the path branches towards the creek and other sections of the Great North Walk.

Another option is to begin at Ron Payne Park and complete a loop of approximately 1.8km.

The terrain is uneven in places, so the walk isn’t suitable for prams. Younger children should also be supervised closely when climbing around the rock.

See our reel here.

Magdala Park Lane Cove River Walk

• Distance: As long or short as you like, up to 250kms!
• Pram friendly: No
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Best suited to: Ages 4+

Start at Magdala Park, located behind North Ryde RSL, and follow the Great North Walk beside the Lane Cove River towards Buffalo Creek Reserve.

The trail offers beautiful views of the river, wetlands and surrounding bushland, with plenty of opportunities to spot local flora and fauna.

This walk forms part of the 250km Great North Walk between Sydney and Newcastle—but don’t worry, you can simply walk as far as little legs allow before turning around!

Although the initial section is manageable for many primary school-aged children, expect natural surfaces, tree roots, rocks and uneven ground.

North Epping Great North Walk

• Distance: Flexible; choose an out-and-back walk to suit your family
• Pram friendly: No
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best suited to: Ages 5+

Start near the corner of Boundary Road and Eastcote Road in North Epping and follow the steep trail down to join the Great North Walk.

From here, you can explore the bushland towards South Turramurra or create a longer route that returns to North Epping near Whale Rock on Boundary Road.

There are some steep and uneven sections, so this walk is better suited to confident walkers and older children. Kids who love adventurous trails may also enjoy spotting the sections used by BMX riders, but cyclists and walkers should be mindful of one another.

As there are several possible routes, we recommend checking a current trail map before setting off.

Pioneers Track – Beecroft, Carlingford & Epping

• Distance: Approximately 2.8km return; Ray Park circuit approximately 750m
• Pram friendly: No
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best suited to: Ages 3+

Pioneers Track winds through bushland across Epping, Beecroft and Carlingford beneath a canopy of Blackbutt, Angophora, Turpentine and Blue Gum trees.

Along the way, interpretive signs share information about the area’s early European history.

The track can be accessed from several locations, including Ray Park, Little Ray Park, Ridge Street and behind the Scout Hall on Plympton Road in Epping.

Because sections of the track follow the creek, it may be affected by flooding or become muddy after heavy rain. Avoid entering flooded areas and check local conditions before visiting.

For a shorter outing with younger children, the approximately 750m Ray Park circuit is a good option.

Learn more here.

Brush Farm, Eastwood

• Distance: Approximately 2.5km return, depending on your route
• Pram friendly: No
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best suited to: Ages 6+

Brush Farm Park contains remnant bushland, rare rainforest species and several tracks to explore.

Make sure you visit the rainforest gully, which has been regenerated by local Bushcare volunteers over several decades. It’s a beautiful pocket of greenery tucked away in Eastwood.

With steps, slopes and uneven ground, this walk is better suited to older children and confident walkers.

For something shorter, the easy Lambert Park Track is approximately 380m one way.

Fairyland Pleasure Gardens, Lane Cove National Park

• Distance: Approximately 1km
• Time: Around 30 minutes
• Pram friendly: Partially
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best suited to: Ages 3+

This scenic section of the Great North Walk follows the Lane Cove River through the site of the former Fairyland Pleasure Grounds.

The route includes timber boardwalks, cleared paths, timber steps and concrete steps, so only parts of the walk are suitable for prams.

To reach the track, turn onto River Avenue from Delhi Road and continue until the road becomes Quebec Road. The walking track begins opposite 101 Quebec Road.

Keep children close beside the river and take extra care on steps or slippery surfaces following rain.

Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park

• Distance: Choose your own route
• Pram friendly: Yes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best suited to: All ages

Bicentennial Park is a local treasure and an easy option for families wanting to enjoy nature without tackling a traditional bush track.

Sydney Olympic Park has approximately 35km of cycling and walking paths to explore across 430 hectares of wetlands, woodlands and parkland.

Stroll along scenic boardwalks, look for birds in the wetlands, climb the Treillage Tower or combine your walk with a visit to one of the park’s playgrounds and picnic areas.

The mostly flat paths make this a great choice for prams, scooters and young bike riders.

Learn more here.

Browns Waterhole Marsfield

• Distance: Approximately 1km each way, depending on your starting point
• Time: Approximately 30 minutes return for the shorter route
• Pram friendly: Yes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best suited to: All ages

This is one of our favourite local walks because it allows families with babies and toddlers to enjoy the bush with a pram.

Beginning in Marsfield, the wide trail heads through Lane Cove National Park to Browns Waterhole. It’s also suitable for scooters, balance bikes and children who aren’t ready for a rough bush track.

At Browns Waterhole, you’ll find a creek crossing and picnic tables where you can stop for a break before returning along the same path.

Read our complete guide to the Browns Waterhole walk, including where to park and how to find the starting point.

Before You Go

A little preparation can make bushwalking with children much more enjoyable. Pack water, snacks, hats, sunscreen and insect repellent, and make sure everyone is wearing suitable enclosed shoes.

Mobile reception can be unreliable in some reserves, so download your map before leaving home. Always remain on marked tracks, check for closures following severe weather and never attempt to cross flooded creeks or pathways.