Blackbutt Creek Track

Blackbutt Creek flows through Blackbutt Reserve, a small pocket of bushland in Ku-ring-gai. The Blackbutt Creek Track follows the creek through the reserve, starting from Vale Street in Gordon at the northern end.

The firetrail passes through a woodland forest with tall Blackbutt, Turpentine and Peppermint trees.

Although it’s a relatively thin strip of bushland surrounded by suburbia, the Blackbutt Creek Reserve supports numerous endangered fauna species, including the Powerful Owl. (The largest of Australia’s owls, the Powerful Owl preys on possums and flying foxes by night, and roosts high in the trees during the day.)

As you walk down the firetrail, you’ll probably hear the racuous cry of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos.

Lorikeets, king parrots and rosellas also frequent the Blackbutt Creek Reserve.

The track follows Blackbutt Creek fairly closely, past a few small cascades – which are better after heavy rain.

The track descends quite steeply as it nears the southern end of the reserve; the main Blackbutt Creek Track loops back up Falls Creek to finish near the Gordon Golf Course. Another firetrail continues a short distance to Lady Game Drive, connecting to trails in Lane Cove National Park and the Great North Walk.

Just before the end of the firetrail, a side-track leads to St Johns Falls. To form a loop, continue up St Johns Avenue to the start of the walk (about 1.2km on road),

It’s a pleasant bushwalk, which can get pretty busy on weekends. As well as doing this as a loop walk, it can be used as part of a longer walk from Gordon to Roseville or Thornleigh via Lane Cove National Park.

More information on Blackbutt Creek Track

The Blackbutt Creek Track is dog-friendly – see Bushwalking with Dogs in Sydney’s North for more suggestions.

• Ku-ring-gai Council – Blackbutt Creek Track