Second Ponds Creek walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
20 mins
865 m Circuit
11 m
Moderate track
Rouse Hill main car park
The main car park is found at the end of the 750m long driveway off Worcester Rd, Rouse Hill. There is room to park about 60 cars in the shade of the tall trees[1]. There is no signposted mobility parking but each parking bay is marked and 2.7m wide.
Rouse Hill main Picnic area and playground
Nestled among the tall eucalypt forest at the southern end of the main car park in Rouse Hill Regional Park is a lovely playground, picnic area and toilet block.
The well equiped children’s playground has a timber maze[2], climbing equipment[3], slides[4], and other equpment[5][6][7].
The picnic facilities between the car park and the playground include two large sheltered tables and BBQ’s. There are other seats and picnic tables around the area as well. About 20m west of the playground is a quieter elevated picnic shelter and BBQ.
There is a toilet block about 150m walk from the playground around the edge of the large clearing[8].
(0km) Rouse Hill main car park → Toilet Block
150 m
2 mins
1m
-2m
Very easy
From the main large car park in Rouse Hill Regional Park (beside the playground[9] and picnic area[10]), this walk follows the asphalt path[11] gently downhill towards the large clearing keeping the playground and BBQ area on the right. After about 40m this walk comes to the edge of the grassy clearing and turns left at the 3-way intersection[12], to walk along the path for about 30m to pass a picnic platform[13] (on the left) and come to a sheltered seating area[14] (on the right). This walk continues along the path passing another picnic platform[15] then after about 60m comes to the front of the toilet block[16].
(0km) Rouse Hill main car park → Maze Intersection
70 m
2 mins
0m
-2m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the southern edge of the main Rouse Hill Regional Park car park, this walk follows the concrete footpath, keeping the sheltered picnic areas to the left for about 15m[17] to come to the ‘Welcome to Rouse Hill Regional Park’ sign[18]. From here this walk continues beside the playground, following the gravel track[19] for 15m come to a 4-way intersection marked with the large ‘Rouse Hill Regional Park’ sign[20].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the mostly flat dirt/gravel track[21], directly away from the car park and asphalt path to head behind the ‘Rouse Hill Regional Park’ sign[22]. The track gently bends left[23] and after 35m comes to a clear 3-way intersection, marked by a ‘Take a stroll around’ sign[24] (behind the timber maze).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the mostly flat dirt/gravel track[21], directly away from the car park and asphalt path to head behind the ‘Rouse Hill Regional Park’ sign[22]. The track gently bends left[23] and after 35m comes to a clear 3-way intersection, marked by a ‘Take a stroll around’ sign[24] (behind the timber maze).
(0.07km) Maze Intersection → Second Ponds northern int.
270 m
4 mins
0m
-4m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the wide track keeping the playground and timber maze on the left[25]. After a few meters, this walk heads past the back entrance to the maze[26] then continues (away from the playground) for 30m to find a picnic platform (on the left). This walk continues for about 15m to the ‘Every plant tells a story’ sign[27] where the track then starts to meander for 100m through the forest to cross a concrete ford, that floods during heavy or prolonged rain. This part of the track does become boggy after rain. About 30m after the ford this walk leads past a seat then continues for another 70m to cross a small gulley then head gently uphill to a 3-way intersection[28][29], marked by an arrow post[30][31].
(0.34km) Second Ponds northern int. → Second Ponds Picnic shelters
190 m
3 mins
3m
0m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Extension track’ arrow[32] gently uphill along the gravel track for about 60m towards the clearing, where the track bends right to reach an intersection marked with a ‘Weathering and Droughts’ sign[33] (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide gravel track gently uphill initially keeping large clearing on the left. After about 70m this walk leads alongside a dam[34] (on the right) and comes to a sheltered picnic table (on the edge of the dam). The walk continues along the wide gravel track for another 50m to find two more similar picnic shelters (on the right). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide gravel track gently uphill initially keeping large clearing on the left. After about 70m this walk leads alongside a dam[34] (on the right) and comes to a sheltered picnic table (on the edge of the dam). The walk continues along the wide gravel track for another 50m to find two more similar picnic shelters (on the right). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Second Ponds Picnic shelters
Nestled in a quiet area beside the pond on the eastern edge of Rouse Hill Regional Park is a series lovely sheltered picnic tables. The unfenced pond is about 60m across and provides a pleasant backdrop[35] and a waterhole for local wildlife. There are also views the other direction across the grassy hills and the old farmland[36]. A pleasant spot to sit and rest or stay to enjoy your picnic.
(0.34km) Second Ponds northern int. → Maze Intersection
460 m
8 mins
9m
-5m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Second Ponds Creek Loop’ arrow[37] (in the opposite direction to the ‘Extension track’ arrow) gently downhill where the track soon bends right. The track leads for about 40m to pass an informal track[38] (on the left that leads towards the creek) then come to a ‘Flooded with history’ information sign[39] (on the left). The track continues to gently meander alongside the creek for another 80m to cross a concrete ford. This ford and track floods after heavy or prolonged rain and this area may also become boggy. The walk continues along the clear track for another 50m to come to a ‘Birds & black snakes’ information sign[40] and a seat (on the left). From here this walk meanders gently uphill through the forest for about 120m to the ‘Rich Aboriginal area’ sign[41] (on the left). This walk continues to meanders gently uphill through the forest[42] for another 160m to come to a 3-way intersection[43] (beside the timber maze), marked by a ‘Take a stroll around’ sign[44] (on the right).
(0.8km) Maze Intersection → Rouse Hill main car park
70 m
2 mins
2m
0m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt/gravel track[45], directly away from the face of the ‘Take a stroll around’ sign[46] gently uphill towards the playground and picnic area. The track bends right and after 35m this walk comes to a 3-way intersection, marked with a large ‘Rouse Hill Regional Park[47] (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the face of ‘Rouse Hill Regional Park’ sign[48] along the gravel track, keeping the playground on the right. After about 15m this walk comes to a ‘Welcome to Rouse Hill Regional Park’ sign[49]. From here this walk follows the concrete path for 15m, past the sheltered picnic area to come to the main Rouse Hill Regional Park car park[50].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the face of ‘Rouse Hill Regional Park’ sign[48] along the gravel track, keeping the playground on the right. After about 15m this walk comes to a ‘Welcome to Rouse Hill Regional Park’ sign[49]. From here this walk follows the concrete path for 15m, past the sheltered picnic area to come to the main Rouse Hill Regional Park car park[50].
Maps for the Second Ponds Creek walk walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Riverstone | 1:25 000 Map Series | 90301S RIVERSTONE | NSW-90301S |
| Penrith | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9030 PENRITH | 9030 |
Cross sectional view of the Second Ponds Creek walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Second Ponds Creek walk
Accessibility summary information for the Second Ponds Creek walk
Parking: There are 0 designated accessible parking areas on this walk.
Toilets: There are 0 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 5 places to sit on this walk. They are on average 130m apart, with a maximum gap of 220m.
Hazards: There are 2 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Trip Hazard Concrete creek ford. The ford is 2.3m wide 3.3m long and has a gradient in and out of 2:12. Found about 250m into the walk.
Trip Hazard Concrete creek ford. The ford is 2.4m wide 2.9m long and has a gradient in and out of 2:12. Found about 460m into the walk.
Toilets: There are 0 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 5 places to sit on this walk. They are on average 130m apart, with a maximum gap of 220m.
Hazards: There are 2 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Trip Hazard Concrete creek ford. The ford is 2.3m wide 3.3m long and has a gradient in and out of 2:12. Found about 250m into the walk.
Trip Hazard Concrete creek ford. The ford is 2.4m wide 2.9m long and has a gradient in and out of 2:12. Found about 460m into the walk.
Accessibility Details
Found 0m into this walk
Found 0m into this walk
Found 0m into this walk
Found 10m into this walk
Found 20m into this walk
Found 340m into this walk
Found 360m into this walk
Found 360m into this walk
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 865 m | ||
| Time | 20 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6) |
| Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
Around 800m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 65m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 800m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 65m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 730m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 140m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 870m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 460m of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 410m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 870m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Second Ponds Creek walk walk starts and ends at the Rouse Hill main car park (gps: -33.680471, 150.91068)Your main transport option to Rouse Hill main car park is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/spcw
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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