Davidson Park picnic area and boat ramp
Garigal National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Davidson Park picnic area and boat ramp.
Getting there and parking
The entrance to the Davidson Park picnic area is located near the Roseville Bridge, Warringah Road, Forestville. To get there:
- Travel southwest along Warringah Road from Forestville
- Take the Healey Way exit on the northeast side of the Roseville Bridge
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
- Parking is available in gravel and bitumen carparks at Davidson Park picnic area.
- There's also parking at the boat ramp, including 3 accessible parking spaces.
- Bus parking is available.
- It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Garigal National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
Spot wildflowers turning the undergrowth into a painter's palette along the Cascades trail during late winter and early spring.
Summer
Davidson Park is a popular place for a family picnic or barbecue, so pack up the kids and a tasty lunch to enjoy some time in the great outdoors.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
18°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
44°C
Winter temperature
Average
10°C and 16°C
Lowest recorded
-1.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
290mm
Facilities
Amenities
Toilets
There are flush toilets at both the picnic area and the boat ramp:
- The picnic area has accessible toilets near one of the carparks
- The boat ramp has accessible and ambulant toilets, also near the carpark
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
Gas barbecues only.
Boat ramp
- A time-controlled water supply is conveniently located near the boat ramp for engine-flushing (a small fee applies).
- You can launch your motor boat or sail boat at Davidson Park for access to Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour.
- The boat ramp allows for several craft to be launched/retrieved at one time and the ample parking area accommodates vehicles with trailers.
- Two canoe launch ramps are located at Davidson Park. One near the boat ramp parking area, and the other is at the western end of the picnic grounds next to Area 4.
- The boat ramp is open 24 hours every day of the year.
- There is a wheelchair-accessible boat landing pontoon.
- Canoe ramps are also available.
Carpark
Drinking water
Step-free access
- The picnic area is mostly flat and step-free, but there are no pathways.
- You'll need to cross over grass to reach most of the facilities.
- There are 2 picnic tables that are easily reached from the carpark across concrete without the need to cross over grass.
- There are 2 pedestrian bridges at the picnic area that are not step-free - each bridge has a set of 2-3 rock steps leading on it.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - easy
Davidson Park picnic area and boat ramp is wheelchair-accessible, with the following accessible facilities:
- 3 accessible parking spaces in the boat ramp carpark
- Accessible toilets at the picnic area and accessible and ambulant toilets at the boat ramp
- A wheelchair-accessible boat landing pontoon
- Accessible picnic tables, including 2 picnic tables with roofs that you can reach from the carpark without crossing over grass. The concrete surface beneath the tables connects smoothly to the asphalt surface of the carpark.
There are no pathways at the picnic area so assistance may be needed to reach the facilities that are surrounded by grass.
There are 2 pedestrian bridges that each have a set of 2-3 rock steps, but there's alternate access along the internal asphalt road.
Prohibited
Balloons, plant materials and animals are not permitted, including:
- Decorations consisting of flowers or plant materials that contain seeds or vines and exotic plant materials
- Throwing confetti, rice, petals or streamers
- Balloons, water balloons or paintball equipment
- Candles or open flames
Amplifiers and public address systems are not permitted.
Tents, marquees and banners are not permitted. Please do not put up signage or cordon off structures or areas at Strickland Estate.
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
The use of solid fuel barbecues (including wood and charcoal) is prohibited in Garigal National Park.
Gathering firewood
Gathering firewood and the use of heat beads is not permitted.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Operated by
- Forestville Office
- Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.
- 02 9451 3479
- npws.sydneynorth@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 82 Ferguson Street, Forestville NSW 2087
Park info
- in Garigal National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Garigal National Park is open 6am to 6.30pm (8pm during daylight savings) but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day applies only at Davidson Park only. Day passes are available from on-park pay machines that accept coins and credit cards, and you can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.
Bus: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day).
Daily entry fee exemption for teachers and educational supervisors (1 adult per 10 children) applies only for organised and pre-arranged group bookings.
Buy annual pass