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Illoura picnic area

Lane Cove National Park

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Illoura picnic area.

Getting there and parking

Illoura picnic area is in the Riverside Drive precinct of Lane Cove National Park. To get there:

  • Riverside Drive is accessed from Delhi Road, West Chatswood or Lane Cove Road, Macquarie Park.
  • Illoura picnic area is accessed via Riverside Drive, which runs through the park.

Road quality

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available in an asphalt carpark at Illoura picnic area. Bus parking is available.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Lane Cove National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

The crisp sunny days of autumn are perfect for packing up a picnic or barbecue hamper and heading out for a day relaxing in the sun.

Spring

The park is alive with new life, including ducklings learning to swim and colourful wildflowers that light up the park's walking tracks.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

20°C and 27°C

Highest recorded

43.1°C

Winter temperature

Average

5°C and 17°C

Lowest recorded

-3.5°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

March

Driest month

July

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

253mm

Facilities

  • Illoura picnic area is beside Lane Cove Boat Shed, which has canoe launching facilities
  • Recycling station in picnic area

Toilets

There are flush toilets between Illoura and Blue Wren picnic areas. You can reach them along Ambulance Building Road.

  • Flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)

Boat ramp

Cafe/kiosk

Carpark

Drinking water

Step-free access

  • The picnic area is mostly flat and step-free
  • There's a concrete path that leads to 2 of the picnic tables. Concrete and boardwalk Riverside walk also runs through the picnic area and goes past one of the picnic shelters.
  • The toilets are set directly next to bitumen Ambulance Building Road.
  • To get to the rest of the picnic tables and shelters, you'll need to cross over hard-packed ground and grass.

  • Step-free outdoor pathways

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Boating safety

If you're out on your boat fishing, waterskiing or just cruising the waterways, read these paddling and boating safety tips.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

  • Illoura picnic area is mostly flat and step-free, with a concrete path that leads to 2 of the picnic tables.
  • Riverside walk goes through the picnic area - it's concrete and boardwalk, and leads to one of the picnic shelters.

There are some areas where assistance is required:

  • There are flush toilets between Illoura and Blue Wren picnic areas that you can reach along bitumen Ambulance Building Road, but the toilets are not accessible or ambulant.
  • You'll need to cross over hard-packed ground and grass to get to some of the facilities at the picnic area.

Prohibited

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.

Illoura picnic area

Operated by

Park info

  • in Lane Cove National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Lane Cove National Park is open 9am to 7pm during daylight savings (until 6pm at other times). The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day. 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). Prior payment may be required, please phone the Lane Cove National Park Office for more information.

    Group bookings:

    Under the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2009, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 30 or more people planning to visit the park. Contact the park office prior to your visit.

    Buy annual pass

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