Rouse Hill Estate walk
Rouse Hill Regional Park
Overview
Take a short stroll along Rouse Hill Estate walk for a glimpse into the history of the area. If you’ve got time, explore the house on a guided tour.
- Distance
- 1km one-way
- Time suggested
- 15 - 45min
- Grade
- Grade 2
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Rouse Hill Estate walk is a short walk that takes you near the grounds of the old Rouse Hill House and Farm.
The house was built between 1813 and 1818, and several generations descended from civil servant and grazier Richard Rouse, lived here until the 1980's; it’s now maintained by the Historic Houses Trust.
Get the kids to take a break from the adventure playground for a wander into history. If you have time, take a guided tour to explore the time-warped rooms of the house, the ancient garden, stables, outbuildings and historic machinery.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/rouse-hill-estate-walk/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Rouse Hill Regional Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Rouse Hill Regional Park is open 8am to 6pm from May to August and 8am to 8pm from September to April. The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Rouse Hill Estate walk.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1km one-way
Time
15 - 45min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Gentle hills
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Formed track
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
On entering Rouse Hill Regional Park from the Worcester Road entrance, follow the road to its end at the carpark. The track begins at the carpark and leads back towards the picnic area near the park entrance.
Parking
Parking is available at the picnic area carpark
Best times to visit
Rouse Hill Regional Park is a great place to visit all year round. Head to the park for an early morning jog in spring, a weekend picnic in the winter sun or enjoy a day of bike riding in autumn.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 28°C
Highest recorded
41.7°C
Winter temperature
Average
4°C and 19°C
Lowest recorded
–3.9°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
250mm
Facilities
- There are rainwater tanks, but it is recommended that you boil this water before drinking.
- Please take your rubbish with you when you leave the park.
Toilets
Toilet facilities are located near the entry to the carpark.
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Pets
You can walk your dog on-lead at this location. See other regional parks in NSW that have dog walking areas.
Prohibited
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Rouse Hill Estate walk is in Rouse Hill Regional Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Beautiful venue
If you're looking for a memorable location for your wedding or special event, think about hiring the Crebra or Fibrosa Pavilions. These fabulous open pavilions sit strikingly in the landscape, allowing your guests to enjoy the surroundings while being sheltered from the elements. Every weekend Rouse Hill Regional Park is full of the sounds of families enjoying themselves riding bikes around the trails, clambering about the adventure playground, enjoying a kids' party at the barbecues and taking the dog for a walk. There's plenty of room to stretch your legs in the wide open spaces; once the paddocks of Rouse Hill House.
- Fibrosa and Crebra Pavilions Fibrosa and Crebra Pavilions are great locations for a family celebration or birthday party. Perfect for small or large gatherings, there are picnic tables and barbecues surrounded by green space.
- Rouse Hill picnic area and playground Dog-friendly Rouse Hill Regional Park is a great day out – enjoy a barbecue, walk or bike ride and let the kids explore the playground. It’s great for a birthday party.
Woodland surrounds
Angophora species such as broad-leaved apple trees and eucalypt varieties like grey box and forest red gum are prevalent throughout Cumberland Plain woodland, supported by Rouse Hill Regional Park. Other endangered ecological communities found in the area include shale sandstone transition forest and Sydney coastal river-flat forest. Rouse Hill Regional Park is also a significant home to local endangered microbats, such as the fishing bat.
- Second Ponds Creek walk Go for a bike ride or take your dog for a walk along the short Second Ponds Creek walk in Rouse Hill Regional Park. It’s a great way to start or finish to your picnic.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.
-
Tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
Found throughout Australia, the tawny frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl due to its wide, powerful beak, large head and nocturnal hunting habits. The ‘oom oom oom’ call of this native bird can be heard echoing throughout a range of habitats including heath, woodlands and urban areas.
-
Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)
The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.