Lane Cove picnic areas
Lane Cove National Park
Venue info
All the practical information you need to know about the Lane Cove picnic areas.
Getting there and parking
From Sydney, take the Pacific Highway to Chatswood and turn left into Fullers Road:
- Turn right into Lady Game Drive just before crossing the bridge
- Take the first left into Max Allen Drive for the northern side of the river, or
- Cross Fullers Bridge and then turn right into Riverside Drive. This will take you to the southern side of the river
From Ryde, take Lane Cove Road and turn right into Riverside Drive, just past Eden Gardens.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at all picnic areas. This is a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Long vehicle access is limited. If you're bringing a coach, bus, or towing trailers or caravans, please contact Lane Cove office before your arrival to get instructions on parking and turning bays.
By public transport
Lane Cove National Park is accessible from North Ryde station and by bus from Chatswood station. For information about public transport options, visit the NSW transport info website.
Facilities
Power is not available at any picnic areas in Lane Cove National Park.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
Carter Creek and Casuarina Point picnic areas have gas/electric barbecues that form part of your booking for exclusive use.
Tunks Hill picnic area and all other gas/electric barbecues in the park are shared.
Haynes Flat, Cottonwood Glen, and Commandment Rock picnic areas all have wood barbecues. Please bring your own firewood.
You may also bring your own barbecue, including heat bead barbecues. However, if a total fire ban or park fire ban is declared, only NPWS provided gas/electric barbecues can be used.
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
Cafe/kiosk
There are two places you can buy food and drinks: Boat Shed kiosk, and Lane Cove National Park café.
Carpark
Drinking water
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Tunks Hill picnic area is wheelchair accessible. It has parking available next to the area, accessible toilets nearby, and wide and relatively flat pathways.
Medium access presents some minor difficulties, such as a grassy surface. You may require a little assistance to get around in some areas.
Permitted
Food and drink
- You may bring your own food.
- You may bring portable gas barbeques fitted with drip trays for cooking, however, please note that these are prohibited during a total fire ban.
- Commercial catering is permitted and must be detailed on the application form. Some forms of catering may be restricted during a total fire ban.
- Responsible consumption of alcohol is permitted.
- We encourage plastic-free events. Where possible, please use biodegradable plates, cups and cutlery (paper, corn starch, bamboo).
Structures, staging, furniture and amusements
- Weighted free-standing decorative items.
- Free-standing tents and marquees are permitted but they must be weighted, not pegged. Please detail these on the application form.
Cycling
Fishing
Prohibited
Amplified or loud music and public address systems
Balloons, plant materials and open flames are not permitted, including:
- Water balloons and paintball equipment
- Decorations consisting of flowers, vines or other exotic plant materials
- Rice, confetti, petals or similar decorative items are not permitted
- Candles or other open flames
Please do not put up signage or cordon off structures or areas at Lane Cove picnic areas.
Camping
Gathering firewood
Generators
Horses
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.
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.
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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