Mitchell Park walking tracks

Cattai National Park

Overview

Mitchell Park walking tracks offer several linked walks through remnant rainforest, diverse woodland and wetlands, in Cattai National Park, near Windsor.

Where: Cattai National Park in Sydney and surrounds
Accessibility: No wheelchair access
Distance: 6km loop
Time suggested: 1hr 30min - 2hrs
Grade: Grade 3
Entry fees: Park entry fees apply
What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, drinking water, snacks, insect repellent, sturdy shoes
Please note: You can also enjoy a shorter, 4km loop by taking a shortcut from Bloodwood trail to Scribbly Gum track, to avoid the steeper Old Man Banksia track.
The family friendly 30min loop on Rainforest walk, and along Cattai Creek via Creek Flat track, is around 2km.

Set out from Creek Flat Road, near Mitchell Park picnic area, through beautiful dry rainforest and ironbark woodland along Rainforest walking track. For a short, kid friendly option you can loop back via easy Creek Flat track, which meanders along Cattai Creek.

The main walk continues along the gently climbing Bloodwood trail, named for its bloodwood trees with their crumbly red bark. For a 4km loop walk, skip Old Man Banksia track and connect with Scribbly Gum track. Or, stretch your legs on the steeper stretches of Old Man Banksia track before following Scribbly Gum track through lovely open woodland of scribbly gums. From here, you can join gentle Wetlands walk which takes you back to the carpark and picnic area.

These peaceful walks are a great way to discover Cattai National Park’s diverse remnant forest, just 1 hour from Sydney. Year-round you’ll enjoy wildflowers and spot some of the 150 bird species that visit, from glossy black cockatoos to rare regent honeyeaters.

After your walk, refuel with lunch at the picnic area. Bring your fishing rod, or kayak along Cattai Creek to the Hawkesbury River. Nearby, you can camp at Cattai campground and explore historic Cattai Homestead, or head to Scheyville National Park for more walks.

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Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/things-to-do/walking-tracks/mitchell-park-walking-tracks/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 Cattai National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Cattai National 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.
Park entry fees:

$8 per vehicle per day (including motorbikes). 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.
Buy annual pass (//pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/).

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Mitchell Park walking tracks.

Maps and downloads

Mitchell Park walking tracks factsheet

Learn more

Mitchell Park walking tracks is in Cattai National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

A birder's bounty

Cattai National Park. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

The park's riverside location, close to Longneck Lagoon, makes it popular with birdwatchers. Spot vulnerable black bitterns, powerful owls or rufous night herons. Visit the park's major wetland areas to observe several bird species otherwise scarce within Sydney.

Mitchell Park walking tracks Mitchell Park walking tracks offer several linked walks through remnant rainforest, diverse woodland and wetlands, in Cattai National Park, near Windsor.

Aboriginal culture

Cattai River lookout, Cattai National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

Cattai National Park is the traditional Country of the Darug people. The park's landscape, including the river provided a rich source of food, medicine, shelter and tools for the Aboriginal people who travelled through the area. The park protects a number of ancient Aboriginal sites that are evidence of the Darug people's ancient connection to the land, you may find axe grinding grooves on rocks as well as rock engravings and art.

An important landscape

Mitchell Park, Cattai National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

Cattai National Park lies within the Cumberland Plain, an important land system near Sydney that has been impacted by agricultural processes and urban development. Mitchell Park is significant because it contains much of its original vegetation, including paper bark, red gum, stringy bark, grey gum and cabbage gums. The best way to see the changing vegetation is along the Mitchell Park track, you'll notice that each part of the walk is named to describe the type of vegetation along that part of the walk.

Colonial history

Cattai Homestead and historic farm buildings, Cattai National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

Cattai National Park is significant because it includes a parcel of land granted to First Fleet assistant surgeon Thomas Arndell. Cattai Farm and the surrounding area was home to seven generations of Arndell's, with the land remaining with descendents of Thomas Arndell for about 180 years. Today, several historic sites invite observation and journeying into the past; Arndell's 1821 homestead, convict-built walls and roads, grain silos and ruins of a windmill believed to be Australia's oldest industrial building.

Cattai Homestead and historic farm buildings Cattai Homestead and historic farm buildings near Windsor, just north of Sydney, are an important part of Australian history and a must-see for history buffs.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.
Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps)

The sugar glider is a tree-dwelling Australian native marsupial, found in tall eucalypt forests and woodlands along eastern NSW. The nocturnal sugar glider feeds on insects and birds, and satisfies its sweet tooth with nectar and pollens.
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.
Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.
Brown-striped frog (Lymnastes peronii)

One of the most common frogs found in Australia, the ground-dwelling brown-striped frog lives in ponds, dams and swamps along the east coast. Also known as the striped marsh frog, this amphibian grows to 6.5cm across and has a distinctive ‘tok’ call that can be heard all year round.
Cumberland Plain land snail (Meridolum corneovirens)

The endangered Cumberland Plain land snail is only found on the Cumberland Plain, west of Sydney. During drought it digs deep into the soil to escape harsh conditions. Its brown shell is thin and fragile.