The scenic Sydney bushwalk you’ve probably never heard of.

Tucked away in scenic northern Sydney, there’s a bushwalk that feels more like a scene from a storybook than a stroll through suburbia. The Fairyland Loop Track lives up to its name, offering a quiet escape from the city where towering gums, tweeting birds and a fascinating past weave together a touch of everyday magic. Weekend plans? Sorted.

The location – where is it?

Sydneysiders are truly blessed when it comes to walking trails. Thanks to our city’s unique position between the ocean and mountains, we’ve got access to some truly spectacular coastal hikes and bush walks. But as outdoor-loving folk, many of them have become more crowded corridors than peaceful paradises.

Yet among the well-trodden trails, a few enchanting corners remain relatively untouched, including the Fairyland Loop Track. Hidden within Lane Cove National Park on the Traditional Lands of the Cammeraygal people, this stunning bushwalk feels like its own little slice of serenity.

The history – why is it called Fairyland?

The walk gets its name from the historic Fairyland Pleasure Grounds. Purchased by the Swan family in the late 1800s, the land was originally used to grow crops of strawberries and watermelons. But after noticing the success of other pleasure grounds downstream, the family transformed the area into a recreational retreat.

They planted evergreens and palms, painted fairytale figures on trees and scattered wood-carved characters across the grounds, which became known as Fairyland. A slide in the shape of a sleeping giant soon followed, as well as a kiosk, flying fox, wooden pirate ship and a netted area for river swimming.

Accessible only by ferry, the site drew crowds for decades until the 1960s, when a series of floods forced its closure. Although by then, it had already begun to lose its magic. The once-remote setting had been increasingly encroached on by expanding suburbs, the rise of motor cars and the opening of nearby Epping Road Bridge.

In the late 1970s, the land was acquired by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which began restoring the abandoned plot and regenerating the overgrown vegetation. Today, nature has almost completely reclaimed the site; a pair of rusted gateposts is all that remains.

The experience – what’s it like?

Starting and ending at Fullers Bridge, the Fairyland Loop Track meanders 5.3 kilometres and takes roughly an hour to complete. And while it’s great for getting your steps up, the walk is also an invitation to slow down and reconnect with nature.

You’ll wander under ancient eucalypts along well-marked paths down to the river, where a boardwalk winds along the water’s edge. There, you’ll find plenty of quiet spots to sit and admire the view, so be sure to pack a picnic lunch.

Lane Cove National Park is also a haven for local flora and fauna. Native species thrive here – from scribbly gums, flannel flowers and old man banksias to kookaburras, swamp wallabies and even echidnas. Not only that, but the river provides a wetland ecosystem that allows swamp wallabies, ducks, green tree frogs and a range of saltwater fish species to flourish.

It’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a plethora of native bird species calling the national park home. Bring your binoculars to spot kookaburras, superb fairy wrens, sulphur-crested cockatoos, azure kingfishers, crimson rosellas and tawny frogmouths – the official 2025 Australian Bird of the Year.

The details – how do I get there?

The Fairyland Loop Track sits within Lane Cove National Park, about a 25-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD. Entry costs $8 per vehicle, per day. Start at Koonjeree Picnic Area, where you’ll find public toilets and plenty of parking just a short stroll from the trailhead.