Its catchment area is approximately 77 square kilometres (30 sq mi).

[1] Access along the majority of the creek is easy with tracks from (the western shore) St Ives, East Killara, East Lindfield, (eastern shore) Belrose, Davidson, Frenchs Forest and Forestville.

Middle Harbour Creek was first explored by Governor Arthur Phillip on an expedition from Manly Cove on 15 April 1788.

The expedition camped on 16 April at Bungaroo, where the tidal Middle Harbour finishes and the creek begins.

[3] It is possible to follow the entire length of Middle Harbour Creek, or to do a circular bushwalk[4] that covers the majority of its length on both sides of the creek.