List of Bushwalks in The Council of the Shire of Hornsby

Environment

Daphne Place Dog Walking Trail

Daphne Place Dog Walking Trail

430 m oneway

10 min to 15 min

This is a pleasant dog-friendly walk, passing through some nice bush on the fringe of Cherrybrook. Despite being within the Berowra Valley Regional Park, this is an 'Authorised On-Lead Dog Walking Track'. The walk starts at the end of Daphne Pl, Cherrybrook and can be done as a one-way walk, finishing at Patricia Cl, or by returning along the same track. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

A very pleasant and easy stroll along a path to a stunning view. Starting from Barnetts Road car park you follow the footpath through the picnic area, past the playground then meander gently downhill through the open forest among the scribbly gum trees. You soon discover a fenced lookout platform with amazing views up and down the Berowra Valley. The views of trees go on forever, on a clear day you can even see the Blue Mountains. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug and Guringai Country people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Barnetts Lookout

440 m return

9 min to 10 min

Environment

This rock formation really does look like a Whale. The walk down from Boundary Rd is the shortest and easiest way to see Whale Rock. The walk follows a management trail the short distance to an intersection where you will find Whale Rock. This walk starts at the end of Boundary Rd in North Epping. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Whale Rock

520 m return

10 min to 15 min

Environment

Bellamy St to De Saxe Cl dog walking trail

Bellamy St to De Saxe Cl dog walking trail

550 m oneway

15 min to 30 min

This short walk follows a concrete management trail between Bellamy St and De Saxe Close. This is one of a few dog friendly bushwalks in the Berowra Valley Regional Park. You walk through some beautiful bush with a good array of grass and eucalyptus trees. At the bottom of the valley a bridge spans ZigZag Creek allowing you to keep your feet dry. There are also some good information signs explaining the rich history of the railway line and quarry that once passed through here. The authorised dog walk exits up the steps to the base of De Saxe Cl. We have also include an alternate exit, staying on the main trail to then end of Timbarra Rd for those walking without dogs. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Pets

Environment

This is a short and pretty walk that can be enjoyed by everyone. It makes a nice addition to a picnic or paddle at Bobbin Head. Starting from the southern end of the Bobbin Head picnic area, you will enjoy great views of Cockle Creek from the bridge, then meander along the boardwalk through the mangroves. There are information signs to help you learn more about the environment and plenty of opportunities to see the mangroves and crabs up close. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Bobbin Head Boardwalk

580 m return

10 min to 15 min

Bobbin Head Boardwalk

Environment

Clarinda St Dog Walking Trail

Clarinda St Dog Walking Trail

590 m oneway

15 min to 30 min

This short walk links Clarinda St and Simon Pl in Hornsby Heights. The walk follows a management trail and is one of three dog friendly walks in Berowra Valley Regional Park. Starting at the wetlands at the end of Clarinda St you follow the Great North Walk alternate route until the turn off to the Simon Place. Dogs on leash are most welcome on this section of the trail. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

This is a pleasant loop walk, close to Cherrybrook. The walk crosses Disturbed Creek (not officially named) a couple of times and includes some nice scenery along the creek with ferns, grasstrees and eucalypt forest. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Blackwattle Close Loop

600 m circuit

15 min to 30 min

Blackwattle Close Loop

The Mambara Track is a short walk, accessible to everyone, and a great walk for gaining some knowledge about the local bush. The walk follows a concrete footpath and has many signs with information about the surrounding bush. A great loop walk for the whole family and great introduction to the walking experiences in the area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Mambara Track

670 m circuit

15 min to 20 min

A short walk to a beautiful lookout with views over the Berowra Creek valley, near Westleigh. This is a short and interesting walk to one on those really beautiful pockets of bush in the middle of the suburbs. The lookout is in the Berowra Valley Regional Park and also on the Great North Walk. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Elouera Lookout

810 m return

20 min to 30 min

Environment

This is a great walk to take the kids on, with a fenced playground, a swimming area and pelicans. For mum and dad, there is parking, a Federation interpretive display, picnic and toilet facilities and views over the Hawkesbury River from Flat Rock Point above. This short walk complements a fresh seafood lunch in Brooklyn, making for a great summer treat. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharug & Gundungurra people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

McKell Park Loop

910 m circuit

20 min to 30 min

Environment

Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout

Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout

990 m return

20 min to 30 min

This great walk starts from Crosslands Reserve. The walk follows a section of the Great North Walk along an old road, timber boardwalk and firm dirt tracks to a lovely timber lookout platform on the edge of Berowra Creek. Along the way are signs providing interesting information about the mangroves, estuaries and other surrounding flora and fauna. Make a day of it by enjoying the picnic areas and playground at the start of the walk. You can even book a campsite and enjoy the area for longer. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

This is a short walk down into the Lane Cove Valley, crossing the Lane Cove River, and out the other side. The entire track is concrete, making it a favourite trail for bike riders taking the short cut from Turramurra to Maquarie University. There are picnic tables at Browns Water Hole. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Browns Waterhole Track

1.2 km oneway

30 min to 1 h

Browns Waterhole Track

This is a great walk for visitors looking for a reasonably short adventure after lunch. The leisurely walk starts from the cafe and information centre at Bobbin Head and follows the Warrimoo Track up the hill to the Cockle Creek Lookout, before returning along the same route. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Cockle Creek Lookout

1.2 km return

30 min to 1 h

Environment

Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

1.4 km return

30 min to 1 h

A very nice walk through a small part of the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The extensive rock platforms of Refuge Rock make a beautiful place to relax and explore. The optional side trip to see the natural rock arch is well worth it, adding some really beautiful scenery to the walk. Another great bushland walk in the midst of the suburbs. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

McKell Park to Flat Rock Point

McKell Park to Flat Rock Point

1.5 km return

20 min to 40 min

This short track is excellent walk for those with young children. The track passes the fantastic McKell Park playground facilities, which stand next to the Federation Interpretive Display. For the warmer months, enclosed beach pool is right next to the track. The views of the Hawkesbury River are quite stunning and the protected Parsley Bay is popular with pelicans. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

The Woodcourt Firetrail is a one-way walk starting from the intersection of Woodcourt Firetrail & Turner Road, Berowra Heights. This walk is pet friendly (on lead), so you can bring your furry friends along. Birdsong will accompany you as you make your way through the eucalypt trees, and you can spot some rare birdies if you tread lightly. You can come across tadpoles in the puddles on-track, and frog calls will be an indicator as well. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Woodcourt Firetrail

1.6 km oneway

30 min to 45 min

Pets

Environment

Bobbin Head Rainforest Walk

Bobbin Head Rainforest Walk

1.6 km return

40 min to 1 h 20 min

This pleasant walk starts from the southern end of Bobbin Head, and enjoys a blend of mangrove and rainforest environs. The well-signposted track gives you the opportunity to see the mangrove wildlife up close and also an historic Aboriginal axe grinding stone and some temperate rainforest. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from the end of Turner Road this short walk is great for exploring tracks and trails in the area. Dogs are welcome on this walk, but be mindful not to cross the Muogamarra Nature Reserve border, as you know, dogs are not allowed in nature reserves. This walk is best in spring with the abundance of wildflowers blooming. You will walk past one of the overnight campsites for the Great North Walk and if you explore some of the side tracks there are some great distance views. If leaving the fire trail be mindful there are many cliffs in the area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug and Guringai Country people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Turner Rd trail

2 km return

30 min to 1 h

Pets

Environment

This walk follows the Blackwattle Trail around the fringe of Cherrybrook, starting at the Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade building, in Shepherds Drive, and finishing in Patricia Place. It is a nice walk and follows a management trail for its whole length. The walk passes through a mix of dry eucalypt forest and wetter areas with ferns. There are also some patches of casuarinas and plenty of grasstrees to see along the way. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Blackwattle Trail

2.2 km oneway

50 min to 1 h

This walk provides a beautiful mixture of scenery, including rainforest-like sections along the creek, as well as drier forest with grass trees and beautiful sandstone overhangs. The walk starts on Francis Greenway Dr and follows part of the Callicoma Walk. There are two main points of interest on the walk, the 'Coachwood Grotto' and the 'Callicoma Caves', making it a rewarding walk. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Callicoma Caves

2.5 km return

1 h to 1 h 30 min

Environment

Belinda Cres to Whale Rock

Belinda Cres to Whale Rock

2.8 km return

50 min to 1 h

This walk starts from Belinda Cres and provides a lovely walk to Whale Rock. The walk first passes some exotic plants and then into more native bushland with some interesting canopies and dense growth. Whale Rock, one of the features of this walk, is quite a sight and is well worth exploring. It is possible to walk up the service trail to Boundary Rd from Whale Rock to make a one way walk. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Canoon Rd to Whale Rock

3.3 km return

1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min

Canoon Rd to Whale Rock

3.3 km

Return

This walk goes to Whale Rock, from the sporting complex at the end of Canoon Rd, Turramurra. The walk follows Devlin's Creek for the most part, winding through the valley. A great way to see the Lane Cove Valley, and explore the sandstone and fern filled scenery. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min

Waterfall

Environment

Naa Badu circuit walk

3.6 km circuit

1 h 15 min to 1 h 45 min

Naa Badu circuit walk

3.6 km

Circuit

Starting from the end of Berkeley Close Road, this lovely circuit walk takes you along Berkeley Fire trail to Naa Badu Lookout for some stunning views over Berowra Creek Valley, across Mount Orient to the Blue Mountains. 'Naa Badu' means 'see water' in the Darug language, and you will see why this is a very special place. There is a picnic table at the lookout to allow you to rest before looping around more the fire trail then through the roads back to the start. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

1 h 15 min to 1 h 45 min

Run

40 min to 1 h

Environment

Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

4 km oneway

1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

4 km

Oneway

A nice walk around the fringes of Cherrybrook plus the interesting and atmospheric Refuge Rock. The optional sidetrip to the natural rock arch adds some beautiful scenery to the walk. The walk passes through an interesting mixture of moist creek side scenery and drier forest before reaching Refuge Rock with its nice views. The extensive rock platforms at Refuge Rock are interesting to explore, or a nice place just to relax. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

Environment

Apple Tree Bay Birrawanna Loop

Apple Tree Bay Birrawanna Loop

4.1 km circuit

1 h 45 min to 2 h

This walk enjoys some great views and quiet bushland in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. From Apple Tree Bay, the walk soon heads over the hill and loops down to Bobbin Head, with the option of a bite to eat at the kiosk before returning along a similar but different route to Apple Tree Bay. The walk has some steep sections but is well worth the effort. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

4.1 km circuit

1 h 45 min to 2 h

This is an enjoyable circuit walk that allows you to explore this rare pocket of Sydney Blue Gum forest. You will follow a signposted track across a few creeks and alongside Waitara Creek, with a few cascades. There are many small sandstone caves and a great diversity in plant life along the way. Sit quietly on the bank of Waitara Creek and you may see a water dragon, or get going early and listen for the Lyrebirds. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug and Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St

Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St

4.3 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

4.3 km

Circuit

A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park. The walk starts and finishes at the end of Schofield Pde, Pennant Hills. The scenery includes nice forest while going down Stringybark ridge and beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek, as well as an optional side trip to see the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag railway. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

This walk from the Turramurra entry to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, this is an alternative way to get down to Bobbin Head. This walk mostly follows the old road down to Bobbin Head, starting along the flat management trail with its red dirt and high heath. About halfway along, the track becomes steeper as it winds down the hill, and then joins up with a bush track leading through the rocks to Warrimoo Track, which you then follow to Bobbin Head. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darug people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Bobbin Head Track

4.4 km oneway

1 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min

1 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min

This pleasant walk starts near the kiosk at Bobbin Head, climbing the sandstone stairs and then follows a defined track to the Kalkari Discovery Centre. Kalkari is well worth spending some time exploring, with opportunities to learn about and mix with the local flora and fauna. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Birrawanna Track

4.4 km return

2 h to 4 h

Environment

Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

4.7 km oneway

1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

4.7 km

Oneway

This walk is mostly within the Berowra Valley Regional Park. It has some beautiful sections with great scenery, including sandstone rock features, lots of ferns and great scenery along Zig Zag creek. There is an optional side trip to visit the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag railway. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

Environment

Urban

This track takes you to one of the most iconic views along the the Great North Walk. From Cowan Station, the walk passes through a variety of environments, with dryer vegetation near the freeway and moister rainforest-like plants near the water. Jerusalem Bay is a pretty area, shared by walkers and boaters, and a great place to relax before the walk back up to the station. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Jerusalem Bay Track

4.9 km return

2 h to 4 h