Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai

3 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min

9.5 km
oneway

↑ 510 m
↓ -508 m

Hard track
From the ridges above Cowan Creek, this walk takes in some great lookouts (especially around Mt Kuring-gai) as well as enjoying an extremely pleasant bush track along the creek. Easily accessible by public transport, this track gives walkers a good taste of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has to offer. Be sure to spare some time for a dawdle around the bays on Cowan Creek. 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.
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Berowra Station. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Path beside Berowra Station. | Photo by admin, 2011.
H2H sign near Berowra Station. | Photo by admin, 2011.
View of Berowra Station from bridge. | Photo by admin, 2011.
View of freeway from near Berowra Station. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Berowra Track signpost. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Near the top of Berowra Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
View from near the top of Berowra Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Wide section of the Berowra Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Boronia flower. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Top most hairpin bend in the Berowra Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Winding along the side of the hill on the Berowra Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Short cliff on the Berowra Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
View across the valley. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Berowra Track in Waratah Gully. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Waratah Gully crossing. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Walking along the Berowra Track east of the Waratah Gully crossing. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Walking through Waratah Gully. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Near the apex of Waratah Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Rusty hulk of Windybank boat in Waratah Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Footings for Windybank's old boatshed in Waratah Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Looking across Waratah Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Track beside Waratah Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Small cave on the Berowra Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Looking over Cowan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Ferny hill side beside Cowan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Mushroom on Berowra Track beside Cowan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Rocky steps on Berowra Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Overhang near Lord's Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Walking alongside Lord's Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Orange Fungus growing beside Cowan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Crossing an Lord's Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Fungus south of Lord's Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Track beside Cowan Creek north of Winson Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Cowan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Looking up Cowan Creek from Winson Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Berowra Track south of Winson Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Track maintaince. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Ferny section of track south of Winson Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Crossing an unnamed Bay. | Photo by admin, 2011.
A rocky creek soon to flow into Cowan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Rock track west of Cowan Creek viewpoint . | Photo by admin, 2011.
Cowan Creek viewpoint. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Cowan Creek viewpoint view. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Nav marker on Cowan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Berowra track north of int with Mt Kuring-gai track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Int of Mt Kuring-gai and Berowra Tracks. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Near the bottom of Mt Kuring-gai Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
View from Near the bottom of Mt Kuring-gai Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Re-growth on the Mt Ku-ring-gai track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Flat section on the Mt Kuring-gai Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Rocky section of the Mt Kuring-gai Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Steps between rocks on the Mt Kuring-gai Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Rock steps north of the lookout track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Wide flat track north of int of viewpoint and Mt Kuring-gai Tracks . | Photo by admin, 2011.
Int of viewpoint and Mt Kuring-gai Tracks. | Photo by admin, 2011.
View from the Viewpoint off Mt Kuring-gai Track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Wide trail east of Mt Kuring-gai. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Gate at the top of the Mt Kuring-gai track. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Welcome to Ku-ring-gai Chase national park. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Harwood Ave. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Eastern end of Mt Kuring-gai rail and freeway footbridge. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Mt Kuring-gai Station. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Mt Ku-ring-gai Walking Tack sign at station. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.623172,151.1533134)
Mode Car (The train station is on the Pacific Hwy about 10 km north of Hornsby. There is parking in the area (although this can fill up mid week with commuters). Parking is permitted in many of the back streets.) Special (Most trains stop at Berowra and services run regularly about every 30mins during peak and hourly off peak. The station is on the Newcastle line between Hornsby and Wyong so access from the North or South is easy. More info) Train
Finish (-33.653774,151.1368008)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car   (From Mt Ku-ring-gai Station it is possible to get away to either Hornsby to the South or Brooklyn and the Central Coast in the North using the Pacific Hwy.) Special   (To get away from Mt Ku-ring-gai Train Station trains run approximately every hour along the Newcastle Line. This line goes both ways between Hornsby and Wyong. More info) Train  
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the front of Berowra Station, this walk follows the footpath between the Pacific Highway and railway line, whilst keeping the highway to your left. After about 50m this walk comes to 'Berowra Parade' marked with a large 'Harbour to Hawkesbury' information sign and map. Here the walk turns right and follows the little used road down over railway bridge then around the green metal gate to cross over the F3 on a large concrete bridge. On the other side of the freeway this walk comes to a small clearing marked with a large 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - Berowra Track' sign.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 10 m pass the car park (20 m on your left).
After another 45 m turn right.
After another 20 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 70 m long)
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 140 m turn left.
After another 305 m turn left.
After another 1.6 km find the "Waratah Bay" (8 m on your right).
Waratah Bay
Waratah Bay

Waratah Bay sits on the eastern extent of Cowan Waters east of Berowra. The bay is home to a rusting metal boat hull, this boat marks the spot where the Edward Windybank and his family once worked and lived. Edward Windybank worked on the construction nearby railway line from 1886 to 87. Windybank also named the bay and acquired a life-long lease to use it. It seems that he built a small home, boat shed and a narrow road up the hill. Windybank operate a boat building a hire business on site
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Waratah Bay sits on the eastern extent of Cowan Waters east of Berowra. The bay is home to a rusting metal boat hull, this boat marks the spot where the Edward Windybank and his family once worked and lived. Edward Windybank worked on the construction nearby railway line from 1886 to 87. Windybank also named the bay and acquired a life-long lease to use it. It seems that he built a small home, boat shed and a narrow road up the hill. Windybank operate a boat building a hire business on site

After another 4.1 km cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
Then find the "Cowan Creek View" (on your right).
Cowan Creek View
Cowan Creek View

Cowan Creek View, is a timber platform lookout on Cowan Creek. The lookout is on the northern side of a headland and provide great views down along Cowan Creek. This is a great place to rest and enjoy the water views.
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Cowan Creek View, is a timber platform lookout on Cowan Creek. The lookout is on the northern side of a headland and provide great views down along Cowan Creek. This is a great place to rest and enjoy the water views.

The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 320 m continue straight.
After another 360 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 1.4 km come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right).
Continue straight.
Then come to the "Firefighters Rest" (35 m on your right).
After another 250 m continue straight.
After another 670 m head through/around the gate.
Then pass the "Mount Ku-ring-gai Track" (5 m on your right).
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 105 m continue straight.
After another 100 m continue straight.
After another 45 m continue straight.
Then cross the bridge (about 90 m long)
Then head through the tunnel
After another 25 m head through the tunnel
After another 4 m come to the end.
About 90 m past the end is a toilet.

An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 840 m pass the sign.
Then cross the bridge (about 35 m long)
After another 25 m turn right.
Then to find the car park.
After another 35 m turn left.
After another 7 m pass the park (7 m on your right).
After another 25 m turn left.
After another 20 m pass the toilet (40 m on your right).
After another 25 m pass the cafe (20 m on your right).

Sa-Su
PH
About 20 m past the end is "Apple Tree Bay".
Apple Tree Bay
Apple Tree Bay

Apple Tree Bay, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park, has a popular boat ramp for accessing Cowan creek and plenty of parking. The area has kiosk, electric BBQ's, picnic benches, toilets, drinking water, garbage facilities, and shade provided by trees. If you are after a quiet spot, head to the western end (away from the boat ramp, past the BBQ's), just beyond the car park, to a lovely clearing by the water. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise. The kiosk/cafe is open on weekend and services hot and cold drinks, ice creams and some hot food.
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Apple Tree Bay, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park, has a popular boat ramp for accessing Cowan creek and plenty of parking. The area has kiosk, electric BBQ's, picnic benches, toilets, drinking water, garbage facilities, and shade provided by trees. If you are after a quiet spot, head to the western end (away from the boat ramp, past the BBQ's), just beyond the car park, to a lovely clearing by the water. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise. The kiosk/cafe is open on weekend and services hot and cold drinks, ice creams and some hot food.

The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 970 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay Viewpoint.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 105 m come to the end.
"Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout".
Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout
Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout

This informal, unfenced lookout is perched on some rocks, not far from the Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track. It provides views across the valley to Cowan Creek and over much of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.
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This informal, unfenced lookout is perched on some rocks, not far from the Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track. It provides views across the valley to Cowan Creek and over much of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 105 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 9.5 km
Time 3 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.8 km apart with the largest gap of 7.5 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
6.5 km + 950 m[toilet]
Toilet
9.6 km[toilet]
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Articles
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