Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout

20 min to 30 min
30 min to 45 min

990 m
return

↑ 15 m
↓ -15 m

Smooth & flat
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.
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Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Norther Crosslands picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2010.
start of Crosslands boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2010.
int of Berowra creek lookout and Great North Walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Berowra Creek Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2016.
Photo by admin, 2016.
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 (-33.6270956,151.1105253)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Galston Road
  • Turn on to Somerville Road then drive for 6.8 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the northern end of Crosslands car park (at the far northern end of Somerville Rd, Hornsby Heights), this walk follows the 'Newcastle' arrow on the large 'Great North Walk' sign around the locked gate and along the sealed old road. The walk continues along the old road for just over 150m passing 4 picnic tables to come to a y-intersection. At the intersection this walk veers right, past the 'Place of Winds' sign and wetland (on your right). This walk continues along this old road for a little longer, coming to an intersection marked with a large 'Crosslands' information board and 'Great North walk' sign. This is just on the edge of the northern picnic area, not far from the toilet block.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 4 m continue straight.
Find the gate at the start.
Find the Wheelchair Rough at the start.
Wheelchair Rough
Wheelchair Rough

Link from carpark to path is across exposed ground (muddy after rain) and between timber bollards that are 80cm high and 1.5m apart.
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Link from carpark to path is across exposed ground (muddy after rain) and between timber bollards that are 80cm high and 1.5m apart.

After another 60 m find the "Picnic Table" (on your right).
Picnic Table
Picnic Table

A timber slat picnic table and bench seat. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (3x5.5m) and about 7m (across grass) from the path.
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A timber slat picnic table and bench seat. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (3x5.5m) and about 7m (across grass) from the path.

After another 35 m pass the "tap" (on your right).
After another 135 m find the "Picnic Shelter" (50 m on your left).
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Shelter

A roofed timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 81cm high, 84cm deep and 2.8m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 1.7m wide. On a paved area (5.6x5.6m) and about 25m (across grass) from the nearest path.
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A roofed timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 81cm high, 84cm deep and 2.8m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 1.7m wide. On a paved area (5.6x5.6m) and about 25m (across grass) from the nearest path.

Continue straight.
After another 15 m find the "Picnic Table" (50 m on your left).
Picnic Table
Picnic Table

A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (3.8x5.5m) and about 25m (across grass) from the nearest path.
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A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (3.8x5.5m) and about 25m (across grass) from the nearest path.

After another 15 m find the "Picnic Shelter" (60 m on your left).
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Shelter

Two roofed timber slat picnic tables and bench seats. The table is 81cm high, 84cm deep and 2.8m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 1.7m wide. On two joined paved area (~5.6x5.6m) and about 30m (across grass) from the nearest path.
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Two roofed timber slat picnic tables and bench seats. The table is 81cm high, 84cm deep and 2.8m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 1.7m wide. On two joined paved area (~5.6x5.6m) and about 30m (across grass) from the nearest path.

Then pass the BBQ (60 m on your left).
Turn right.
After another 20 m pass the toilet (70 m on your left).
Then pass the water tap (60 m on your left).
Then find the "Crosslands North Picnic area" (15 m on your left).
Crosslands North Picnic area
Crosslands North Picnic area

The northern section of Crosslands is in Berowra Valley NP and is a less formal picnic area compared with the southern area. There is a toilet block and a few sandy beaches with direct access to the water. Here you will find a few picnic tables and shelters, as well as garbage bins. The eastern side is home to a boardwalk exploring the estuarine wetland. A pleasant area to rest and enjoy the water. Fires are only permitted in formally established fire places .
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The northern section of Crosslands is in Berowra Valley NP and is a less formal picnic area compared with the southern area. There is a toilet block and a few sandy beaches with direct access to the water. Here you will find a few picnic tables and shelters, as well as garbage bins. The eastern side is home to a boardwalk exploring the estuarine wetland. A pleasant area to rest and enjoy the water. Fires are only permitted in formally established fire places .

After another 20 m find the "Trip Hazard" (on your left).
Trip Hazard
Trip Hazard

There is a 4cm step from between the dirt path and the northern end of the timber boardwalk.
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There is a 4cm step from between the dirt path and the northern end of the timber boardwalk.

Then cross the bridge (about 55 m long)
After another 75 m cross the bridge
After another 80 m veer left.
Then cross the bridge
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 490 m to get back to the start.
"Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout".
Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout
Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout

The Estuarie lookout over Berowara Creek is found at the end of the wheelchair-accessible walk in Crosslands area. The timber lookout platform provides great views over Berowra Creek, the timber fence is 95cm high. There are also information signs about the local flora and fauna and the 'Original Inhabitants'. There are two timber bench seats encouraging you to take some time to soak up this view.
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The Estuarie lookout over Berowara Creek is found at the end of the wheelchair-accessible walk in Crosslands area. The timber lookout platform provides great views over Berowra Creek, the timber fence is 95cm high. There are also information signs about the local flora and fauna and the 'Original Inhabitants'. There are two timber bench seats encouraging you to take some time to soak up this view.

A viewpoint.
A seat., has a backrest.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout


Grading
Class 1/6
Smooth & flat
Length 990 m
Time 20 min to 30 min
Quality of track Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Naturally Accessible
Slope summary:
Mostly flat or gentle slopes. No section steeper than 1:12.

Surface summary:
This walk follows a closed asphalt road for 250m, leads across 20m of grass, 2 sections of 70m section of timber boardwalk and a 60m section of bumpy dirt track (then returns the same way). Track may become boggy at very high tides or after rain.

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one 275 m from the start.

Seat: There is one 520 m from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
275 m[toilet]
Seat
520 m[seat]
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