Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks
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.

Getting There

Start	(-33.7217468,151.0442126)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pennant Hills Road, A28 Turn on to Castle Hill Road then drive for 580 m Turn right onto New Line Road and drive for another 400 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto New Line Road and drive for another 1.4 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto New Line Road and drive for another 540 m At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Shepherds Drive and drive for another 600 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Shepherds Drive and drive for another 150 m
Finish	(-33.7320121,151.0782166)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train

Track Notes

Getting started
From below 50 Shepherds Drive, opposite the shopping centre, the walk follows the concrete footpath into 'The Lakes Of Cherrybrook' park, keeping the playground to the right. The footpath comes to the signpost for 'Callicoma Walk' just before the unfenced lakes.....

An optional side trip to Thornleigh Quarry.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the Cherrybrook Lakes at the start. Cherrybrook Village shopping centre (about 95 m back from the start). Cherrybrook Village shopping centre Cherrybrook Village shopping centre The Cherrybrook Village shopping centre is located at 41/47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. There are a number of local cafes and eateries here, plus some franchises such as Subway and Gloria Jeans, making a great stop for walkers. There is also a Woolworths supermarket. The centre is open 9:00-5:30 Mon-Wed & Fri, 9:00-9:00 Thu, 9:00-5:00 Sat and 10:00-4:00 Sun. Some of the cafes and eateries open directly outside so they may be open longer hours. + - The Cherrybrook Village shopping centre is located at 41/47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. There are a number of local cafes and eateries here, plus some franchises such as Subway and Gloria Jeans, making a great stop for walkers. There is also a Woolworths supermarket. The centre is open 9:00-5:30 Mon-Wed & Fri, 9:00-9:00 Thu, 9:00-5:00 Sat and 10:00-4:00 Sun. Some of the cafes and eateries open directly outside so they may be open longer hours. After 135 m pass the playground (15 m on your right). After another 15 m find the "The Lakes Of Cherrybrook" (8 m on your right). The Lakes Of Cherrybrook The Lakes Of Cherrybrook The Lakes Of Cherrybrook is a park at the intersection of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. The lakes featured in the park were formed when the local creek was dammed for the benefit of farmers. The park has a free electric BBQ, sheltered picnic tables, taps and bubblers as well as a playground for the kids. There is a large shopping centre nearby. There are several signposted buswalks in the area, including the 5.1km 'Callicoma Walk' loop track. + - The Lakes Of Cherrybrook is a park at the intersection of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. The lakes featured in the park were formed when the local creek was dammed for the benefit of farmers. The park has a free electric BBQ, sheltered picnic tables, taps and bubblers as well as a playground for the kids. There is a large shopping centre nearby. There are several signposted buswalks in the area, including the 5.1km 'Callicoma Walk' loop track. After another 25 m pass the sign (on your right).
	After another 65 m turn right.
	After another 10 m turn left. After another 20 m head through the tunnel (about 30 m long) After another 45 m find the "Cherrybrook Girl Guides" (20 m on your left). Cherrybrook Girl Guides Cherrybrook Girl Guides The Cherrybrook Girl Guides building is at the corner of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. + - The Cherrybrook Girl Guides building is at the corner of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. Then pass the car park (135 m on your left). After another 60 m find the "Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade" (55 m on your left). Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade The Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade building is in Shepherds Dr (near the intersection with Macquarie Dr), Cherrybrook. This is the home of the Cherrybrook Rural Fire Service, a wholly volunteer brigade. There is an entry onto the 'Blackwattle Trail' and some of the local bushwalks behind the building, and a water tap at the front of the building. + - The Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade building is in Shepherds Dr (near the intersection with Macquarie Dr), Cherrybrook. This is the home of the Cherrybrook Rural Fire Service, a wholly volunteer brigade. There is an entry onto the 'Blackwattle Trail' and some of the local bushwalks behind the building, and a water tap at the front of the building. After another 350 m cross the stepping stones.
	After another 155 m (at the intersection of McKinley Firetrail & Benowie Walking Track) continue straight, to head along McKinley Firetrail.
	After another 40 m continue straight, to head along McKinley Firetrail.
	After another 170 m turn left, to head along McKinley Firetrail.
	After another 120 m (at the intersection of Pogson Firetrail & McKinley Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Schofield Firetrail.
	After another 390 m (at the intersection of Schofield Firetrail & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along Schofield Firetrail. After another 105 m cross the ford.
	At the intersection of Schofield Firetrail & The Great North Walk turn left, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track). After another 20 m find the "The Jungo" (7 m on your right). The Jungo The Jungo The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities. Speculation on the source of the name 'Jungo' includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words ('Junction' gets corrupted to 'jung-o' etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words. + - The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities. Speculation on the source of the name 'Jungo' includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words ('Junction' gets corrupted to 'jung-o' etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words. Then pass the sign (10 m on your right). After another 530 m cross the ford. After another 60 m cross the ford. After another 130 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Thornleigh Quarry. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 680 m (at the intersection of Timbarra Road - Bellamy Street Cycleway & The Great North Walk) turn right, to head along Timbarra Road - Bellamy Street Cycleway. After another 10 m pass the sign (on your right). After another 50 m find the "Thornleigh zigzag railway" (10 m on your left). Thornleigh zigzag railway Thornleigh zigzag railway The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to a historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The 'Heritage Trail' in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9 + - The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to a historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The 'Heritage Trail' in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9 After another 50 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
	Sydney Cove After another 9 m (at the intersection of Timbarra Road - Bellamy Street Cycleway & The Great North Walk) by following the "Sydney Cove" sign veer left, to head along The Great North Walk. Then find the "Trip Hazard" (on your left). Trip Hazard Trip Hazard Unfenced and unmarked edge with potential 80cm or higher fall into the creek. Keep clear of the culverts edge when crossing. + - Unfenced and unmarked edge with potential 80cm or higher fall into the creek. Keep clear of the culverts edge when crossing. After another 40 m pass the sign (on your right). After another 35 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long) After another 160 m pass the "The Great North Walk" (on your right).
	At the intersection of Morgan Street & The Great North Walk turn left, to head along Morgan Street (a residential road).
	After another 145 m continue straight, to head along Morgan Street.
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of Morgan Street & Dale Close) continue straight, to head along Morgan Street. After another 120 m (at the intersection of Tillock Street & Morgan Street) continue straight (a footpath). After another 270 m pass the "The Great North Walk" (5 m on your left).
	Tillock St By following the "Tillock St" sign turn left.
	After another 40 m continue straight. After another 660 m pass the "The Great North Walk" (on your left).
	Continue straight.
	After another 200 m continue straight.
	After another 8 m turn right.
	After another 25 m veer left. Then pass the "The Great North Walk" (on your left). After another 60 m pass the "Monday Morning" (40 m on your right). Then pass the pay phone (15 m on your right).
	Veer right. Then cross the bridge Then pass the "The Great North Walk" (on your right). After another 7 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
	After another 20 m come to the end. About 20 m past the end is a pay phone. About 20 m past the end is a toilet., female.
	At the intersection of The Great North Walk & Timbarra Road - Bellamy Street Cycleway Start heading along Timbarra Road - Bellamy Street Cycleway (a walking track). After 30 m cross the ford.
	After another 8 m continue straight, to head along Timbarra Road - Bellamy Street Cycleway.
	After another 110 m come to the end. "Old Thornleigh Quarry". Old Thornleigh Quarry Old Thornleigh Quarry The old Thornleigh Quarry is located beside the Heritage Trail in Thornleigh, within Berowra Valley Regional Park. The quarry dates back to 1883 and was initially a source of 'ballast' for portions of the Sydney (Homebush) to Newcastle (Waratah) rail link. There is a firm, flat dirt track that leads about 40m from the concrete trail to the centre of the old quarry. You will find a series of log seats in this amphitheatre making this a pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the intriguing mix of nature and history. A book is available with some detail on this quarry and the associated zigzag railway: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9 + - The old Thornleigh Quarry is located beside the Heritage Trail in Thornleigh, within Berowra Valley Regional Park. The quarry dates back to 1883 and was initially a source of 'ballast' for portions of the Sydney (Homebush) to Newcastle (Waratah) rail link. There is a firm, flat dirt track that leads about 40m from the concrete trail to the centre of the old quarry. You will find a series of log seats in this amphitheatre making this a pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the intriguing mix of nature and history. A book is available with some detail on this quarry and the associated zigzag railway: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9 Turn around and retrace your steps back the 150 m to the main route.

Terrain

Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	4.7 km
Time	1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There is one 1.7 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 4.7 km from the start.

Seat: There is one 4.7 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Campsite	1.7 km	The Jungo
Seat	4.7 km	[seat]
Toilet	4.7 km	[toilet]

Articles

The Lakes Of Cherrybrook
The Lakes Of Cherrybrook is a park at the intersection of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. The lakes featured in the park were formed when the local creek was dammed for the benefit of farmers. The park has a free electric BBQ, sheltered picnic tables, taps and bubblers as well as a playground for the kids. There is a large shopping centre nearby. There are several signposted buswalks in the area, including the 5.1km 'Callicoma Walk' loop track.

The Jungo
The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities. Speculation on the source of the name 'Jungo' includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words ('Junction' gets corrupted to 'jung-o' etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words.

Thornleigh zigzag railway
The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to a historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The 'Heritage Trail' in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9

Old Thornleigh Quarry
The old Thornleigh Quarry is located beside the Heritage Trail in Thornleigh, within Berowra Valley Regional Park. The quarry dates back to 1883 and was initially a source of 'ballast' for portions of the Sydney (Homebush) to Newcastle (Waratah) rail link. There is a firm, flat dirt track that leads about 40m from the concrete trail to the centre of the old quarry. You will find a series of log seats in this amphitheatre making this a pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the intriguing mix of nature and history. A book is available with some detail on this quarry and the associated zigzag railway: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9

Get more information
Wildwalks

Reviews & Feedback

Weather & Alerts

Show Full Weather

Alerts and Closures

Show all alerts

Show all alerts

Show all alerts

Other Journeys

Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.

Weather Forecast for {{location.name}}

Alerts and Closures