Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

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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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Rosemead Road & Lockinvar Place (-33.7007565,151.0864611)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Highway, B83, Hookhams Corner. Turn on to Peats Ferry Road then drive for 160 m Turn left onto William Street and drive for another 245 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto William Street and drive for another 520 m Turn left onto Rosemead Road and drive for another 1.1 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the lower side of Berowra Valley Bushland Park (at the end of Rosemead Rd, Hornsby), this walk follows the 'Fishponds 1.2km' arrow on the large sign, down the track for approximately 30m, to the intersection with the Rosemead management trail, marked with a Great North Walk arrow.
From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the wide rocky management trail as it bends left (and passing some houses off to the left). The trail then bends right and leads across Old Mans Creek using some concrete stepping stones. The walk then continues by heading up the moderately steep hill and then through a thick blue gum and bracken fern forest. The wide trail leads to the top of the hill then bends left, (ignoring the track on the right) to pass over a saddle. Here the trail leads down the gentle hill, through the turpentine forest for just over 300m to find an intersection with narrower track on the right, marked with arrow posts.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Rosemead Trail At the intersection of Rosemead Road & Lockinvar Place by following the "Rosemead Trail" sign Start heading along Rosemead Road (a residential road). After 25 m head through/around the gate. Then find the "Berowra Valley Bushland Park" (15 m on your right). Berowra Valley Bushland Park 'Berowra Valley Bushland Park' is also known as Rosemead Rd Park and is found at the bottom end of Rosemead Rd, Hornsby. This is an open area park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees, making a pleasant spot to rest on a walk. It has a picnic table with bench seats, and a sheltered free electric BBQ. There is a water tap in the park, near the road. There is also a 'Welcome to Old Mans Valley' information sign with information about the traditional country of the Darug and Guringai peoples.
	Fishponds At the intersection of Rosemead Firetrail & Hornsby Heritage Steps by following the "Fishponds" sign veer left, to head along Rosemead Firetrail. Then pass the water tap (10 m on your right). After 25 m pass the BBQ (60 m on your right). After another 10 m pass the shelter (60 m on your right). Then pass the picnic table (60 m on your right). After another 5 m pass the picnic table (60 m on your right).
	After another 125 m (from the Rosemead Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Rosemead Firetrail. After another 5 m cross the ford.
	At the intersection of Rosemead Firetrail & Old Mans Creek continue straight, to head along Rosemead Firetrail.
	After another 330 m (from the Rosemead Firetrail) turn left, to head along Rosemead Firetrail.
	After another 400 m (at the intersection of Blue Gum Walk & Rosemead Firetrail) veer right, to head along Blue Gum Walk (a walking track). After another 6 m head down the 22 surface\|compacted steps (about 30 m long)
	Fishponds After another 3 m (at the intersection of Blue Gum Walk & The Great North Walk) by following the "Fishponds" sign continue straight, to head along Blue Gum Walk. Then pass the sign (on your right). After another 15 m head down the steps (about 10 m long) After another 145 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long) After another 90 m find the "Fishponds Lookout" (on your right). Fishponds Lookout Fishponds Lookout is a fenced rock platform at the intersection of the Benowie walking track and the Rosemead trackhead. It is marked with a number of Great North Walk signs. This informally named lookout has good views down over Fishponds, a large waterhole on Berowra Creek. Looking north across the creek, there are views to the upper waterhole and the cliffs on the other side. After another 8 m pass the sign (on your right). Then come to the "Fishponds Lookout". Then find the "Fishponds" (about 80 m ahead). Fishponds Fishponds is a long waterhole on Berowra Creek in Berowra Valley Regional Park. The waterhole is lined with tall cliffs and a few sandstone caves. At the southern end, there are stepping stones to help cross the creek, and a small timber bridge at the northern end. This is a beautiful spot and a worthy place to rest and enjoy the water passing by. The waterhole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities - please heed the signs and Cora's parents' plea and enjoy the water from the edge.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Fishponds crossing. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Thornleigh Station At the intersection of Blue Gum Walk & Great North Walk by following the "Thornleigh Station" sign turn sharp left, to head along Blue Gum Walk. After another 15 m head down the 13 earthen steps (about 7 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 3 m long) After another 285 m head up the rock steps (about 7 m long) After another 45 m cross the ford. This is flood prone; never cross flooded waterways.
	At the intersection of Blue Gum Walk & Waitara Creek continue straight, to head along Blue Gum Walk. After another 40 m pass the cave (on your left). After another 20 m head up the rock steps (about 10 m long) After another 50 m head up the stone steps (about 9 m long) After another 230 m head up the 22 stone steps (about 10 m long)
	Blue Gum Walk After another 230 m (at the intersection of Blue Gum Walk & The Great North Walk) by following the "Blue Gum Walk" sign continue straight, to head along Blue Gum Walk. Then pass the sign (on your right). After another 800 m head down the 16 earthen steps (about 3 m long)
	At the intersection of Ginger Meggs Trail & Blue Gum Walk turn left, to head along Ginger Meggs Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 90 m (from the Ginger Meggs Trail) continue straight.
	After another 185 m (from the Valley Sewage Line South Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Valley Sewage Line South Firetrail.
	After another 225 m (at the intersection of Ginger Meggs Trail & Valley Sewage Line South Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Ginger Meggs Trail. After another 25 m cross the ford.
	At the intersection of Ginger Meggs Trail & Waitara Creek continue straight, to head along Ginger Meggs Trail. After another 95 m head through/around the gate. Then pass the "Ginger Meggs Park" (on your left).
	At the intersection of Valley Road & Ginger Meggs Trail veer left, to head along Valley Road (a residential road). After another 25 m find the "Ginger Meggs Park" (10 m on your left). Ginger Meggs Park Ginger Meggs Park is a large fenced grassy area with childrens play equipment. The park is found on Valley Rd, Hornsby (opposite Lochness Pl). There are two picnic tables (with shelter), a garbage bin and a drinking fountain. The park was named in July 1997, for the comic character Ginger Meggs, created by Jimmy Bancks. Bancks (1889-1952) grew up in the local area, and the creek south of the park is also named in his honour. After another 50 m pass the playground (25 m on your left). Then pass the shelter (20 m on your left). Then pass the picnic table (25 m on your left).
	After another 65 m (from the Valley Road) continue straight, to head along Valley Road.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Rosemead Road & Valley Road) turn left, to head along Rosemead Road.
	Continue another 205 m to find at the intersection of Rosemead Road & Lockinvar Place at the end.

An optional side trip to Fishponds crossing.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Dural At the intersection of Great North Walk & Blue Gum Walk by following the "Dural" sign Start heading along Great North Walk (a walking track). Find the Fishponds Lookout at the start. Fishponds Lookout Fishponds Lookout is a fenced rock platform at the intersection of the Benowie walking track and the Rosemead trackhead. It is marked with a number of Great North Walk signs. This informally named lookout has good views down over Fishponds, a large waterhole on Berowra Creek. Looking north across the creek, there are views to the upper waterhole and the cliffs on the other side. After another 65 m cross the stepping stones (about 10 m long) This is flood prone; never cross flooded waterways.
	At the intersection of Great North Walk & Berowra Creek continue straight, to head along Great North Walk. After another 25 m come to "Fishponds". Fishponds Fishponds is a long waterhole on Berowra Creek in Berowra Valley Regional Park. The waterhole is lined with tall cliffs and a few sandstone caves. At the southern end, there are stepping stones to help cross the creek, and a small timber bridge at the northern end. This is a beautiful spot and a worthy place to rest and enjoy the water passing by. The waterhole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities - please heed the signs and Cora's parents' plea and enjoy the water from the edge.
	Continue another 0 m to find from the Great North Walk at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 90 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	4.1 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 2 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.4 km apart with the largest gap of 3.6 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	40 m	[shelter]
Shelter	3.6 km	[shelter]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Berowra Valley Bushland Park
'Berowra Valley Bushland Park' is also known as Rosemead Rd Park and is found at the bottom end of Rosemead Rd, Hornsby. This is an open area park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees, making a pleasant spot to rest on a walk. It has a picnic table with bench seats, and a sheltered free electric BBQ. There is a water tap in the park, near the road. There is also a 'Welcome to Old Mans Valley' information sign with information about the traditional country of the Darug and Guringai peoples.

Fishponds Lookout
Fishponds Lookout is a fenced rock platform at the intersection of the Benowie walking track and the Rosemead trackhead. It is marked with a number of Great North Walk signs. This informally named lookout has good views down over Fishponds, a large waterhole on Berowra Creek. Looking north across the creek, there are views to the upper waterhole and the cliffs on the other side.

Fishponds
Fishponds is a long waterhole on Berowra Creek in Berowra Valley Regional Park. The waterhole is lined with tall cliffs and a few sandstone caves. At the southern end, there are stepping stones to help cross the creek, and a small timber bridge at the northern end. This is a beautiful spot and a worthy place to rest and enjoy the water passing by. The waterhole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities - please heed the signs and Cora's parents' plea and enjoy the water from the edge.

Ginger Meggs Park
Ginger Meggs Park is a large fenced grassy area with childrens play equipment. The park is found on Valley Rd, Hornsby (opposite Lochness Pl). There are two picnic tables (with shelter), a garbage bin and a drinking fountain. The park was named in July 1997, for the comic character Ginger Meggs, created by Jimmy Bancks. Bancks (1889-1952) grew up in the local area, and the creek south of the park is also named in his honour.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Hornsby Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  30°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Cloud clearing during the early morning to a mostly sunny day. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe, most likely in the early afternoon. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning, shifting southerly 30 to 40 km/h in the early afternoon before tending south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon. Winds reaching up to 50 km/h along the coastal fringe with the southerly change during the afternoon.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Extreme
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]
  
  Tuesday 24 December
  
  15°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h early in the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning.
  
  Wednesday 25 December
  
  15°C → 28°C
  Sunny.
  0% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Thursday 26 December
  
  16°C → 32°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  20°C → 40°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely later in the day. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northerly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 30 km/h before shifting southerly 15 to 25 km/h later.
  
  Saturday 28 December
  
  18°C → 30°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Slight chance of a shower during the morning. Mostly sunny day. Winds southerly 15 to 25 km/h turning easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Sunday 29 December
  
  18°C → 33°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Berowra Valley National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Total Fire Ban - All tracks and trails closed in Berowra Valley National Park - Monday 23 December 2024
  All tracks and trails in Berowra Valley National Park are closed on Monday 23 December 2024 due to a Total Fire Ban and elevated Fire Danger rating.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.
  
  Please review RFS information on Total Fire Bans, Fire Danger Ratings, and keep up to date using the Hazards Near Me app:
  https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans
  https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app
  
  Fire bans: Total Fire Ban
  A total fire ban has been declared by the NSW Rural Fire Service. The total fire ban applies for the entire 24-hour period. Total fire ban rules apply. This ban may be extended. Please continue to check this website. To find out where and when total fire bans are currently in effect, please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service.
  
  Closed areas: Quarry trail and Great North Walk closure in Berowra Valley National Park
  Due to upgrade works on Steele Bridge on the Quarry trail in Berowra Valley National Park, there will be changed access to the surrounding trail network from Tuesday 8 October until Tuesday 31 December 2024.
  There will be no access across Berowra Creek on the Great North Walk (GNW) from the Quarry trail section in Hornsby, between Simon trail and Galston Gorge via Tunks Ridge campground.
  Walkers using the GNW will be required to detour via Simon trail, Sydney Road or Ulolo Road, Galston Road, Montview Parade, McKay Road or McKay trail in Hornsby Heights.
  Walkers planning to use Tunks Ridge campground can only access this area from the north, via Galston Road GNW entrance and Tunks Ridge trail.
  Access between Tunks Ridge campground and Quarry Road, Dural via Quarry trail through the Rifle Range safety template is prohibited at all times.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.
  
  Safety alerts: Swimming safety in Berowra Valley National Park
  Swimming is not advisable in Berowra Creek at certain times as the water may be subject to variable pollution levels and algal blooms. Please refer to the Hornsby Shire Council website before swimming in Berowra Creek. Alternatively you can call the Hornsby Council 24 hour information line on 9847 6666 or the Algal information line on 1800 999 457.
  Swimming at Fishponds is not advised at any time due to heavy water pollution.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.For more information, contact the NPWS Chatswood area office on 02 8448 0400 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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