Start | (-33.7035357,151.0983518) |
Mode | Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train |
Directions | From , Pearce’s Corner. |
Finish | (-33.6536833,151.1368173) |
Mode (end) | Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train |
Turn map | Directions & comments |
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After another 15 m find the "Berowra Valley Bushland Park" (40 m on your left).
'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.
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Fishponds. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
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After another 25 m (at the intersection of Manor Road & The Great North Walk) veer left, to head along Manor Road (a residential road).
After another 350 m (at the intersection of Manor Road & Arrionga Place) continue straight, to head along Manor Road.
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Then find the "Unnamed waterfall" (on your left).
This waterfall is about 3 meters tall, with a square black face. The water cascades down to a rock platform and into the sandy creek. The waterfall is active after recent rain, and may offer a trickle at other times. At this section of the creek, the gully is quite steep, creating a wonderful environment for the green moss and ferns to grow. A great spot to rest and enjoy the cool on hot days.
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After another 75 m (at the intersection of Berowra Valley Quarry Firetrail & The Great North Walk) turn right, to head along Berowra Valley Quarry Firetrail (a vehicle track).
Then find the "Historic Military 'Steele' Bridge" (6 m on your right).
This large steel and timber bridge spans Berowra Creek north of Fishponds. The creek is fairly wide at this point and the bridge provides a great view of the sandstone overhangs along the creek's edge. The bridge was commissioned in 1965 to allow access for fire trucks. The bridge was designed by Major General Sir Clive Steele in 1942. Bridges of this type were critical during the WWII South West Pacific campaigns. The bridge is designed on the Warren truss style and is one of only 4 'Steele' bridges still in use in NSW.
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After another 1.5 km (from the Berowra Valley Quarry Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Berowra Valley Quarry Firetrail.
After another 130 m find the "Tunks Ridge Rest Area" (10 m on your left).
Tunks Ridge Rest Area is a large, shady and gently sloping campsite at the junction of three management trails. There is no water or other facilities (you will need to carry your own in). A sign at the top of the campsite reminds campers that there is a one night limit and that it is a fuel stove only area (no campfires). Please note that the composting toilet has been removed and no longer available.
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After another 235 m find the "Top of Galston Gorge Campsite" (20 m on your right).
This campsite can be found on the Great North Walk, off the service trail just before it descends into Galston Gorge (when coming from the south). There is plenty of room for a group of tents, however there is no available water or facilities. Although this is an official campsite for the Great North Walk, there are some threatened species in the area, therefore Tunks Ridge Reserve (1.4km South) would make a better alternative, with better facilities.
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After another 10 m find the "Galston Gorge track head" (on your left).
Galston Gorge track head is located at a small car park on the eastern side of Berowra Creek, near the bottom of the gorge on Galston Road. This track head is a good access point for those wanting to do sections of the Great North Walk and is well signposted. Keep an eye open for the local chickens.
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After another 185 m find the "Gulley Creek Falls" (15 m on your right).
This is a nice little creek crossing on the Great North Walk in Galston Gorge. The small falls flow just upstream of the track, even after a small amount of rain. Enjoy the cool shade of the trees at the creek crossing from the track.
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After another 600 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 30 m find the "Berowra Creek campsite" (15 m on your right).
This shady campsite is located on the Benowie Track a short distance back from Berowra Creek, south of the Crosslands Reserve. Providing plenty of tree cover, flat ground and an established fire scar, this campsite is a great spot for those walkers who want a quiet night's sleep away from the more popular Crosslands Reserve. The creek water is brackish at this point, so it is not drinkable (except after heavy rain and lower tide, but then the water is more polluted) - best to bring your own water.
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After another 9 m find the "Crosslands Campsite" (15 m on your right).
On the far southern end of Crosslands Reserve is a toilet block and campsite. The campsite is well set up and managed by Hornsby Council. There are picnic tables, electric barbecues, toilets, a children's playground, garbage bins and town water. There is a large flat grassy areas to camp and a single authorised fire pit. The campsite must be booked and fees apply - $9 per night for adults and $6 for children (infants under 4 are free). The gate at the top of the hill is locked at 5.30pm EST and 7.30pm (daylight savings time). A pleasant and well established campsite beside the river.
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After another 70 m find the "Crosslands Youth & Convention Centre" (80 m on your left).
Crosslands Youth & Convention Centre is a wonderful facility run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The centre provides a large tent-based campsite ($12 pp/pn), large group dorm-style and unit-style accommodation. The units have 5 beds (plus sofa bed) and cost $36 a night per person. The units are equipped with a kitchen, TV, blankets, supplies for hot drinks, pillows, blankets and a balcony with views over Berowra Creek. You will need your own sheets, pillow cases and towels. Meal packs range from $5-$10 per person per meal. Breakfast includes juice, fresh fruit, cereal, toast and optional hash browns, eggs and sausages. Dinner includes juice, dinner rolls, salad, pie or sausage (or optional steak) and desert. No cigarettes, alcohol or other drugs are allowed on site. For more information, call your hosts John & Margaret on (02) 9653 1041.
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After another 8 m find the "Crosslands" (on your right).
Crosslands Reserve is lovely and long mixed use picnic area, spanning along the edge of Berowra Creek. There are picnic tables, electric barbecues, toilets, car parking, a children's playground, garbage bins, camping area, toilets and town water. The southern part of Crosslands is managed by Hornsby Council and the northern half by the NPWS within the Berowra Valley National Park.
The first inhabitants of this area were a subgroup of the Dharug people who enjoyed the sandstone caves, fish and abundant plant life in the area. It is now managed by Hornsby Shire Council, but in 1856 Matthew Charlton asked Burton Crossland to be caretaker on this area. Burton built a house and made a living by harvesting timber, growing fruit, fishing and boat-building.
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After another 8 m (from the Benowie Walking Track) continue straight, to head along Benowie Walking Track.
After another 20 m find the "Picnic Table" (on your right).
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 15 m find the "Picnic Table" (on your right).
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 (2.8x4.1m) and about 4m (across grass) from the path.
After another 45 m find the "Picnic Table" (10 m on your left).
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 (2.8x4.1m) and about 11m (across grass) from the path.
After another 50 m find the "Picnic Table" (20 m on your left).
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 (2.7x4m) and about 16m (across grass) from the path.
After another 85 m find the "Picnic Table" (35 m on your left).
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 (3x5.5m) and about 25m (across grass) from the nearest path.
Then find the "Picnic Table" (40 m on your left).
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.
Then find the "Crosslands North Picnic area" (about 9 m ahead).
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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After another 8 m find the "Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout" (on your left).
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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After another 3 m (at the intersection of Lyrebird Gully Track & The Great North Walk) turn right, to head along Lyrebird Gully Track.
After another 135 m find the "Calna Creek Campsite (north)" (4 m on your left).
This is a quaint little campsite, located on the Mt Kuring-gai access track to the Great North Walk, on the banks of Calna Creek. This campsite provides plenty of room for a few tents, and also a fire scar with logs for seating. Carry in your own water as the salty creek water is not suitable for drinking.
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After another 155 m (from the Lyrebird Gully Track) continue straight, to head along Lyrebird Gully Track.
After another 120 m find the "Calna Creek Campsite (south)" (20 m on your left).
This small signposted campsite sits on a flat grassy clearing in a small casuarina forest which provides plenty of shade. There is a small fireplace set up. This creek-side campsite is a good spot for those wanting to get the most out of a relaxing, overnight camp, just a short stroll to Berowra Creek and the main spine of the Great North Walk. Bring your own water, as the creek water is not suitable for drinking.
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At the intersection of Lyrebird Gully Track & Calna Creek continue straight, to head along Lyrebird Gully Track.
After another 50 m find the "Lyrebird waterfall" (8 m on your right).
This informally named waterfall is found on Lyrebird Gully creek about 300m upstream of its confluence with Calna Creek. The top of the fall is partially fenced with a timber handrail where the water flows over the solid rock platform, with naturally carved holes, to fall about 8m to the shallow pool and boulders below. The track passes the top of the fall and does not provide a good view of the face of the fall, but it is still a very pleasant spot.
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Class 4/6 Hard track |
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Length | 22.3 km |
Time | 9 h, 12 h to 2 days |
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, 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) |
Item | From Start | Name & link to notes |
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Toilet
| -18 m | [toilet] |
Seat
| 35 m | [seat] |
Shelter
| 50 m | [shelter] |
Shelter
| 50 m | [shelter] |
Shelter
| 1.3 km | [shelter] |
Campsite
| 8 km | Tunks Ridge Rest Area |
Campsite
| 9.3 km | Top of Galston Gorge Campsite |
Campsite
| 14.5 km | Berowra Creek campsite |
Toilet
| 15.8 km | [toilet] |
Campsite
| 15.8 km | Crosslands Campsite |
Campsite
| 16.1 km | Crosslands Youth & Convention Centre |
Toilet
| 16.6 km | [toilet] |
Seat
| 16.9 km | Seat |
Seat
| 16.9 km | [seat] |
Seat
| 17.6 km | [seat] |
Campsite
| 17.7 km | Calna Creek Campsite (north) |
Campsite
| 18.2 km | Calna Creek Campsite (south) |
Seat
| 21.9 km | [seat] |
Toilet
| 22.3 km | [toilet] |