Berowra to Cowan via Berowra Waters

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the entrance to Berowra train station, this walk follows the 'Berowra Waters' arrow on the 'Great North Walk' sign, crossing the highway at the traffic lights. On the other side of the highway, this walk turns left and follows the footpath past a series of local shops and cafes for about 150m, then turns right onto Berowra Waters Rd. The footpath passes the post office then Caltex service station, then the walk crosses 'The Gully Rd'. Continuing along the Berowra Waters Rd footpath, this walk passes the park and then crosses the road just to the right of the roundabout. Turning left in front of the community hall, this walk immediately turns right at Crowley Rd, and comes to the open grassy area behind the community hall, where a sign in the park points back to 'Berowra Station'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a toilet (about 50 m back from the start). This toilet is wheelchair accessible. There is water tap (about 45 m back from the start). There is a toilet (about 45 m back from the start)., equipped with a hand-washing basin. Find the seat at the start. , has a backrest. Find the pay phone at the start. Find the car park at the start.
	After another 8 m turn left. Find the shelter at the start.
	After another 2 m continue straight.
	After another 20 m continue straight.
	After another 7 m (from the Pacific Highway) continue straight.
	After another 15 m (from the Pacific Highway) continue straight.
	After another 25 m continue straight. After another 25 m pass the "Berowra Takeaway" (25 m on your right). After another 20 m pass the "Golden Phoenix Chinese Restaurant" (25 m on your right). W:www.goldenphoenixberowra.com.au T:+61 2 9456 7668 Mo off Tu-Su 16:30-21:00
	Continue straight. After another 15 m pass the pay phone (on your left). After another 35 m pass a seat (80 m on your left)., has a backrest.
	Continue straight. After another 10 m pass the car park (70 m on your right). After another 6 m pass a seat (80 m on your left)., has a backrest.
	Continue straight. After another 6 m pass the car park (70 m on your right). After another 25 m pass the "Subway" (on your right). After another 45 m pass the "Berowra Chinese Resturant" (15 m on your right).
	Continue straight.
	After another 2 m veer right. After another 50 m pass the "Wise Monkey Cafe" (on your right). W:bopple.app After another 95 m pass the pay phone (on your left). Then pass the car park (30 m on your right).
	Veer left.
	After another 7 m (from the The Gully Road) turn left, to head along The Gully Road (a residential road).
	After another 3 m (from the The Gully Road) turn right (a highway\|primary). After another 9 m pass the "Berowra Park" (7 m on your right). Then pass the playground (10 m on your right).
	After another 4 m (from the Berowra Waters Road) turn right, to head along Berowra Waters Road. After another 35 m pass a seat (15 m on your right). After another 10 m pass the water tap (25 m on your right). Then pass the picnic table (30 m on your right).
	After another 10 m (from the Berowra Waters Road) continue straight, to head along Berowra Waters Road. After another 55 m pass the car park (10 m on your right).
	After another 80 m (at the intersection of Berowra Waters Road & Hill Street) continue straight, to head along Berowra Waters Road.
	After another 55 m (from the Berowra Waters Road) continue straight, to head along Berowra Waters Road.
	After another 15 m (from the Berowra Waters Road) continue straight, to head along Berowra Waters Road.
	After another 8 m (from the Berowra Waters Road) turn left.
	After another 15 m (from the Crowley Road) continue straight, to head along Crowley Road (a residential road).
	After another 9 m (from the Crowley Road) continue straight, to head along Crowley Road. After another 25 m pass the car park (35 m on your right).
	From the Crowley Road continue straight, to head along Crowley Road. After another 15 m pass the toilet (40 m on your right).
	After another 25 m (at the intersection of Crowley Trail & Crowley Road) turn right, to head along Crowley Trail (a walking track).
	After another 10 m (from the Crowley Trail) continue straight, to head along Crowley Trail. After another 235 m head down the 11 metal steps (about 3 m long) Then head down the 10 stone steps (about 4 m long) After another 45 m head down the 48 earthen steps (about 40 m long) After another 7 m cross the ford.
	From the Crowley Trail continue straight, to head along Crowley Trail. After another 110 m cross the ford.
	From the Crowley Trail continue straight, to head along Crowley Trail.
	After another 155 m (from the Crowley Trail) continue straight, to head along Crowley Trail. After another 45 m cross the ford. From the Crowley Trail continue straight, to head along Crowley Trail. After another 175 m cross the ford.
	From the Crowley Trail continue straight, to head along Crowley Trail.
	After another 105 m (at the intersection of Berkeley Firetrail & Crowley Trail) turn left, to head along Berkeley Firetrail (a vehicle track).
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of Berkeley Firetrail & Crowley Trail) continue straight, to head along Berkeley Firetrail.
	After another 170 m (from the Berkeley Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Berkeley Firetrail.
	After another 35 m (at the intersection of Berkeley Firetrail & Joalah Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Berkeley Firetrail. After another 285 m cross the ford.
	From the Berkeley Firetrail continue straight, to head along Berkeley Firetrail.
	After another 630 m (at the intersection of Berkeley Firetrail & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along Berkeley Firetrail.
	After another 245 m (from the Berkeley Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Berkeley Firetrail. After another 8 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your left). After another 8 m pass the sign (10 m on your left). After another 6 m pass a seat (20 m on your left)., has a backrest. Then find the "Naa Badu Lookout" (on your left). Naa Badu Lookout Naa Badu Lookout offers magnificent views south over Berowra Creek as well as over Sams and Calna Creeks. Naa Badu means 'See water' in the Aboriginal tribal language of the Dharug people. It is believed that Berowra Creek was the boundary between the Dharug and Guringai Aboriginal peoples. The lookout is fenced, has a bench seat, picnic table and a fair amount of natural shade. After another 200 m find the "Barnetts Lookout" (80 m on your right). Barnetts Lookout Barnetts Lookout provides stunning views over Berowra Creek and the surprisingly wild Berowra Valley NP. There are two stone seats, a concrete base (4.6x4m) and a 1.3m high metal fence (filtered views when seated in a wheelchair). To the left there are views upstream along Berowra Creek past Calna Creek, on a clear day you can just make out the Blue Mountains straight ahead and Berowra Waters to the right.
	After another 345 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & Berkeley Firetrail) turn left, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track). After another 7 m head down the 23 earthen steps (about 15 m long) After another 8 m head down the 14 earthen steps (about 6 m long) After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long) Then head up the 17 earthen steps (about 9 m long) After another 30 m head up the 19 earthen steps (about 10 m long) After another 155 m pass a "04" (on your right)., has a backrest. After another 65 m cross the ford.
	From the The Great North Walk continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 65 m head up the 37 earthen steps (about 15 m long) After another 15 m head up the 27 stone steps (about 10 m long)
	After another 120 m (from the The Great North Walk) veer left, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 1.1 km come to the viewpoint (4 m on your left). After another 85 m head down the 11 earthen steps (about 20 m long) Then head down the 27 stone steps (about 15 m long) Then pass a "05" (on your left)., has no backrest. Then come to the viewpoint (on your left).
	From the The Great North Walk continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk. Then head down the 5 earthen steps After another 25 m head down the 27 earthen steps (about 10 m long) After another 20 m head down the 7 stone steps After another 145 m cross the ford.
	At the intersection of The Great North Walk & Washtub Gully turn left, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 255 m pass the "Berowra Waters Garden House - closed" (15 m on your left). After another 7 m pass the pay phone (25 m on your left). Then head down the 13 earthen steps (about 10 m long) After another 15 m find the "Berowra Waters Garden House" (20 m on your left). Berowra Waters Garden House #######CLOSED###### This picturesque little restaurant sits on the eastern side of Berowra Creek and is just a hop, skip and a jump from the ferry. With breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, the Garden House Restaurant is a great spot for those looking to tap into the Berowra Valley's full potential. For information on bookings and opening hours phone (02)9456 2955. After another 10 m head down the 18 earthen steps (about 6 m long) Then head down the 4 stone steps
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Berowra Waters Marina. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn around when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 5 m (at the intersection of Kirkpatrick Way & Berowra Waters Road) continue straight, to head along Kirkpatrick Way (a residential road). After another 35 m pass the water tap (15 m on your right). After another 10 m pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
	After another 85 m (from the Kirkpatrick Way) continue straight, to head along Kirkpatrick Way.
	After another 75 m (from the Kirkpatrick Way) continue straight, to head along Kirkpatrick Way. After another 30 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 10 m (from the Kirkpatrick Way) continue straight, to head along Kirkpatrick Way. After another 25 m pass the car park (on your right). After another 580 m head up the 14 wooden steps (about 3 m long) Then head up the 5 wooden steps Then pass a seat (on your right)., has no backrest. After another 6 m head up the 26 earthen steps (about 9 m long) After another 25 m head up the 28 earthen steps (about 10 m long)
	After another 235 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & Alston Drive Track) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 20 m come to the viewpoint (35 m on your right). After another 130 m cross the ford.
	From the The Great North Walk continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 275 m cross the ford.
	From the The Great North Walk continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 380 m pass a "The Roland Murray Bench" (on your right)., has no backrest.
	After another 440 m (at the intersection of Great North Walk - Firetrail & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along Great North Walk - Firetrail (a vehicle track).
	After another 10 m (from the Great North Walk - Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Great North Walk - Firetrail. After another 275 m find the "Ridge Top Campground" (7 m on your right). Ridge Top Campground About 800m from Turners Rd, Berowra Heights lies this pleasant ridge top campsite. This is a fairly popular campsite on the Great North Walk, providing a flat area with plenty of shade. There are no facilities (or water) at this large campsite. A faint track leads west from the campsite to an unfenced cliff with great views over the Berowra Waters Valley. After another 7 m pass the toilet (10 m on your right)., not equiped with Handwashing basin.
	At the intersection of The Great North Walk & Great North Walk - Firetrail veer left, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track).
	After another 210 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & Firetrail) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
	After another 145 m (from the The Great North Walk) veer left, to head along The Great North Walk.
	After another 205 m (from the The Great North Walk) veer right, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 65 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your left). After another 80 m pass the "Great North Walk Guidepost" (on your left).
	From the The Great North Walk continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 1 km cross the ford.
	At the intersection of The Great North Walk & Joe Crafts Creek veer right, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 410 m head up the 9 wooden steps After another 95 m pass a seat (5 m on your right). After another 210 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your right). From the The Great North Walk turn left, to head along The Great North Walk.
	After another 550 m (at the intersection of Glendale Trail & The Great North Walk) turn left, to head along Glendale Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 40 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & Glendale Trail) turn right, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track).
	After another 295 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & Glendale Road) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk. After another 840 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
	After another 35 m (at the intersection of Cowan Trail & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along Cowan Trail (a vehicle track). After another 490 m head through/around the gate. About 45 m past the end is a toilet. Mo-Fr About 50 m past the end is a shelter. About 45 m past the end is a emergency call device. About 20 m past the end is a car park.
	Continue another 0 m to find at the intersection of Pacific Highway & Cowan Trail at the end.

An optional side trip to Berowra Waters Marina.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Berowra Waters Road & Kirkpatrick Way Start heading along Berowra Waters Road (a highway\|primary). There is a toilet (about 50 m back from the start). There is water tap (about 35 m back from the start). After 65 m find the "Berowra Waters Garden House" (5 m on your right). Berowra Waters Garden House #######CLOSED###### This picturesque little restaurant sits on the eastern side of Berowra Creek and is just a hop, skip and a jump from the ferry. With breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, the Garden House Restaurant is a great spot for those looking to tap into the Berowra Valley's full potential. For information on bookings and opening hours phone (02)9456 2955.
	After another 9 m (from the Berowra Waters Road) continue straight, to head along Berowra Waters Road. After another 30 m pass the pay phone (6 m on your right). Then pass the "Berowra Waters Garden House - closed" (5 m on your left). After another 420 m come to "The Fish CafÃ©". The Fish CafÃ© This seafood restaurant is located on the western side of the Berowra Waters Ferry, and offers casual dining with a great menu, overlooking the marina and river. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch, with dinner available on Friday through Sunday. The cafe is open 8:30 â€“ 9pm Wed-Sun and closes at 3pm Mon & Tuesdays. Takeaway is also available, and the nearby reserve provides picnic tables, toilets, children's playground and parking. Kayak hire is available from the marina building. The Fish CafÃ© is located at 199 Bay Road, Berowra Waters, and the phone number is (02)9456 4665. About 80 m past the end is a toilet. About 75 m past the end is a BBQ. About 75 m past the end is a shelter. About 75 m past the end is a seat. About 55 m past the end is a picnic table. About 55 m past the end is a water tap. About 45 m past the end is a park. About 45 m past the end is a pay phone. About 35 m past the end is a playground . About 15 m past the end is "Waterview Restaurant". Waterview Restaurant On the western side of Berowra Waters Ferry (free trip), just a short walk up the road, is the Waterview Restaurant, upstairs at the marina. The restaurant specialises in seafood, but also caters for other tastes in restaurant style dinning. Some sittings offers A la Carte meals from $25, and other sittings offer a fresh and cooked seafood buffet. Please call ahead, as the restaurant is also a popular venue for weddings. Open Friday-Sunday for lunch and dinner. Phone (02) 9456 2633 199 Bay Rd Berowra Waters, NSW 2082 A car park.
	Continue another 0 m to find from the Bay Road at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	13 km
Time	5 h 28 min to 6 h

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	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-48 m	[toilet]
Toilet	-45 m	[toilet]
Seat	0 m	[seat]
Shelter	15 m	[shelter]
Seat	160 m	[seat]
Seat	160 m	[seat]
Seat	410 m	[seat]
Toilet	670 m	[toilet]
Seat	3 km	[seat]
Seat	3.8 km	04
Seat	5.3 km	05
Toilet	5.8 km + 570 m	[toilet]
Shelter	5.8 km + 570 m	[shelter]
Seat	5.8 km + 570 m	[seat]
Toilet	5.8 km	[toilet]
Seat	6.6 km	[seat]
Seat	7.7 km	The Roland Murray Bench
Campsite	8.4 km	Ridge Top Campground
Toilet	8.4 km	[toilet]
Seat	10.5 km	[seat]
Toilet	13 km	[toilet]
Shelter	13 km	[shelter]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Terrey Hills Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  29°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% 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 → 23°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 → 26°C
  Sunny.
  5% 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 → 28°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  19°C → 37°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 → 27°C
  Mostly sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  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 → 30°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
- Muogamarra Nature Reserve alerts
  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 parks: Muogamarra Nature Reserve closed
  Muogamarra Nature Reserve is only open to the public for 6 weeks every year, around spring time.
  Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access is restricted at other times to approved educational and research activities only.
  For more information about the reserve, call the NPWS Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or the NPWS North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- 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

Start	(-33.6232129,151.1532411)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions	From , Mount Kuring-Gai.
Finish	At the intersection of Pacific Highway & Cowan Trail (-33.5936512,151.1713556)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train

Weather Forecast

Alerts