Great North Walk: Berowra Waters to Cowan Station

3 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min

7.3 km
oneway

↑ 522 m
↓ -350 m

Hard track
This is a hilly walk out of the beautiful Berowra Waters valley to Cowan Station. There are many wide views across Berowra Creek providing some great excuses for well deserved rest stops. Take your time to enjoy the views, and rock formations, and creek crossings along the way as the track leads a nearly direct route to Cowan Station, through a wonderfully remote section of bushland. 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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Great North Walk Berowra Waters trackhead sign. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Toilets near the picnic area on Kirkpatrick Way. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along Kirkpatrick Way. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Passing under the boom gates on Kirkpatrick Way. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Track at the end of Kirkpatrick Way. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Berowra Creek north of Kirkpatrick Way. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the track beside Berowra Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking across Berwora Water from north of Kirkpatrick Way. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Rocky track Beside Berowra Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Berowra Waters View seat. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking up the steep climb from near Berowra Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Steep steps east of Berowra Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Grass trees on the steep easten valley of Berowra Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Rock steps near the top of the ridge east of Berowra Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
View over Berowra Waters from the top of the ridge. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Rock track west of Deep Bay creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Track west of Deep Bay creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing Deep Bay creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing Deep Bay creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Steep rocky track east of the Deep Bay creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Steep rocky section east of Deep Bay creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Some welcome flat ridge walking east of Deep Bay creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Metal peg to help climb up rock. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Metal pegs to help climb rock. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Interesting sandstone formations. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking through the cleft in the rock east of Deep Bay creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking up the rocky track to the main ridge. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Enjoying the view towards Berowra Waters from west of the Coreen Close western trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the Coreen Close western trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Grey Spider Flower (Grevillea Buxifolia). | Photo by admin, 2010.
Pink spider flower (Grevillea sericea). | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ridge top campsite. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection near the Ridge Top campsite. | Photo by admin, 2010.
View west of the Ridge Top campsite. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking east of the Ridge top campsite. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Track at a rockplatform west of Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
GNW intentions book west of Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
View over Joe Crafts Creek from the west. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking east into the Joe Crafts Creek valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Rock walk west of Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Sandy track west of Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Steep track west of Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Joe Crafts Creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ferns beside Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Steep track east of Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Large rocks dominate the landscape around Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Steep steps east of Joe Crafts Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Large rock wall near valley viewing area. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Looking west into Joe Crafts Creek valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Rock steps near the valley view. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Peter taking in the view. | Photo by admin, 2008.
A seat just begging for use. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Mostly flat track west of Glendale Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Scribbly gums west of Glendale Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Just west of Glendale Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection with Glendale Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
The track north of Glendale Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
A bent scribbky gum north of Glendale Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection of the GNW track and trail south of Cowan. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the trail behind the houses of Cowan. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Gate and sign opposite Cowan Station. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Cowan Station. | Photo by admin, 2010.
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 (-33.60058,151.1255871)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Pacific Motorway, M1
  • Turn on to Pacific Highway Offramp then drive for 3.3 km
  • Turn right onto Berowra Waters Road, 11 and drive for another 130 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Berowra Waters Road, 11 and drive for another 270 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Berowra Waters Road, 11 and drive for another 1.4 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Berowra Waters Road, 11 and drive for another 4.1 km
Finish (-33.5937223,151.1716571)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Bus   Car   (There is free parking available.) Train  
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From 'Berowra Waters Trackhead', this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign along 'Kirkpatrick Way' and across the culverted Franks Gully creek. As the walk crosses the gully, there is a picnic area and public toilet (and tap water) on your right. The walk continues along the road, keeping the water to your left for about 180m, then passing under the yellow boom gate. About 30m later, the walk stays left to head alongside the fenced car park. At the far end of this car park, the walk comes to a turning area at the end of Kirkpatrick Way.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a pay phone (about 70 m back from the start).
A Chef Secrets (about 65 m back from the start).
Berowra Waters Garden House (about 35 m back from the start).
Berowra Waters Garden House
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.
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#######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.

There is water tap (about 15 m back from the start).
After another 15 m head down the 4 stone steps
After another 4 m (at the intersection of Kirkpatrick Way & Berowra Waters Road) continue straight, to head along Kirkpatrick Way (a residential road).
After 50 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right).
After another 85 m continue straight, to head along Kirkpatrick Way.
After another 90 m head through/around the gate.
After another 55 m pass the car park (on your right).
After another 580 m head up the 14 surface|wood steps (about 3 m long)
Then head up the 5 surface|wood steps (about 6 m long)
Then find a seat., has no backrest.
After another 6 m head up the 26 earthen steps (about 8 m long)
After another 25 m head up the 28 earthen steps (about 10 m long)
After another 235 m (at the intersection of Alston Drive - GNW Track & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 130 m cross the ford.
After another 250 m cross the ford.
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 325 m find the "Ridge Top Campground" (8 m on your right).
Ridge Top Campground
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.
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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.

At the intersection of Turner Firetrail & Great North Walk - Firetrail turn left, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track).
After another 210 m (at the intersection of Firetrail & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 145 m veer left, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 265 m come to the viewpoint (30 m on your left).
After another 80 m continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 1000 m cross the ford.
After another 400 m head up the 9 surface|wood steps
After another 100 m pass a seat (7 m on your right).
After another 210 m pass a seat (15 m on your right)., has a backrest.
Then come to the viewpoint (15 m on your right).
Veer 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 Glendale Road & The Great North Walk) 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 470 m head through/around the gate.
After another 50 m pass the pay phone (105 m on your left).
At the intersection of Pacific Highway & Cowan Trail veer right (a walking track).
After another 25 m to find the car park.
About 50 m past the end is a toilet.

Mo-Fr
About 40 m past the end is a shelter.
The end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Great North Walk: Berowra Waters to Cowan Station


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 7.3 km
Time 3 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min
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)

Some facilities on route
Campsite: There is one 2.7 km from the start.

Shelter: There is one 7.3 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.4 km apart with the largest gap of 7.2 km.

Seat: There are 4 on route, on average they are 1.5 km apart with the largest gap of 2.9 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
60 m[toilet]
Seat
880 m[seat]
Seat
1.9 kmThe Roland Murray Bench
Campsite
2.7 kmRidge Top Campground
Seat
4.8 km[seat]
Seat
5 km[seat]
Toilet
7.3 km[toilet]
Shelter
7.3 km[shelter]
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