Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Crosslands to Brooklyn hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Crosslands to Brooklyn
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
2 Days
23.7 km
1861 m
One way
3.8 km W of Berowra
Berowra Valley Regional Park, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Track: Hard
From the Crosslands this track heads along the Great North Walk via Berowra Waters, Cowan, Jerusalem bay and onto Brooklyn. This is one of the prettiest multi-day walks in the area. The walk explores two rivers and ridge tops giving a great variety of views.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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(0 km) Crosslands to Calna Creek int Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.7 km
Time = 45 mins
Climb = 130 m
Descent = -130 m
From the carpark at the end of Somerville Rd the track heads to the north-eastern end of Crosslands Reserve connecting with a boardwalk. This is marked by Great North Walk signposts as well as some very useful information on the wetlands of the area. The track follows the boardwalk and connects with the bushtrack at the end. Approximately halfway along the footbridge there is a very nice lookout over Berowra Creek. Once on the bushtrack the trail runs closely parallel to Berowra Creek heading north. During this section there are several informational signs on the flora, fauna and rock formation of the area. At this point the track is at waterlevel however this changes towards the end of the section with the track climbing steeply to the top of the knoll to the before climbing to the east. Once at the top the trail steeply descends to the waterlevel and crosses the footbridge across Calna Creek to the intersection on the eastern bank. This intersection is marked by a large Great North Walk sign.
(1.69 km) Calna Creek int to Sam's Creek Int Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 10 mins
Climb = 352 m
Descent = -207 m
From the intersection the track heads north-east along the boardwalk through the grasslands. At the end of the boardwalk the track turns to the slightly to the north and begins to run parallel Berowra Creek. Due to the fact that this section of the walk is right at the bottom of the hill to the east and at waterlevel sections of this are quite muddy frequently. This changes however as the track rises slightly above the waterline and becomes a better managed bushtrack. This continues with several small ups and downs until arriving at the Sam's Creek. At Sam's Creek the track heads north crossing the creek using the large boulders and following the Great North Walk markers. At first glance the way the track heads is not totally clear from the southern bank however on the northern bank the bushtrack is highly visible. Immediately on the north bank the track goes up steeply and steadily in a zig-zag pattern until reaching an intersection with a servicetrail just below the ridgeline. The climb in this section is very steep however the council has put in place handrails in several sections as well as installed a chair halfway up. During the climb there are some good views over Berowra Creek and the bushland to the south.
(3.52 km) Sam's Creek Int to Naa Badu Lookout Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -25 m
From the intersection, the track heads west along the servicetrail for approximately 200m until coming to the Naa Badu lookout.
Naa Badu Lookout
Alt = 132
Naa Badu Lookout offers magnificent views over the southern aspect of Berowra Creek as far as Crosslands Reserve. Naa Badu means 'See water' in the Aboriginal Tribe the Dharug's language. It is named this as it is believed that Berowra Creek was the boundary between the Dharug and Guringai Aboriginal Peoples.
(3.8 km) Naa Badu Lookout to Berowra Waters Track: Moderate - servicetrail, bushtrack
Distance = 2.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 5 mins
Climb = 146 m
Descent = -288 m
From the lookout the track heads north-west along the servicetrail until coming to a small intersection with a bushtrack heading down and off to the north-west. At this point the track heads north-west down the short and gradual set of stairs to Bang garai Creek. After crossing the creek the track continues to the north-west before beginning to climb steeply. This climb is assisted by stairs and occasional iron handholds. Accompanying this there is a chair on the top of this section. Once reaching the top of the ridge the track flattens out and continues along the bushtrack. This continues with views over Berowra Waters township until descending steeply down to waterlevel. At this point the track heads alongside the water on a narrow bushtrack through the grasslands until coming out onto Berowra Waters Rd, next to the ferry and the Marina.
Water View Cafe
Alt = 7
On the western side of Berowra Waters Ferry (free trip) and a short walk up the road is the Water View Cafe at the Marina. This offers a range of food in cafe or restaurant style dinning. Average price for lunch is $10-12 (cafe). Open from 9am everyday. Kayak Hire available Phone (02) 9456 2633 199 Bay Rd Berowra Waters, NSW 2082
(6.57 km) Berowra Waters to Ridge top campsite Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.2 km
Time = 1 Hrs 15 mins
Climb = 356 m
Descent = -149 m
From the ferry at Berowra Waters the track heads north along the road next to the marina. This heads past the toilets and the rural fire station before coming to a small carpark. At the northern end of this carpark the track joins onto a small bushtrack marked with several Great North Walk signs and continues north. This continues until the track turns abruptly away from the water and heads very steeply up the hill to the east. Once reaching the top of this hill there is a small rough and unofficial campsite that is used by walkers doing the Great North Walk. From the small bush campsite the track heads east descending steeply along a narrow bushtrack to a small creek which is a tributary of Berowra Creek. After crossing the creek the track begins to go steeply up the hill to the east. This continues until the track flattens out and turns slightly to the south for a short while before climbing a small hill which joins onto a servicetrail which the track follows for a short while before coming to a large campsite off to the right of the track.
Ridge Top Campground
Alt = 211
Located on the ridge this campsite is a large clearing shelted by eucalypts. Open fires are not permitted at this campground so you will need a fuel stove. There are no toilets here, and limited water. It is worth carrying water in.
(8.79 km) Ridge top campsite to Glendale Rd Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 2.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 15 mins
Climb = 221 m
Descent = -231 m
From the Ridge Top Campsite the track heads east along the bushtrack. After several hundred metres this intersects and crosses a servicetrail and continues following the Great North Walk markers further east for just under a kilometre. At this point the track begins to gradually descend. This continues until the final section of the descent the track steepens considerably before a tributary of Berowra Creek. On the other side of this section the track very steeply heads up the hill to the east and at various points there are metal handholds thats have been drilled into the rock forming into small ladders. In the final section of this ascent the track climbs up onto the rockshelf overlooking the surrounding area and Berowra Creek. From the lookout the track turns south-east and heads along a meandering bushtrack with only a slight ascent. This continues until coming to an intersection with the Glendale Rd servicetrail.
(11.56 km) Glendale Rd to Cowan Station Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 66 m
Descent = -83 m
From the intersection at Glendale Rd the track heads north-east along the bushtrack following the Great North Walk markers. This track is relatively flat and at various points runs quite close to the railway and the Pacific Hwy however there is dense vegetation between the track and the developments so the nature feel is maintained and only slightly disturbed by the noise. This continues with the track crossing several small creeks including Bujwa Creek until merging with a servicetrail. At this point the track continues north-east for a short period before turning towards the Hwy to the right and heading up the hill for approximately 50m before coming to a large boom gate, with several large green Great North Walk signs and the Pacific Hwy. Just across the highway Cowan Station is located.
(12.56 km) Cowan Station to Jerusalem Bay Track: Moderate - servicetrail, bushtrack
Distance = 2.4 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 58 m
Descent = -225 m
From the northern line the track crosses the train line at the southern end of the station. This track joins with the southern lines platform via pedestrian crossing marked by Great North Walk signs. The track then heads north up the southern line platform to dismount the station down a flight of stairs after the shelter on the right. The track then turns left up the service track following the Great North Walk signs for approximately 100m to the bridge over the freeway. The track then turns right crossing the bridge to the other side.
From the intersection the track descends steeply east down a hill. After approximately 50m the track rises turning left over a saddle before a steep descent into the valley. The track then tends to the right of the valley with many rock formations on the right and a creek on the left. The vegetation around the track changes from the bush scrub to a more rainforest like surrounding before the track crosses a creek over a rock shelf. From the stream the track heads north east with the creek on the right and rock formations above to the left. The track descends towards the water and flattens out near the 'No Camping' sign for approximately 50m. Behind the sign are small tracks leading to the water. The track then climbs away from the water undulating above the widening estuary on the right until a flight of stairs up to the point.
Jerusalem Bay
Alt = 15
Jerusalem Bay, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a nice bay east of Cowan Station. The bay is popular with bushwalkers as it is part of the Great North Walk and with its iconic photo of the single palm infront of the water. The bay itself is also popular with boaters who can anchor in the bay. Jerusalem Bay can be accessed by the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay or from Brooklyn or Cowan Railway Stations.
(14.95 km) Jerusalem Bay to Int. Jerusalem Bay Tk and Brooklyn Dam Service Track Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 2.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 15 mins
Climb = 321 m
Descent = -154 m
From Jerusalem Bay the track heads north west along the waterline. The track undulates parallel to the waterline to a creek where carved steps and signs indicate the crossing. From the creek crossing the track turns right and then heads steeply to the left up the hill. The track continues up the hill which generally flattens out when heading north west and climbs in a northerly or north easterly direction. At the approximately the half way mark and the top of the hill are benches to the rightof the track. The final climb is surrounded by rocks which give way to the top bench. The track heads 200m north west of with mostly flat track to a sign marked 'Jerusalem Bay Brooklyn Dam'. From the sign the track winds north and north west along the plateau with views of the freeway and the water. After 200m the track slowly descends down the spur, north west. The slope increases as the track proceeds down to Campbells Ck. From Campbells Ck the track winds north east up the hill. The track continues climbing for approximately 200m before it follows the contour of the ridge, under a line of rock formtions. After approximately 400m of this, the track then climbs over two rock slopes with the aid of arrows and metal steps. The track then winds over the plateau before a final ascent to an intersection with the service track .
(17.78 km) Int. Jerusalem Bay Tk and Brooklyn Dam Service Track to Int Brooklyn Service Trail with Brooklyn Rd Access Tk Track: Hard - servicetrail, bushtrack, servicetrail, bushtrack, bushtrack
Distance = 5.5 km
Time = 1 Hrs 45 mins
Climb = 189 m
Descent = -326 m
From the intersection the track heads north west down the hill. The track then heads north up a rise and continues along the plateau generally undulating in a north westerly direction for approximately 1km. This service track has many side tracks to the right which are for power line access, but also provide views of the Hawkesbury River. The track then winds down a hill for approximately 200m. A Great North Walk sign marks the track intersection 100m down the hill. From the intersection the track heads south east down the hill for approximately 200m following a deeply cut water course to the intersection at Brooklyn Dam. From the intersection the track heads north up the service track for 30m to where it turns right at the Great North Walk sign into the campsite. From the south east end of the small campsite the track heads down to a creek. From the creek below Brooklyn Dam wall the trail leads approximately 10m to the large campsite. From the large campsite the trail exits the south eastern end to a service trail. The track turns left, north east, up the hill. The then track winds up and around the hill to the right. The track contours northwards for approximately 300m with many service trails to the left to access powerpoles. The track then turns right, east, following the frequent Great North Walk signs. The track lightly undulates as it contours along the hillside to a Great North Walk marker pointing left down a bush trail.
(23.27 km) Int Brooklyn Service Trail with Brooklyn Rd Access Tk to Brooklyn Rialway Station Track: Hard - bushtrack, footpath
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -47 m
From the intersection the track heads north down the hill. The track is makred frequently by Great North Walk signs that lead the track down the steps to the road. From the intersection the track heads east down the hill along the footpath. When the track reaches the corner at the Angler's Rest Hotel it crosses the road towards the train line. The track then continues down the hill to the Hawkesbury Station sign and white stairs.
Following the Berowra River the Berowra River National Park is located on the Hornsby Plateau and is made up of typical Hawkesbury Sandstone . Through this walking tracks stretch from Pennant Hills to Brooklyn with the main track, The Great North Walk spanning the entire park. The area has varied vegetation including many different sorts of Eucalyptus as well as native animals however these are largely nocturnal. There are several campsites within the Park with the main one being Crosslands Reserve, in northern Hornsby Heights.
A largely untouched wilderness on the northern boundary of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP is one of Australia's oldest national parks. Here at the head of the Hawkesbury River, you'll find Aboriginal engravings and sites, as well as sandstone escarpments,
Hiking near Sydney 
10 km
