Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Hornsby to Galston Gorge hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Hornsby to Galston Gorge
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
4 Hrs
6.5 km
420 m
One way
0.4 km SSW of Hornsby
Berowra Valley Regional Park
Track: Hard
Following a section of the Great North Walk along parts of Berowra Creek, this is a good walk for those looking for a variety of environments while close to a major urban centre. The track through the ferns west of Hornsby is beautiful and the track south of Galston Gorge is steep with nice views (watch your step). The service trail to Tunks Ridge Reserve is not very exciting.
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) Hornsby Train Station to Int of GNW and Quarry Rd Walk: Easy - road
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -35 m
From the west side of Hornsby Railway Station the track crosses Station St along the pedestrian crossing and immediately after crosses the Pacific Hwy at the traffic lights. Following the small Great North Walk Marker the track heads north alongside the Highway until turning left into Dural St. The track follows Dural until turning right into Quarry Rd, following this until coming to an intersection with a servicetrail going off to the right. This is signposted as the Old Man Valley From the intersection the track heads north-west along the asphalt road. This continues until coming to a small green sign saying 'Great North Walk' at an intersection with a bushtrack going off to the west.
(0.72 km) Int of GNW and Quarry Rd to Rosemead Rd Park Track: Hard - Service Trail
Distance = 0.5 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -91 m
From the intersection the track goes west off Quarry Rd and onto the bushtrack following the 'Great North Walk' sign. This goes for a short while before coming to an intersection with a servicetrail marked by several small GNW signs. The track continues north-west following the smalll GNW marker along the bushtrackdown the stairs. This goes steadily and at times steeply down the hill along rock stairs until at the end breaking out into a large park at the end of Rosemead Rd. At the park the track follows the GNW marker across the park until reaching the large GNW sign and the start of another bushtrack.
Rosemead Rd Park
Alt = 82
This is a relatively small park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees that would be a good spot to break along the walk. It has several small picnic tables and chairs as well as fresh water.
(1.17 km) Rosemead Rd Park to Int of GNW and Joes Mountain Servicetrail Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 40 m
Descent = -35 m
From the park at the bottom of Rosemead Rd the track heads west along the bushtrack which 10m after the start merges and changes to being a servicetrail. The servicetrail heads west and after passing the houses off to the left the track crosses a small creek and heads up to the north-east climbing steadily. Once reaching the top of the hill the track begins to slowly descend until coming to an intersection with a well-managed bushtrack going off to the right. This is one of the most beautiful sections of walking track in the area with the nice bushland surrounding a well-managed trail.
(2.05 km) Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Servicetrail to Int of GNW and Blue Gum Walk (Nth) Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -25 m
From the intersection the track heads north downhill off the servicetrail until reaching tbe intersection at the large green GNW sign. From the intersection the track heads north. After approximately 75m the track descends steeply via carved rock stairs before flattening out. Approximately 75m before the end the track passes over a small bridge. This is just before coming to an intersection overlooking Berowra Creek. There are several large signs at the intersection.
(2.3 km) Int of GNW and Blue Gum Walk (Nth) to Fishponds Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -26 m
From the intersection the track heads north-west along the bushtrack for a short while before winding down the hill along a narrow bushtrack to Fishponds to a creek crossing of Berowra Creek. This is dones on small stepping stones that have been installed across the creek. On the northern side of the creek the track winds up to the top of the hill, following the Great North Walk markers. At the top of the hill it is possible to see down below you Fishponds. The track continues north, winding down the hill to Fishponds which is a set of waterholes and a small creek crossing.
Fishponds
Alt = 54
Fishponds is a very pretty series that has become a populour swimming spot for locals. The waterholes have developed through the erosion of the rock over time. Unfortunately, this area has also a dangerous reputation and has claimed the lives of many people who have used the place as a jumping rock. For more information follow the link. More info
(2.47 km) Fishponds to Baily Bridge Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 76 m
Descent = -95 m
From Fishponds the track follows the Great North Walk markers and heads north-west alongside Berowra Creek offering some good views of the sandstone country in the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The creek becomes quite wide along sections of this track. Just before Baily Bridge the the track comes to a clearing and an intersection with a servicetrail (Baily Bridge is a large military steel bridge that crosses Berowra Creek).
(4.22 km) Baily Bridge to Tunks Ridge Reserve Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 156 m
Descent = -32 m
From the intersection the track crosses Berowra Creek via Bailey Bridge and from there begins to climb steadily north to the ridge along the servicetrail. In various points this track becomes quite steep however as the track reaches the ridge this flattens dramatically. Gradually the trail turns to the south-west and continues along the servicetrail until reaching Tunks Ridge Reserve which is a large clearing and toilet that is authorised for camping. At the northern end of the reserve there is another servicetrail.
Tunks Ridge Reserve campsite
Alt = 163
This is an extremely large, shady and flat campsite with servicetrails coming in from the east, north and south. In the western corner of the campsite there is a pit toilet. There is no water (You will need to carry your own in). There are also no rubbish bins.
(4.61 km) Tunks Ridge Reserve to Galston Gorge Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.9 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 104 m
Descent = -220 m
From the intersection the track heads north along the ridgeline on a wide servicetrail until coming to a small clearing and the start of a narrow bushtrack. From the beginning of the bushtrack the track descends very steeply down an often unstable track. In various points along this track it is very steep and the council has therefore put in manufactured rockstairs as well as handrails in some sections. Once reaching the bridge across Galston Gorge Rd the track goes under the bridge and crosses the creek at the bottom of the valley via a set of stepping stones. Once on the northern bank of the creek the track follows the bushtrack up the logstairs to a small rest area on the side of the road. (it is possible to walk across the top of the bridge from the southern to the northern bank without descending down to the creek level.)
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
