Following the Great North Walk, this walk is easily accessed by public transport, is well managed and well signposted. The walk provides great views of Berowra Creek from up on the side of the hill, and down at water level. If you are quiet, you can expect to see water dragons and a variety of other lizards. This is a great walk to give a taste of the offerings in Berowra Valley Regional Park.
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(0 km)
Thornleigh Train Station
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Morgan Rd Walk: Easy - road
Length = 989 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -47 m
From the western side of Thornleigh Station, this walk heads north along The Esplanade for approximately 60m before turning left at the traffic lights and following the footpath along Eddy Street. At the end of Eddy Street, the walk turns left onto Tillock Street, following the Great North Walk markers, and then right into Morgan Street. The walk continues to the end of this street, where there is a small Great North Walk marker indicating the start of the bush track.
(0.99 km)
Morgan Rd
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Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 222 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -6 m
From the end of Morgan Street, the walk follows the Great North Walk signs behind the houses (between no. 28 and 26). Once behind the houses, the track turns left and follows the grass trail and bush track down the side of Zig Zag Creek. The track soon intersects with a wide concrete management trail.
(1.21 km)
Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks
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Zig Zag Creek Bridge int Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 134 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -8 m
From the intersection, this walk heads north-west down the hill along the concrete service trail until coming to an intersection with a small bush track, just before the bridge that crosses Zig Zag Creek. At the time of walking, there was a noticeable smell of sewage along this section of the walk.
(1.35 km)
Zig Zag Creek Bridge int
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The Jungo Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.42 km
Time = 28 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -56 m
From the intersection, the walk follows the Great North Walk sign along the bush track, keeping Zig Zag Creek on the right, crossing a bridged tributary and continuing all the way to the campsite at the intersection of the Great North Walk and the Schofields Trail (signposted as the way to Cumberland State Forest).
The Jungo
Alt = 98 m
This campsite is a relatively small clearing on the Great North Walk, close to Thornleigh. The campsite is located close to the junction of Berowra Creek and Zig-Zag Creek. There is usually water in the creeks (treat before drinking) and there is no toilet. Speculation on the source of the name 'Jungo' includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words ('Junction' gets corrupted to 'jung-o' etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words.
(2.76 km)
Jungo campsite
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Int of GNW and Stringybark Ridge trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 93 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
From the campsite, this walk follows the Fishponds arrow along the service trail, down the hill, crossing the creek and continuing up the other side until the track flattens out and comes to the signposted intersection of the Great North Walk and the Stringybark Ridge management trail (signposted 'Cherrybrook Lakes').
(2.85 km)
Int of GNW and Stringybark Ridge trail
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Elouera Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 958 m
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 63 m
Descent = -38 m
From the intersection, the walk heads down the bush track and across the creek, turning left and continuing along the bush track, keeping the creek on the left. The track crosses a bridged tributary before turning uphill and winding to the top via some rock steps. The track follows the Great North Walk arrows, heading along the top of the hill until coming to the fenced-off cliff edge, where the track reaches the signposted intersection with the Westleigh track.
(3.81 km)
Elouera Lookout
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Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.01 km
Time = 49 mins
Climb = 133 m
Descent = -110 m
From the lookout, the walk follows the Great North Walk track, keeping the cliff line to the left. The track winds for some time to the bottom of the valley, then crosses a bridged tributary and climbs to the top of the next hill. The walk continues to the signposted intersection of the Great North Walk and the 'Quarter Sessions Rd' track.
(5.82 km)
Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track
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Int of the Great North Walk and the Blackfellows Head lookout track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 600 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 32 m
Descent = -61 m
From the intersection, the walk follows the track, keeping the valley down to the left. The walk follows the Great North Walk arrows down the long hill to the bottom and then up the other side. The track winds up to the top and comes to the unsignposted intersection with the Blackfellows Head lookout track.
(6.42 km)
Int of the Great North Walk and the Blackfellows Head lookout track
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Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW) Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 118 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -5 m
From the intersection, the walk heads north through the bush, keeping the valley down to the left and following the Great North Walk arrows, until it comes to the signposted intersection of 'The Great North Walk' and 'The Blue Gum Walk'(NTH).
(6.54 km)
Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW)
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Fishponds Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 747 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -76 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk 'Fishponds' sign, heading up the hill and along the rocky path. This section of open bushland comes alive with purple patersonia lilies and pink wax flowers in early spring. The walk scrambles down some rocks and heads under a rock overhang, coming to a spot known to locals as 'the spa', notable for the interesting holes in the sandstone.
The walk crosses Waitara Creek here, then turns left and follows the creek downstream along the rocky path, passing patterned sandstone walls and around some large boulders along the way. The walk passes over a small wooden bridge then climbs up to a fenced lookout and intersection, marked with many Great North Walk signs and the Blue Gum Walk (on the right).
(7.28 km)
Fishponds Lookout
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Fishponds Bridge Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 323 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -10 m
From the lookout, this walk follows the 'Galston Gorge' sign along the fenced rock shelf (keeping the fence to the left). The track then leads down the rocky track to the edge of Berowra Creek at the concrete stepping stones. The walk crosses the creek using the stepping stones, and comes to a small cave. This creek may be impassable after rain. From the cave this walk, follows the 'Galson Gorge' sign up the track and timbers steps. Soon the track turns left and follows a Great North Walk arrow up the hill. The track climbs up the carved steps onto the rock platform and continues up the rocky track, winding up and around to the un-signposted (and faint) intersection with the Pogson's Trig track (on the left). From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill and along the rocky path, following the sandstone cliffs along the side of the valley. Soon, the track turns down the hill, winding down the rock steps to Berowra Creek, where there is a small wooden bridge.
Fishponds
Alt = 54 m
Fishponds is a long waterhole on Berowra Creek in Berowra Valley Regional Park. The waterhole is lined with tall cliffs and a few sandstone caves. At the southern end, there are stepping stones to help cross the creek, and a small timber bridge at the northern end. This is a beautiful spot and a worthy place to rest and enjoy the water passing by. The water hole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities - please heed the parents' plea and enjoy the water from the edge. More info
(7.28 km)
Fishponds Lookout
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Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 298 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -3 m
From the lookout, this walk follows the 'alternative route' sign, travelling along the bush track, crossing a little wooden bridge and climbing up some steps and a steep rocky surface with some footholds cut in it. The walk continues on to the intersection with a bush track on the left, and another large GNW 'alternative route' sign.
From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Hornsby Station' sign up the wooden steps, to the intersection with a management trail.
(7.58 km)
Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail
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Int of Great North Walk and Rosemead Rd service trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 855 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -45 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow along the management trail, leaving the bush track directly behind. The walk climbs over the gentle hill through the blue gum and bracken fern forest, scattered with grass trees. The trail continues steeply down the other side, winding to the bottom where it crosses Old Mans Creek at the concrete stepping stones. The trail then continues up the other side, passing some houses off to the right, soon coming to an intersection with a bush track on the left.
(8.44 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Rosemead Rd service trail
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Berowra Valley Bushland Park Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 31 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow along the bush track for a short distance, to Berowra Valley Bushland Park at the end of Rosemead Road.
Berowra Valley Bushland Park
Alt = 82 m
Also known as Rosemead Rd Park, this park is found at the bottom end of Rosemead Rd, Hornsby. This is an open area park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees, and would make a good spot for a break along the walk. It has two picnic tables with bench seats and shelter, and an electric BBQ. There is a water tap in the park, near the road.
(8.47 km)
Berowra Valley Bushland Park
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Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 490 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 90 m
Descent = -13 m
From the back end of the park, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' arrow, heading up the stone steps next to the 'Hornsby Park Conservation Reserve' sign. The walk winds steeply to the top of the valley, where it comes to an intersection with the Quarry Road management trail. From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' arrow up the hill, winding along the bush track around the end of the ridge, before turning back down to the intersection with Quarry Road.
(8.96 km)
Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk
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Hornsby Train Station Walk: Easy - road
Length = 717 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -9 m
From the intersection, this walk follows Quarry Road up the gentle hill until coming to the gated 'Old Mans Valley' management trail, on the left. From the intersection, this walk follows the road up the long gentle hill to the top, then turns left onto Dural St and continues along to the Pacific Highway. At the highway, this walk turns right and heads past the shops to the first set of traffic lights, where it crosses the highway. The walk then continues across Station Street at the pedestrian crossing, coming to Hornsby Station.
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 5 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
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.
Temps got to early 30's. by observing normal good bush walking practises no problems and took plenty of water.
Track is clean no vegetation over the track, no debris on the track.
Track notes mentioned at time of writing smell of sewage at bridge over ZigZag Creek; we observed nothing at this time.
Track is very well sign posted.
Notes & maps provided by this site are very good.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
not too much longer now :)