Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai
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Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here

Hornsby

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91304S

Cowan

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91304N

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map

1:40 000 Map Series

CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map

Sydney

1:100 000 Map Series

9130

Photo Gallery

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Track Notes

National Parks Association of NSW - Learn more about the NPA www.npansw.org.au
Walk with a club - Enjoy bushwalking and make new friends                                                (community announcement) The NPA is more than just a bushwalking club. We are a conservation group that helps protect natural places As a member you can join any of our 1000 guided walks each year and enjoy our quaterly Magazine 'Nature NSW'. Membership fee is just $65 per year, concession fee also available. Learn More...

Catch the train to Berowra Train Station
Check out the facilities at Berowra Train Station You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your train trip to the end of the walk. Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|Most trains stop at Berowra and services run regularly about every 30mins during peak and hourly off peak. The station is on the Newcastle line between Hornsby and Wyong so access from the North or South is easy. Timetable

Drive to Berowra Railway Station
The train station is on the Pacific Hwy about 10 km north of Hornsby. There is parking in the area (although this can fill up mid week with commuters). Parking is permitted in many of the back streets. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk. Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) Berowra Railway Station to End of the old Berowra Parade Walk: Easy - footpath	Length = 196 m	Time = 3 mins
	Climb = 2 m	Descent = -5 m
From the front of Berowra Station[1], this walk follows the footpath[2][3] between the Pacific Highway and railway line, whilst keeping the highway to your left. After about 50m this walk comes to 'Berowra Parade'[4] marked with a large 'Harbour to Hawkesbury' information sign and map[5]. Here the walk turns right and follows the little used road down over railway bridge[6][7] then around the green metal gate[8] to cross over the F3 on a large concrete bridge[9]. On the other side of the freeway this walk comes to a small clearing marked with a large 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - Berowra Track' sign[10].

(0.2 km) End of the old Berowra Parade to Waratah Gully Crossing Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 1.15 km	Time = 29 mins
	Climb = 31 m	Descent = -167 m
From the clearing, this walk follows the track beside the large 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - Berowra Track' sign[11] heading directly away from the freeway[12]. The track is initially slightly overgrown and leads over a series of concrete drains[13]. The track then leads gently down through a tall casuarina and eucalypt stand[14] for about 30m to come to the edge of an unfenced cliff, with filtered valley views[15]. Here the walk turns left and leads gently down along the clear track[16] and beside a long rock wall (on your left)[17] for about 150m to a sharp right hand bend[18]. From here the track becomes a little steeper and continues through a series of 9 more hairpin bends[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] for 800m becoming moderately steep and passing through a grass tree forest[28] to come beside Waratah Gully creek[29]. Here the track flattens out and heads down through the canyon like gully for 100m then down some stone steps[30] to the Waratah Gully creek[31] crossing. The walk crosses the slippery sandstone creek bed at the site of an old bridge to find a small constructed sandstone buttress on the far side[32]. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain.

(1.35 km) Waratah Gully Crossing to Waratah Bay Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 759 m	Time = 15 mins
	Climb = 2 m	Descent = -64 m
From the sandstone buttress on the south side of Waratah Creek[33], this walk follows the clear and mostly flat track down through the steep sided canyon like gully[34], keeping the creek steeply below and to your left[35]. After passing through the dense moist forest for about 500m the rocky track leads over an exposed section of old pipes[36] then 70m later the track comes to the start of Waratah Bay[37]. Here the rocky track continues to lead beside the bay, keeping the water to your left[38] for 80m to pass a 'No Camping' and a 'Gas fires only' sign[39]. The walk now climbs up and over a short rocky rise[40] for about 35m to come back to the waters edge beside the rusted steel skeleton of a boat[41].

Waratah Bay	Alt = 10 m
Waratah Bay sits on the eastern extent of Cowan Waters east of Berowra. The bay is home to a rusting metal boat hull[42], this boat marks the spot where the Edward Windybank and his family once worked and lived. Edward Windybank worked on the construction nearby railway line from 1886 to 87[43]. Windybank also named the bay and acquired a life-long lease to use it[44]. It seems that he built a small home, boat shed[45] and a narrow road up the hill. Windybank operate a boat building a hire business on site[46]

(2.11 km) Waratah Bay to Lords Bay headland Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 2.08 km	Time = 53 mins
	Climb = 143 m	Descent = -150 m
From beside the rusty remnants of Windybank boat[47], this walk follows the track along the foreshore keeping the water to your left[48]. The track leads over a small rise for about 120m to come to a set of old peers[49] that once supported the Windybank's boat shed. There are other remnant of their home in the area[50]. The rocky track continues to undulate along the southern shoreline of Waratah Bay for about 400m passing some large boulders to where the track bends right, following the shoreline, to come alongside Cowan Creek[51]. This walk follows the rocky track as it leads upstream along the western shore of Cowan Creek for about 50m to pass a deep but short sandstone overhang[52] (on your right). Continuing to undulating along the rocky shoreline, this walk heads through the bracken ferns and tall forest for 500m to cross a shallow rocky gully[53]. About 180m later this walk veers right to follow the formal track[54] up the timber steps, over a rise to continue long the shoreline over a few more rises for 300m before crossing a deep moist gully[55] just beyond a large sandstone cave[56], just inside the northern headland of Lords Bay. The walk now leads along the northern shore into Lords bay for 250m to cross the usually small creek and densely forest gully[57] at the apex of Lords Bay. About 60m later the track crosses another usually small creek[58] on the slippery sandstone rocks to then follow the clear track[59] along the southern shoreline of Lords bay for 200m to a small rock platform[60] on the southern headland of Lords Bay.

(4.19 km) Lords Bay headland to Cowan Creek View Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 1.93 km	Time = 49 mins
	Climb = 132 m	Descent = -130 m
From the small rock platform[61] on the southern headland of Lords Bay, this walk follows the track along foreshore keeping the water to your left for 350m to then head alongside a natural rock wall[62] (on your right) and a shorter wall (on your left). From here the walk continues along the foreshore for 400m to cross the rocky apex of Winson Gully bay[63] then along the southern foreshore of this bay for just shy of 200m to an unfenced flat rock with great views[64] down Cowan Creek. This walk now continues to follow the track for 200m past a small cave[65] to the where the track bends right at the southern headland of Winson Gully bay to continue along side Cowan Creek for 250m to pass a section of track where large sandstone boulders have been placed to stabilise the shoreline[66]. The track then bends right to follow the shoreline into another bay then along north shore of this bay for 300m to cross the usually shallow but wide (unnamed) creek flowing over sandstone platform and around boulders[67]. Now this walk follows the track out of the bay along the southern shoreline[68] past a section where more large rocks have been placed to protect the track[69] then up a few steps to a timber boardwalk[70] and viewing platform[71] on Cowan Creek.

Cowan Creek View	Alt = 7 m
Cowan Creek View, is a timber platform[72] lookout on Cowan Creek. The lookout is on the northern side of a headland and provide great views[73] down along Cowan Creek. This is a great place to rest and enjoy the water views.

(6.12 km) Cowan Creek View to Int of Berowra and Mt Kuring-gai Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 333 m	Time = 8 mins
	Climb = 27 m	Descent = -7 m
From the viewing platform[74], this walk heads along the timber boardwalk[75] keeping Cowan Creek to your left. The boardwalk bends right where the walk then heads up some steps[76] and follows the rocky track as it undulates along the shoreline for 150m to pass close to a green channel marker[77]. From here the walk continues along shoreline for just over 160m to then head up some timber steps[78] and come to a signposted intersection[79] at the bottom of the the signposted 'Mt Ku-ring-gai Track'[80] (up to your right).

(6.46 km) Int of Mt Kuring-gai and Berowra Tracks to Int of Lookout and Mt Kuring-gai Tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 1.93 km	Time = 49 mins
	Climb = 190 m	Descent = -13 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'MT Ku-ring-gai Track' sign[81] up the rock and timber steps and past the small overhang[82]. The track leads fairly steeply up for 80m to then bend sharply right[83] and continue fairly steeply for another 200m to pass a natural rock wall[84] (on your left). Just 20m past this wall the track comes to a small flat area[85] with good views over Cowan Creek[86]. Here the walk continues more gently uphill along the rocky ridge line[87] for 300m where the track completely flattens out to pass along the side of a small hill[88] (on your left). Over the next 600m the track leads down across a saddle then up along the ridge to bend right onto[89] an exposed rock platform[90]. From there the sandy track soon bends left again to follow the ridge uphill for 100m to pass a small sandstone overhang[91] then continue up a long set of stone steps[92] where the sandy track mostly flattens out again[93]. Soon the track starts heading up more stone steps [94] for about 400m to pass between a large boulder (on your left) and along rock wall (on your right)[95]. At the end of this rock wall the track bends right and leads up the stone steps through the cleft in the rock[96] where the then mostly flat wide sandy track leads gently uphill for 250m to find a three-way intersection[97] marked with a NPWS arrow post[98].

(8.39 km) Int of viewpoint and Mt Kuring-gai Tracks to Apple Tree Bay Viewpoint Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 107 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -14 m
From the intersection, the walk heads east away from the main trail[99] to follow the wide sandy track gently downhill. The track begins to narrow[100] and after about 100m the now rocky track comes to an unfenced rock platform[101] with good views down over Apple Tree Bay and down along Cowan Creek valley[102].

(8.39 km) Int of Lookout and Mt Kuringai Tracks to Corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street Walk: Easy - servicetrail	Length = 653 m	Time = 11 mins
	Climb = 5 m	Descent = -12 m
From the intersection, this walk heads away from the face of the face of the NPWS arrow post[103] to head south west over a small rise and along the sandy management trail. The trail passes through open wooded forest for just over 600m to pass a 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - Mt Kuring gai Track' sign[104] as the trail bends right where this walk heads around the green metal National Park gate[105]. Here the walk heads past a few houses to find the intersection of 'Harwood Ave' and 'Young St'[106] (Mt Kuring-gai).

(9.04 km) Corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street to Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station Walk: Easy - footpath	Length = 402 m	Time = 8 mins
	Climb = 19 m	Descent = -1 m
From the corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street, this walk follows Harwood Ave downhill along the footpath. The footpath then leads up past a 'Seaview St'[107] and across 'Low St'[108] to continue to the end of Harwood Ave to find a footbridge[109]. Here the walk crosses the the F3 freeway using the caged foot bridge[110] to head down the steps into a concrete tunnel[111]. Part way through the tunnel this walk comes to an intersection at the bottom of the steps at Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station. Here there is a sign that points back to 'Mt Ku-ring-gai Walking Track'[112]

Catch the train from Mt Ku-ring-gai
Check out the facilities at Mt Ku-ring-gai You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your train trip from the end of the walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|To get away from Mt Ku-ring-gai Train Station trains run approximately every hour along the Newcastle Line. This line goes both ways between Hornsby and Wyong. Timetable

Drive from Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station
From Mt Ku-ring-gai Station it is possible to get away to either Hornsby to the South or Brooklyn and the Central Coast in the North using the Pacific Hwy. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Public Transport Timetables
	To the start of the walk From Castle Hill Chatswood Dural Epping Gosford Hornsby Katoomba Manly Parramatta Penrith Strathfield Sutherland Sydney		From the end of the walk To Castle Hill Chatswood Dural Epping Gosford Hornsby Katoomba Manly Parramatta Penrith Strathfield Sutherland Sydney
Driving Directions
Map Car Shuffle
	To the start of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive from:		From the end of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive to:

Near by

Campsites in the park
The Basin campground


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Kathmandu	236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby	(02) 9476 1399	10.3 km
CampHikeClimb	20 George St, Hornsby	(02) 9476 5767	10.2 km
Paddlecraft	3B / 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview	02 9997 8015	14 km
All Camping Supplies	12 Railway Pde, Thornleigh	(02) 9481 0473	13.9 km
Mountain Equipment	72 Archer St , Chatswood	(02) 9419 6955	19.5 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai Click to re-center search
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	2 km (to the NW)
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	13 km (to the SSW)
8	MDC08	Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG	24 km (to the NNE)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	29 km (to the SW)
1	SYD01	12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE	39 km (to the S)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 4 hours ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

Clear. 16.2°C (feels like 15.6°) 11 km/h from the ESE (gusting 15) 91% humidity     (as at 02/09:35am) Thu       ° Clear. Fri 8°|20° Early fog then mostly sunny. Sat 8°|19° Partly cloudy. Sun 10°|18° Possible shower.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
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,
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Closure information last downloaded Thursday 17th of May 2012 05:00 PM

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