Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Cowan to Brooklyn Station hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Cowan to Brooklyn Station
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
5 Hrs
11.1 km
570 m
One way
4.9 km NNE of Berowra
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Track: Hard
The Cowan to Brooklyn Station Track is a popular section of the Great North Walk with scenery varying from foreshore to ridge top lookouts. The track follows the Great North Walk from Cowan Station down to the picturesque Jerusalem Bay and then climbs aong the ridge line to descend into Brooklyn. The track is a great one way tri from station to station with numerous water views and a diversity of fauna to see along the way.
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) Cowan Station to Jerusalem Bay Trk Freeway Bridge Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -13 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.
(0.24 km) Jerusalem Bay Trk Freeway Bridge to Jerusalem Bay Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.1 km
Time = 45 mins
Climb = 51 m
Descent = -212 m
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.
(2.39 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 .
(5.21 km) Int. Jerusalem Bay Trk and Brooklyn Dam Service Trk to Freeway Lookout Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -11 m
From the intersection the track heads west up the hill for approximately 100m to a lookout above the freeway.
(5.21 km) Int. Jerusalem Bay Tk and Brooklyn Dam Service Track to Upper Int. of Brooklyn Dam Service Track and Brooklyn Dam Bushtrack Track: Hard - Service Trail
Distance = 2.8 km
Time = 55 mins
Climb = 92 m
Descent = -138 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.
(8 km) Upper Int. of Brooklyn Dam Service Track and Brooklyn Dam Bushtrack to NE Brooklyn Dam Campsite Track: Hard - bushtrack, servicetrail, bushtrack
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -74 m
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.
Large Campsite Brooklyn Dam
Alt = 70
The Large Campsite next to Brooklyn Dam, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a spacious and well maintained campsite which has approximately 12 sites. The close proximity to Brooklyn Dam means close water. The campsite has many tall shady trees and is a fuel stove only site.
(8.59 km) NE Brooklyn Dam Campsite to Int Brooklyn Service Trail with Brooklyn Rd Access Tk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 2.1 km
Time = 45 mins
Climb = 86 m
Descent = -114 m
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.
(10.7 km) Int Brooklyn Service Trail with Brooklyn Rd Access Tk to Int Brooklyn Rd and Brooklyn Rd Access Tk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -38 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.
(10.84 km) Int Brooklyn Rd and Brooklyn Rd Access Tk to Brooklyn Rialway Station Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -9 m
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.
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 
5 km
