Callicoma caves

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.5 km Return

86 m

Hard track

This walk provides a beautiful mixture of scenery, including rainforest-like sections along the creek, as well as drier forest with grass trees and beautiful sandstone overhangs. The walk starts on Francis Greenway Dr and follows part of the Callicoma Walk. There are two main points of interest on the walk, the 'Coachwood Grotto' and the 'Callicoma Caves', making it a rewarding walk.

Track along an overgrown management trail

Another set of steps on the Callicoma Walk

One of the large overhangs at Callicoma Caves

(0km) Francis Greenway Dr trackhead → Int of Callicoma Walk and Thorpe Ave trail

100 m

3 mins

-17m Moderate track

From the intersection of Francis Greenway Drive and Macquarie Drive, the walk follows the 'Bushland Walking Trail' arrow, then goes steeply down the stepped bush track, arriving at an intersection with a management trail, marked with a 'Callicoma Walk' signpost.

(0km) Int of Callicoma Walk and Thorpe Ave trail → Int of sewer management trail and Callicoma Walk

290 m

7 mins

-21m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail gently up the hill and soon branches to the left at an unmarked intersection, following a bush track gently down the hill away from the houses. Immediately after crossing the creek, on concrete stepping stones, the track bends to the left (just behind the houses) then meanders along, keeping the creek on the left, before reaching an intersection at the top of the wooden steps, marked with a 'Callicoma Walk' signpost.

(0km) Int of sewer management trail and Callicoma Walk → Number 8 sign

330 m

5 mins

-4m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the track going gently down the hill, keeping the creek on the left. The track passes several sewer inspection points before arriving at the intersection marked with an '8' sign (just before the track bends up the hill to the right).

(1km) Number 8 sign → Coachwood grotto

20 m

1 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the steps steeply down the hill, soon coming to the viewing spot. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Coachwood grotto

This beautiful, shady spot is beside Nyrippin creek, on the Callicoma Walk near Cherrybrook. The 'grotto' is an open area, shaded by Coachwood trees, with a curved section of low cliffs across the creek, giving an 'amphitheatre' feeling. This is a very atmospheric spot to sit and relax for a while.

(1km) Number 8 sign → Nyrippin Creek four ways

330 m

6 mins

-7m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the stepped track going up the hill, leaving the creek on the left, and soon arrives at the signposted intersection for the 'Callicoma Walk'.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail gently down the hill, keeping the creek on the left (ignore a bush track going to the right where the main track drops a little to the left). The track then becomes a bush track and bends to the right at a ventilation stack, climbing some steps to arrive at the 4 way intersection.

(1km) Nyrippin Creek four ways → Callicoma Caves

210 m

5 mins

14m

-9m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk goes steeply up the hill using the wooden steps. The walk then swings to the left and follows the short cliff line, on the right, before reaching a large overhang at the end of the cliffline, marked with a number '6' sign.

Callicoma caves

The Callicoma caves are a series of large sandstone overhangs on the Callicoma Walk near Cherrybrook. These beautiful sandstone overhangs are a highlight on the walks in the area. The sandstone has some beautiful texture and golden colouring.

Maps for the Callicoma caves walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Hornsby	1:25 000 Map Series	91304S HORNSBY	NSW-91304S
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Callicoma caves bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Callicoma caves

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	2.5 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 630m of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 630m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

690m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 360m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (210m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.3km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 930m of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 330m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 970m of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 290m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Callicoma caves walk.

Callicoma Loop

5.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This great circuit walk passes through some really nice forest around the fringe of Cherrybrook. Highlights of the walk include some beautiful rock overhangs at the 'Callicoma Caves', and the atmospheric 'Coachwood Grotto'. The walk starts and finishes at the pleasant Lakes of Cherrybrook park.

Total climbing: 153m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Callicoma caves walk.

Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St

4.2 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park. The walk starts and finishes at the end of Schofield Pde, Pennant Hills. The scenery includes nice forest while going down Stringybark ridge and beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek, as well as an optional side trip to see the remn

Total climbing: 123m

Hard track

Cherrybrook to Hornsby via Fishponds

9 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

A beautiful walk through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The walk mostly follows the Great North Walk, between Cherrybrook and Hornsby. There are some fantastic lookouts along the way and some excellent scenery along Berowra creek, including the 'Fishponds'. The start and end of the walk are close

Total climbing: 536m

Hard track

Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

A nice walk around the fringes of Cherrybrook plus the interesting and atmospheric Refuge Rock. The optional sidetrip to the natural rock arch adds some beautiful scenery to the walk. The walk passes through an interesting mixture of moist creek side scenery and drier forest before reaching Refuge R

Total climbing: 147m

Moderate track

Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

4.4 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is mostly within the Berowra Valley Regional Park. It has some beautiful sections with great scenery, including sandstone rock features, lots of ferns and great scenery along Zig Zag creek. There is an optional side trip to visit the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag r

Total climbing: 128m

Moderate track

The Lakes of Cherrybrook loop

439 m Circuit, 15 mins

This short, pleasant loop walk is a nice one to do if you are having a picnic in the Lakes of Cherrybrook park, enjoying the atmosphere, free electric BBQs and playground. There is a good viewing platform extending onto the lake and there are usually ducks to be seen. The nearby shopping centre has

Total climbing: 10m

Moderate track

Blackwattle Trail

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

This walk follows the Blackwattle Trail around the fringe of Cherrybrook, starting at the Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade building, in Shepherds Drive, and finishing in Patricia Place. It is a nice walk and follows a management trail for its whole length. The walk passes through a mix of dry eucalypt

Total climbing: 98m

Moderate track

Blackwattle Close loop

613 m Circuit, 30 mins

This is a pleasant loop walk, close to Cherrybrook. The walk crosses Disturbed Creek (not officially named) a couple of times and includes some nice scenery along the creek with ferns, grasstrees and eucalypt forest.

Total climbing: 23m

Moderate track

Bellamy fire trail

619 m One way, 30 mins

This walk follows a wide concrete trail through Berowra Valley Regional Park, through lovely bushland and the site of the historic Zig Zag railway. The railway is long gone, but the quarry site is interesting to explore and crossing Zig Zag Creek on the bridge gives a lovely view down on the fern tr

Total climbing: 34m

Moderate track

Bellamy St to De Saxe Cl dog walking trail

529 m One way, 15 mins

This short walk follows a concrete management trail between Bellamy St and De Saxe Close. This is one of a few dog friendly bushwalks in the Berowra Valley Regional Park. You walk through some beautiful bush with a good array of grass and eucalyptus trees. At the bottom of the valley a bridge spa

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

Thornleigh to Marsfield

6.1 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

Following the Great North Walk, and the upper reaches of the Lane Cove River South, this walk explores dense bushland surrounding the river. You will experience a variety of trails along this walk, from steep bush tracks to wide biketrails. The common feature, however, is how well managed these trai

Total climbing: 106m

Hard track

Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station

6.6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park with good access by public transport. The walk starts and finishes at Thornleigh train station. The scenery includes beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek and nice forest while going up Stringybark ridge, plus as an optional side tri

Total climbing: 187m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Cowan

35.9 km One way, 2 Days

Following the Great North Walk and Berowra Creek through Berowra Valley Regional Park, this walk cuts straight through the length of the Park. The views are good, providing a broad idea of what this park has to offer. Conserve your energy for the section between Berowra Waters and Cowan as there are

Total climbing: 2336m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Callicoma caves walk starts and ends at the Francis Greenway Dr trackhead (gps: -33.728029, 151.04831)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Berowra Valley National Park

Following the Berowra Creek the Berowra Valley National Park is located on the Hornsby Plateau and is made up of typical Hawkesbury Sandstone. The great North walk, Benowie walking track, and many other great walks stretch spann this park. The area has varied vegetation including many different sorts of Eucalyptus and plenty of native animals, includingl swamp wallibies, water dragons, bandicoots, Lyre Birds, and bush turkeys. There are several campsites within the Park, and Crosslands Reserve is also a popular spot near the middle of the park.

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