Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 45 mins

4.1 km One way

147 m

Moderate track

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 Rock with its nice views. The extensive rock platforms at Refuge Rock are interesting to explore, or a nice place just to relax.

Tall forest in the Berowra Valley Regional Park

Blackwattle management trail east of Blackwattle Place

Casuarinas and Eucalypts on the Blackwattle trail

Cherrybrook Village shopping centre

The Cherrybrook Village shopping centre is located at 41/47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. There are a number of local cafes and eateries here, plus some franchises such as Subway and Gloria Jeans, making a great stop for walkers. There is also a Woolworths supermarket. The centre is open 9:00-5:30 Mon-Wed & Fri, 9:00-9:00 Thu, 9:00-5:00 Sat and 10:00-4:00 Sun. Some of the cafes and eateries open directly outside so they may be open longer hours. More info.

(0km) Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park → Lakes trackhead

50 m

1 mins

-4m Very easy

From below 50 Shepherds Drive, opposite the shopping centre, the walk follows the concrete footpath into 'The Lakes Of Cherrybrook' park, keeping the playground to the right. The footpath comes to the signpost for 'Callicoma Walk' just before the unfenced lakes.

The Lakes Of Cherrybrook

The Lakes Of Cherrybrook is a park at the intersection of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. The lakes featured in the park were formed when the local creek was dammed for the benefit of farmers. The park has a free electric BBQ, sheltered picnic tables, taps and bubblers as well as a playground for the kids. There is a large shopping centre nearby. There are several signposted buswalks in the area, including the 5.1km 'Callicoma Walk' loop track.

(0km) Lakes trackhead → Int at stone wall

120 m

2 mins

-4m Very easy

Veer left: From the 'Callicoma Walk' signpost, the walk follows the 'Sydney Cove' arrow along the concrete footpath, keeping the lakes on the right. The walk passes a free BBQ and picnic shelters on the left, and a couple of viewing platforms on the right before coming to an intersection just before the road and beside a low handmade stone wall.

(0km) Int at stone wall → Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk

180 m

3 mins

-7m Moderate track

Turn right: From behind the low stone wall, the track follows the concrete footpath down the hill through the graffiti-covered tunnel, emerging in a clearing behind the 'Cherrybrook Girl Guides' building.
Veer right: From the clearing, the walk follows the bush track, initially keeping the Girl Guides hall on the left. The track passes a shortcut track on the right before coming to a 'T' intersection with a management trail marked with track arrows.

(0km) Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk → Opposite 21 Daphne Place

1.5 km

31 mins

58m

-46m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the houses to the left, arriving at the signposted intersection at the top of the stairs (with a track on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection at the top of the steps, the walk follows the management trail, keeping the houses to the left, and soon comes to the intersection just before the gate at the end of Blackwattle Place.
Continue straight: From the intersection behind the gate at the end of Blackwattle Place, the walk follows the management trail steeply downhill to cross the concrete causeway. The track then meanders along before coming to the intersection with another management trail (which goes steeply down the hill on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, keeping the creek on the right, and soon bends to the right. The walk gently meanders along the management trail above the forested creek on the right, with only occasional glimpses of the houses up to the left. On a curve to the left, the walk comes to an intersection with another management trail (initially overgrown) going up the hill on the left, and a faint bush track going gently down the hill to the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail along the flat section, initially keeping the steep uphill management trail to the left, and soon crosses a concrete causeway. The walk meanders for a while before passing a gate and coming out opposite 21 Daphne Place.

(2km) Opposite 21 Daphne Place → End of Daphne Place

70 m

2 mins

0m Very easy

Turn right: From opposite 21 Daphne Place, the walk follows the road, keeping the houses to the left, for a short distance to the very end of Daphne Place.

(2km) End of Daphne Place → Opposite 5 Patricia Place

520 m

12 mins

35m

-15m Moderate track

Veer right: From the very end of Daphne Place, the walk follows the bush track from the grassy nature strip, keeping all the houses (and the 'Tuscan Way' signpost) to the left, and immediately bends to the right and passes a signposted gate above a drainage culvert. The walk follows an arc to the left for some distance before going gently uphill, then bending to the right behind the houses, keeping the houses on the left. The track then becomes asphalted and goes more steeply up the hill, bending to the right before passing a gate and coming out opposite 5 Patricia Place.

(2km) Opposite 5 Patricia Place → Beside 6 Patricia Pl

110 m

2 mins

-2m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection (opposite 5 Patricia Pl, Cherrybrook), the walk follows Patricia Pl down the hill. The walk soon passes the intersection with Philip Pl and climbs a little to reach the intersection with a management trail, to the right, beside 6 Patricia Pl. The intersection is signposted 'Berowra Valley Regional Park'.

(3km) Beside 6 Patricia Pl → Refuge Rock

810 m

16 mins

16m

-27m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection (beside 6 Patricia Pl, Cherrybrook), the walk passes around a gate and follows the management trail down the hill. The trail bends around to the left, behind a row of houses and soon reaches an intersection with another management trail.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, directly away from the houses. After a short distance, the trail reaches an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A/92B ...'.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'ST22/23' arrow, going gently up the hill, along the management trail. After a very short distance, the trail passes under some high voltage powerlines and immediately reaches an intersection with a bush track, to the right, and management trail, to the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail away from the high voltage powerlines, leaving the visible tower to the left. The trail descends gently, through pleasant forest (ignoring an unmarked bush track to the right) and reaches an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A 92B/16'.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the level management trail, leaving the '92A 92B/16' signpost behind on the left. After a short distance, the trail passes a clearing, to the left, and descends for a while before arriving at a large, flat rock outcrop, the western edge of 'Refuge Rock'.

Refuge Rock

Refuge Rock is a large area of rock outcrops and platforms, at the end of the Refuge Rock walk near Cherrybrook. This area has a great atmosphere and is a nice spot to explore or relax, close to the suburbs, but feeling a million miles from it. The various rock platforms extend for hundreds of metres in all directions. At the far south-east edge of Refuge Rock is a natural arch, know as 'London Bridge'. Refuge Rock was used as a target area during military training around WWII. There are a number of visible marks in the rock surface from mortar shells. More info.

(3km) Refuge Rock → Natural Arch

300 m

6 mins

-21m Hard track

Turn right: From the western edge of Refuge Rock (where the management trail arrives), the walk heads south, across the rock outcrop toward a well defined bush track. Some parts of this section are a little difficult to follow as the track becomes faint in places. The walk then follows the bush track as it crosses another large rock outcrop (becoming faint at times) and bends to the left just before the end of the outcrop. The track is more distinct again here as it winds down through a gully, ignoring a bush track to the right, to climb over a rounded ridge of rock. The track continues a little further before reaching an intersection at the top of a small cliff line.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk drops into the first of two very prominent slots in the rock platform to the north-east (beside a banksia tree). The walk follows this slot to the edge of the rock platform then bends around to the right to enter the next slot (closer to the cliff line). The walk drops through this very narrow slot to emerge at the base of the very cool natural arch. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Natural Arch

This natural arch, known locally as 'London Bridge' is at the south-eastern edge of Refuge Rock, near Cherrybrook. The arch is formed below a long, narrow block of rock at the edge of a larger rock platform. To see the arch, you walk down through the narrow chasms separating the block from the rock platform, to emerge underneath the arch. The arch itself, and the area around it is beautiful. More info.

(3km) Refuge Rock → End of Trevors Ln

690 m

13 mins

24m

-14m Moderate track

Turn around: From the western edge of 'Refuge Rock', the walk follows the management trail up the hill, away from the rock outcrop. The trail climbs for a while, through nice forest before passing a small clearing, to the right, and levelling out. A short distance later, the trail reaches an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A 92B/16'.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail up the hill and immediately bends to the right. The trail climbs gently for a while (ignore the bush track to the left), through pleasant forest, and flattens out before reaching an intersection with a bush track, to the left, and management trail, to the right, immediately before the high voltage powerlines.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, immediately passing under the high voltage powerlines, leaving the visible tower to the right. After a short distance, the trail reaches an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A/92B ...'.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the (unsignposted) management trail down the hill and immediately bends to the left. After a short distance, the trail arrives at an intersection with another management trail, at the back of a row of houses.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, keeping the houses to the left. The walk almost immediately, passes around a gate and then arrives at the end of Trevors Ln, Cherrybrook.

Maps for the Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock 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 Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

Altitude analysis for Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

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	4.1 km
		Time	1 hr 45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		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

3.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 630m has short steep hills. The remaining (240m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 3.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 350m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 3.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 240m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.8km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.4km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 670m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 3.8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 310m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock walk.

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

Daphne Place dog walking trail

515 m One way, 15 mins

This is a pleasant dog-friendly walk, passing through some nice bush on the fringe of Cherrybrook. Despite being within the Berowra Valley Regional Park, this is an 'Authorised On-Lead Dog Walking Track'. The walk starts at the end of Daphne Pl, Cherrybrook and can be done as a one-way walk, finishi

Total climbing: 35m

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

Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

1.4 km Return, 30 mins

A very nice walk through a small part of the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The extensive rock platforms of Refuge Rock make a beautiful place to relax and explore. The optional side trip to see the natural rock arch is well worth it, adding some really beautiful scenery to the walk. Another great bu

Total climbing: 38m

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

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

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

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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock walk.

Callicoma caves

2.5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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 t

Total climbing: 86m

Hard track

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

Elouera Lookout

828 m Return, 30 mins

A short walk to a beautiful lookout with views over the Berowra Creek valley, near Westleigh. This is a short and interesting walk to one on those really beautiful pockets of bush in the middle of the suburbs. The lookout is in the Berowra Valley Regional Park and also on the Great North Walk.

Total climbing: 44m

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

Thornleigh to Galston Gorge

15.5 km One way, 6 hrs

This walk follows the Great North Walk above Berowra Creek from Thornleigh to Galston Gorge, on bush tracks and service trails. The Steele Bridge is quite an interesting landmark of the area. Fishponds is a wonderful highlight, it is a lovely water hole surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs. The walk

Total climbing: 768m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Hornsby

10.2 km One way, 4 hrs

Starting at Thornleigh station you walk through suburban streets for a short while before diving into the bush at the southern end of Berowra Valley Regional Park. Soon after visiting the site of the historic Zig Zag railway you start wandering through the Berowra Creek valley, passing a few cascadi

Total climbing: 525m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Mt Kuring-Gai

28.1 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk starts from Thornleigh train station and follows the Great North Walk down through the Berowra Valley Regional Park and along Berowra creek. The walk passes through Fishponds and up to the top of Galston Gorge to the campsite. From there, the walk continues along the Great North

Total climbing: 1614m

Hard track

Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station

8.6 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

This pleasant half day walk starts from Wareemba Avenue in Thornleigh and winds down into the valley along service trails and bush tracks. The walk then follows a section of the Blue Gum Walk to the Great North Walk. From here the walk follows the Great North Walk to Thornleigh train station. Along

Total climbing: 472m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock walk starts at the Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park (gps: -33.721735, 151.04418)

Bus. (get details)

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

The Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock ends at the End of Trevors Ln (gps: -33.708264, 151.05772)

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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