With train station at each end this walk explores the ridges and valleys around Berowra Waters. There are plenty of excellent views, especially at Naa Badu Lookout and the many creek vantage points along the way. There are some solid climbs on this walk so be sure to allow enough time. Berowra Waters, in the middle of the walk, is a great place for lunch or an ice cream, by taking the optional side trip across the river, on the free car-ferry, which is a pleasant ride in itself.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Berowra to Cowan via Berowra Waters bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Berowra to Cowan via Berowra Waters bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
13km
Time
6 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
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
Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
5km of this walk is very steep and another 5km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.3km has short steep hills and the remaining 1.3km is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3.1km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 2.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail and the remaining 1.1km follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 12km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.4km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
12km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation) and another 660m is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety. The remaining (390m) is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3.7km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Berowra Station
to
Crowley Road track head Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 709 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -15 m
From the entrance to Berowra train station[1], this walk follows the 'Berowra Waters' arrow on the 'Great North Walk' sign, crossing the highway at the traffic lights[2]. On the other side of the highway, this walk turns left and follows the footpath past a series of local shops and cafes[3][4] for about 150m, then turns right onto Berowra Waters Rd[5]. The footpath passes the post office[6] then Caltex service station[7], then the walk crosses 'The Gully Rd'[8]. Continuing along the Berowra Waters Rd footpath, this walk passes the park[9][10] and then crosses the road just to the right of the roundabout[11]. Turning left in front of the community hall, this walk immediately turns right at Crowley Rd, and comes to the open grassy area[12] behind the community hall[13], where a sign in the park points back to 'Berowra Station'[14].
(0.71 km)
Crowley Road track head
to
Int of Berowra service trail and Great North Walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 899 m
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = -106 m
Turn right: From the small park on Crowley Rd, this walk follows the 'Crosslands' sign[15] downhill, tending left behind the houses[16]. The track soon bends right and leads quite steeply[17] down a series of steps for about 120m, then tends left and flattens out on an unfenced rock platform[18]. From here, the track leads down a metal staircase[19][20] then heads fairly steeply[21] down along a rocky track.
The track begins to flatten out over the next 400m, crossing the gully twice, then leads down to a three-way intersection marked with a couple of arrow posts[22]. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow post[23] downhill and soon crosses a small creek[24]. The track then continues up the other side of the valley, over a small rise, then leads down to an intersection with a management trail[25], marked with a couple more arrow posts.
(1.61 km)
Int of Berowra service trail and Great North Walk
to
Int of Naa Badu Lookout Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.37 km
Time = 34 mins
Climb = 88 m
Descent = -79 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow[26] down the wide management trail for about 40m, then continues up the moderately steep hill to a wide three-way intersection[27], where a sign points back towards 'Berowra Station'[28]. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Crosslands' sign [29] as the trail bends left, leading down the hill. The trail then undulates around the side of valley for about 300m and crosses a small creek (where the trail is gravel[30]). The trail then heads generally uphill for about 600m, before a last little downhill stretch leads to an intersection (with a track on your left) and a 'Berowra Station' sign[31] pointing back along the track. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Berowra Waters' sign[32] gently down along the management trail, keeping the valley to your left. The trail gently undulates along the side of the hill, enjoying some glimpses up to the cliff faces[33] (on the right). After about 180m, the trail crosses a concrete drain[34], then leads up the hill to find the signposted 'Naa Badu' lookout[35] and its great view[36].
Naa Badu Lookout
Alt = 135 m
Naa Badu Lookout offers magnificent views south over Berowra Creek as well as over Sams and Calna Creeks. Naa Badu means 'See water'[37] in the Aboriginal tribal language of the Dharug people. It is believed that Berowra Creek was the boundary between the Dharug and Guringai Aboriginal peoples. The lookout is fenced[38], has a bench seat[39], picnic table[40] and a fair amount of natural shade.
(2.98 km)
Int of Naa Badu Lookout
to
Int of Great North Walk and Berkeley Close service trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 543 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -26 m
Continue straight: From the 'Naa Badu' lookout[41], this walk follows the management trail over the small rise[42] and across the concrete ditch[43], keeping the valley to your left. The trail leads around the side of the hill for about 300m, gently undulating to come to an intersection with a narrow track and small clearing (on your left, as the trail bends right), just past the large scribbly gum. (This informal track leads down to an unfenced rock platform, with filtered views over Berowra Creek). Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the wide trail gently downhill as it bends right[44], keeping the valley to your left. After about 140m, the trail narrows a bit, leading down a few short but steeper sections[45] to an intersection (with some steps[46] on your left), where a 'The Great North Walk' sign[47] points back up along the trail.
(3.52 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Berkeley Close service trail
to
Berowra Waters trackhead Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 2.2 km
Time = 1 Hr
Climb = 140 m
Descent = -262 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Berowra Waters' sign[48] down the timber steps. The walk then crosses Banggarai Creek using a timber bridge[49], and leads up some timber steps[50]. The rocky track then leads up some more timbers steps, between two rocks[51] then over a few rocks, where the track then flattens out. The now flat, sandy track[52] winds through the forest for about 150m and passes a timber seat[53], then leads down across a small gully[54] before the track begins to climb again. The track leads up some more timber steps[55], then the walk climbs two metal pegs[56] in the rock and continues to climb steeply up the rock and timber steps[57]. After 60m, the track[58] flattens out again, leading gently up through the scribbly gum[59] and angophora forest[60] for just over 100m to a three-way intersection marked with a couple of GNW arrow posts[61]. Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post north-west down the sandy track[62], directly towards the valley. The track soon becomes rocky[63] and leads fairly steeply down the hill for about 150m before mostly flattening out and coming close to the top of an unfenced cliff with good views over Berowra Creek[64]. Here the rocky track continues more gently down along the top of the ridge[65] for about 200m and comes to a large rock platform[66]. This walk veers right to lead down the gap in the rock[67][68], climbing down some steel pegs[69] to where the track flattens out again[70]. The track leads across the saddle[71] for about 60m then veers left and follows along the base of a long rock wall[72] (on your right). Here the track leads down around the side of the ridge for just over 400m, passing some unfenced views for rock platforms[73][74][75] then down some sandstone steps[76] to find a tall sandstone overhang[77] with a timber seat[78]. From this cave, this walk continues along the base of the rock wall[79], and soon bends left and winds fairly steeply down a series of rock[80] and timber steps[81] to come to the edge of Berowra Creek (where there is a 'no wash' sign[82][83] facing the water from the rock platform). The track leads along the shore line for a short time to head onto the rock platform[84][85] in Washtub Gully. Continue straight: From Washtub Gully[86], this walk crosses the creek[87] and follows the track, keeping Berowra Creek not far to your left[88]. After about 50m, the track passes an old partially sunken boat[89], then about 100m further on, the track passes a view point that is an obviously popular (but not recommended) jumping spot[90]. The track then soon leads up some steps and over a rise[91] behind the 'Berowra Waters Garden House' restaurant[92], then heads down the steps[93] to come to the signposted 'Berowra Waters Trackhead'[94][95] on 'Berowra Waters Rd'[96].
(5.72 km)
Berowra Waters trackhead
to
Berowra Waters Marina Optional sidetrip: Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 478 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn left: From 'Berowra Waters trackhead'[97], this walk follows 'Berowra Waters Rd' downhill for 100m past the 'Berowra Waters Garden House'[98], letter box and phone box[99] to the ferry[100]. After waiting to be directed onto the ferry[101][102], this walk crosses Berowra Waters[103]. The ferry runs 24hrs a day 7 days a week, but is closed for service on the second Tuesday of each month from noon to 2.30pm[104]. There is no charge. On the other side, this walk follows the footpath[105] between the road and the water for 150m to come to the shops at the Berowra Waters Marina[106] (on your right). (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
The Fish Café
Alt = 5 m
This seafood restaurant is located on the western side of the Berowra Waters Ferry, and offers casual dining with a great menu, overlooking the marina and river. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch, with dinner available on Friday through Sunday. The cafe is open 8:30 – 9pm Wed-Sun and closes at 3pm Mon & Tuesdays. Takeaway is also available, and the nearby reserve provides picnic tables, toilets, children's playground and parking. Kayak hire is available from the marina building.
The Fish Café is located at 199 Bay Road, Berowra Waters, and the phone number is (02)9456 4665.
Waterview Restaurant
Alt = 7 m
On the western side of Berowra Waters Ferry (free trip), just a short walk up the road, is the Waterview Restaurant, upstairs at the marina. The restaurant specialises in seafood, but also caters for other tastes in restaurant style dinning.
Some sittings offers A la Carte meals from $25, and other sittings offer a fresh and cooked seafood buffet. Please call ahead, as the restaurant is also a popular venue for weddings.
Open Friday-Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Phone (02) 9456 2633
199 Bay Rd Berowra Waters, NSW 2082
(5.72 km)
Berowra Waters track head
to
End of Kirkpatrick Way Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 389 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -15 m
Continue straight: From 'Berowra Waters Trackhead'[107], this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign along 'Kirkpatrick Way' and across the culverted Franks Gully creek. As the walk crosses the gully, there is a picnic area[108] and public toilet[109][110] (and tap water[111]) on your right. The walk continues along the road, keeping the water to your left[112] for about 180m, then passing under the yellow boom gate[113]. About 30m later, the walk stays left[114] to head alongside the fenced car park. At the far end of this car park, the walk comes to a turning area[115] at the end of Kirkpatrick Way.
(6.11 km)
End of Kirkpatrick Way
to
Berowra Waters view point Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 814 m
Time = 26 mins
Climb = 127 m
Descent = -24 m
Continue straight: From the end of Kirkpatrick Way[116], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[117] along the track, keeping the water just to your left. This walk follows the rocky shoreline, enjoying the views of the water[118], the boats and houses on the other shore[119] and the large rocks[120] (up to your right). After about 450m, the track passes a large boulder[121] and then turns right and climbs up a staircase[122], finding a small seat and viewing platform[123]. Veer right: From the seat and view[124], this walk follows the 'Cowan' sign[125] steeply uphill, following the series of timber[126] and rock steps[127]. After about 50m, the track leads up beside a rock wall[128], and at the top, turns right and mostly flattens out[129] for about 80m before starting to climb again[130]. At the top of this hill, this walk comes to a small clearing[131] (on the left, that has been used as a campsite[132]) and a large unfenced rock platform with great views[133] back over the valley (on your right).
(6.93 km)
Berowra Waters view point
to
Int of GNW and Coreen Close western trail Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.23 km
Time = 41 mins
Climb = 191 m
Descent = -88 m
Continue straight: From the view at the top of the ridge, this walk follows GNW arrow post[134] east, directly away from the Berowra Water views and over the small rise. The track soon leads down off a rock[135], where the track bends right and starts to lead fairly gently downhill[136]. The track then leads down a few short, steep, rocky sections[137] before crossing a lovely creek[138], flowing over the sandstone rock platform[139][140]. This creek may be slippery and can be particularly risky to cross after rain. Continue straight: From beside the creek, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[141] east, away from the creek, up the steep rocky hill[142]. The track soon passes between two rock slabs[143], then passes a handrail to climb up two metal pegs beside some more hand railing[144]. The track then continues to climb up for another 50m before mostly flattening[145] out for about 150m. the track then starts to climb again and soon steps up a rock with two more metal pegs[146]. Then after another 70m, the track climbs up past a sandstone cave[147]
and heads up a crack in the rock with four metal pegs[148], then just past the next cave[149], goes up another rock with a single peg[150]. A short time later, this walk leads up another rock with two pegs[151], where the track then leads up the steps through a cleft of a rock[152]. Here the track mostly flattens out and leads gently uphill for almost 200m until crossing a small saddle, marked with a two GNW arrow post beside each other[153]. The track then leads steeply up[154] to a fair sized rock platform, with rewarding views[155] back over Berowra Creek (on your left). From this view point, the track leads fairly gently uphill for almost 150m, coming to a T-intersection[156] with a wide sandy management trail.
(8.15 km)
Int of GNW and Coreen Close service trail
to
Int of ridge top campsite and GNW Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 224 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -4 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow along the sandy management trail[157], heading south. The trail immediately bends left[158] and passes a track[159] (on your right, that runs generally parallel to this trail). This trail leads down through the scribbly gum and heath forest[160], where the trail widens (after about 70m) and then comes to an intersection[161] beside the large ridge top campsite[162][163]. There is a 'Berowra Waters' sign[164] here, pointing back along the trail.
Ridge Top Campground
Alt = 207 m
About 800m from Turners Rd, Berowra Heights lies this pleasant ridge top campsite. This is a fairly popular campsite on the Great North Walk, providing a flat area[165] with plenty of shade. There are no facilities (or water) at this large campsite. A faint track leads west from the campsite to an unfenced cliff with great views over the Berowra Waters Valley[166].
(8.38 km)
Int of ridge top campsite and Great North Walk
to
Joe Crafts Creek crossing Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.65 km
Time = 37 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -196 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Cowan Station' sign[167], directly away from the campsite along the clear track. The track leads over a small rise[168] and then heads down to a four-way intersection[169] with a management trail (and the GNW track continuing ahead). Continue straight: From the intersection[170], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[171] east along the track as it leads very gently downhill along the top of the ridge. Over the next 300m, the track passes a rock platform[172] and comes to a second rock platform with more views[173] and a 'Great North Walk' log book box[174] on a post. After leaving your note (and reading through a few entries), this walk continues down along the top of the ridge for another 200m to step down off another rock platform[175] (ignoring the track to your left). Here the walk starts to head downhill for the next 1km - initially the track leads down a series of short rocky steep sections[176][177], and passes some interesting large rock boulders[178][179] along the way. As the track moves further into the valley, it becomes consistently steeper[180] until leading down leading into the ferns and beside Joe Crafts Creek[181][182].
(10.03 km)
Joe Crafts Creek crossing
to
Valley viewing area Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 659 m
Time = 26 mins
Climb = 158 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the western bank, this walk crosses Joe Crafts Creek[183][184] and heads east up the clear track. This creek may be particularly dangerous to cross after heavy or prolonged rain. The track climbs up a series of stone steps[185], passing through a couple of cracks in the rock[186] before a 'Great North Walk' sign[187] about 60m from the creek. The rocky track continues to climb steeply up for about 300m, then climbs up a timber (and metal) staircase[188], followed by a few section of handrail[189]. Here the walk leads up around the base of rock wall[190] and then climbs up the side to the top of the large, unfenced rock platform with great valley views[191]. The walk continues up the ridge line for another 200m, very gently at first[192], then more steeply up the rocky sections[193]. The track heads along the base of another rock wall[194], then up the stone steps[195] and past the handrail to come to an intersection marked with a 'Great North Walk - Viewing Area' sign[196]. The short track (on your right) leads to a seat at the edge of an unfenced cliff with views[197] and a seat[198].
(10.69 km)
Valley viewing area
to
Int of GNW and Glendale Road Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 876 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn left: From the intersection near the 'viewing point'[199], this walk heads gently uphill directly away from the viewing area, keeping the valley on your right[200]. The track leads up a few short, moderately steep sections[201] for about 100m, then the track heads much more gently up through the open scribbly gum forest[202] for about 400m before passing under the power lines[203]. Here, the walk turns left and follows the wide trail[204] for about 40m and turns right[205] (before the locked gate), following a GNW arrow post[206] under another set of power lines[207]. The walk follows the track through the pleasant forest[208] for just shy of 300m then crosses the dirt Glendale Rd[209] to find 'Berowra Waters' sign[210] pointing back across the intersection.
(11.56 km)
Int of GNW and Glendale Road
to
Int of GNW and Pacific Highway service trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 834 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 33 m
Descent = -59 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Cowan' sign[211] away from the dirt road and down along the rocky and sandy track. The track winds through the forest (with some interesting twisted, thin scribbly gums[212][213]) for about 600m before bending left and following under a set of power lines[214]. Near the Pacific Hwy (up to your right), this walk continues for about 150m and crosses over a very short section of timber boardwalk[215] before climbing up a few steps to a T-intersection with a wide management trail[216].
(12.4 km)
Int of GNW and Pacific Highway service trail
to
Cowan trackhead Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 499 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 27 m
Descent = -13 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[217] gently downhill, keeping the valley views to your left[218]. The trail gently winds behind some houses (up to your right) for about 400m before bending right and heading up through a weedy section[219]. The walk then passes around a locked gate[220] to come to an intersection with a footpath, just before the Pacific Hwy[221] and across from Cowan station. There is a large 'Great North Walk' sign[222] here, pointing back to 'Sydney Cove'.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 8 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Berowra Valley National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page 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. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCamping Current Park Closure information for Berowra Valley National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Safety alerts: Quarry trail and Benowie walking track restricted access Access restrictions are in place along trails that traverse the land managed by the Hornsby Rifle Range. Restricted areas include:
an 800m section of trail, 2km in from the Quarry Road entrance at Dural
an 800m section of trail, 300m in from the Stewart Avenue entrance at Hornsby
a 750m section of the Benowie walking track between Steele Bridge and Fishponds Waterholes.
Shooting times are between 9am and 4.30pm, 7 days a week. All visitors wishing to access the restricted sections of trail during these times must request prior authorisation by contacting the Hornsby Rifle Range on their 24 hour contact number 0417 201 606. Consult the map on Page vii of the Berowra Valley National Park Draft Plan of Management to plan alternative routes during these hours. Visit the website for further information about the Hornsby Rifle Range.
Hey Matt,
thanks for the notes, enjoyed the walk (well, most of it!) and found the info helpful. Got through it in just over 4 hours but didn't really pause for long.
cr
Michelle - Climb those hills
IP:121.91.66.xxx | 2012-10-01 10:20:26
Hi Matt,
We found the time guide just right for a good walk. The three of us took time to enjoy Berowra Waters and took breaks on the climbs. Make sure you take plenty of water, or top up at Berowra Waters. Thanks for the notes.
Tejas - Lovely walk
IP:110.20.186.xxx | 2014-06-10 09:33:29
What more can you say? I got this walk idea from the CNN best walks in Sydney site. It is very popular looking at the walker intentions.
Diverse scenery, long hard climbs but thats the idea right? Get fit!
The best section was in and around Berowra Waters, lovely part.
It is also very well maintained. It had been raining recently and not too muddy, if this was the Blue Mntns the tracks would be almost impassable unless you want wet clothes!
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
5 km
Check out the facilities at 
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)