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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Callicoma caves are found in each of the tabs below
Callicoma caves
Time: 1 hr 30 mins Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
1 km SE of Cherrybrook
Length: 2.5 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 2.5 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Berowra Valley National Park
Climb: 86 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 86 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk There is a bus stop within 2km of the start and end of this walk
Style: Return
Track: Hard

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. (open in app)


There are Safety alerts in Berowra Valley National Park
Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Callicoma caves

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Callicoma caves bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Callicoma caves
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Francis Greenway Dr trackhead
Int of Callicoma Walk and Thorpe Ave trail
Int of sewer management trail and  Callicoma Walk
Number 8 sign
Number 8 sign
Int Callicoma Walk and power line access trail
Nyrippin Creek four ways
Starting point for this hiking track: Int of Callicoma Walk and Thorpe Ave trail

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 
 Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 

Photo Gallery

 
Francis Greenway Dr trackhead
 
Francis Greenway Dr trackhead +
 
Track marker on the Callicoma Walk
 
Track marker on the Callicoma Walk +
 
Easier walking
 
Easier walking +

 
A scene on Nyrippin creek
 
A scene on Nyrippin creek +
 
Crossing Nyrippin creek
 
Crossing Nyrippin creek +
 
Ferns by the track
 
Ferns by the track +

 
Well formed steps on the Callicoma Walk
 
Well formed steps on the Callicoma Walk +
 
Moist forest and a muddy track
 
Moist forest and a muddy track +
 
Part of the Coachwood Grotto
 
Part of the Coachwood Grotto +

 
Viewing spot at the Coachwood Grotto
 
Viewing spot at the Coachwood Grotto +
 
Track along an overgrown management trail
 
Track along an overgrown management trail +
 
Ferns and sandstone
 
Ferns and sandstone +

 
Another set of steps on the Callicoma Walk
 
Another set of steps on the Callicoma Walk +
 
Easy walking on an old management trail
 
Easy walking on an old management trail +
 
A nice rock outcrop
 
A nice rock outcrop +

 
Walking towards Callicoma Caves
 
Walking towards Callicoma Caves +
 
Walking between the rocks
 
Walking between the rocks +
 
One of the large overhangs at Callicoma Caves
 
One of the large overhangs at Callicoma Caves +

 
Grasstrees near Callicoma Caves
 
Grasstrees near Callicoma Caves +
 
A big overhang at Callicoma Caves
 
A big overhang at Callicoma Caves +
 
Rocks on the Callicoma Walk
 
Rocks on the Callicoma Walk +

Terrain


Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Callicoma caves bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Callicoma caves bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Callicoma caves bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Callicoma caves 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 2.5km
Time 1 hr 30 mins
.


Grade 4/6

Track: Hard
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)
*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
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).

Track Notes


Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
Catch the bus to Francis Greenway Dr trackhead
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to Francis Greenway Dr trackhead
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
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) Francis Greenway Dr trackhead to Int of Callicoma Walk and Thorpe Ave trail
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 97 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -17 m
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.

(0.1 km) Int of Callicoma Walk and Thorpe Ave trail to Int of sewer management trail and Callicoma Walk
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 291 m Time = 7 mins
Climb = 7 m Descent = -21 m
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.

(0.39 km) Int of sewer management trail and Callicoma Walk to Number 8 sign
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 328 m Time = 5 mins
Climb = 2 m Descent = -4 m
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).

(0.72 km) Number 8 sign to Coachwood grotto
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 23 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 2 m Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the steps steeply down the hill, soon coming to the viewing spot.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)

Coachwood grotto Alt = 129 m
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.

(0.72 km) Number 8 sign to Nyrippin Creek four ways
Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 331 m Time = 6 mins
Climb = 5 m Descent = -7 m
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.

(1.05 km) Nyrippin Creek four ways to Callicoma Caves
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 214 m Time = 5 mins
Climb = 14 m Descent = -9 m
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 Alt = 129 m
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.

Catch the bus from Francis Greenway Dr trackhead
Public transport (bus) available from this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from Francis Greenway Dr trackhead
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
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
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by



Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
All Camping Supplies 12 Railway Pde, Thornleigh (02) 9481 0473 2.9 km
Castle Tarpaulin Warehouse 14/ 10 Victoria Ave, Castle Hill (02) 9899 3959 6.6 km
CampHikeClimb 20 George St, Hornsby (02) 9476 5767 5.4 km
Kathmandu 236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby (02) 9476 1399 5.5 km
Brett Products 1 River St , Silverwater (02) 9648 5622 11.2 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Callicoma caves.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Callicoma caves
Click to re-center search
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
5 km (to the E)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 14 km (to the WSW)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 15 km (to the NE)
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 27 km (to the S)
4 RIV04 Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW 39 km (to the W)

Weather and Park info

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 7 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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
Wed      33°Showers. Likely storm developing.
Thu19°|28°Possible shower.
Fri18°|33°Partly cloudy.
Sat16°|26°Possible late shower.
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Berowra Valley National Park Link 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 fees Camping
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.


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