The Lakes of Cherrybrook park +

	The Lakes of Cherrybrook park +

	Viewing platform at the Lakes of Cherrybrook +

	Pedestrian tunnel under the road +

	Follow the bush track +

	Close up +

	Blackwattle management trail +

	Grass tree on Blackwattle trail +

	Steps near Disturbed creek +

	Stepping stones across Disturbed creek +

	Boardwalk by the creek +

	Meandering bush track +

	Rock formations near Cherrybrook +

	Rough steps up the hill +

	Easy walking and nice rock +

	Along Stringybark ridge +

	Along the management trail +

	Well worn tracks +

	crossing the creek +

	small bridged tributaries are all over the valley +

	Steps and rocks +

	Elouera lookout +

	You can go around! +

	Circular hole at the 'Spa' +

	Waitara Creek +

	Crossing Waitara Creek at the 'Spa' +

	Under the overhang +

	fenced off rock shelf +

	Berowra creek Stepping stones +

	Joes Mountain service trail +

	Environment north of Rosemead Park +

	Blue Gum forest +

	The Rosemead trail goes through dense fern forest +

	Rosemead Park +

	Steps winding up out of the valley +

	Great North Walk marker near Hornsby +

Wildwalks
Online bushwalking Magazine. Download the full magazine for free Bushwalk Australia eMag The Online Magazine is produces by the community at bushwalk.com and the Wildwalks team Bushwalk.com Australia's most active bushwalking forum - Check it out. Happy Reading. Matt :)

Catch the bus to Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park
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 Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park
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) Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park to Lakes trackhead Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath	Length = 51 m	Time = 1 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -4 m
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	Alt = 140 m
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.

(0.05 km) Lakes trackhead to Int at stone wall Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath	Length = 118 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 1 m	Descent = -4 m
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.

(0.17 km) Int at stone wall to Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 183 m	Time = 3 mins
	Climb = 4 m	Descent = -7 m
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.

(0.35 km) Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk to Top of the Disturbed Creek stairs Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 233 m	Time = 4 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -7 m
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).

(0.59 km) Top of the Disturbed Creek stairs to Int of Callicoma Walk and McKinley trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 170 m	Time = 3 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -8 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk goes down the steps towards the creek. Immediately after crossing the creek, on concrete stepping stones, the walk bends to the left, following the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow. The walk soon crosses some old concrete slabs and then drops down some more steps. After following the creek, on the left, for a short distance the walk comes to an intersection (with a management trail coming down the hill on the right).

(0.76 km) Int of Callicoma Walk and McKinley trail to Int of Callicoma Walk and Disturbed Creek trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 96 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 5 m	Descent = -3 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the creek on the left and soon arrives at a fork intersection.

(0.85 km) Int of Callicoma Walk and Disturbed Creek trail to Int of Callicoma Walk and Pogson Dr management trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 184 m	Time = 4 mins
	Climb = 13 m	Descent = -6 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track, keeping the creek on the left and immediately passes a 'Callicoma Walk' signpost. The walk continues along the well formed bush track and climbs steeply to an intersection marked with a 'Callicoma Walk' and red GNW signpost.

(1.04 km) Int of Callicoma Walk and Pogson Dr management trail to Int of GNW and Stringybark Ridge trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 510 m	Time = 11 mins
	Climb = 8 m	Descent = -37 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the asphalted management trail up, over the hill, keeping the houses up to the right and soon arrives at an intersection marked with a 'Callicoma Walk' and red GNW track marker. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow down the management trail (no asphalt), keeping the power lines to the left. The walk descends steeply for a while then flattens out and soon comes to an intersection with the Great North Walk.

(1.55 km) Int of GNW and Stringybark Ridge trail to Elouera Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 1.05 km	Time = 27 mins
	Climb = 81 m	Descent = -58 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[1] down the narrower track. The track leads downhill for about 70m, getting steeper[2] as it goes, and then crosses Berowra Creek[3] - this creek may become impassable after rain. On the other side, the walk comes to an intersection on a small sandy beach. Here, the walk turns left, following the GNW arrows downstream for about 250m among the grass trees and crossing a flat timber bridge[4]. The rocky track then continues for just shy of 250m and crosses a mossy gully on a large flat rock[5]. The track then continues, staying fairly flat[6] for another 170m before bending right and heading steeply uphill[7]. At the top of this climb, the track soon leads to a section of fenced cliff[8]. At the end of the fence, the walk passes through casuarina forest[9] for a short distance before passing alongside another (longer) fenced cliff and coming to the Elouera Lookout[10], where there is an intersection with the 'Westleigh' track[11] (on your right).

Elouera Lookout	Alt = 116 m
This fenced lookout is on the Benowie Track close to Westleigh. There are uninterrupted views from the clifftop across the Berowra Creek valley, which is rare for the area[12]. As well as being on the Great North Walk, this lookout can be accessed by a short walk from Elouera Rd, Westleigh. This section of fenced rock platform is about 100m long[13], and there is some limited shade[14] from the casuarina near the lookout if you want to take a rest.

(2.59 km) Elouera Lookout to Fishponds Lookout Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 3.83 km	Time = 1 hr 33 mins
	Climb = 216 m	Descent = -290 m
Continue straight: From Elouera Lookout[15], this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[16] along the track, keeping the fence and valley to your left[17]. At the end of the fence, the walk bends left following the rocky flat track for about 200m, where the track then becomes progressively steeper for about 250m, winding steeply down then across a flat timber bridge[18]. From here, the track leads beside Berowra Creek[19] for a short time before crossing another flat timber bridge[20]. The track then passes among the pleasant grass trees for about 200m (crossing a couple of small creeks with timber plank spans[21]) to then climb a few sets of timber steps and cross a small (often dry) creek[22]. From here, the track gently winds up along the side of the hill for about 800m, passing through a pleasant casuarina forest[23] then heading across a rocky creek on another small, flat, timber bridge[24]. Just over 100m later, the track crosses a smaller (often dry) creek[25] to then wind uphill for about 100m to a three-way intersection with the signposted 'Quarter Sessions Rd' track[26] (on your right). Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the main rocky track, keeping the valley down to your left. The track leads along beside a rock wall (which is on your right) and through a rock outcrop[27], where the track soon heads quite steeply uphill along the eroded track[28] for a short time. At the top of this steep section, the rocky track continues to meander much more gently up along the side of the hill[29] for about 300m, then crosses a small, rocky gully[30], just below some houses[31]. The track then continues gently uphill for about 100m to an intersection with the unsignposted Blackfellows Head track[32] (on your right). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the clear track, keeping the valley down to your left for about 100m, where the walk comes to a three-way intersection and 'The Jungo' sign[33] points back along the track. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Fishponds' sign[34] past the 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign[35], gently uphill along the narrow ridge[36]. The track is mostly flat for about 200m before it starts to head fairly steeply down over some rocks[37] and down a set of rock steps[38]. This area comes alive with Patersonia lilies and pink wax flowers in early spring. The track then continues fairly gently down along the narrow ridge[39] for another 200m before leading through a crack in a rock, then down a bit further to climb down through a particularly steep rocky section[40]. Near the bottom of this descent, this walk passes a couple of arrow posts[41], where the track bends right to pass below a large rock overhang[42]. Just beyond this overhang, the track bends left and leads across Waitara Creek at the interesting holes in the rock know as 'the spa'[43]. This creek may become impassable after heavy rain, the rocks can also be slippery. Across the creek, the walk comes to a large rock platform and a Blue Gum Track post[44]. After stopping to enjoy cool spot, this walk continues left along the unfenced rock platform[45] (keeping the creek down to your left). The walk soon steps off this large rock (at the far right-hand corner, through the fork in a tree[46]). This walk heads over another rock platform[47], then along a notably flat section of track[48] (now with Berowra Creek on your left), passing beside some cascades[49] for about 100m before climbing up and over some rocks and under a sandstone overhang[50]. The track leads around the side of the hill for about 100m, then down to cross a small creek using the small flat timber bridge[51]. The walk then climbs up some timber steps[52] to a fenced lookout[53] over Fishponds, at a well-signposted intersection[54]. A sign points back along the track to 'Thornleigh Station'[55].

Fishponds Lookout	Alt = 49 m
Fishponds Lookout is a fenced rock platform at the intersection of the Benowie walking track and the Rosemead trackhead. It is marked with a number of Great North Walk signs. This informally named lookout has good views down over Fishponds, a large waterhole on Berowra Creek. Looking north across the creek, there are views to the upper waterhole and the cliffs on the other side.

(6.42 km) Fishponds Lookout to Fishponds crossing Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 71 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 3 m	Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the lookout[56], this walk follows the 'Galston Gorge' sign[57] along the fenced rock shelf (keeping the fence to your left). The track leads down the rocky steps to the edge of Berowra Creek[58]. The walk crosses the creek using the stepping stones, and comes to a small cave[59] on the other side. This creek may be impassable after rain[60].

Fishponds	Alt = 49 m
Fishponds is a long waterhole[61] on Berowra Creek in Berowra Valley Regional Park. The waterhole is lined with tall cliffs[62] and a few sandstone caves. At the southern end, there are stepping stones to help cross the creek[63], and a small timber bridge[64] at the northern end. This is a beautiful spot and a worthy place to rest and enjoy the water passing by[65]. The waterhole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities[66] - please heed the signs and Cora's parents' plea and enjoy the water from the edge.

(6.5 km) Fishponds crossing to Fishponds Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 71 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 4 m	Descent = -3 m
Turn around: From the cave, this walk follows the 'Hornsby Railway Station' sign[67] across Berowra Creek using the concrete stepping stones[68]. This creek may be impassable after rain[69]. The walk then climbs the side of the hill (tending right), heading up the rocky track to a fenced rock shelf. The walk follows the fence to a well-signposted intersection[70] and lookout over Fishponds[71].

(6.57 km) Fishponds Lookout to Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 297 m	Time = 7 mins
	Climb = 39 m	Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the lookout, this walk follows the 'Rosemead Rd Trackhead' sign[72] directly away from the view over Berowra Creek. After about 70m, the track leads over a timber footbridge[73], then leads up the side of the valley for about 100m to climb up the steep carved rock steps (with a hand rail)[74]. Here the track leads along the top of this unfenced cliff and soon comes to a well signposted three-way intersection, where a 'Fishponds' sign[75] points back along the track. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Hornsby Station' sign up[76] along the track a short distance to come to an intersection with a wide management trail[77].

(6.86 km) Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail to Int of Great North Walk and Rosemead Rd service trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 854 m	Time = 19 mins
	Climb = 35 m	Descent = -45 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow south along the wide management trail, keeping the gully to your left[78]. The walk climbs up the gentle hill for just over 300m, passing through the turpentine forest[79] to a saddle and small clearing. Here the walk continues along the trail as it bends right[80] (ignoring the track to the left) to leads downhill through the blue gum and bracken fern forest[81]. The trail continues moderately steeply down until it bends left to cross Old Mans Creek at the concrete stepping stones[82]. The trail leads left and gently up the hill, passing some houses (on your right) and soon comes to an intersection with a narrower track (on your left) after about 150m.

(7.72 km) Int of Great North Walk and Rosemead Rd service trail to Berowra Valley Bushland Park Walk: Easy - bushtrack	Length = 33 m	Time = 1 mins
	Climb = 4 m	Descent = 0 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow[83] along the narrower track[84] for a short distance, to Berowra Valley Bushland Park[85] at the end of Rosemead Road[86].

Berowra Valley Bushland Park	Alt = 82 m
'Berowra Valley Bushland Park'[87] is also known as Rosemead Rd Park and is found at the bottom end of Rosemead Rd[88], Hornsby. This is an open area park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees[89], making a pleasant spot to rest on a walk. It has a picnic table with bench seats[90], and a sheltered free electric BBQ[91]. There is a water tap[92] in the park, near the road. There is also a 'Welcome to Old Mans Valley' information sign with information about the traditional country of the Darug and Guringai peoples[93].

(7.75 km) Berowra Valley Bushland Park to Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 544 m	Time = 14 mins
	Climb = 89 m	Descent = -12 m
Veer left: From the lower side of 'Berowra Valley Bushland Park'[94], this walk follows the 'Hornsby Station' sign[95] across the park, then follows the GNW arrow[96] up the stone steps, keeping the houses to your right. The walk winds steeply up the steps[97], leaving the view of the house and finding a welcome flat section of track[98] midway up. The steps then lead more steeply up[99] the side of the valley, along the sheer rock walls for about 100m, and come to an intersection with the Quarry Road management trail, where a 'Great North Walk' sign[100] points back down the the hill. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post up a couple of timber steps[101] and then follows the track as it winds up over the gentle rise. Once over the rise, the track then leads down to the intersection with Quarry Rd, where a 'Great North Walk' sign[102] points back up the track.

(8.29 km) Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk to Int of Quarry Rd and Old Man Valley Service Trail Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road	Length = 179 m	Time = 4 mins
	Climb = 9 m	Descent = -4 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows Quarry Road gently uphill away from the face of the 'Great North Walk' sign[103] until just past a couple of house, this walk comes to an intersection with the gated 'Old Mans Valley' management trail[104] (on your left).

(8.47 km) Int of Quarry Rd and Old Man Valley Service Trail to Hornsby Train Station Walk: Easy - road	Length = 538 m	Time = 10 mins
	Climb = 25 m	Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows Quarry Rd up the gentle hill[105] for about 180m, then follows the GNW arrow[106] left onto Dural St[107]. The footpath leads past the unit block, then past a few shops to come to an intersection with the Pacific Hwy. Following the GNW arrow, this walk turns right across 'Dural St'[108], passes a few more shops, then crosses 'Dural Lane'[109] before turning left across the Pacific Hwy at the traffic lights[110]. Here the walk continues straight across the 'Station St' pedestrian crossing[111], past the large 'Great North Walk' sign[112] and across the bus lane to the western entrance of Hornsby Station[113].

Catch the train from Hornsby Station
Check out the facilities at Hornsby Station You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your train trip from the end of the walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Catch the bus from Hornsby Train Station
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 Hornsby Train Station
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|

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	3.4 km
CampHikeClimb	20 George St, Hornsby	(02) 9476 5767	5.5 km
Kathmandu	236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby	(02) 9476 1399	5.5 km
Castle Tarpaulin Warehouse	14/ 10 Victoria Ave, Castle Hill	(02) 9899 3959	6.2 km
Brett Products	1 River St , Silverwater	(02) 9648 5622	11.9 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Cherrybrook to Hornsby via Fishponds.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Cherrybrook to Hornsby via Fishponds Click to re-center search
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	5 km (to the ESE)
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	28 km (to the S)
4	RIV04	Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW	38 km (to the W)

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. Thu 19°|28° Possible shower. Fri 18°|33° Partly cloudy. Sat 16°|26° Possible late shower.

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.



Manor Road Bushland Manor Road Bushland is a small parcel of natural bushland between Manor road and the Hornsby quarry. The blue Gum walk and the Great North walk Hornsby track head pass through the section of land where there are some wonderful tall Blue gums and Black Buts. There is also a lovely array of ferns and Turpentine trees.
Region:
I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

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