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.
(open in app)
There are Safety alerts in Berowra Valley National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock 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
4.1km
Time
1 hr 45 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
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)
*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
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).
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
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
(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
Opposite 21 Daphne Place Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.54 km
Time = 31 mins
Climb = 58 m
Descent = -46 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). 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.
(1.89 km)
Opposite 21 Daphne Place
to
End of Daphne Place Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 72 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
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.
(1.97 km)
End of Daphne Place
to
Opposite 5 Patricia Place Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 515 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -15 m
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.
(2.48 km)
Opposite 5 Patricia Place
to
Beside 6 Patricia Pl Track: Moderate - road
Length = 111 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -2 m
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'.
(2.59 km)
Beside 6 Patricia Pl
to
Refuge Rock Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 813 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -27 m
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
Alt = 160 m
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
(3.4 km)
Refuge Rock
to
Natural Arch Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack,undefined
Length = 300 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -21 m
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. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Natural Arch
Alt = 144 m
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
(3.4 km)
Refuge Rock
to
End of Trevors Ln Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 688 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -14 m
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.
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.
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.
We found this trail difficult to follow as there were no signs in places where the track notes said there were.
For example, in the section "Beside 6 Patricia Road to Refuge Rock" it says in the notes to ignore an unmarked bush track to the right to reach an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A/92B/16'. This signpost was not there. We had to back track often.
Refuge Rock was a great destination. We found it a great place to relax and chat. Exploring the rocks and the impact sites of the mortar shells was fascinating!
admin - Signage
Super Administrator | 2013-04-17 21:38:41
Hi guys. Thanks for the feedback. Shame the signs have been removed. I will try to get in soon to update the notes.
on Wildwalks you will see at each intersection we provide several directional indicators just incase the signs or other markers are missing.
Glad you found the rock and enjoyed it.
Matt :)
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)