This half day return walk starts from the Crosslands Reserve and follows a section of the Great North Walk along side Berowra creek, across boardwalks and bush tracks, before climbing steeply up the side of the valley to the Naa Badu Lookout. The lookout provides a great view down, across the valley and along Berowra creek. There are picnic benches and seats making it a great place for lunch.
(open in app)
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 Crosslands to Naa Badu Lookout return bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Crosslands to Naa Badu Lookout return 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
8km
Time
3 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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
2.4km of this walk has short steep hills and another 730m is flat with no steps. Whilst another 670m is very steep and the remaining 260m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
3.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 730m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (260m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 3.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 990m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
2.4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 990m requires no previous bushwalking experience. The remaining (670m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 4.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 3.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 670m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Crosslands Reserve is lovely and long mixed use picnic area, spanning along the edge of Berowra Creek. There are picnic tables[1], electric barbecues[2], toilets[3], car parking[4], a children's playground[5], garbage bins[6], camping area, toilets[fac=8086] and town water[7]. The southern part of Crosslands is managed by Hornsby Council[8] and the northern half by the NPWS within the Berowra Valley National Park[9].
The first inhabitants of this area were a subgroup of the Dharug people who enjoyed the sandstone caves, fish and abundant plant life in the area. It is now managed by Hornsby Shire Council, but in 1856 Matthew Charlton asked Burton Crossland to be caretaker on this area. Burton built a house and made a living by harvesting timber, growing fruit, fishing and boat-building[10].
(0 km)
Crosslands Carpark
to
Northern end of Crosslands carpark Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 247 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
From the car park, this walk follows the flat dirt path[11] between the road (on the right) and creek (on the left). The path leads through the casuarina trees for about 120m to pass the boat ramp[12]. After another 120m this walk comes to a locked gate[13] at the northern end of the car park[14]. There is also a wetland through the trees to the right worth noticing.
(0.25 km)
Northern end of Crosslands Carpark
to
Crosslands North Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 263 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -2 m
Continue straight: From the northern end of Crosslands car park[15] (at the far northern end of Somerville Rd, Hornsby Heights), this walk follows the 'Newcastle' arrow[16] on the large 'Great North Walk' sign around the locked gate[fac=8043] and along the sealed old road[17]. The walk continues along the old road for just over 150m passing 4 picnic tables[fac=8044][fac=8045][fac=8046][fac=8047] to come to a y-intersection[18]. At the intersection this walk veers right, past the 'Place of Winds' sign[19] and wetland[20] (on your right). This walk continues along this old road for a little longer, coming to an intersection marked with a large 'Crosslands' information board[21] and 'Great North walk' sign[22]. This is just on the edge of the northern picnic area[23], not far from the toilet block[24][fac=8052].
Crosslands North Picnic area
Alt = 1 m
The northern section of Crosslands is in Berowra Valley NP and is a less formal picnic area compared with the southern area. There is a toilet block[fac=8052][25][26] and a few sandy beaches with direct access to the water[27]. Here you will find a few picnic tables[fac=8044][fac=8045][fac=8046][fac=8047][fac=8049][fac=8048] and shelters[fac=8050][fac=8051][28], as well as garbage bins[29]. The eastern side is home to a boardwalk exploring the estuarine wetland[30]. A pleasant area to rest and enjoy the water. Fires are only permitted in formally established fire places[31] .
(0.51 km)
Crosslands North
to
Estuaries viewing platform int. Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - duckboard
Length = 215 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn right: From the intersection at the northern picnic area[32], this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[33] along the timber boardwalk[34][fac=8085]. The timber boardwalks winds through the mangroves for about 60m, coming to a firm dirt track[35] which leads for another 70m to a second timber boardwalk[36]. The second boardwalk leads for another 70m, past 'Mangrove Food Cycle' information signs[37] to come to an 3-way intersection[38] in the boardwalk with the estuaries viewing platform boardwalk[39] (on your left).
Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout
Alt = 3 m
The Estuarie lookout over Berowara Creek is found at the end of the wheelchair-accessible walk in Crosslands area. The timber lookout platform provides great views over Berowra Creek[40], the timber fence is 95cm high[41]. There are also information signs about the local flora and fauna[42] and the 'Original Inhabitants'[43]. There are two timber bench seats[fac=8053][44] encouraging you to take some time to soak up this view.
(0.73 km)
Estuaries viewing platform
to
Calna Creek Bridge intersection Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 781 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 54 m
Descent = -57 m
Continue straight: From the intersection at the estuaries viewing platform, this walk follows the timber ramp down to the dirt track[45] and heads past the '..unsuitable for wheelchair access' sign[46]. The track leads alongside the wide creek for about 200m to the 'All creatures great and small' information sign[47], then down a little way further to head along a short section of timber boardwalk[48].
About 100m further along the rocky track, this walk comes to a lookout and a 'Catch the Threats' information sign[49], where the track continues past the bench seat[50] and alongside the creek to the 'The Rock Club' information sign[51]. The track then leads among some grass tress[52] for just over 100m to the 'Bush Supermarket' information sign[53]. Just past this sign, the track begins to climb fairly steeply up the stone[54] and timber steps[55] to the ridge line, marked with a GNW arrow and a 'Stop! Look! Listen! and Smell!' information sign[56]. Continue straight: From the ridge line, this walk follows the GNW arrow east downhill, initially keeping the 'Stop! Look! Listen! and Smell!' information sign[57] on your right. The track bends left and follows the timber steps[58] as the track winds steeply down the side of the hill. Near the bottom of the hill, the track passes a 'Rock n Roll' information sign[59] then comes to a long, metal footbridge[60]. The walk crosses the bridge over Calna Creek and comes to a signposted intersection, with a 'Fragile Marsh' information sign[61]
(1.51 km)
Calna Creek Bridge intersection
to
Sams Creek Ridge Clearing Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.15 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 67 m
Descent = -58 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Berowra Waters' sign[62] along the timber boardwalk[63]. The boardwalk leads for about 80m across the large open flat saltmarsh[64] into the casuarina forest[65] on the other side. Here the track bends left and leads along the side of the saltmarsh[66] for almost 200m, where the rocky track leads a little further before coming alongside Berowra Creek's mangroves[67]. The track continues to gently undulate along the side of Berowra Creek for about 650m among the casuarinas[68] and grass tress[69], before heading up a fairly short, steep climb. At the top of this climb, the walk comes to a small, flat, pleasant clearing surrounded by large boulders[70].
(2.66 km)
Sams Creek ridge clearing
to
Sams Creek Crossing Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 501 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -23 m
Continue straight: From the clearing, this walk leads down the north eastern side of this ridge, keeping the main valley to your left. After about 100m this walk comes to another flat saltmarsh[71] , where the track bends right to soon come to a large flat clearing[72] beside Sams Creek[73] (subject to flooding).
The track then leads alongside Sams Creek (on your left) for about 350m when, just after climbing over a rock, the track comes to a 'Crosslands' sign[74] pointing back along the track, beside the creek.
(3.16 km)
Sams Creek Crossing
to
Int of Great North Walk and Berowra Link tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 670 m
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 181 m
Descent = -44 m
Turn left: From the south side of the creek, this walk follows the 'Berowra Waters' sign[75] across the rocky Sams Creek. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. On the other side, the track veers left, crossing a rocky gully[76] and heads up the timber steps[77]. The track now starts to climb steeply, zigzagging up the timber steps [78] and a couple of staircases[79] for just over 300m to find a bench seat in a small sandstone cave[80]. After a rest, this walk continues up more steps (and staircases) for just over 150m, coming to a T-intersection with a wide service trail, where a 'Crosslands' sign[81] points back down the track.
(3.83 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Berowra Link tracks
to
Int of Naa Badu Lookout Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 263 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -22 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Berowra Waters' sign[82] 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[83] (on the right). After about 180m, the trail crosses a concrete drain[84], then leads up the hill to find the signposted 'Naa Badu' lookout[85] and its great view[86].
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'[87] 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[88], has a bench seat[89], picnic table[90] and a fair amount of natural shade.
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)