A short walk from Hornsby to reach a great spot for admiring Berowra Creek. This walk explores several different environments in the Regional Park along the way. Allow some time to sit and enjoy the view at Fishponds. Expect to see other people along the track as this is one of the most popular walks in the area.
(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 Hornsby to Fishponds bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Hornsby to Fishponds 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
6km
Time
2 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
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
1.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 350m is very steep and the remaining 180m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
1.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 890m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (180m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 1.7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 2.1km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 690m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 2.7km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 70m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 1.9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 890m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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(0 km)
Hornsby Train Station
to
Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk Walk: Easy - road
Length = 717 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -34 m
From the western side of Hornsby Railway Station[1], this walk first crosses the bus lane, then follows the large 'To the Great North Walk' sign[2] across the Station St pedestrian crossing[3], and then across the Pacific Highway at the traffic lights[4]. Here the walk turns right and follows the footpath (across 'Dural Lane'[5]) past some shops to cross 'Dural St'[6]. The walk then turns left and follows the footpath down along 'Dural St'[7], past a few more shops. Continuing past the units, this walk then turns right onto 'Quarry Rd'[8][9] and follows the road down the gently hill for about 180m to an intersection with 'Old Mans Valley' management trail[10] and locked gate (on your right). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows Quarry Road down the gentle hill, leaving the houses[11][12] behind to come to an intersection with a track, signposted with a 'Great North Walk' sign[13] (on your left).
(0.72 km)
Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk
to
Berowra Valley Bushland Park Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 544 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -89 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[14] up the hill. The track leads up over the rise, then continues down to the intersection with the Quarry Rd Management trail[15]. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[16] down the steep rock steps[17]. The walk winds steeply down a number of sets of stone steps, passing some large rock walls for a bit over 100m, to find a welcome flat section of track[18] midway the hill. As the track leads past some houses (through the trees on your left), this walk heads down more steps[19] before coming to the open area of 'Berowra Valley Bushland Park'[20][21], at the end of Rosemead Road[22].
Berowra Valley Bushland Park
Alt = 82 m
'Berowra Valley Bushland Park'[23] is also known as Rosemead Rd Park and is found at the bottom end of Rosemead Rd[24], Hornsby. This is an open area park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees[25], making a pleasant spot to rest on a walk. It has a picnic table with bench seats[26], and a sheltered free electric BBQ[27]. There is a water tap[28] 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[29].
(1.26 km)
Berowra Valley Bushland Park
to
Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 887 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 45 m
Descent = -39 m
Veer right: From the lower side of Berowra Valley Bushland Park[30] (at the end of Rosemead Rd, Hornsby[31]), this walk follows the 'Fishponds 1.2km' arrow on the large sign[32], down the track[33] for approximately 30m, to the intersection with the Rosemead management trail[34], marked with a Great North Walk arrow. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the wide rocky management trail[35] as it bends left (and passing some houses off to the left). The trail then bends right[36] and leads across Old Mans Creek using some concrete stepping stones[37]. The walk then continues by heading up the moderately steep hill and then through a thick blue gum and bracken fern forest[38]. The wide trail leads to the top of the hill then bends left, (ignoring the track on the right[39]) to pass over a saddle[40]. Here the trail leads down the gentle hill[41], through the turpentine forest for just over 300m to find an intersection with narrower track on the right, marked with arrow posts[42].
(2.15 km)
Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail
to
Fishponds Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 297 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -39 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Great North Walk' arrow[43] down the narrower track a short distance to find a three-way intersection marked with a large 'Great North walk' signpost[44]. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Fishponds' sign[45] along the flat narrow track past the 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign[46]. The track soon bends left (passing along the top of an unfenced cliff) then winds down some steep carved rock steps (with a hand rail)[47]. The rocky track then leads down along the side of the valley for just over 100m to cross a timber foot bridge[48]. The track then continues for another 70m to find a fenced rock platform[49] and signposted intersection[50].
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.
(2.45 km)
Fishponds Lookout
to
Fishponds Bridge Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 345 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn right: From the lookout[51], this walk follows the 'Galston Gorge' sign[52] along the fenced rock shelf (keeping the fence to your left). The track leads down the rocky steps to the edge of Berowra Creek[53]. The walk crosses the creek using the stepping stones, and comes to a small cave[54] on the other side. This creek may be impassable after rain[55]. Veer right: From the cave, this walk follows the 'Galston Gorge' sign[56] up the track and timbers steps. Soon the track turns left and follows a Great North Walk arrow up the hill[57], at the red and white 'Danger' sign[58](ignoring the other track). The track climbs up the carved steps[59] onto the rock platform and continues up the rocky track until just after passing through a narrow gap between two rocks[60], where this walk comes to the un-signposted (and faint) intersection with the Pogson's Trig track (on the left). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down along the side of the hill[61], whilst keeping the main valley to your right. The track leads down some rocky steps, passing just above a rock platform (a short distance down on your right, with a plaque dedicated to 'Cora'[62]). The track then leads down along the base of a cliff, passing under a rock overhang[63]. The track continues along the base of the cliff for another 50m then starts to wind downhill (with some handrails[64]) to come to a rock platform beside the creek[65]. This walk then crosses Berowra Creek on the flat timber bridge[66].
Fishponds
Alt = 49 m
Fishponds is a long waterhole[67] on Berowra Creek in Berowra Valley Regional Park. The waterhole is lined with tall cliffs[68] and a few sandstone caves. At the southern end, there are stepping stones to help cross the creek[69], and a small timber bridge[70] at the northern end. This is a beautiful spot and a worthy place to rest and enjoy the water passing by[71]. The waterhole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities[72] - please heed the signs and Cora's parents' plea and enjoy the water from the edge.
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.
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.
This is a great walk right near the heart of suburban Hornsby...
Strong caution is advised if you want to swim, as many drownings have ocurred at the Fishponds over the years. It is also advised to be careful when walking along the banks as a young girl was killed when she slipped along the bank and was impaled on a branch.
Joyce - just be careful
IP:124.179.91.xxx | 2011-02-09 11:35:46
Near or maybe it was in the fishpond vicinity going up to the place that has the "Pennant Hill" engraved (heading towards Hornsby) into the rock. I stopped for a rest on a big expanse of rock next to the water and sat down/relaxed for about 5 minutes and these lizards started crowding me. I'd be careful because they were brazen enough to approach me even after I tried to warn/scare them off with a few rocks and noises. And more of them kept coming. My suggestion to this is leave your stuff on a branch or else find an area not so sunny because they would/will attack.
Joyce - contin.,
IP:124.179.91.xxx | 2011-02-09 12:03:34
on the previous note it was at 'berowra creek' just before crossing (heading FROM hornsby). It was a scene out of Jurassic Park and the lizards were MINIMUM 30 CM
Steve - Rosemead Rd to Fishponds.
IP:121.211.38.xxx | 2015-06-08 02:07:21
Hi,
Can anyone tell me how steep the track is from Rosemead Rd to Fishponds?
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 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 :)