From the ridge above Berowra Creek, this walk goes steeply down into the valley following Calna Creek. The narrow bush track section is quite beautiful with plenty of small creek crossings and sandstone overhangs. The grasslands section, just before coming to the junction of Calna and Berowra Creeks, is also very pretty.
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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 Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek
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 Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek 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
9km
Time
4 hrs
.
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
3.7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 630m is flat with no steps. The remaining (400m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
3km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 1km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 540m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 110m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 4.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 630m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3.5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 3km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 1.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2.5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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(0 km)
Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station
to
Int of Glenview Rd and the Pacific Hwy Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 518 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -9 m
From the middle of the tunnel at the bottom of the stairs at Mt Kuring-gai railway station, this walk follows the 'To the Great North Walk' sign[1] through the tunnel[2] to the Pacific Hwy. Here the walk turns left and follows the footpath[3] between the highway and train line for about 200m to pass the traffic lights at Glenview Rd[4]. The walk then continues straight up the ramp[5] for another 100m and turns right[6] onto the pedestrian bridge[7]. Here the walk crosses the Pacific Hwy[8] on the footbridge, then follows the concrete ramp[9] as it zigzags back down to the ground. This ramp ends just near the Aldi shopping complex[10].
From the bottom of the footbridge near the Aldi shopping complex, this walk follows the footpath alongside the Pacific Hwy[11], under the footbridge and away from the shops. Keeping the highway to your right for 100m, this walk then crosses[12] 'Glenview Rd'[13] (at the intersection with the Pacific Hwy) to find the top of 'Lyrebird Gully track'[14], marked with a locked green metal gate[15].
(0.52 km)
Int of Glenview Rd and the Pacific Hwy
to
Lyrebird Clearing Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 529 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -84 m
Continue straight: From the intersection (of Glenview Rd and the Pacific Hwy), this walk follows the GNW arrow post[16] around the locked 'Lyrebird Gully Track' gate[17], to head down the sealed management trail. The trail leads past a large 'To the Great North Walk' sign[18] where the trail then bends left[19] behind the houses and heads steeply downhill[20] for about 500m, coming to the end of the sealed trail[21] and a large flat clearing[22].
(1.05 km)
Lyrebird Clearing
to
Lyrebird Waterfall Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.38 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -92 m
Continue straight: From the bottom of the sealed management trail, this walk follows the GNW arrow post across the clearing[23] following the old dirt trail. After about 120m, this walk comes to another small clearing[24], where this walk turns left following the 'The Great North Walk' sign[25]. The track then bends right and leads down to cross over a short flat timber bridge[26] across a concrete channel[27]. From here, the rocky track leads down along the side of the hill[28] for about 150m before heading down some stone steps[29] (with a handrail, under a set of power lines[30]) to come to the 'Great North Walk register' box on a pole[31][32]. After filling in your intentions (and reading others entries), this walk continues down along the track beside a rock wall[33], past a short section of handrail[34] then down a series of timber[35] and rock[36] steps for about 300m to then cross Lyrebird Gully creek[37] on the sandstone platform. This creek crossing and other crossing further down the valley can become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. The walk then leads over the short section of green timber boardwalk[38], following the GNW arrow post[39] uphill. The walk then follows the rocky track along the side of hill[40] for about 250m to pass beside a rock wall[41] (on your right) and a section of handrail[42] and steep valley (on your left). Here the walk steps down a rock (with metal peg)[43] to follow the rocky track downhill and come close to a creek[44]. Here the walk follows the edge of creek (keeping the creek to your left) [45] for just shy of 100m to then cross the creek using boulders with carved steps[46]. Once one the other side of the creek, this walk crosses back again, almost immediately, following the handrail and flat timber bridge[47] (note: this boardwalk/bridge was washed away during a flood in 2012, the hand rail is still in place) at the top of Lyrebird Gully falls[48] to then find a 'The Great North walk' sign[49] back on the other side.
Lyrebird waterfall
Alt = 58 m
This informally named waterfall is found on Lyrebird Gully creek about 300m upstream of its confluence with Calna Creek. The top of the fall is partially fenced with a timber handrail[50] where the water flows over the solid rock platform, with naturally carved holes[51], to fall about 8m to the shallow pool[52] and boulders below. The track passes the top of the fall and does not provide a good view of the face of the fall, but it is still a very pleasant spot.
(2.42 km)
Lyrebird Waterfall
to
Lyrebird Caves Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 141 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From near the top of Lyrebird Waterfall, this walk follows the GNW arrow post, away from the face of the 'The Great North Walk' sign up the timber steps. The track soon bends left to follow the side of the hill for about 50m and head through a sandstone overhang[53], then through a second smaller cave[54]. Continuing along the side of the hill for another 70m, this walk comes to another larger sandstone overhang[55].
Lyrebird Caves
Alt = 72 m
The Lyrebird caves are a series of notable sandstone overhangs on the eastern side of Lyrebird Gully. There are 3 main overhangs[56][57][58], with the larger (more northern) one providing significant shelter[59]. The larger cave has a fairly flat base[60] in the centre and provides a pleasant place to rest on a hot or rainy day.
(2.57 km)
Lyrebird Caves
to
Calna Creek Campsite (south) Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.61 km
Time = 33 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -106 m
Continue straight: From the large sandstone overhang, this walk follows the rocky track along the side of the hill, keeping the valley to your left. After about 40m, the track leads steeply down a short rocky slope[61] where the track then continues along the side of the hill for another 200m before bending sharp left[62] and zigzagging steeply down the stone steps[63] to come to the edge of Calna Creek[64]. The track continues along the side of the creek (on your left) through the shaded forest[65] and past some large boulders for about 70m, to then follow a GNW arrow post across the creek using the boulders with carved steps[66]. The track continues downstream (with the creek on your right) among ferns[67], for almost 300m, where another GNW arrow post[68] leads back across Calna Creek using boulders with carved steps[69]. The track continues among more ferns and mossy boulders, now with creek on your left, for 400m to where the track comes to the wide, clearly tidal section of Calna Creek, where there is a small sandy beach and open views down the valley[70]. The mostly flat track[71] continues down beside the wide creek for another 400m to cross over a flat timber bridge[72], then just 25m later, this walk comes to the signposted[73] campsite[74], in casuarina forest[75].
Calna Creek Campsite (south)
Alt = 7 m
This small signposted[76] campsite sits on a flat grassy clearing in a small casuarina forest which provides plenty of shade. There is a small fireplace set up. This creek-side campsite is a good spot for those wanting to get the most out of a relaxing, overnight camp, just a short stroll to Berowra Creek and the main spine of the Great North Walk. Bring your own water, as the creek water is not suitable for drinking.
(4.18 km)
Calna Creek campsite (south)
to
Calna Creek campsite (north) Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 402 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -23 m
Continue straight: From the campsite, this walk follows the clear track downstream, keeping Calna Creek to your left. After about 100m of walking through flat grassy area and casuarina forest[77], this walk leads over a timber bridge[78] (with handrails) that crosses a small tidal creek[79]. The now rocky track continues for another 180m, stepping over a fallen tree[80], to then climb up a short timber staircase[81]. At the top of these stairs[82], the track leads over a rocky rise then back down where the track mostly flattens out for another 100m to come to a large, unsignposted clearing[83] and campsite[84] (on your right), just before the southern tip of the saltmarsh[85].
Calna Creek Campsite (north)
Alt = 4 m
This is a quaint little campsite, located on the Mt Kuring-gai access track to the Great North Walk, on the banks of Calna Creek. This campsite provides plenty of room for a few tents[86], and also a fire scar with logs for seating[87]. Carry in your own water as the salty creek water is not suitable for drinking.
(4.58 km)
Calna Creek campsite (north)
to
Int of GNW and Lyrebird Gully tracks Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 110 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the campsite, this walk follows the clear track south, keeping Calna Creek (though the trees) to your left. After about 100m, the track comes to a well signposted intersection just beside Calna Creek bridge[88].
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 8 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.
Very enjoyable, good half day walk.
We are reasonably fit people but unless you are a lycra-and-walking-pole level of person, I would recommend setting aside another half hour for the return trip on this walk. A good range of scenery and environments but quite steep and rocky in places. Allow 1.5-2 hours there, 2 - 2.5 back including a lunch break.