This pleasant half day walk starts from Wareemba Avenue in Thornleigh and winds down into the valley along service trails and bush tracks. The walk then follows a section of the Blue Gum Walk to the Great North Walk. From here the walk follows the Great North Walk to Thornleigh train station. Along this walk you will see a dense and thriving forest filled with Blue Gums and Bracken Ferns, plenty of wild flowers and a wide variety of native animals.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station 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
3 hrs 45 mins
.
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
6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (1.1km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.7km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 630m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 260m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
Around 7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.1km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 8km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 260m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.7km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Catch the bus to Wareemba Ave (Near Vale Rd), Thornleigh
(0 km)
Wareemba Ave (Near Vale Rd), Thornleigh
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Int near Pipe bridge Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 471 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -25 m
From the small bridge on Wareemba Ave, just down the hill from Vale Rd, this walk follows the management trail around the green gate, past the large fern tree, and crosses Larool Creek at the concrete causeway. On the other side of the creek, the track soon comes to an intersection with a less-used management trail, on the right. Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the clear management trail up the hill, away from the houses. The trail passes through a pine and acacia forest before coming to an intersection with an indistinct track on the left - this is just after the end of the flat section of track. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the fairly steep hill to an intersection at the causeway over the creek. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses Larool Creek using the concrete causeway and follows the management trail along the rock face. The track heads down the hill with the occasional view of the creek (below on the left) and soon passes a concrete column supporting the rock on the right. The tracks passes a few round concrete pipe covers and then comes to an indistinct intersection, where there are two round pipe covers, an electrical junction box and a pipe bridge crossing the creek on the left.
(0.47 km)
Int near Pipe bridge
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Int of Blue Gum and Pipeline tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 260 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -13 m
Turn left : From the well-hidden intersection, this walk heads from the concrete lids down the rough track and under the pipe bridge, where it cross the creek and heads up the bank to a track at the other end of the bridge. From here, the walk follows the bush track through the open bracken and blue gum forest for a while, before the forest becomes more dense. The track soon joins onto the Blue Gum Walk, marked with a small post.
(0.73 km)
Int of Blue Gum and Pipeline tracks
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Int of Blue Gum Walk at bottom of wooden steps Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 278 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the Blue Gum Walk marker along the management trail, winding up the hill. The trail soon turns sharply to the right, and then meanders up the spur to an intersection with a grassy management trail (on the right) marked with another Blue Gum Walk post. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the Blue Gum Walk marker along the concrete management trail. The trail climbs steeply up the hill until it comes to the intersection with the Blue Gum Walk, at the base of a set of wooden steps on the right.
(1.01 km)
Int of Blue Gum Walk at bottom of wooden steps
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Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW) Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 817 m
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 58 m
Descent = -58 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk climbs up the wooden steps and follows the bush track. The track continues up the side of the valley through the tall blue bum forest and the bracken ferns, until reaching the unmarked intersection with the power line track (just below the power lines). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track north, keeping the valley down to the right. The track winds along the side of the ridge, through the lush blue gum forest with houses up to the left, to the intersection with the 'Great North Walk'.
(1.83 km)
Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW)
to
Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 691 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 73 m
Descent = -43 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows 'The Jungo' sign[1] south along the clear track, soon keeping the wide valley to your right. About 100m further, the walk comes to an intersection with the unsignposted Blackfellows Head track[2] (on your left). Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the main track, keeping the valley down to your right[3]. The track leads downhill for just over 100m and crosses a small, rocky gully[4] (below some houses[5]), where the rocky track then continues to meander fairly gently down along the side of the hill[6] for about 300m. The track then leads down much more steeply for a short time[7] before walking among the rock outcrop[8] and finding a three-way intersection with the signposted 'Quarter Sessions Rd' track[9] (on your left).
(2.52 km)
Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track
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Elouera Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.16 km
Time = 54 mins
Climb = 130 m
Descent = -152 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the main track south, downhill, keeping the wide valley to your right. After about 100m, the track crosses a small (often dry) creek[10], then after another 110m, a rocky creek on a small flat timber bridge[11]. After leaving this gully, the track gently winds down along the side of the hill for about 800m, passing through a pleasant casuarina forest[12] then crossing another small (often dry) creek[13]. The track leads over a rise and down some timber steps[14] before passing among the pleasant grass trees for about 200m (crossing a couple of small creeks with timber plank spans[15] and coming to a flat timber bridge[16]. Crossing this bridge, the walk leads over a rise to come to the edge of Berowra Creek[17]. The track soon crosses another flat timber bridge[18], then starts to climb steeply for just over 250m. The walk then starts to flatten out, following the rocky track[19] for about 200m to find a fence[20]. Following this fence, the walk comes to Elouera Lookout[21], where there is an intersection with the 'Westleigh' track[22] (on your left).
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[23]. 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[24], and there is some limited shade[25] from the casuarina near the lookout if you want to take a rest.
(4.67 km)
Elouera Lookout
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Jungo campsite Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 1.15 km
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 58 m
Descent = -82 m
Continue straight: From Elouera Lookout[26], this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[27] along the track, keeping the fence and valley to your right. At the end of the fence, the walk passes through casuarina forest[28] for a short distance before passing alongside another (shorter) fenced cliff[29]. About 50m past this fence, the track bends right and leads steeply downhill[30] (tending further right to find some GNW arrows[31]) where the track then flattens out[32] for about 170m. The walk crosses a mossy gully on a large flat rock[33] then, just shy of 250m later, crosses a flat timber bridge[34]. The track then leads among grass trees beside Berowra Creek for a further 250m, and comes to a sandy beach[35] and intersection, beside a creek crossing[36].
Here, the walk turns right and crosses Berowra Creek[37] - this creek may become impassable after rain. The eroded track[38] leads (steeply at first) up the hill for about 70m, coming to an intersection with a wide management trail[39], marked a 'Great North Walk' sign[40]. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[41][42] along the wide trail as it bends left and leads downhill along the concrete section[43]. The trail leads down across a usually small creek[44], then heads up to the well-signposted intersection[45] beside the Jungo campsite[46][47], where a 'Fishponds' sign[48] points back down along the trail.
The Jungo
Alt = 98 m
The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection[49]. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities[50]. Speculation on the source of the name 'Jungo' includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words ('Junction' gets corrupted to 'jung-o' etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words.
(5.82 km)
The Jungo
to
Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.43 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 37 m
Descent = -16 m
Veer left: From the intersection at the Jungo, this walk follows the 'Bellamy Street' Great North Walk sign[51] through the campsite and along the pleasant track, leading into, then through, the ferny forest[52] for about 700m before crossing a side creek on a timber bridge[53]. The track then continues in a similar manner for another 700m, coming to a T-intersection with a concrete bike track, beside a large bridge (over Zigzag Creek, on your left) where a sign points back along the 'Great North Walk'[54].
Thornleigh zigzag railway
Alt = 120 m
The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to a historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The 'Heritage Trail' in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9
(7.25 km)
Zig Zag Creek Bridge int.
to
Int of Bellamy trail and Morgan Rd tracks Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 129 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete trail uphill[55], directly away from 'Zig Zag Creek'[56]. The walk continues up out of the valley[57] along the concrete trail for 110m to cross over the culverted creek[58] (with a green rail[59] on one side)[fac=8404]. Just 25m past this culvert the walk comes to an intersection (with a dirt track on the left) marked with a few signs including a 'The Jungo' arrow[60] point back down along the trail.
(7.38 km)
Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks
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Morgan Rd Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 226 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sydney Cove' sign[61] along the narrow track away from the wide concrete trail. The track leads behind the house (on your right) following along the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[62]. After the third house, in a small clearing, the track turns right[63], heading up between the houses[64] a short distance to come to the top of the turning circle[65] at the end of Morgan Road, Thornleigh.
(7.61 km)
Morgan Rd
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Thornleigh Train Station Walk: Easy - road
Length = 989 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn left: From the end of Morgan Street, this walk heads up along the road[66] to left into 'Tillock Street'[67]. This street soon bends right[68] to become 'Eddy Street'[69] following the footpath[70] and GNW arrows[71] to the top of the hill where there is a set of traffic lights[72]. The walk cross 'The Esplanade' at the lights[73] to then turn right walking past the car park[74], and through a small park[75] to find a large 'Great North Walk' sign[76] at the (north bound) entrance to Thornleigh train station[77].
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.
Dog Pound Creek Reserve Dog Pound Creek reserve is managed by Hornsby Council and is home to a spectatular native Blue Gum stand. The valley has a number of walks and creeks running through it and joins Westleigh, Thronleigh and Hornsby. The reserve is named after a creek that runs from the former dog pound that was on Warrigal Dr, Westleigh. Region: Sydney & Surrounds I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
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
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
Check out the facilities at 
not too much longer now :)