Berowra Waters to Cowan Station
Download & Print Map and Notes
3 hrs 30 mins
7.2 km One way
597 m
Hard track
Berowra Waters Garden House
#######CLOSED###### This picturesque little restaurant sits on the eastern side of Berowra Creek and is just a hop, skip and a jump from the ferry. With breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, the Garden House Restaurant is a great spot for those looking to tap into the Berowra Valley’s full potential. For information on bookings and opening hours phone (02)9456 2955.
Waterview Restaurant
On the western side of Berowra Waters Ferry (free trip), just a short walk up the road, is the Waterview Restaurant, upstairs at the marina. The restaurant specialises in seafood, but also caters for other tastes in restaurant style dinning.
Some sittings offers A la Carte meals from $25, and other sittings offer a fresh and cooked seafood buffet. Please call ahead, as the restaurant is also a popular venue for weddings.
Open Friday-Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Phone (02) 9456 2633
199 Bay Rd Berowra Waters, NSW 2082
The Fish Café
This seafood restaurant is located on the western side of the Berowra Waters Ferry, and offers casual dining with a great menu, overlooking the marina and river. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch, with dinner available on Friday through Sunday. The cafe is open 8:30 – 9pm Wed-Sun and closes at 3pm Mon & Tuesdays. Takeaway is also available, and the nearby reserve provides picnic tables, toilets, children’s playground and parking. Kayak hire is available from the marina building.
The Fish Café is located at 199 Bay Road, Berowra Waters, and the phone number is (02)9456 4665.
(0km) Berowra Waters track head → End of Kirkpatrick Way
390 m
8 mins
10m
-15m
Very easy
From ‘Berowra Waters Trackhead’[1], this walk follows the ‘Newcastle’ sign along ‘Kirkpatrick Way’ and across the culverted Franks Gully creek. As the walk crosses the gully, there is a picnic area[2] and public toilet[3][4] (and tap water[5]) on your right. The walk continues along the road, keeping the water to your left[6] for about 180m, then passing under the yellow boom gate[7]. About 30m later, the walk stays left[8] to head alongside the fenced car park. At the far end of this car park, the walk comes to a turning area[9] at the end of Kirkpatrick Way.
(0.39km) End of Kirkpatrick Way → Berowra Waters view point
810 m
26 mins
127m
-24m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the end of Kirkpatrick Way[10], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[11] along the track, keeping the water just to your left. This walk follows the rocky shoreline, enjoying the views of the water[12], the boats and houses on the other shore[13] and the large rocks[14] (up to your right). After about 450m, the track passes a large boulder[15] and then turns right and climbs up a staircase[16], finding a small seat and viewing platform[17].
Veer right: From the seat and view[18], this walk follows the ‘Cowan’ sign[19] steeply uphill, following the series of timber[20] and rock steps[21]. After about 50m, the track leads up beside a rock wall[22], and at the top, turns right and mostly flattens out[23] for about 80m before starting to climb again[24]. At the top of this hill, this walk comes to a small clearing[25] (on the left, that has been used as a campsite[26]) and a large unfenced rock platform with great views[27] back over the valley (on your right).
Veer right: From the seat and view[18], this walk follows the ‘Cowan’ sign[19] steeply uphill, following the series of timber[20] and rock steps[21]. After about 50m, the track leads up beside a rock wall[22], and at the top, turns right and mostly flattens out[23] for about 80m before starting to climb again[24]. At the top of this hill, this walk comes to a small clearing[25] (on the left, that has been used as a campsite[26]) and a large unfenced rock platform with great views[27] back over the valley (on your right).
(1.2km) Berowra Waters view point → Deep Bay Creek crossing
390 m
9 mins
4m
-63m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the view at the top of the ridge, this walk follows GNW arrow post[28] east, directly away from the Berowra Water views and over the small rise. The track soon leads down off a rock[29], where the track bends right and starts to lead fairly gently downhill[30]. The track then leads down a few short, steep, rocky sections[31] before crossing a lovely creek[32], flowing over the sandstone rock platform[33][34]. This creek may be slippery and can be particularly risky to cross after rain.
(1.59km) Deep Bay Creek crossing → Int of GNW and Coreen Close western trail
840 m
32 mins
187m
-25m
Hard track
Continue straight: From beside the creek, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[35] east, away from the creek, up the steep rocky hill[36]. The track soon passes between two rock slabs[37], then passes a handrail to climb up two metal pegs beside some more hand railing[38]. The track then continues to climb up for another 50m before mostly flattening[39] out for about 150m. the track then starts to climb again and soon steps up a rock with two more metal pegs[40]. Then after another 70m, the track climbs up past a sandstone cave[41]
and heads up a crack in the rock with four metal pegs[42], then just past the next cave[43], goes up another rock with a single peg[44]. A short time later, this walk leads up another rock with two pegs[45], where the track then leads up the steps through a cleft of a rock[46]. Here the track mostly flattens out and leads gently uphill for almost 200m until crossing a small saddle, marked with a two GNW arrow post beside each other[47]. The track then leads steeply up[48] to a fair sized rock platform, with rewarding views[49] back over Berowra Creek (on your left). From this view point, the track leads fairly gently uphill for almost 150m, coming to a T-intersection[50] with a wide sandy management trail.
(2.43km) Int of GNW and Coreen Close service trail → Int of ridge top campsite and GNW
220 m
4 mins
2m
-4m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow along the sandy management trail[51], heading south. The trail immediately bends left[52] and passes a track[53] (on your right, that runs generally parallel to this trail). This trail leads down through the scribbly gum and heath forest[54], where the trail widens (after about 70m) and then comes to an intersection[55] beside the large ridge top campsite[56][57]. There is a ‘Berowra Waters’ sign[58] here, pointing back along the trail.
Ridge Top Campground
About 800m from Turners Rd, Berowra Heights lies this pleasant ridge top campsite. This is a fairly popular campsite on the Great North Walk, providing a flat area[59] with plenty of shade. There are no facilities (or water) at this large campsite. A faint track leads west from the campsite to an unfenced cliff with great views over the Berowra Waters Valley[60].
(2.65km) Int of ridge top campsite and Great North Walk → Joe Crafts Creek crossing
1.7 km
37 mins
24m
-196m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Cowan Station’ sign[61], directly away from the campsite along the clear track. The track leads over a small rise[62] and then heads down to a four-way intersection[63] with a management trail (and the GNW track continuing ahead).
Continue straight: From the intersection[64], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[65] east along the track as it leads very gently downhill along the top of the ridge. Over the next 300m, the track passes a rock platform[66] and comes to a second rock platform with more views[67] and a ‘Great North Walk’ log book box[68] on a post. After leaving your note (and reading through a few entries), this walk continues down along the top of the ridge for another 200m to step down off another rock platform[69] (ignoring the track to your left). Here the walk starts to head downhill for the next 1km – initially the track leads down a series of short rocky steep sections[70][71], and passes some interesting large rock boulders[72][73] along the way. As the track moves further into the valley, it becomes consistently steeper[74] until leading down leading into the ferns and beside Joe Crafts Creek[75][76].
Continue straight: From the intersection[64], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[65] east along the track as it leads very gently downhill along the top of the ridge. Over the next 300m, the track passes a rock platform[66] and comes to a second rock platform with more views[67] and a ‘Great North Walk’ log book box[68] on a post. After leaving your note (and reading through a few entries), this walk continues down along the top of the ridge for another 200m to step down off another rock platform[69] (ignoring the track to your left). Here the walk starts to head downhill for the next 1km – initially the track leads down a series of short rocky steep sections[70][71], and passes some interesting large rock boulders[72][73] along the way. As the track moves further into the valley, it becomes consistently steeper[74] until leading down leading into the ferns and beside Joe Crafts Creek[75][76].
(4.31km) Joe Crafts Creek crossing → Valley viewing area
660 m
26 mins
158m
-5m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the western bank, this walk crosses Joe Crafts Creek[77][78] and heads east up the clear track. This creek may be particularly dangerous to cross after heavy or prolonged rain. The track climbs up a series of stone steps[79], passing through a couple of cracks in the rock[80] before a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[81] about 60m from the creek. The rocky track continues to climb steeply up for about 300m, then climbs up a timber (and metal) staircase[82], followed by a few section of handrail[83]. Here the walk leads up around the base of rock wall[84] and then climbs up the side to the top of the large, unfenced rock platform with great valley views[85]. The walk continues up the ridge line for another 200m, very gently at first[86], then more steeply up the rocky sections[87]. The track heads along the base of another rock wall[88], then up the stone steps[89] and past the handrail to come to an intersection marked with a ‘Great North Walk – Viewing Area’ sign[90]. The short track (on your right) leads to a seat at the edge of an unfenced cliff with views[91] and a seat[92].
(4.96km) Valley viewing area → Int of GNW and Glendale Road
880 m
16 mins
25m
-14m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection near the ‘viewing point’[93], this walk heads gently uphill directly away from the viewing area, keeping the valley on your right[94]. The track leads up a few short, moderately steep sections[95] for about 100m, then the track heads much more gently up through the open scribbly gum forest[96] for about 400m before passing under the power lines[97]. Here, the walk turns left and follows the wide trail[98] for about 40m and turns right[99] (before the locked gate), following a GNW arrow post[100] under another set of power lines[101]. The walk follows the track through the pleasant forest[102] for just shy of 300m then crosses the dirt Glendale Rd[103] to find ‘Berowra Waters’ sign[104] pointing back across the intersection.
(5.84km) Int of GNW and Glendale Road → Int of GNW and Pacific Highway service trail
830 m
19 mins
33m
-59m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Cowan’ sign[105] away from the dirt road and down along the rocky and sandy track. The track winds through the forest (with some interesting twisted, thin scribbly gums[106][107]) for about 600m before bending left and following under a set of power lines[108]. Near the Pacific Hwy (up to your right), this walk continues for about 150m and crosses over a very short section of timber boardwalk[109] before climbing up a few steps to a T-intersection with a wide management trail[110].
(6.67km) Int of GNW and Pacific Highway service trail → Cowan trackhead
500 m
11 mins
27m
-13m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[111] gently downhill, keeping the valley views to your left[112]. The trail gently winds behind some houses (up to your right) for about 400m before bending right and heading up through a weedy section[113]. The walk then passes around a locked gate[114] to come to an intersection with a footpath, just before the Pacific Hwy[115] and across from Cowan station. There is a large ‘Great North Walk’ sign[116] here, pointing back to ‘Sydney Cove’.
(7.17km) Int of Great North Walk and Pacific Highway service trail → Cowan Station
40 m
1 mins
0m
-2m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow across the Pacific Highway (be careful of traffic) to the ramp at the front of Cowan Railway Station.
Maps for the Berowra Waters to Cowan Station walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Cowan | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91304N COWAN | NSW-91304N |
| Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map | 1:40 000 Map Series | CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map | CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map |
| Sydney | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9130 SYDNEY | 9130 |
Cross sectional view of the Berowra Waters to Cowan Station bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Berowra Waters to Cowan Station
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 7.2 km | ||
| Time | 3 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| 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 | Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
3.3km of this walk is very steep and another 2.9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 580m is flat with no steps and the remaining 390m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
4.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.2km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 720m follows a clear and well formed track or trail and the remaining 430m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 430m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation) and another 660m is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety. The remaining (390m) is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.4km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Berowra Waters to Cowan Station walk starts at the Berowra Waters track head (gps: -33.60055, 151.12561)Your transport options to Berowra Waters track head are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The Berowra Waters to Cowan Station ends at the Cowan Station (gps: -33.593766, 151.17169)
Your transport options to Cowan Station are by;
Train. (get details) Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/bwtcs
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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