Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout
Download & Print Map and Notes30 mins
980 m Return
17 m
Very easy
Crosslands
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 and town water[7]. The southern part of Crosslands is managed by Hornsby Council and the northern half by the NPWS within the Berowra Valley National Park.
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.
(0km) Northern end of Crosslands Carpark → Crosslands North
260 m
4 mins
1m
-2m
Very easy
From the northern end of Crosslands car park[11] (at the far northern end of Somerville Rd, Hornsby Heights), this walk follows the ‘Newcastle’ arrow[12] on the large ‘Great North Walk’ sign around the locked gate and along the sealed old road[13]. The walk continues along the old road for just over 150m passing 4 picnic tables to come to a y-intersection[14]. At the intersection this walk veers right, past the ‘Place of Winds’ sign[15] and wetland[16] (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[17] and ‘Great North walk’ sign[18]. This is just on the edge of the northern picnic area[19], not far from the toilet block[20].
Crosslands North Picnic area
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[21][22] and a few sandy beaches with direct access to the water[23]. Here you will find a few picnic tables and shelters[24], as well as garbage bins[25]. The eastern side is home to a boardwalk exploring the estuarine wetland[26]. A pleasant area to rest and enjoy the water. Fires are only permitted in formally established fire places[27] .
(0.26km) Crosslands North → Estuaries viewing platform int.
220 m
4 mins
7m
-5m
Very easy
Turn right: From the intersection at the northern picnic area[28], this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[29] along the timber boardwalk[30]. The timber boardwalks winds through the mangroves for about 60m, coming to a firm dirt track[31] which leads for another 70m to a second timber boardwalk[32]. The second boardwalk leads for another 70m, past ‘Mangrove Food Cycle’ information signs[33] to come to an 3-way intersection[34] in the boardwalk with the estuaries viewing platform boardwalk[35] (on your left).
Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout
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[44] encouraging you to take some time to soak up this view.
Maps for the Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout 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.
Hornsby | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91304S HORNSBY | NSW-91304S |
Sydney | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9130 SYDNEY | 9130 |
Cross sectional view of the Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout
Accessibility summary information for the Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout
Parking: There are 0 designated accessible parking areas on this walk.
Toilets: There are 1 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 9 places to sit on this walk. They are on average 60m apart, with a maximum gap of 240m.
Hazards: There are 2 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Wheelchair Rough Link from carpark to path is across exposed ground (muddy after rain) and between timber bollards that are 80cm high and 1.5m apart. Found about 0m into the walk.
Trip Hazard There is a 4cm step from between the dirt path and the northern end of the timber boardwalk. Found about 260m into the walk.
Toilets: There are 1 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 9 places to sit on this walk. They are on average 60m apart, with a maximum gap of 240m.
Hazards: There are 2 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Wheelchair Rough Link from carpark to path is across exposed ground (muddy after rain) and between timber bollards that are 80cm high and 1.5m apart. Found about 0m into the walk.
Trip Hazard There is a 4cm step from between the dirt path and the northern end of the timber boardwalk. Found about 260m into the walk.
Accessibility Details
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 | 980 m | ||
Time | 30 mins | ||
. | |||
Grade 1/6 Very easy |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Flat, no steps (1/6) |
Quality of track | Smooth and hardened path (1/6) | ||
Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
Infrastructure | Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
This whole walk, 490m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 490m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
This whole walk, 490m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 490m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 490m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 490m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Crosslands to Berowra Creek Lookout walk starts and ends at the Northern end of Crosslands Carpark (gps: -33.627109, 151.11052)Your main transport option to Northern end of Crosslands Carpark is by;
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)
Fire Danger
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.Weather Forest
This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.Forecast snapshot
Park Information & Alerts
Short URL = http://wild.tl/ctbcl
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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