Mt Kuring-gai Track to Berowra station
Download & Print Map and Notes
4 hrs 15 mins
9.7 km One way
553 m
Hard track
(0km) Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station → Int of Glenview Rd and the Pacific Hwy
520 m
9 mins
8m
-9m
Very easy
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].
(0.52km) Int of Glenview Rd and the Pacific Hwy → Lyrebird Clearing
530 m
12 mins
2m
-84m
Moderate track
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].
(1.05km) Lyrebird Clearing → Lyrebird Waterfall
1.4 km
27 mins
21m
-92m
Hard track
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
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.
(2.42km) Lyrebird Waterfall → Lyrebird Caves
140 m
4 mins
14m
-1m
Moderate track
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
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.
(2.57km) Lyrebird Caves → Calna Creek Campsite (south)
1.6 km
33 mins
39m
-106m
Hard track
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)
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.
(4.18km) Calna Creek campsite (south) → Calna Creek campsite (north)
400 m
9 mins
23m
-23m
Moderate track
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)
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.
(4.58km) Calna Creek campsite (north) → Int of GNW and Lyrebird Gully tracks
110 m
2 mins
0m
-3m
Easy track
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].
(4.69km) Calna Creek Bridge intersection → Sams Creek Ridge Clearing
1.1 km
27 mins
67m
-58m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Berowra Waters’ sign[89] along the timber boardwalk[90]. The boardwalk leads for about 80m across the large open flat saltmarsh[91] into the casuarina forest[92] on the other side. Here the track bends left and leads along the side of the saltmarsh[93] for almost 200m, where the rocky track leads a little further before coming alongside Berowra Creek’s mangroves[94]. The track continues to gently undulate along the side of Berowra Creek for about 650m among the casuarinas[95] and grass tress[96], before heading up a fairly short, steep climb. At the top of this climb, the walk comes to a small, flat, pleasant clearing surrounded by large boulders[97].
(5.84km) Sams Creek ridge clearing → Sams Creek Crossing
500 m
11 mins
20m
-23m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the clearing, this walk leads down the north eastern side of this ridge, keeping the main valley to your left. After about 100m this walk comes to another flat saltmarsh[98] , where the track bends right to soon come to a large flat clearing[99] beside Sams Creek[100] (subject to flooding).
The track then leads alongside Sams Creek (on your left) for about 350m when, just after climbing over a rock, the track comes to a ‘Crosslands’ sign[101] pointing back along the track, beside the creek.
(6.34km) Sams Creek Crossing → Int of Great North Walk and Berowra Link tracks
670 m
30 mins
181m
-44m
Hard track
Turn left: From the south side of the creek, this walk follows the ‘Berowra Waters’ sign[102] across the rocky Sams Creek. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. On the other side, the track veers left, crossing a rocky gully[103] and heads up the timber steps[104]. The track now starts to climb steeply, zigzagging up the timber steps [105] and a couple of staircases[106] for just over 300m to find a bench seat in a small sandstone cave[107]. After a rest, this walk continues up more steps (and staircases) for just over 150m, coming to a T-intersection with a wide service trail, where a ‘Crosslands’ sign[108] points back down the track.
(7.01km) Int of Great North Walk and Berowra Link tracks → Int of Naa Badu Lookout
260 m
7 mins
19m
-22m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Berowra Waters’ sign[109] gently down along the management trail, keeping the valley to your left. The trail gently undulates along the side of the hill, enjoying some glimpses up to the cliff faces[110] (on the right). After about 180m, the trail crosses a concrete drain[111], then leads up the hill to find the signposted ‘Naa Badu’ lookout[112] and its great view[113]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Naa Badu Lookout
Naa Badu Lookout offers magnificent views south over Berowra Creek as well as over Sams and Calna Creeks. Naa Badu means ‘See water’[114] in the Aboriginal tribal language of the Dharug people. It is believed that Berowra Creek was the boundary between the Dharug and Guringai Aboriginal peoples. The lookout is fenced[115], has a bench seat[116], picnic table[117] and a fair amount of natural shade.
(7.01km) Int of Great North Walk and Berowra Link tracks → Int of Berowra service trail and Great North Walk
1.1 km
27 mins
57m
-69m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Berowra Station’ sign[118] uphill along the wide management trail. The trail then undulates around the side of valley, now generally heading downhill for about 600m before crossing a small creek (where the trail is gravel[119]). The trail continues for another 300m to a wide three-way intersection[120], where a sign (on your right) points back to ‘Crosslands’[121].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Berowra Station’ sign[122] downhill along the management trail, which soon bends to the right. The trail then leads moderately steeply downhill[123], before continuing uphill[124] for about 40m more to a Y-intersection with a narrow track[125] (on your left), marked with a GNW arrow[126].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Berowra Station’ sign[122] downhill along the management trail, which soon bends to the right. The trail then leads moderately steeply downhill[123], before continuing uphill[124] for about 40m more to a Y-intersection with a narrow track[125] (on your left), marked with a GNW arrow[126].
(8.12km) Int of Berowra service trail and Great North Walk → Crowley Road track head
900 m
21 mins
106m
-18m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[127] along the narrow track. The track leads over a small rise then down to cross a small creek[128]. The track then heads uphill for about 40m to find a three-way intersection marked with a couple of arrow posts[129].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow post[130] gently uphill along the track, whilst keeping the gully on your left. Over the next 500m, the track crosses the gully twice then become steeper as it climbs up towards the rocks and drier forest[131]. This walk then climbs the metal staircase[132], turns left and follows the unfenced rock platform[133]. The track soon bends right and climbs up the fairly steep steps[134] for about 120m, which come up behind some houses[135]. From here, the track leads left up through an open grassy parkland[136] (past the sign pointing back down to ‘Crosslands’[137]) to find Crowley Rd[138].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow post[130] gently uphill along the track, whilst keeping the gully on your left. Over the next 500m, the track crosses the gully twice then become steeper as it climbs up towards the rocks and drier forest[131]. This walk then climbs the metal staircase[132], turns left and follows the unfenced rock platform[133]. The track soon bends right and climbs up the fairly steep steps[134] for about 120m, which come up behind some houses[135]. From here, the track leads left up through an open grassy parkland[136] (past the sign pointing back down to ‘Crosslands’[137]) to find Crowley Rd[138].
(9.02km) Crowley Road track head → Berowra Station
710 m
14 mins
15m
-25m
Very easy
Turn left: From the small park[139], this walk follows the ‘Berowra Station’ sign[140] alongside Crowley Rd 40m to the roundabout[141]. The walk crosses Berowra Waters Rd[142] in front of the ‘Old Berowra District Hall’[143]. Here the walk heads right and follows the footpath past the park[144][145], across ‘The Gully Rd’[146], past the Caltex[147] and post office[148] and up to the Pacific Hwy. The walk turns left, following the footpath for just over 150m past a series of local shops and cafes[149][150], then turns right and crosses the highway at the traffic lights[151] past the GNW signpost[152] to Berowra Station[153].
Maps for the Mt Kuring-gai Track to Berowra 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.
| Hornsby | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91304S HORNSBY | NSW-91304S |
| 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 Mt Kuring-gai Track to Berowra station bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mt Kuring-gai Track to Berowra 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 | 9.7 km | ||
| Time | 4 hrs 15 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 | Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| 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
6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.5km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.3km is flat with no steps and the remaining 670m is very steep.
Quality of track
3.8km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 1.8km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 1.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.3km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 3km requires no previous bushwalking experience. The remaining (670m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 7km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 3km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Mt Kuring-gai Track to Berowra station walk starts at the Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station (gps: -33.653812, 151.13673)Your transport options to Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Train. (get details)The Mt Kuring-gai Track to Berowra station ends at the Berowra Station (gps: -33.62318, 151.15328)
Your transport options to Berowra Station are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mk2b
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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