Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back)

(0km) Cowan Station → Freeway Bridge

300 m
6 mins
8m
-15m

Easy track

From the front of Cowan station[1], this walk follows the GNW arrow[2] up the concrete ramp, turning right to cross the track at the controlled ‘Pedestrian Railway Crossing’[3][4]. The walk follows the ramp onto platform 1 (Sydney-bound side) then around the shelter[5] to follow the GNW arrow post right, down the steps[6] and through the gate. Here the walk crosses the train lines (train storage area) and turns left, following the ‘Brooklyn’ sign[7] along the wide management trail[8]. After 130m, the trail leads past an electrical switching area[9] then turns right at the large ‘Great North Walk’ signposts[10]. Here, the narrower trail leads between the fences over a small rise[11] to cross the freeway on a large, fenced concrete bridge[12].

(0.3km) Freeway Bridge → Jerusalem Bay

2.2 km
50 mins
61m
-222m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the overpass, this walk heads away from the freeway and down the wide track[13]. The track leads down a series of timber steps[14][15], then over a small rise (among the scribbly gums[16]) where the track begins to narrow and lead more steeply down a rocky section[17]. The walk then heads down a series of timber steps[18] (passing a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[19]), and crosses a short section of timber boardwalk[20]. At the other end of the boardwalk, this track leads left over a rock platform[21] (with a small creek flowing after rain) and then turns right to step off the rock platform[22].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the rocky track[23][24]. The track leads past a few rock walls[25] over about 350m, then turns right onto, then steps down off, a long thin rock platform[26]. The track continues down along the side of the valley for another 200m, passing into a much more lush and dense forest[27], where the track then crosses the creek at a large rock platform[28]. On the other side of the creek, the track leads right down along the other side of the valley[29], passing a few small sandstone overhangs[30][31] then a particularly broad angophora tree[32] after about 500m. Soon after this angophora, the track leads down some rock steps[34] then begins to widen for about 300m, and passes a small track (on your right) marked with a ‘No Camping or fires allowed’ sign[35]. By this point, the broad waters (or mud flats, depending on the tide) of Cowan Creek are obvious[36], on your right. The walk now continues along the generally broad and flat track[37] for another 500m, then climbs up a set of concrete steps[38], marked with a GNW arrow post. At the top of these steps is a large, fairly flat clearing[39] with a ‘No Camping’ and a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[40] and a great view up the middle of Jerusalem Bay[41].

Jerusalem Bay

Jerusalem Bay, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a nice bay east of Cowan Station. The bay is popular with bushwalkers as it is part of the Great North Walk. The bay is sometimes known for an iconic photo of the single palm in front of the water. The bay itself is also popular with boaters who can anchor in the bay. Jerusalem Bay can be accessed by the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay or from Brooklyn or Cowan Railway Stations.

Maps for the Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) 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 Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back)

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	4.9 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 2.2km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 300m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 2.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 300m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 2.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 300m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.2km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 300m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.9km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 600m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 600m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) walk starts and 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)

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

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/jb

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 🙂

Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back)

(0km) Cowan Station → Freeway Bridge

Easy track

(0.3km) Freeway Bridge → Jerusalem Bay

Moderate track

Jerusalem Bay

Maps for the Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) walk

Cross sectional view of the Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back)

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Jerusalem Bay Track (Cowan to Brooklyn)

Crosslands to Brooklyn

Cowan to Wondabyne station via Patonga rest area

Hornsby to Brooklyn three day walk

Other Nearby walks

Berowra Waters to Cowan Station

Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai

Berowra to Bobbin Head

Berowra to Berowra Waters

Berowra to Cowan via Berowra Waters

Berowra to Hornsby

Barnetts Lookout

Challenger Track

America Bay Track (to beach)

America Bay Waterfall

Mackerel Beach

The Basin Track and Mackerel Track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Fire Danger

Weather Forest

Park Information & Alerts

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