Mt Kuring-gai to Cowan (via Berowra Waters)

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.6538131,151.1367936)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions	From Pacific Highway, A1 Turn on to Pacific Motorway Onramp, M1 then drive for 30 m Continue onto Pacific Motorway Onramp, M1 and drive for another 4.2 km Keep left onto Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp and drive for another 530 m Keep left onto Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp and drive for another 650 m Turn right onto Belmont Parade and drive for another 210 m Turn left onto Royston Parade and drive for another 75 m Turn right onto Pacific Highway, B83 and drive for another 3.6 km Turn sharp right onto Pacific Highway, B83 and drive for another 65 m
Finish	(-33.5937073,151.1713612)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
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 through the tunnel to the Pacific Hwy. Here the walk turns left and follows the footpath between the highway and train line for about 200m to pass the traffic lights at Glenview Rd. The walk then continues straight up the ramp for another 100m and turns right onto the pedestrian bridge. Here the walk crosses the Pacific Hwy on the footbridge, then follows the concrete ramp as it zigzags back down to the ground. This ramp ends just near the Aldi shopping complex.From the bottom of the footbridge near the Aldi shopping complex, this walk follows the footpath alongside the Pacific Hwy, under the footbridge and away from the shops. Keeping the highway to your right for 100m, this walk then crosses 'Glenview Rd' (at the intersection with the Pacific Hwy) to find the top of 'Lyrebird Gully track', marked with a locked green metal gate.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Then head through the tunnel (about 25 m long)
	After another 310 m turn right. Then cross the bridge (about 30 m long)
	Turn right. Then head down the steps (about 15 m long)
	After another 70 m veer left. After another 35 m head through/around the gate. After another 1.9 km find the "Lyrebird waterfall" (7 m on your left). 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 where the water flows over the solid rock platform, with naturally carved holes, to fall about 8m to the shallow pool 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. After another 200 m find the "Lyrebird Caves" (20 m on your right). Lyrebird Caves The Lyrebird caves are a series of notable sandstone overhangs on the eastern side of Lyrebird Gully. There are 3 main overhangs, with the larger (more northern) one providing significant shelter. The larger cave has a fairly flat base in the centre and provides a pleasant place to rest on a hot or rainy day.
	After another 480 m continue straight. After another 1.1 km find the "Calna Creek Campsite (south)" (15 m on your right). Calna Creek Campsite (south) This small signposted 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. After another 460 m find the "Calna Creek Campsite (north)" (on your right). 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, and also a fire scar with logs for seating. Carry in your own water as the salty creek water is not suitable for drinking.
	After another 5 m turn sharp right. After another 1.7 km turn left.
	After another 550 m continue straight.
	After another 240 m continue straight. After another 65 m find the "Naa Badu Lookout" (on your left). 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' 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, has a bench seat, picnic table and a fair amount of natural shade.
	After another 500 m turn left. After another 45 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
	After another 460 m veer left. After another 235 m come to the viewpoint (8 m on your left). After another 870 m come to the viewpoint (on your left). After another 480 m pass the "Berowra Waters Garden House - closed" (15 m on your left). After another 25 m pass the "A Chef Secrets" (35 m on your left).
	Turn sharp left.
	After another 6 m turn sharp right. After another 55 m pass the water tap (15 m on your right). Then pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
	After another 1.1 km veer left. After another 25 m come to the viewpoint (35 m on your right). After another 400 m cross the ford. After another 325 m pass a "The Roland Murray Bench" (on your left)., has no backrest.
	After another 420 m continue straight.
	After another 10 m continue straight.
	After another 205 m turn left. After another 220 m find the "Ridge Top Campground" (8 m on your right). 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 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.
	Continue straight. After another 140 m veer left. After another 150 m pass the "GNW Visitor Book" (15 m on your right). After another 140 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left). After another 50 m continue straight. After another 1.5 km pass a seat (10 m on your right). After another 225 m come to the viewpoint (7 m on your right).
	After another 520 m turn left.
	After another 40 m turn right.
	After another 295 m continue straight.
	After another 880 m continue straight. After another 490 m come to a gate.
	Continue straight. After another 45 m come to a car park.
	The end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mt Kuring-gai to Cowan (via Berowra Waters)

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	17 km
Time	6 h, 9 h to 2 days

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There are 3 on route, on average they are 4.2 km apart with the largest gap of 7.9 km.

Toilet: There is one 9.9 km from the start.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5.7 km apart with the largest gap of 11.7 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Campsite	4.2 km	Calna Creek Campsite (south)
Campsite	4.7 km	Calna Creek Campsite (north)
Toilet	9.9 km	[toilet]
Seat	11.7 km	The Roland Murray Bench
Campsite	12.5 km	Ridge Top Campground
Seat	14.5 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

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 where the water flows over the solid rock platform, with naturally carved holes, to fall about 8m to the shallow pool 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.

Lyrebird Caves
The Lyrebird caves are a series of notable sandstone overhangs on the eastern side of Lyrebird Gully. There are 3 main overhangs, with the larger (more northern) one providing significant shelter. The larger cave has a fairly flat base in the centre and provides a pleasant place to rest on a hot or rainy day.

Calna Creek Campsite (south)
This small signposted 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.

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, and also a fire scar with logs for seating. Carry in your own water as the salty creek water is not suitable for drinking.

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' 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, has a bench seat, picnic table and a fair amount of natural shade.

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.

The Fish CafÃ©
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 â€“ 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 CafÃ© is located at 199 Bay Road, Berowra Waters, and the phone number is (02)9456 4665.

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 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.

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Hornsby Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  27°C
  Showers developing. Possible storm.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:00am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]
  
  Friday 1 November
  
  15°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light early in the morning then becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon.
  
  Saturday 2 November
  
  14°C → 21°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the morning and afternoon. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon.
  
  Sunday 3 November
  
  15°C → 32°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 4 November
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Tuesday 5 November
  
  17°C → 24°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Wednesday 6 November
  
  17°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Berowra Valley National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Berkeley Trail partial closure for surface works
  There will be emergency surface repair works on the Berkeley Trail in Berowra Valley National Park from Wednesday 30 October 2024 until Friday 15 November 2024, weather permitting.
  Please follow all signage and instruction from NPWS staff and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact the North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Quarry trail and Great North Walk closure in Berowra Valley National Park
  Due to upgrade works on Steele Bridge on the Quarry trail in Berowra Valley National Park, there will be changed access to the surrounding trail network from Tuesday 8 October until Mon 30 December 2024.
  There will be no access across Berowra Creek on the Great North Walk (GNW) from the Quarry trail section in Hornsby, between Simon trail and Galston Gorge via Tunks Ridge campground.
  Walkers using the GNW will be required to detour via Simon trail, Sydney Road or Ulolo Road, Galston Road, Montview Parade, McKay Road or McKay trail in Hornsby Heights.
  Walkers planning to use Tunks Ridge campground can only access this area from the north, via Galston Road GNW entrance and Tunks Ridge trail.
  Access between Tunks Ridge campground and Quarry Road, Dural via Quarry trail through the Rifle Range safety template is prohibited at all times.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on (02) 8448 0400.
  
  Safety alerts: Swimming safety in Berowra Valley National Park
  Swimming is not advisable in Berowra Creek at certain times as the water may be subject to variable pollution levels and algal blooms. Please refer to the Hornsby Shire Council website before swimming in Berowra Creek. Alternatively you can call the Hornsby Council 24 hour information line on 9847 6666 or the Algal information line on 1800 999 457.
  Swimming at Fishponds is not advised at any time due to heavy water pollution.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.For more information, contact the NPWS Chatswood area office on 02 8448 0400 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- Muogamarra Nature Reserve alerts
  Closed parks: Muogamarra Nature Reserve closed
  Muogamarra Nature Reserve is only open to the public for 6 weeks every year, around spring time.
  Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access is restricted at other times to approved educational and research activities only.
  For more information about the reserve, call the NPWS Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or the NPWS North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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