Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station
Download & Print Map and Notes
3 hrs 45 mins
8.6 km One way
472 m
Hard track
(0km) Wareemba Ave (Near Vale Rd), Thornleigh → Int near Pipe bridge
470 m
10 mins
6m
-25m
Easy track
From the small bridge on Wareemba Ave, just down the hill from Vale Rd, this walk follows the management trail around the green gate, past the large fern tree, and crosses Larool Creek at the concrete causeway. On the other side of the creek, the track soon comes to an intersection with a less-used management trail, on the right.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the clear management trail up the hill, away from the houses. The trail passes through a pine and acacia forest before coming to an intersection with an indistinct track on the left – this is just after the end of the flat section of track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the fairly steep hill to an intersection at the causeway over the creek.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses Larool Creek using the concrete causeway and follows the management trail along the rock face. The track heads down the hill with the occasional view of the creek (below on the left) and soon passes a concrete column supporting the rock on the right. The tracks passes a few round concrete pipe covers and then comes to an indistinct intersection, where there are two round pipe covers, an electrical junction box and a pipe bridge crossing the creek on the left.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the clear management trail up the hill, away from the houses. The trail passes through a pine and acacia forest before coming to an intersection with an indistinct track on the left – this is just after the end of the flat section of track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the fairly steep hill to an intersection at the causeway over the creek.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses Larool Creek using the concrete causeway and follows the management trail along the rock face. The track heads down the hill with the occasional view of the creek (below on the left) and soon passes a concrete column supporting the rock on the right. The tracks passes a few round concrete pipe covers and then comes to an indistinct intersection, where there are two round pipe covers, an electrical junction box and a pipe bridge crossing the creek on the left.
(0.47km) Int near Pipe bridge → Int of Blue Gum and Pipeline tracks
260 m
6 mins
8m
-13m
Hard track
Turn left : From the well-hidden intersection, this walk heads from the concrete lids down the rough track and under the pipe bridge, where it cross the creek and heads up the bank to a track at the other end of the bridge. From here, the walk follows the bush track through the open bracken and blue gum forest for a while, before the forest becomes more dense. The track soon joins onto the Blue Gum Walk, marked with a small post.
(0.73km) Int of Blue Gum and Pipeline tracks → Int of Blue Gum Walk at bottom of wooden steps
280 m
8 mins
42m
-3m
Moderate track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the Blue Gum Walk marker along the management trail, winding up the hill. The trail soon turns sharply to the right, and then meanders up the spur to an intersection with a grassy management trail (on the right) marked with another Blue Gum Walk post.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the Blue Gum Walk marker along the concrete management trail. The trail climbs steeply up the hill until it comes to the intersection with the Blue Gum Walk, at the base of a set of wooden steps on the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the Blue Gum Walk marker along the concrete management trail. The trail climbs steeply up the hill until it comes to the intersection with the Blue Gum Walk, at the base of a set of wooden steps on the right.
(1.01km) Int of Blue Gum Walk at bottom of wooden steps → Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW)
820 m
21 mins
58m
-58m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk climbs up the wooden steps and follows the bush track. The track continues up the side of the valley through the tall blue bum forest and the bracken ferns, until reaching the unmarked intersection with the power line track (just below the power lines).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track north, keeping the valley down to the right. The track winds along the side of the ridge, through the lush blue gum forest with houses up to the left, to the intersection with the ‘Great North Walk’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track north, keeping the valley down to the right. The track winds along the side of the ridge, through the lush blue gum forest with houses up to the left, to the intersection with the ‘Great North Walk’.
(1.83km) Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW) → Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track
690 m
18 mins
73m
-43m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows ‘The Jungo’ sign[1] south along the clear track, soon keeping the wide valley to your right. About 100m further, the walk comes to an intersection with the unsignposted Blackfellows Head track[2] (on your left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the main track, keeping the valley down to your right[3]. The track leads downhill for just over 100m and crosses a small, rocky gully[4] (below some houses[5]), where the rocky track then continues to meander fairly gently down along the side of the hill[6] for about 300m. The track then leads down much more steeply for a short time[7] before walking among the rock outcrop[8] and finding a three-way intersection with the signposted ‘Quarter Sessions Rd’ track[9] (on your left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the main track, keeping the valley down to your right[3]. The track leads downhill for just over 100m and crosses a small, rocky gully[4] (below some houses[5]), where the rocky track then continues to meander fairly gently down along the side of the hill[6] for about 300m. The track then leads down much more steeply for a short time[7] before walking among the rock outcrop[8] and finding a three-way intersection with the signposted ‘Quarter Sessions Rd’ track[9] (on your left).
(2.52km) Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track → Elouera Lookout
2.2 km
54 mins
130m
-152m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the main track south, downhill, keeping the wide valley to your right. After about 100m, the track crosses a small (often dry) creek[10], then after another 110m, a rocky creek on a small flat timber bridge[11]. After leaving this gully, the track gently winds down along the side of the hill for about 800m, passing through a pleasant casuarina forest[12] then crossing another small (often dry) creek[13]. The track leads over a rise and down some timber steps[14] before passing among the pleasant grass trees for about 200m (crossing a couple of small creeks with timber plank spans[15] and coming to a flat timber bridge[16]. Crossing this bridge, the walk leads over a rise to come to the edge of Berowra Creek[17]. The track soon crosses another flat timber bridge[18], then starts to climb steeply for just over 250m. The walk then starts to flatten out, following the rocky track[19] for about 200m to find a fence[20]. Following this fence, the walk comes to Elouera Lookout[21], where there is an intersection with the ‘Westleigh’ track[22] (on your left).
Elouera Lookout
This fenced lookout is on the Benowie Track close to Westleigh. There are uninterrupted views from the clifftop across the Berowra Creek valley, which is rare for the area[23]. As well as being on the Great North Walk, this lookout can be accessed by a short walk from Elouera Rd, Westleigh. This section of fenced rock platform is about 100m long[24], and there is some limited shade[25] from the casuarina near the lookout if you want to take a rest.
(4.67km) Elouera Lookout → Jungo campsite
1.1 km
29 mins
58m
-82m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From Elouera Lookout[26], this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[27] along the track, keeping the fence and valley to your right. At the end of the fence, the walk passes through casuarina forest[28] for a short distance before passing alongside another (shorter) fenced cliff[29]. About 50m past this fence, the track bends right and leads steeply downhill[30] (tending further right to find some GNW arrows[31]) where the track then flattens out[32] for about 170m. The walk crosses a mossy gully on a large flat rock[33] then, just shy of 250m later, crosses a flat timber bridge[34]. The track then leads among grass trees beside Berowra Creek for a further 250m, and comes to a sandy beach[35] and intersection, beside a creek crossing[36].
Here, the walk turns right and crosses Berowra Creek[37] – this creek may become impassable after rain. The eroded track[38] leads (steeply at first) up the hill for about 70m, coming to an intersection with a wide management trail[39], marked a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[40].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[41][42] along the wide trail as it bends left and leads downhill along the concrete section[43]. The trail leads down across a usually small creek[44], then heads up to the well-signposted intersection[45] beside the Jungo campsite[46][47], where a ‘Fishponds’ sign[48] points back down along the trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[41][42] along the wide trail as it bends left and leads downhill along the concrete section[43]. The trail leads down across a usually small creek[44], then heads up to the well-signposted intersection[45] beside the Jungo campsite[46][47], where a ‘Fishponds’ sign[48] points back down along the trail.
The Jungo
The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection[49]. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities[50]. Speculation on the source of the name ‘Jungo’ includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words (‘Junction’ gets corrupted to ‘jung-o’ etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words.
(5.82km) The Jungo → Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection
1.4 km
25 mins
37m
-16m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection at the Jungo, this walk follows the ‘Bellamy Street’ Great North Walk sign[51] through the campsite and along the pleasant track, leading into, then through, the ferny forest[52] for about 700m before crossing a side creek on a timber bridge[53]. The track then continues in a similar manner for another 700m, coming to a T-intersection with a concrete bike track, beside a large bridge (over Zigzag Creek, on your left) where a sign points back along the ‘Great North Walk’[54].
Thornleigh zigzag railway
The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to a historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The ‘Heritage Trail’ in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: ‘Sydney’s Forgotten Quarry Railways’ by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9
(7.25km) Zig Zag Creek Bridge int. → Int of Bellamy trail and Morgan Rd tracks
130 m
2 mins
6m
0m
Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete trail uphill[55], directly away from ‘Zig Zag Creek’[56]. The walk continues up out of the valley[57] along the concrete trail for 110m to cross over the culverted creek[58] (with a green rail[59] on one side). Just 25m past this culvert the walk comes to an intersection (with a dirt track on the left) marked with a few signs including a ‘The Jungo’ arrow[60] point back down along the trail.
(7.38km) Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks → Morgan Rd
230 m
4 mins
7m
-3m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Sydney Cove’ sign[61] along the narrow track away from the wide concrete trail. The track leads behind the house (on your right) following along the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[62]. After the third house, in a small clearing, the track turns right[63], heading up between the houses[64] a short distance to come to the top of the turning circle[65] at the end of Morgan Road, Thornleigh.
(7.61km) Morgan Rd → Thornleigh Train Station
990 m
18 mins
47m
-7m
Easy track
Turn left: From the end of Morgan Street, this walk heads up along the road[66] to left into ‘Tillock Street’[67]. This street soon bends right[68] to become ‘Eddy Street’[69] following the footpath[70] and GNW arrows[71] to the top of the hill where there is a set of traffic lights[72]. The walk cross ‘The Esplanade’ at the lights[73] to then turn right walking past the car park[74], and through a small park[75] to find a large ‘Great North Walk’ sign[76] at the (north bound) entrance to Thornleigh train station[77].
Maps for the Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh 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 |
| Sydney | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9130 SYDNEY | 9130 |
Cross sectional view of the Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh 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 | 8.6 km | ||
| Time | 3 hrs 45 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| 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 | 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 1.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (1.1km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.7km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 630m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 260m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
Around 7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.1km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 8km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 260m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.7km 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 Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station walk starts at the Wareemba Ave (Near Vale Rd), Thornleigh (gps: -33.709725, 151.08069)Your transport options to Wareemba Ave (Near Vale Rd), Thornleigh are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station ends at the Thornleigh Train Station (gps: -33.731949, 151.07815)
Your transport options to Thornleigh Train Station are by;
Train. (get details) Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/watt
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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