Eastwood to Hornsby

Initially following Terry’s Creek, and then the Lane Cove River, this walk goes through some of the prettier sections of the Lane Cove National Park before climbing up to Thornleigh and continuing into the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Following Berowra Creek and the side of the valley, the surrounds change from the wet environment of Lane Cove to the dry scrub and bushland of Berowra. The walk continues until climbing out, up to Hornsby Railway Station, through a remnant of the old Blue Gum High Forest.

(0km) Eastwood Railway Station → Forrester Park

1.3 km
23 mins
20m
-28m

Easy track

From the east side of Eastwood Railway Station, this walk heads east along Ethel Street and left into Blaxland Road. At the traffic lights at Balaclava Road, this walk turns right then immediately left Vimiera Road. As Vimiera Rd bends to the right (about 100m past Vanimo Place), this walk turns left onto a bridge, crossing Terry’s Creek. This takes the walk onto a corner of Davis Avenue. The walk turns right and heads north-west along Davis Avenue, soon coming to Forrester Park.

(1.28km) Forrester Park → Int of Eastwood station and waterfall loop tracks

690 m
13 mins
15m
-17m

Moderate track

Veer right: From the back of Forrester park the track follows the Terrys creek walking track sign along the bushtrack that winds through the bush and down through the valley, crossing a small bridge creek and continuing through for a while until it comes to a wooden platform where it heads down the wooden steps and along the bushtrack heading down stream along Terrys creek all the way to the top of the waterfall.
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack down stream past the short rock wall and up a small rocky hill, through a few grass trees and down the other side coming to the un signposted intersection of the waterfall loop track.

(1.98km) Int of Eastwood station and waterfall loop tracks → Terrys Creek Waterfall

30 m
1 mins
0m
-3m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading down towards the creek, winding around and down some rock steps to the intersection of the Terrys creek waterfall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Terrys Creek Waterfall

This is a small waterfall on Terrys Creek, and makes a good spot to break from the walk.

(1.98km) Int of Eastwood station and waterfall loop tracks → Int of Eastwood station and Dence park tracks

240 m
5 mins
7m
-6m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading north east along the side of the valley for a short distance, turning back down towards the creek and winding through bracken ferns to the intersection of the Dense park track.
Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading down stream and along side Terrys creek, winding through the bush and through a thick patch of bamboo, coming out the other side and along the creek for a short while to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole and Dence park tracks.

(2.21km) Int of Eastwood station and Dence park tracks → Int of Eastwood station and Pembroke park tracks

20 m
1 mins
0m
-3m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading down across the creek and up the other side to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole and Pembroke Park tracks.

(2.24km) Int of Eastwood station and Pembroke park tracks → Int of Eastwood Station and Rest area tracks

720 m
13 mins
7m
-15m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the Browns Waterhole arrow north along the bushtrack following the creek for a short while until it crosses to the other side and continues up the hill passing the number 11 signpost as it winds up and along the side of the valley for a short while, following the bushtrack as it turns back down the valley and along side the creek, passing a sewage access point and coming to a creek crossing at a thin wooden bridge. From here the track continues up the other side and along the bushtrack coming down to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole bushtrack.
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading north along the right hand side of the creek, passing the number 12 signpost and a sewage access point as it heads through the bush to the intersection of the rest area and Terrys creek steps.

(2.96km) Int of Eastwood Station and Rest area tracks → Int of Eastwood Station and Epping road track

110 m
2 mins
0m
-1m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection the track heads down the steps to the intersection of the Pembroke Street path at the bottom.
Veer right: From the intersection the track heads under the Epping road bridge on the right side of the creek and onto the bushtrack which winds up the gentle hill to the intersection of the Epping Road bushtrack.

(3.07km) Int of Eastwood Station and Epping road track → Signpost 16 int

630 m
10 mins
7m
-8m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the Browns Waterhole arrow down the short hill passing a sewage access point and signpost 15, continuing along side the creek to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole bushtrack.
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the bush track north east along the bushtrack winding along the creek and down across a wooden bridge continuing up and along through the bush to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole bushtrack.
Veer right: From the intersection the track heads north down the short hill and past a sewage access point, winding along the creek to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole bushtrack.
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack north passing a sewage access point and continuing through the bush as the track winds along the right hand side of the creek, passing 2 more sewage access points along the track before coming to the signposted intersection of the Browns Waterhole track.

(3.7km) Signpost 16 int → Signpost 18 int

210 m
4 mins
10m
0m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection the track heads east down the gentle hill and around a sewage access point, continuing up the other side for a short while to the signposted intersection of the Browns Waterhole track.
Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the Browns Waterhole arrow through the bush, winding all the way through the bush as it winds around to a rock platform with views of the M2 motorway bridge and continues through the bush for a short while to the signposted intersection of the Browns Waterhole track.

(3.91km) Signpost 18 int → Int of Terry’s Creek Walking Track and Brown’s Waterhole Servicetrail

1 km
20 mins
20m
-37m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack heading down and across the creek and up the other side coming to the signposted intersection of the Crimea road and Browns Waterhole tracks
Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the Browns Waterhole arrow north along the bushtrack crossing underneath the M2 moter way and continuing along, down some steps and through to the intersection of a bushtrack winding down across the creek.
Continue straight: From the intersection the track heads north east away from the M2 overpass, following the bushtrack through the valley as it winds down some wooden steps and joins onto a metal walkway which continues through dense bushland until joining back onto a dirt track and continues all the way along to the intersection of the Browns Waterhole track.

(4.93km) Int of Terry’s Creek Walking Track and Brown’s Waterhole Servicetrail → Browns Waterhole

40 m
1 mins
0m
-3m

Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete management trail down the gentle hill to the picnic tables and clearing signposted as ‘Browns Waterhole’.

Browns Waterhole

Browns Waterhole is a wide, shallow section of the Lane Cove River, downstream of a concrete weir[1]. There is a concrete shared cycle/footpath crossing over the top of the weir, linking Kissing Point Road, South Turramurra to Vimiera Rd, Macquarie Park. On the western side of the waterhole, there is a picnic table[2] and small clearing with a view over this section of the river.

(4.97km) Browns Waterhole → Browns Waterhole int

90 m
2 mins
1m
-5m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Browns Waterhole picnic area, this walk follows the management trail down to the causeway and across Browns Waterhole (caution is needed during and after rain, may become impassable). Immediately after the river, the walk comes to an intersection with the Great North Walk trail.

(5.06km) Browns Waterhole int → Int of GNW and the STEP track (east)

570 m
12 mins
24m
-14m

Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[3] along the dirt management trail, keeping the Lane Cove River to your left. After about 80m, the trail leads under some high tension power lines[4], where there is a mostly clear view over the river[5] (to your left). The trail then gently leads down through the valley[6] for about 400m to come to an intersection with Cove St trail, marked with a GNW arrow post[7].
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[8] downhill along the management trail for about 30m to cross a small culverted creek[9]. The walk then follows the trail up the short hill to come to an intersection with the signposted ‘STEP track’[10][11] (on your right).

(5.63km) Int of GNW and the STEP track (east) → Int of GNW and the STEP track (west)

580 m
10 mins
8m
-9m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[12] and STEP Track markers[13] along the management trail, whilst keeping the river to your left. The trail undulates through the valley (weedy in places[14]) and tall forest[15] for just shy of 600m, to come to a clear intersection at the bottom of a sealed management trail[16] (on your right). This intersection is marked with another ‘STEP Track’ map/sign[17] and a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[18].

(6.21km) Int of GNW and the STEP track (west) → Int of GNW and the Pennant Hills Park track

1 km
18 mins
25m
-8m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign gently downhill along the management trail, directly away from the face of the ‘STEP Track’ map/sign[19]. Keeping the river to your left, the trail leads downhill for about 80m to come to a Y-intersection[20], where there is a ‘Lane Cove Valley’ map/sign[21] and a ‘Lane Cove River Park’ sign[22] pointing back along the trail.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thornleigh Station’ sign[23] past the ‘Lane Cove Valley’ map, initially keeping the other trail and river to your left. The trail follows the valley floor, keeping the river just to your left, for a bit over 500m, to then cross the Lane Cove River at a rocky ford[24]. This crossing may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. On the other side of the river, this walk continues along the trail[25] for about 400m (with the river now close by on your right) to come to an intersection with a faint track[26] (on your left, that leads up towards Pennant Hills Park).

(7.24km) Int of GNW and the Pennant Hills Park track → Int of the GNW and the Morona Ave trail

1.2 km
21 mins
29m
-15m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, keeping the river just to your right. After about 60m, the trail bends right and crosses the Lane Cove River at a rocky ford[27], then continues along the valley floor among the fern trees (and concrete pipe access points[28]) for about 900m to cross the Lane Cove River again at another rocky ford[29]. (These crossings may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain). The trail then continues along the valley floor[30] (with the river now on your left) for just over 150m to come to an intersection at the bottom of the sealed Morona Ave trail[31] (on your right), marked with a ‘Lane Cove Valley’ map/sign[32] and a GNW arrow post[33].

(8.41km) Int of the GNW and the Morona Ave trail → Conscript Pass

330 m
8 mins
24m
-8m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post along the valley floor, away from the two trails, keeping the river just to your left. The track soon narrows, leading past a water depth indicator[34], and becomes rocky for about 150m before coming to a faint intersection, where GNW arrow post points left[35]. Here, the walk turns left and crosses the Lane Cove River using the concrete stepping stones[36] (this crossing may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain) to follow the ‘Thornleigh Station’ sign[37] up the timber steps for about 40m and find a GNW registration box[38] (damaged at time of writing). The track bends sharply right[39] and zigzags up the rocky hill for another 30m, before bending sharply left to find the ‘Conscript Pass’ and ‘B Stevens’[40][41] engravings (at the third metal hand rail).

(8.74km) Conscript Pass → Int of the GNW and Lorna Pass tracks

100 m
3 mins
19m
0m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From ‘Conscript Pass’, this walk heads up the stone steps through the cleft in the rock[42] to follow the track and more stone steps uphill for about 100m, coming to a T-intersection with Lorna Pass track, marked with a GNW arrow post[43].

Conscript Pass

Conscript Pass is a small sandstone pass between the Lane Cove River and Thornleigh, on the Great North Walk. During the 1930s, some stone steps were built through a cleft in the rock[44] as part of a public works program, in response to the depression. The pass has two main engravings. Firstly ‘Conscript Pass’ is followed with a downwards pointing arrow[45] and a series of initials and numbers. On another wall (that you face when walking up) is engraved ‘B Stevens’ followed a surprisingly good caricature[46][47] of the then Premier of NSW, Bertram Stevens. Stevens (later knighted) replaced Jack Lang in 1932 as Premier of NSW, when Lang was dismissed by the Governor (just two months Lang after opening the Sydney Harbour Bridge).

(8.84km) Int of the GNW and Lorna Pass tracks → Int of Handley and Ferguson Avenues

580 m
14 mins
50m
0m

Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Thornleigh’ sign[50] uphill along the rocky track, keeping the valley to your left. The track leads up a series of timber steps[51] for about 230m, becoming steeper as they go[52], to come to a clear T-intersection signposted with a large ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[53], and a stone ‘Lorna Pass’ arrow[54] pointing back down the track.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Thornleigh Station’ sign[55] uphill along the wide rocky track[56]. After just over 150m, the track bends left (ignoring a faint track on your right[57]) and heads uphill for another 40m to come to the back (south-east corner) of Thornleigh Oval[58], marked with a ‘Lane Cove National Park’ signpost[59].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post along the fence line around the oval, keeping the oval to your left. After about 100m, this walk passes in front of the clubhouse[60] (there are toilets[61] and a water tap[62] on your right) to pass a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[63] and come to the corner of ‘Handley’ and ‘Ferguson’ Avenues[64] in front of the ‘Thornleigh Oval’ sign[65].

Thornleigh Oval

Thornleigh Oval is found at the intersection of Handley and Ferguson Avenues, Thornleigh. There is a large playing field[66], tap water[67], public toilets[68][69] and some shelter in the awning of the club house[70]. The oval has a car park, and a number io signs for the Great North walk[71] and other local tracks[72].

(9.42km) Int of Handley and Ferguson Avenues → Int of Railway Parade and Pennant Hills Road overpass steps

810 m
14 mins
18m
-4m

Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thornleigh Station’ sign across the road to follow the footpath beside ‘Handley Ave’. After about 130m, the walk crosses Clifford Ave[73] then after about 250m, crosses ‘Orchard St’ to follow ‘Station St’ almost directly ahead[74]. About 190m along ‘Station St’, this walk continues straight across ‘Wood St’[75] (you can get to Parkway Plaza if you turn right here) and continues for just over 200m to find a footbridge[76] beside Pennant Hills Rd. Here the walk heads up the ramp and crosses over the busy road[77] then down the ramp (or steps) to find the intersection with Railway Parade[78].

(10.24km) Int of Railway Parade and Pennant Hills Road overpass steps → Morgan Rd

1.1 km
20 mins
8m
-48m

Easy track

Veer left: From the base of the steps, this walk follows the GNW arrow across ‘Railway Pde’[79], heading towards the train line. At the fence, this walk veers left and leads along the pedestrian alley[80] for about 60m before turning right and climbing up the railway bridge steps[81], coming to the ‘Thornleigh’ Train Station[82].
Continue straight: From the western (north bound) side of Thornleigh Station[83], this walk follows the ‘Jungo Rest Area’ sign[84] along the footpath towards the car park and The Esplanade[85]. The walk then heads down a short distance further to turn left and cross ‘The Esplanade’ at the traffic lights[86], then continue straight along the footpath down along Eddy Rd[87]. Following a couple of GNW arrows[88] down Eddy Rd as it then bends left[89], turning into Tilock St, and shortly later this walk then turns right into Morgan St[90]. Continuing down till just before the end of this street[91][92], this walk comes to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow[93] and the ‘Elouera Bushland Natural Park’ sign[94] (on the right).

(11.34km) Morgan Rd → Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks

230 m
4 mins
3m
-7m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the end of Morgan Street, the walk follows the GNW arrow[95] and the ‘Elouera Bushland Natural Park’ sign[96] between houses[97] no. 28 and 26. Once behind the houses at a small clearing[98], the track turns left and follows down the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[99]. Soon after passing behind the third house, the track comes to an intersection with a wide concrete trail[100], where a sign points back along the track to ‘Sydney Cove’[101].

(11.56km) Int of Bellamy trail and Morgan Rd tracks → Zig Zag Creek Bridge int.

130 m
2 mins
0m
-6m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘The Jungo’ arrow[102] downhill along the wide concrete trail for 25m to cross over the culverted creek[103] (with a green rail[104] on one side)

[Trip Hazard]

. The walk continues down into the valley[105] along the concrete trail for another 110m to come to a signposted intersection marked with a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[106][107] (on your left), just before ‘Zig Zag Creek’[108] and the long bridge[109].

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

(11.69km) Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection → The Jungo

1.4 km
25 mins
16m
-37m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[110] along the narrower track, keeping the gully to your right. The pleasant track leads into, then through, the ferny forest[111] with tall trees for about 700m, before crossing a side creek on a timber bridge[112]. The track then continues in a similar manner for another 700m, coming to a large clearing and campsite[113], The Jungo. On the far side of this clearing is a well-signposted intersection with a ‘Bellamy Street’ sign[114] pointing back through the campsite.

The Jungo

The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection[115]. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities[116]. 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.

(13.12km) Jungo campsite → Int of GNW and Stringybark Ridge trail

100 m
2 mins
1m
0m

Moderate track

Veer right: From the campsite, this walk follows the ‘Fishponds’ sign[117] down across the concrete ford, over the usually small creek[118]. Here, the concrete management trail[119] leads uphill, becoming dirt as it starts to flatten out[120]. This walk then comes to a signposted intersection[121] of the ‘Great North Walk’[122] and the Stringybark Ridge management trail (signposted ‘Cherrybrook Lakes’ trail[123]).

(13.23km) Int of GNW and Stringybark Ridge trail → Elouera Lookout

1 km
27 mins
81m
-58m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[124] down the narrower track. The track leads downhill for about 70m, getting steeper[125] as it goes, and then crosses Berowra Creek[126] – this creek may become impassable after rain. On the other side, the walk comes to an intersection on a small sandy beach. Here, the walk turns left, following the GNW arrows downstream for about 250m among the grass trees and crossing a flat timber bridge[127]. The rocky track then continues for just shy of 250m and crosses a mossy gully on a large flat rock[128]. The track then continues, staying fairly flat[129] for another 170m before bending right and heading steeply uphill[130]. At the top of this climb, the track soon leads to a section of fenced cliff[131]. At the end of the fence, the walk passes through casuarina forest[132] for a short distance before passing alongside another (longer) fenced cliff and coming to the Elouera Lookout[133], where there is an intersection with the ‘Westleigh’ track[134] (on your right).

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[135]. 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[136], and there is some limited shade[137] from the casuarina near the lookout if you want to take a rest.

(14.27km) Elouera Lookout → Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track

2.2 km
54 mins
152m
-130m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Elouera Lookout[138], this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[139] along the track, keeping the fence and valley to your left[140]. At the end of the fence, the walk bends left following the rocky flat track for about 200m, where the track then becomes progressively steeper for about 250m, winding steeply down then across a flat timber bridge[141]. From here, the track leads beside Berowra Creek[142] for a short time before crossing another flat timber bridge[143]. The track then passes among the pleasant grass trees for about 200m (crossing a couple of small creeks with timber plank spans[144]) to then climb a few sets of timber steps and cross a small (often dry) creek[145]. From here, the track gently winds up along the side of the hill for about 800m, passing through a pleasant casuarina forest[146] then heading across a rocky creek on another small, flat, timber bridge[147]. Just over 100m later, the track crosses a smaller (often dry) creek[148] to then wind uphill for about 100m to a three-way intersection with the signposted ‘Quarter Sessions Rd’ track[149] (on your right).

(16.43km) Int of the Great North Walk and the Quarter Sessions Road track → Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW)

690 m
18 mins
43m
-73m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the main rocky track, keeping the valley down to your left. The track leads along beside a rock wall (which is on your right) and through a rock outcrop[150], where the track soon heads quite steeply uphill along the eroded track[151] for a short time. At the top of this steep section, the rocky track continues to meander much more gently up along the side of the hill[152] for about 300m, then crosses a small, rocky gully[153], just below some houses[154]. The track then continues gently uphill for about 100m to an intersection with the unsignposted Blackfellows Head track[155] (on your right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the clear track, keeping the valley down to your left for about 100m, where the walk comes to a three-way intersection and ‘The Jungo’ sign[156] points back along the track.

(17.12km) Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW) → Fishponds Lookout

990 m
21 mins
21m
-87m

Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Fishponds’ sign[157] past the ‘Berowra Valley Regional Park’ sign[158], gently uphill along the narrow ridge[159]. The track is mostly flat for about 200m before it starts to head fairly steeply down over some rocks[160] and down a set of rock steps[161]. This area comes alive with Patersonia lilies and pink wax flowers in early spring. The track then continues fairly gently down along the narrow ridge[162] for another 200m before leading through a crack in a rock, then down a bit further to climb down through a particularly steep rocky section[163]. Near the bottom of this descent, this walk passes a couple of arrow posts[164], where the track bends right to pass below a large rock overhang[165]. Just beyond this overhang, the track bends left and leads across Waitara Creek at the interesting holes in the rock know as ‘the spa’[166]. This creek may become impassable after heavy rain, the rocks can also be slippery. Across the creek, the walk comes to a large rock platform and a Blue Gum Track post[167]. After stopping to enjoy cool spot, this walk continues left along the unfenced rock platform[168] (keeping the creek down to your left). The walk soon steps off this large rock (at the far right-hand corner, through the fork in a tree[169]). This walk heads over another rock platform[170], then along a notably flat section of track[171] (now with Berowra Creek on your left), passing beside some cascades[172] for about 100m before climbing up and over some rocks and under a sandstone overhang[173]. The track leads around the side of the hill for about 100m, then down to cross a small creek using the small flat timber bridge[174]. The walk then climbs up some timber steps[175] to a fenced lookout[176] over Fishponds, at a well-signposted intersection[177]. A sign points back along the track to ‘Thornleigh Station’[178].

Fishponds Lookout

Fishponds Lookout is a fenced rock platform at the intersection of the Benowie walking track and the Rosemead trackhead. It is marked with a number of Great North Walk signs. This informally named lookout has good views down over Fishponds, a large waterhole on Berowra Creek. Looking north across the creek, there are views to the upper waterhole and the cliffs on the other side.

(18.11km) Fishponds Lookout → Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail

300 m
7 mins
39m
0m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the lookout, this walk follows the ‘Rosemead Rd Trackhead’ sign[179] directly away from the view over Berowra Creek. After about 70m, the track leads over a timber footbridge[180], then leads up the side of the valley for about 100m to climb up the steep carved rock steps (with a hand rail)[181]. Here the track leads along the top of this unfenced cliff and soon comes to a well signposted three-way intersection, where a ‘Fishponds’ sign[182] points back along the track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Hornsby Station’ sign up[183] along the track a short distance to come to an intersection with a wide management trail[184].

(18.4km) Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail → Int of Great North Walk and Rosemead Rd service trail

850 m
19 mins
35m
-45m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow south along the wide management trail, keeping the gully to your left[185]. The walk climbs up the gentle hill for just over 300m, passing through the turpentine forest[186] to a saddle and small clearing. Here the walk continues along the trail as it bends right[187] (ignoring the track to the left) to leads downhill through the blue gum and bracken fern forest[188]. The trail continues moderately steeply down until it bends left to cross Old Mans Creek at the concrete stepping stones[189]. The trail leads left and gently up the hill, passing some houses (on your right) and soon comes to an intersection with a narrower track (on your left) after about 150m.

(19.26km) Int of Great North Walk and Rosemead Rd service trail → Berowra Valley Bushland Park

30 m
1 mins
4m
0m

Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow[190] along the narrower track[191] for a short distance, to Berowra Valley Bushland Park[192] at the end of Rosemead Road[193].

Berowra Valley Bushland Park

‘Berowra Valley Bushland Park’[194] is also known as Rosemead Rd Park and is found at the bottom end of Rosemead Rd[195], Hornsby. This is an open area park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees[196], making a pleasant spot to rest on a walk. It has a picnic table with bench seats[197], and a sheltered free electric BBQ[198]. There is a water tap[199] in the park, near the road. There is also a ‘Welcome to Old Mans Valley’ information sign with information about the traditional country of the Darug and Guringai peoples[200].

(19.29km) Berowra Valley Bushland Park → Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk

540 m
14 mins
89m
-12m

Hard track

Veer left: From the lower side of ‘Berowra Valley Bushland Park’[201], this walk follows the ‘Hornsby Station’ sign[202] across the park, then follows the GNW arrow[203] up the stone steps, keeping the houses to your right. The walk winds steeply up the steps[204], leaving the view of the house and finding a welcome flat section of track[205] midway up. The steps then lead more steeply up[206] the side of the valley, along the sheer rock walls for about 100m, and come to an intersection with the Quarry Road management trail, where a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[207] points back down the the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post up a couple of timber steps[208] and then follows the track as it winds up over the gentle rise. Once over the rise, the track then leads down to the intersection with Quarry Rd, where a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[209] points back up the track.

(19.83km) Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk → Hornsby Train Station

720 m
14 mins
34m
-8m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows Quarry Road gently uphill away from the face of the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[210] until just past a couple of house, this walk comes to an intersection with the gated ‘Old Mans Valley’ management trail[211] (on your left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows Quarry Rd up the gentle hill[212] for about 180m, then follows the GNW arrow[213] left onto Dural St[214]. The footpath leads past the unit block, then past a few shops to come to an intersection with the Pacific Hwy. Following the GNW arrow, this walk turns right across ‘Dural St’[215], passes a few more shops, then crosses ‘Dural Lane’[216] before turning left across the Pacific Hwy at the traffic lights[217]. Here the walk continues straight across the ‘Station St’ pedestrian crossing[218], past the large ‘Great North Walk’ sign[219] and across the bus lane to the western entrance of Hornsby Station[220].

Maps for the Eastwood to Hornsby 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
Parramatta River	1:25 000 Map Series	91303N PARRAMATTA RIVER	NSW-91303N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Eastwood to Hornsby bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Eastwood to Hornsby

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	20.6 km
		Time	8 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		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

10km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 7km has short steep hills. Whilst another 2.3km is flat with no steps and the remaining 1.6km is very steep.

Quality of track

10km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 8km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (2.7km) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 10km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 10km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

11km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 9km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (990m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 17km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 3.5km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 12km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 8km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Eastwood to Hornsby walk starts at the Eastwood Railway Station (gps: -33.790145, 151.08226)
Your transport options to Eastwood Railway Station are by;

Train. (get details)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

The Eastwood to Hornsby ends at the Hornsby Train Station (gps: -33.703509, 151.09801)
Your transport options to Hornsby Train 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/tctbgr

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 🙂