Great North walk stage 5: Hidden valleys part 1
Berowra Valley National Park
Overview
Stage 5 of the Great North walk takes us from Hornsby to Berowra stations. Explore 12km on this guided walk through the hidden valleys of Berowra Valley National Park.
- When
Sunday 23 and Wednesday 26 June 2024, 8.10am to 4pm. Meet at 8am.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Grade
- Medium. Suitable for adults only (15 years and over). Some bushwalking experience is recommended.
- Price
-
Adult (15 years and over) $25 per person. Concession (Student, Australian pension, Veterans Affairs and Seniors card holders) $20 per person.
- Meeting point
- West side of Hornsby Station. Meet at 8am.
- What to
bring - Drinking water, lunch, snacks, sturdy shoes, hat, raincoat, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Bookings
- Bookings required. Phone 1300 072 757 for more information or book online.
We'll start out with a steep downhill walk following the path through lyrebird country on this 12km journey. From here, we’ll emerge at Berowra Creek near Crosslands Reserve.
Early on, our route crosses Calna Bridge and then passes over a delicate salt marsh on on wooden pathways providing postcard-like scenery.
We then continue our journey north along Berowra Creek for most of the day.
After lunch we stop at Naa Badu lookout to enjoy breathtaking views of track we have just traversed. Naa Badu means 'see water' and is distinctive to the Darug People.
The last part of our walk is a steep climb to the top of the ridge. This will lead us into beautiful Berowra.
Please bring at least 2 litres of drinking water, lunch and snacks. It's a good idea to wear enclosed shoes and bring a hat, rain gear, sunscreen, insect protection and emergency contact information. We'll be using public transport for one section, so don't forget your Opal card.
See more of the Great North walks for 2023.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/great-north-walk-stage-5-hidden-valleys-part-1/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Park info
- in Berowra Valley National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
- Berowra Valley National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger
- Crosslands Reserve is open 8am to 7.30pm during daylight savings and 9am to 5pm the rest of the year
- Barnetts Road Reserve and the lookout is closed from sunset to sunrise
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Great North walk stage 5: Hidden valleys part 1.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Drive or take public transport to Hornsby train station.
Parking
Parking is available at Hornsby Railway Station.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Not wheelchair-accessible
Learn more
Great North walk stage 5: Hidden valleys part 1 is in Berowra Valley National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal importance
Berowra Valley National Park is within the traditional Country of the Guringai People to the east of Berowra Creek and the Dharug People to the west. It contains a number of significant Aboriginal heritage sites, including artefacts, middens and campfire sites. This special area, with its land and waterways, plants and animals, features in all facets of Aboriginal culture and continues to be of great significance to Aboriginal people today.
Bush in the 'burbs
Eucalypt forests, delightful birdlife and all manner of creatures occupy this very beautiful bush valley stretching from the suburbs out towards the Hawkesbury river. While you're in the park, keep your eye out for a powerful owl, sea eagle, wedgetail, or listen for the call of a red crown toadlet.
Making tracks
Great North walk is an iconic track that stretches 250km from Sydney to Newcastle. Constructed in 1988 as part of the Australian Bicentenary, the walk takes in diverse landscapes and a lot of Australian history. Part of the walk travels through Berowra Valley National Park along the Benowie walking track.
- Great North walk stage 3: Across the watershed Join this guided tour in Berowra Valley National Park. You'll walk 10km across Sydney’s north from Thornleigh to Hornsby. This walk is the 3rd stage in the series of Great North walks.
- Great North walk stage 4: Into the gorge On this 16km hike we'll traverse Galston Gorge, beautiful waterholes, and wonderful rock overhangs in Berowra Valley National Park. Start and end the day at Hornsby station. Sign up now and challenge yourself on stage 4 of the Great North walk.
- Great North walk stage 5: Hidden valleys part 1 Stage 5 of the Great North walk takes us from Hornsby to Berowra stations. Explore 12km on this guided walk through the hidden valleys of Berowra Valley National Park.
- Great North walk stage 6: Hidden valleys part 2 Take in stunning views of Berowra Valley National Park on stage 6 of the Great North walk. You’ll explore 14km of bushland between Berowra and Cowan stations on this 8-hour guided tour.
Wonderful waterways
Berowra Creek is a hidden waterway perfect for canoeing, boating and fishing. Escape the noise and traffic of the city and come and while away a few hours in the perfect serenity of this lovely little spot. Load up your pack with sandwiches and hats and take the family for a wander along the trails or laze under a tree at Crosslands Reserve while the kids play.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.
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Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.
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Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.
Plants
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Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)
Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.