Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai

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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	(-33.623172,151.1533134)
Mode	Car (The train station is on the Pacific Hwy about 10 km north of Hornsby. There is parking in the area (although this can fill up mid week with commuters). Parking is permitted in many of the back streets.) Special (Most trains stop at Berowra and services run regularly about every 30mins during peak and hourly off peak. The station is on the Newcastle line between Hornsby and Wyong so access from the North or South is easy. More info) Train
Finish	(-33.653774,151.1368008)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (From Mt Ku-ring-gai Station it is possible to get away to either Hornsby to the South or Brooklyn and the Central Coast in the North using the Pacific Hwy.) Special (To get away from Mt Ku-ring-gai Train Station trains run approximately every hour along the Newcastle Line. This line goes both ways between Hornsby and Wyong. More info) Train

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the front of Berowra Station, this walk follows the footpath between the Pacific Highway and railway line, whilst keeping the highway to your left. After about 50m this walk comes to 'Berowra Parade' marked with a large 'Harbour to Hawkesbury' information sign and map. Here the walk turns right and follows the little used road down over railway bridge then around the green metal gate to cross over the F3 on a large concrete bridge. On the other side of the freeway this walk comes to a small clearing marked with a large 'Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - Berowra Track' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 10 m pass the car park (20 m on your left).
	After another 45 m turn right. After another 20 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long) After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 70 m long) Then head through/around the gate.
	After another 140 m turn left. After another 305 m turn left. After another 1.6 km find the "Waratah Bay" (8 m on your right). Waratah Bay Waratah Bay sits on the eastern extent of Cowan Waters east of Berowra. The bay is home to a rusting metal boat hull, this boat marks the spot where the Edward Windybank and his family once worked and lived. Edward Windybank worked on the construction nearby railway line from 1886 to 87. Windybank also named the bay and acquired a life-long lease to use it. It seems that he built a small home, boat shed and a narrow road up the hill. Windybank operate a boat building a hire business on site After another 4.1 km cross the bridge (about 20 m long) Then find the "Cowan Creek View" (on your right). Cowan Creek View Cowan Creek View, is a timber platform lookout on Cowan Creek. The lookout is on the northern side of a headland and provide great views down along Cowan Creek. This is a great place to rest and enjoy the water views.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 320 m continue straight. After another 360 m come to the viewpoint. After another 1.4 km come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right).
	Continue straight. Then come to the "Firefighters Rest" (35 m on your right). After another 250 m continue straight. After another 670 m head through/around the gate. Then pass the "Mount Ku-ring-gai Track" (5 m on your right).
	After another 30 m continue straight. After another 105 m continue straight. After another 100 m continue straight.
	After another 45 m continue straight. Then cross the bridge (about 90 m long) Then head through the tunnel After another 25 m head through the tunnel
	After another 4 m come to the end. About 90 m past the end is a toilet.

An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 840 m pass the sign. Then cross the bridge (about 35 m long)
	After another 25 m turn right. Then to find the car park.
	After another 35 m turn left. After another 7 m pass the park (7 m on your right).
	After another 25 m turn left. After another 20 m pass the toilet (40 m on your right). After another 25 m pass the cafe (20 m on your right). Sa-Su PH About 20 m past the end is "Apple Tree Bay". Apple Tree Bay Apple Tree Bay, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park, has a popular boat ramp for accessing Cowan creek and plenty of parking. The area has kiosk, electric BBQ's, picnic benches, toilets, drinking water, garbage facilities, and shade provided by trees. If you are after a quiet spot, head to the western end (away from the boat ramp, past the BBQ's), just beyond the car park, to a lovely clearing by the water. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise. The kiosk/cafe is open on weekend and services hot and cold drinks, ice creams and some hot food.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 970 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Apple Tree Bay Viewpoint.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 105 m come to the end. "Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout". Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track Lookout This informal, unfenced lookout is perched on some rocks, not far from the Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Track. It provides views across the valley to Cowan Creek and over much of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 105 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	9.5 km
Time	3 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min

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 (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.8 km apart with the largest gap of 7.5 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	6.5 km + 950 m	[toilet]
Toilet	9.6 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Waratah Bay
Waratah Bay sits on the eastern extent of Cowan Waters east of Berowra. The bay is home to a rusting metal boat hull, this boat marks the spot where the Edward Windybank and his family once worked and lived. Edward Windybank worked on the construction nearby railway line from 1886 to 87. Windybank also named the bay and acquired a life-long lease to use it. It seems that he built a small home, boat shed and a narrow road up the hill. Windybank operate a boat building a hire business on site

Cowan Creek View
Cowan Creek View, is a timber platform lookout on Cowan Creek. The lookout is on the northern side of a headland and provide great views down along Cowan Creek. This is a great place to rest and enjoy the water views.

Apple Tree Bay
Apple Tree Bay, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park, has a popular boat ramp for accessing Cowan creek and plenty of parking. The area has kiosk, electric BBQ's, picnic benches, toilets, drinking water, garbage facilities, and shade provided by trees. If you are after a quiet spot, head to the western end (away from the boat ramp, past the BBQ's), just beyond the car park, to a lovely clearing by the water. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise. The kiosk/cafe is open on weekend and services hot and cold drinks, ice creams and some hot food.

Get more information
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Terrey Hills Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 27 July
  
  18°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning. Light winds.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Sunday 28 July
  
  8°C → 14°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h turning southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon and evening.
  
  Monday 29 July
  
  6°C → 14°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Tuesday 30 July
  
  6°C → 14°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, with possible small hail along the coastal fringe. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 31 July
  
  6°C → 15°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 August
  
  7°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Friday 2 August
  
  8°C → 16°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Pay machine upgrade
  Pay machines in this park are being upgraded to provide an even more reliable service for your convenience. Whilst this process is underway, coins may not be accepted at pay machines, however cash payments for park use fees can still be made at visitor centres. Pay machines will continue to accept credit card. ParknPay remains available in all Parks via the ParknPay app.
  
  Other planned events: Sphinx Memorial repair works
  Repair works are underway at the Sphinx Memorial from Monday 12 February to 2 August, weather permitting. There will be changed access to the memorial for the duration of these works. The carpark and the Sphinx track remain open. Please follow directions of signs and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Barrenjoey access trail closed on weekdays
  Barrenjoey access road is closed on weekdays from Monday 8 July 2024 to Thursday 31 October 2024 due to construction works. Pedestrian access to Barrenjoey Lighthouse will be via Smugglers track.
  The Smugglers track is a grade 3 walking track – mostly stairs. It is a steeper and more challenging walk to the top of the headland. Please consider your ability prior to ascent.
  For further information please call the local area office.
  
  Closed areas: Duckholes trail closed for upgrades
  Duckholes fire trail is closed from Monday 12 February 2024 to Friday19 July 2024 for upgrades. Do not enter the closed area. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure
  Berowra walking track is partially closed until further notice from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track. There is a threat of rockfalls due to slope instability caused by recent weather events. NPWS is in the process of carrying out necessary repair works.
  The Berowra walking track from Berowra Station to Mt Ku-ring-gai is open for use.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).
  
  Other planned events: Brooklyn Dam fire trail maintenance works
  There will be surface maintenance works on the Brooklyn Dam fire trail between William St, Brooklyn and the end of the Jerusalem Bay trail, including Brooklyn Dam campsite, from the 2 April 2024. Expect delays and follow instructions of NPWS staff and contractors. Jerusalem Bay trail will remain open during this time.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Closed areas: Access track to West Head beach closed
  The access track which leads from Resolute track to West Head beach is closed from Thursday 11 April 2024 until further notice due to major storm damage.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: North Mackerel track closed and Mackerel trail partially closed
  North Mackerel track is permanently closed due to a potential risk of rockfalls and unstable cliff edges in the Great Mackerel Beach area.
  The only designated land access to or from Great Mackerel Beach is via Mackerel track to the north, which intersects with Resolute track.
  Due to land instability and risk to personal safety, there is no through or return access to or from the following places:
  
  The south end of Great Mackerel Beach via The Basin or Mackerel trail
  
  The west of Great Mackerel Beach via North Mackerel track, which is closed.
  
  Please be aware of the risks associated with visiting natural areas, including rock falls, unstable edges, falling branches and interactions with wildlife.
  For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Other planned events: 1080 pest management program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between Thursday 1 February 2024 and Wednesday 31 July 2024 in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. All baiting locations are identifiable by signs. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  For more information, contact the NPWS Forestville area office on 9451 3479 or Lane Cove area office on 8448 0400 during business hours. For after-hours enquiries, contact the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 056 294.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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