Callicoma Loop

1 h 45 min to 2 h

5.1 km
circuit

↑ 130 m
↓ -130 m

Hard track
This great circuit walk passes through some really nice forest around the fringe of Cherrybrook. Highlights of the walk include some beautiful rock overhangs at the 'Callicoma Caves', and the atmospheric 'Coachwood Grotto'. The walk starts and finishes at the pleasant Lakes of Cherrybrook park. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Show all
The Lakes of Cherrybrook park. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking over the Lakes of Cherrybrook. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Viewing platform at The Lakes of Cherrybrook. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Pedestrian tunnel under the road. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Follow the bush track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Close up. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Tall forest in the Berowra Valley Regional Park. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Grass tree on Blackwattle trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Heading down to Disturbed creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Nice scenes along Disturbed creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Boardwalk by the creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
A nice fern by the steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Meandering bush track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rock formations near Cherrybrook. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rough steps up the hill. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Nice walking. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Easy walking and nice rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Along Stringybark ridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Concrete causeway near the Jungo. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Walkers on the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Narrow footbridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
A creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Grasstrees. | Photo by admin, 2009.
A big overhang at Callicoma Caves. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rocks on the Callicoma Walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Grasstrees near Callicoma Caves. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Walking between the rocks. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Easy walking on an old management trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Another set of steps on the Callicoma Walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Viewing spot at the Coachwood Grotto. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Crossing Nyrippin creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Cherrybrook lakes. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Across the bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.7217468,151.0442126)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Pennant Hills Road, A28
  • Turn on to Boundary Road then drive for 2.4 km
  • Keep left onto Boundary Road and drive for another 150 m
  • Turn right onto Francis Greenway Drive and drive for another 460 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Macquarie Drive and drive for another 920 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Shepherds Drive and drive for another 170 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From below 50 Shepherds Drive, opposite the shopping centre, the walk follows the concrete footpath into 'The Lakes Of Cherrybrook' park, keeping the playground to the right. The footpath comes to the signpost for 'Callicoma Walk' just before the unfenced lakes.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the Cherrybrook Lakes at the start.
Cherrybrook Village shopping centre (about 95 m back from the start).
Cherrybrook Village shopping centre
Cherrybrook Village shopping centre

The Cherrybrook Village shopping centre is located at 41/47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. There are a number of local cafes and eateries here, plus some franchises such as Subway and Gloria Jeans, making a great stop for walkers. There is also a Woolworths supermarket. The centre is open 9:00-5:30 Mon-Wed & Fri, 9:00-9:00 Thu, 9:00-5:00 Sat and 10:00-4:00 Sun. Some of the cafes and eateries open directly outside so they may be open longer hours.
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The Cherrybrook Village shopping centre is located at 41/47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. There are a number of local cafes and eateries here, plus some franchises such as Subway and Gloria Jeans, making a great stop for walkers. There is also a Woolworths supermarket. The centre is open 9:00-5:30 Mon-Wed & Fri, 9:00-9:00 Thu, 9:00-5:00 Sat and 10:00-4:00 Sun. Some of the cafes and eateries open directly outside so they may be open longer hours.

There is a car park (about 35 m back from the start).
After 70 m pass the playground (15 m on your right).
Continue straight.
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 25 m pass the sign (on your right).
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 40 m continue straight.
After another 9 m turn right.
After another 10 m turn left.
After another 20 m head through the tunnel (about 30 m long)
After another 45 m find the "Cherrybrook Girl Guides" (20 m on your left).
Cherrybrook Girl Guides
Cherrybrook Girl Guides

The Cherrybrook Girl Guides building is at the corner of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook.
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The Cherrybrook Girl Guides building is at the corner of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook.

Then pass the car park (135 m on your left).
After another 410 m cross the stepping stones.
After another 155 m (at the intersection of McKinley Firetrail & Benowie Walking Track) continue straight, to head along McKinley Firetrail.
After another 40 m continue straight, to head along McKinley Firetrail.
After another 170 m turn left, to head along McKinley Firetrail.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Pogson Firetrail & McKinley Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Schofield Firetrail.
After another 390 m (at the intersection of Schofield Firetrail & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along Schofield Firetrail.
After another 105 m cross the ford.
At the intersection of Schofield Firetrail & The Great North Walk veer right, to head along Schofield Firetrail.
After another 20 m find the "The Jungo" (5 m on your right).
The Jungo
The Jungo

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

After another 6 m pass the sign (8 m on your left).
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 500 m continue straight.
After another 250 m continue straight.
After another 50 m turn right.
Then cross the ford (about 235 m long)
Continue straight.
After another 380 m find the "Coachwood grotto" (15 m on your right).
Coachwood grotto
Coachwood grotto

This beautiful, shady spot is beside Nyrippin creek, on the Callicoma Walk near Cherrybrook. The 'grotto' is an open area, shaded by Coachwood trees, with a curved section of low cliffs across the creek, giving an 'amphitheatre' feeling. This is a very atmospheric spot to sit and relax for a while.
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This beautiful, shady spot is beside Nyrippin creek, on the Callicoma Walk near Cherrybrook. The 'grotto' is an open area, shaded by Coachwood trees, with a curved section of low cliffs across the creek, giving an 'amphitheatre' feeling. This is a very atmospheric spot to sit and relax for a while.

After another 420 m veer right.
After another 65 m cross the stepping stones.
After another 40 m continue straight.
After another 50 m turn left.
Then head up the steps (about 110 m long)
After another 185 m pass the sign (on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Macquarie Drive.
After another 10 m pass the park (10 m on your right).
At the intersection of Macquarie Drive & Gumnut Road turn left, to head along Gumnut Road (a residential road).
After another 250 m pass the park (30 m on your right).
At the intersection of Gumnut Road & Holly Road continue straight, to head along Gumnut Road.
After another 25 m turn right.
After another 15 m head through/around the gate.
After another 225 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
Then head down the steps (about 15 m long)
After another 15 m head through/around the gate.
Turn right, to head along Tallowwood Avenue.
After another 55 m (at the intersection of Tallowwood Avenue & Sheoak Close) continue straight, to head along Tallowwood Avenue.
After another 110 m (at the intersection of Tallowwood Avenue & Ivy Place) turn left, to head along Ivy Place.
After another 105 m turn right.
After another 80 m turn left, to head along Rossian Place.
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Glentrees Place & Rossian Place) turn right, to head along Glentrees Place.
After another 90 m (at the intersection of Kenburn Avenue & Glentrees Place) turn left, to head along Kenburn Avenue.
After another 6 m (at the intersection of Wattle Way & Kenburn Avenue) continue straight, to head along Kenburn Avenue.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Kenburn Avenue & Boronia Court) continue straight, to head along Kenburn Avenue.
After another 50 m turn right.
After another 45 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 60 m continue straight.
Then cross the bridge (about 35 m long)
After another 8 m continue straight.
After another 10 m find the "The Lakes Of Cherrybrook" (on your left).
The Lakes Of Cherrybrook
The Lakes Of Cherrybrook

The Lakes Of Cherrybrook is a park at the intersection of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. The lakes featured in the park were formed when the local creek was dammed for the benefit of farmers. The park has a free electric BBQ, sheltered picnic tables, taps and bubblers as well as a playground for the kids. There is a large shopping centre nearby. There are several signposted buswalks in the area, including the 5.1km 'Callicoma Walk' loop track.
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The Lakes Of Cherrybrook is a park at the intersection of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. The lakes featured in the park were formed when the local creek was dammed for the benefit of farmers. The park has a free electric BBQ, sheltered picnic tables, taps and bubblers as well as a playground for the kids. There is a large shopping centre nearby. There are several signposted buswalks in the area, including the 5.1km 'Callicoma Walk' loop track.

Continue straight.
After another 30 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Callicoma Loop


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 5.1 km
Time 1 h 45 min to 2 h
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Campsite: There is one 1.7 km from the start.

Seat: There is one 4.5 km from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Campsite
1.7 kmThe Jungo
Seat
4.5 km[seat]
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