Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek

3 h 15 min to 4 h

9.4 km
return

↑ 390 m
↓ -390 m

Hard track
From the ridge above Berowra Creek, this walk goes steeply down into the valley following Calna Creek. The narrow bush track section is quite beautiful with plenty of small creek crossings and sandstone overhangs. The grasslands section, just before coming to the junction of Calna and Berowra Creeks, is also very pretty. 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.
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Benowie Walking Track Mt Ku-ring-gai. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Pink Boronia in flower. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Mt Kuring Gai link track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
rock overhangs. | Photo by admin, 2008.
wandering through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Mt Kuring Gai link track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
following Calna creek. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2015.
int of great north walk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

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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 (-33.6538131,151.1367936)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the middle of the tunnel at the bottom of the stairs at Mt Kuring-gai railway station, this walk follows the 'To the Great North Walk' sign through the tunnel to the Pacific Hwy. Here the walk turns left and follows the footpath between the highway and train line for about 200m to pass the traffic lights at Glenview Rd. The walk then continues straight up the ramp for another 100m and turns right onto the pedestrian bridge. Here the walk crosses the Pacific Hwy on the footbridge, then follows the concrete ramp as it zigzags back down to the ground. This ramp ends just near the Aldi shopping complex. From the bottom of the footbridge near the Aldi shopping complex, this walk follows the footpath alongside the Pacific Hwy, under the footbridge and away from the shops. Keeping the highway to your right for 100m, this walk then crosses 'Glenview Rd' (at the intersection with the Pacific Hwy) to find the top of 'Lyrebird Gully track', marked with a locked green metal gate.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Then head through the tunnel (about 25 m long)
After another 310 m turn right.
Then cross the bridge (about 30 m long)
Turn right.
Then head up the steps (about 15 m long)
After another 50 m pass a seat (7 m on your left).
After another 20 m veer left.
After another 70 m pass a seat (6 m on your right)., has a backrest.
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 1.9 km find the "Lyrebird waterfall" (7 m on your left).
Lyrebird waterfall
Lyrebird waterfall

This informally named waterfall is found on Lyrebird Gully creek about 300m upstream of its confluence with Calna Creek. The top of the fall is partially fenced with a timber handrail where the water flows over the solid rock platform, with naturally carved holes, to fall about 8m to the shallow pool and boulders below. The track passes the top of the fall and does not provide a good view of the face of the fall, but it is still a very pleasant spot.
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This informally named waterfall is found on Lyrebird Gully creek about 300m upstream of its confluence with Calna Creek. The top of the fall is partially fenced with a timber handrail where the water flows over the solid rock platform, with naturally carved holes, to fall about 8m to the shallow pool and boulders below. The track passes the top of the fall and does not provide a good view of the face of the fall, but it is still a very pleasant spot.

After another 200 m find the "Lyrebird Caves" (20 m on your right).
Lyrebird Caves
Lyrebird Caves

The Lyrebird caves are a series of notable sandstone overhangs on the eastern side of Lyrebird Gully. There are 3 main overhangs, with the larger (more northern) one providing significant shelter. The larger cave has a fairly flat base in the centre and provides a pleasant place to rest on a hot or rainy day.
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The Lyrebird caves are a series of notable sandstone overhangs on the eastern side of Lyrebird Gully. There are 3 main overhangs, with the larger (more northern) one providing significant shelter. The larger cave has a fairly flat base in the centre and provides a pleasant place to rest on a hot or rainy day.
After another 480 m continue straight.
After another 1.1 km find the "Calna Creek Campsite (south)" (15 m on your right).
Calna Creek Campsite (south)
Calna Creek Campsite (south)

This small signposted campsite sits on a flat grassy clearing in a small casuarina forest which provides plenty of shade. There is a small fireplace set up. This creek-side campsite is a good spot for those wanting to get the most out of a relaxing, overnight camp, just a short stroll to Berowra Creek and the main spine of the Great North Walk. Bring your own water, as the creek water is not suitable for drinking.
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This small signposted campsite sits on a flat grassy clearing in a small casuarina forest which provides plenty of shade. There is a small fireplace set up. This creek-side campsite is a good spot for those wanting to get the most out of a relaxing, overnight camp, just a short stroll to Berowra Creek and the main spine of the Great North Walk. Bring your own water, as the creek water is not suitable for drinking.

After another 460 m find the "Calna Creek Campsite (north)" (on your right).
Calna Creek Campsite (north)
Calna Creek Campsite (north)

This is a quaint little campsite, located on the Mt Kuring-gai access track to the Great North Walk, on the banks of Calna Creek. This campsite provides plenty of room for a few tents, and also a fire scar with logs for seating. Carry in your own water as the salty creek water is not suitable for drinking.
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This is a quaint little campsite, located on the Mt Kuring-gai access track to the Great North Walk, on the banks of Calna Creek. This campsite provides plenty of room for a few tents, and also a fire scar with logs for seating. Carry in your own water as the salty creek water is not suitable for drinking.
After another 5 m continue straight.
Then cross the bridge
Continue another 20 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 4.7 km to get back to the start.
About 10 m past the end is a seat., has no backrest.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 9.4 km
Time 3 h 15 min to 4 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 are 2 on route, on average they are 3.1 km apart with the largest gap of 4.7 km.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 2.4 km apart with the largest gap of 4.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Seat
430 m[seat]
Seat
530 m[seat]
Campsite
4.2 kmCalna Creek Campsite (south)
Campsite
4.7 kmCalna Creek Campsite (north)
Seat
4.8 km[seat]
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Lyrebird waterfall
This informally named waterfall is found on Lyrebird Gully creek about 300m upstream of its confluence with Calna Creek. The top of the fall is partially fenced with a timber handrail where the water flows over the solid rock platform, with naturally carved holes, to fall about 8m to the shallow pool and boulders below. The track passes the top of the fall and does not provide a good view of the face of the fall, but it is still a very pleasant spot.
Lyrebird Caves
The Lyrebird caves are a series of notable sandstone overhangs on the eastern side of Lyrebird Gully. There are 3 main overhangs, with the larger (more northern) one providing significant shelter. The larger cave has a fairly flat base in the centre and provides a pleasant place to rest on a hot or rainy day.
Calna Creek Campsite (south)
This small signposted campsite sits on a flat grassy clearing in a small casuarina forest which provides plenty of shade. There is a small fireplace set up. This creek-side campsite is a good spot for those wanting to get the most out of a relaxing, overnight camp, just a short stroll to Berowra Creek and the main spine of the Great North Walk. Bring your own water, as the creek water is not suitable for drinking.
Calna Creek Campsite (north)
This is a quaint little campsite, located on the Mt Kuring-gai access track to the Great North Walk, on the banks of Calna Creek. This campsite provides plenty of room for a few tents, and also a fire scar with logs for seating. Carry in your own water as the salty creek water is not suitable for drinking.
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