Crosslands to Berowra Waters

5 h to 7 h

13.1 km
return

↑ 754 m
↓ -754 m

Hard track
This return walk starts from the Crosslands Reserve and follows the Great North Walk along Berowra creek. The walk includes some boardwalks. After climbing up the side of the valley, the walk comes back down into Berowra Waters. Here you can enjoy lunch by Berowra Creek, at the Garden House restaurant, or catch the free car-ferry across the river to find the fish cafe. 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
start of Crosslands boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Crosslands boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
following berowra creek. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2015.
Great North Walk boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Grass trees along track near Berowra Creek. | Photo by admin, 2008.
steps up out of valley. | Photo by admin, 2008.
GNW sheltered chair. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Naa Badu Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Berowra Waters From Above. | Photo by admin, 2007.
following the Great North Walk. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Rock Overhang. | Photo by admin, 2007.
winding along the Great North Walk. | Photo by admin, 2007.
view of Berowra Waters from track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
steps down to Berowra Waters. | 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 (-33.6274523,151.1102964)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Pacific Motorway, M1
  • Turn on to Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp then drive for 530 m
  • Keep left onto Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp and drive for another 650 m
  • Turn left onto Belmont Parade and drive for another 1.1 km
  • Turn right onto Baldwin Avenue and drive for another 115 m
  • Turn left onto Baldwin Avenue and drive for another 75 m
  • Turn left onto Pacific Highway, B83 and drive for another 55 m
  • Keep right onto Pacific Highway, B83 and drive for another 75 m
  • Continue onto Peats Ferry Road and drive for another 780 m
  • Turn right onto Galston Road and drive for another 2.4 km
  • Turn right onto Somerville Road and drive for another 6.8 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park, this walk follows the flat dirt path between the road (on the right) and creek (on the left). The path leads through the casuarina trees for about 120m to pass the boat ramp. After another 120m this walk comes to a locked gate at the northern end of the car park. There is also a wetland through the trees to the right worth noticing.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 7 m turn left.
There is a car park (about 6 m back from the start).
Find the bollard at the start.
Find the bollard at the start.
After another 45 m head through/around the gate.
After another 5 m continue straight, to head along Benowie Walking Track.
After another 8 m find the "Wheelchair Rough" (on your left).
Wheelchair Rough
Wheelchair Rough

Link from carpark to path is across exposed ground (muddy after rain) and between timber bollards that are 80cm high and 1.5m apart.
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Link from carpark to path is across exposed ground (muddy after rain) and between timber bollards that are 80cm high and 1.5m apart.

After another 95 m pass the "tap" (on your right).
After another 20 m find the "Picnic Table" (5 m on your right).
Picnic Table
Picnic Table

A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (2.8x4.1m) and about 4m (across grass) from the path.
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A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (2.8x4.1m) and about 4m (across grass) from the path.

After another 50 m find the "Picnic Table" (15 m on your left).
Picnic Table
Picnic Table

A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (2.8x4.1m) and about 11m (across grass) from the path.
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A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (2.8x4.1m) and about 11m (across grass) from the path.

After another 20 m find the "Picnic Table" (25 m on your left).
Picnic Table
Picnic Table

A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (2.7x4m) and about 16m (across grass) from the path.
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A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 77cm high, 73cm deep and 2.4m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 29cm deep and 2.4m wide. On a conrete slab (2.7x4m) and about 16m (across grass) from the path.

After another 65 m turn right, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 15 m find the "Crosslands North Picnic area" (10 m on your left).
Crosslands North Picnic area
Crosslands North Picnic area

The northern section of Crosslands is in Berowra Valley NP and is a less formal picnic area compared with the southern area. There is a toilet block and a few sandy beaches with direct access to the water. Here you will find a few picnic tables and shelters, as well as garbage bins. The eastern side is home to a boardwalk exploring the estuarine wetland. A pleasant area to rest and enjoy the water. Fires are only permitted in formally established fire places .
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The northern section of Crosslands is in Berowra Valley NP and is a less formal picnic area compared with the southern area. There is a toilet block and a few sandy beaches with direct access to the water. Here you will find a few picnic tables and shelters, as well as garbage bins. The eastern side is home to a boardwalk exploring the estuarine wetland. A pleasant area to rest and enjoy the water. Fires are only permitted in formally established fire places .

After another 20 m find the "Trip Hazard" (on your left).
Trip Hazard
Trip Hazard

There is a 4cm step from between the dirt path and the northern end of the timber boardwalk.
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There is a 4cm step from between the dirt path and the northern end of the timber boardwalk.

Then cross the bridge (about 55 m long)
After another 75 m cross the bridge (about 80 m long)
Continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 10 m pass a seat (10 m on your left)., has a backrest.
After another 15 m find the "Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout" (on your left).
Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout
Berowra Creek (Estuarie) Lookout

The Estuarie lookout over Berowara Creek is found at the end of the wheelchair-accessible walk in Crosslands area. The timber lookout platform provides great views over Berowra Creek, the timber fence is 95cm high. There are also information signs about the local flora and fauna and the 'Original Inhabitants'. There are two timber bench seats encouraging you to take some time to soak up this view.
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The Estuarie lookout over Berowara Creek is found at the end of the wheelchair-accessible walk in Crosslands area. The timber lookout platform provides great views over Berowra Creek, the timber fence is 95cm high. There are also information signs about the local flora and fauna and the 'Original Inhabitants'. There are two timber bench seats encouraging you to take some time to soak up this view.

Then find the "Seat" (15 m on your left).
Seat
Seat

Two timber slat bench seats built into timber viewing platform. Each seat are 41cm high, 28cm deep and 2.5m wide with a 54cm high backrest.
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Two timber slat bench seats built into timber viewing platform. Each seat are 41cm high, 28cm deep and 2.5m wide with a 54cm high backrest.

After another 220 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 165 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
After another 155 m head up the 65 steps (about 55 m long)
After another 20 m continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 15 m head down the 72 steps (about 55 m long)
Continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 15 m pass a seat (on your left)., has no backrest.
After another 7 m cross the Calna Creek Bridge (about 30 m long)
After another 3 m (at the intersection of Lyrebird Gully Track & The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 1.1 km continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 500 m cross the ford.
At the intersection of Sams Creek Track & The Great North Walk continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 40 m head up the 10 earthen steps (about 3 m long)
After another 40 m head up the 18 earthen steps (about 5 m long)
After another 20 m head up the 31 earthen steps (about 10 m long)
After another 45 m head up the 41 earthen steps (about 15 m long)
After another 40 m head up the 24 earthen steps (about 15 m long)
After another 40 m head up the 7 surface|wood steps
After another 50 m head up the 11 stone steps (about 7 m long)
After another 110 m head up the 30 stone steps (about 10 m long)
After another 10 m head up the 30 surface|wood steps (about 15 m long)
After another 15 m head up the 37 stone steps (about 10 m long)
Then head up the 8 surface|wood steps (about 7 m long)
Then head up the 7 earthen steps (about 5 m long)
After another 105 m (at the intersection of Berkeley Firetrail & The Great North Walk) turn left, to head along Berkeley Firetrail (a vehicle track).
After another 245 m continue straight, to head along Berkeley Firetrail.
After another 55 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your left).
Then come to the "Naa Badu Lookout" (20 m on your left).
Then pass the sign (15 m on your left).
After another 8 m pass a seat (20 m on your left)., has a backrest.
Then find the "Naa Badu Lookout" (on your left).
Naa Badu Lookout
Naa Badu Lookout

Naa Badu Lookout offers magnificent views south over Berowra Creek as well as over Sams and Calna Creeks. Naa Badu means 'See water' in the Aboriginal tribal language of the Dharug people. It is believed that Berowra Creek was the boundary between the Dharug and Guringai Aboriginal peoples. The lookout is fenced, has a bench seat, picnic table and a fair amount of natural shade.
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Naa Badu Lookout offers magnificent views south over Berowra Creek as well as over Sams and Calna Creeks. Naa Badu means 'See water' in the Aboriginal tribal language of the Dharug people. It is believed that Berowra Creek was the boundary between the Dharug and Guringai Aboriginal peoples. The lookout is fenced, has a bench seat, picnic table and a fair amount of natural shade.

After another 520 m (at the intersection of Berkeley Firetrail & The Great North Walk) turn left, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track).
After another 7 m head down the 23 earthen steps (about 15 m long)
After another 8 m head down the 14 earthen steps (about 6 m long)
After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
Then head up the 17 earthen steps (about 9 m long)
After another 30 m head up the 19 earthen steps (about 9 m long)
After another 170 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
After another 55 m cross the ford.
After another 45 m head up the 37 earthen steps (about 15 m long)
After another 15 m head up the 27 stone steps (about 10 m long)
After another 120 m veer left, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 1.1 km come to the viewpoint (5 m on your left).
After another 60 m head down the 11 earthen steps (about 20 m long)
Then head down the 27 stone steps (about 15 m long)
After another 15 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
Continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
Then head down the 5 earthen steps
After another 25 m head down the 27 earthen steps (about 10 m long)
After another 20 m head down the 7 stone steps
After another 145 m cross the ford.
After another 245 m head down the 13 earthen steps (about 15 m long)
Then pass the "A Chef Secrets" (35 m on your left).
After another 35 m find the "Berowra Waters Garden House" (25 m on your left).
Berowra Waters Garden House
Berowra Waters Garden House

#######CLOSED###### This picturesque little restaurant sits on the eastern side of Berowra Creek and is just a hop, skip and a jump from the ferry. With breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, the Garden House Restaurant is a great spot for those looking to tap into the Berowra Valley's full potential. For information on bookings and opening hours phone (02)9456 2955.
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#######CLOSED###### This picturesque little restaurant sits on the eastern side of Berowra Creek and is just a hop, skip and a jump from the ferry. With breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, the Garden House Restaurant is a great spot for those looking to tap into the Berowra Valley's full potential. For information on bookings and opening hours phone (02)9456 2955.

A water tap.
Then head down the 4 stone steps
About 40 m past the end is a water tap.
About 60 m past the end is a toilet.
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 6.6 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Crosslands to Berowra Waters


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 13.1 km
Time 5 h to 7 h
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, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one 6.6 km from the start.

Seat: There are 6 on route, on average they are 1.9 km apart with the largest gap of 8.5 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Seat
560 m[seat]
Seat
580 mSeat
Seat
980 m[seat]
Seat
1.3 km[seat]
Seat
3.8 km[seat]
Seat
4.6 km[seat]
Toilet
6.6 km[toilet]
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