Great North Walk – Part 3

Thornleigh to Hornsby

Starting from Thornleigh Station, then down Zig-Zag creek to the upper reaches of Berowra Creek and then downstream along Berowra Creek, across Waitara Creek and back up to Hornsby via “The Spa” and Fishponds, I have to say that was a lovely and very enjoyable walk of around 11 km on a beautiful late May day. A wonderful way to spend a few hours, so close to Sydney suburbia.

The fantastic track notes are here : http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/berowra-valley-regional-park/thornleigh-to-hornsby.html

To Zig-Zag Creek

Beginning at Thornleigh trackhead, a short walk through the streets following the GNW posts brings you to the head of Zig-Zag creek, where an old railway used to descend the valley.

Station, trackhead and street walk with posts marking the way.

Head into Zig-Zag creek and follow the track behind some houses, to reach a made path, a diversion to an old quarry and more track signs.

Enter the bush track to Zig-Zag creek. Creek and track signs.

Down to “The Jungo”

Some lovely forest bring you out at “The Jungo”, a small campsite where Zig-Zag Creek meets Berowra Creek.

Forest walking, The Jungo clearing and the upper Berowra Creek.

Berowra Creek to Elouera Lookout

Heading down Berowra Creek you climb up and down through the forest heading towards Elouera Lookout.

Elouera Lookout is a fenced section of clifftop overlooking Berowra Creek, with good views into the creek and forest. There is some signs of a fire through here, but some shade as well. I had lunch here due to my very late morning start, sitting in the autumn sun overlooking the creek.

Track near Elouera Lookout, a mini forest and clifftop track with some signs of fire.

On to Blackfellows Head engravings

The track continues to wind up and down along Berowra Creek, crossing some side creeks, heading to Blackfellows Head.

Along the valley, over side creeks and through the forest.

Blackfellow Head is a rocky scarp, where a diversion up to the residential street at the top of the head (Westleigh) takes you to some aboriginal engravings perched on a rock slab with magnificent views into the valley.

Engravings, views from Blackfellows Head.

Waitara Creek

The next section takes us around Blackfellows Head and along a ridge between Berowra and Waitara creek.

Near the end we descend into Waitara creek, descending through a sandstone overhang.

Looking down into the shades of Waitara creek and the descent through a sandstone overhang.

“The Spa”

You emerge onto a rocky bank of Waitara Creek, near a set of waterfall cascades and potholes. You carefully cross over the pothole section.

These potholes are a feature amongst several cascades and small waterfalls in this really beautiful section of creek.

Fishponds

Fishponds is a section of deep pools on Berowra creek and is where the track departs the creek and heads uphill, ending todays walk at Hornsby. The next section of the GNW also heads on from here.

Stepping stones across Berowra Creek at the Fishponds and some Fishponds pools.

Rosemead Rd

The track heads from the signs at Fishponds, up a side valley through some lovely forest, climbs a short cliff and joins a firetrail, as it head up Old Mans Creek towards Berowra Valley Bushland Park.

Looking back down towards Berowra Creek, trail through forest and Berowra Bushland park trailhead.

Hornsby heritage steps.

The last section heads to Hornsby railway station, climbing a set of sandstone steps from the depression era, to Quarry Road and the streets near Hornsby station.

I really enjoyed the few hours I spent on this section of the GNW and recommend it to anyone wanting a short day walk within easy reach of Sydney with good accessibility to both ends. It has a variety of landscapes and terrain, some lovely sections of creek and interesting features, a few short climbs and descents and some beautiful forest sections. A very pleasant discovery really.