There are shared bathroom facilities. Next we looked at the 8th of October, with the outgoing tide in the early afternoon, but a gusty southerly change mid morning forced another cancellation. The walk then continues down to Wondabyne station, and provides an optional side trip to the Kariong Brook falls. Brooklyn Motel: Newly renovated accommodation on Bridge St,nearly opposite The Anglers Rest. The road passes a larger dirt overflow car park, then ignores an old trail (on the right) to soon come to an intersection with a management trail and gate on the left side. Allow time to relax and enjoy the views. The walk explores two rivers and ridge tops, giving a great variety of views. Before me opened the vista of the Bouddi pensinsula, Lion Island, West Head and the open sea beyond. It’s officially rated … Apple Tree Bay is also a very pleasant spot to take a break and enjoy the day. This walk mostly follows a section of the Great North Walk. Total climbing: 497m, This is a great walk, crossing the middle of Brisbane Water National Park and visiting several highlights including Rocky Ponds. This walk takes you from the old Warrah Trig Station down the ridge, along a well formed rock path to Warrah Lookout. This full day walk is for the fit and keen bushwalker, exploring some of the Brisbane Waters National Park’s great destinations like the Pindar caves, the Kariong Brook falls and Mt Wondabyne. After a ferry ride to Patonga, this walk climbs to the top of the ridge, reaching even more great views. The walk climbs up and around the Warra reserve headland, continuing to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves. Much of this walk follows the Great North Walk, and it uses a campsite at the base of Mt Wondabyne. Times are affected by weather. This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, following Piles creek into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk offers a few optional side trips to key locations including Pindar falls and the Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks. There are a few options for short side trips, one leading to the tranquil Kariong Brook falls and the other to the peak of Mount Wondabyne, providing great views over the National Park to Woy Woy. There are bus and ferry services from Patonga. Total climbing: 337m. Total climbing: 14m, The Challenger Track is a simple track which heads through the heath and some forest to arrive at a pleasant lookout. Safety. Turn right: From the clearing (campsite), this walk follows the ‘Mooney Mooney rest area’ sign, Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Mt Wondabyne peak track north-east as it heads uphill directly towards Mt Wondabyne. If you’re a Sydneysider you might’ve walked a section of the Great North Walk already. (There is also small cave suitable for sleeping a few people about half way up Mount Wondabyne). The ferry usually runs once a day (except Fridays) at 1:30 pm from Brooklyn, arriving at Patonga Beach at 2:20pm. A little bit of planning makes every walk more enjoyable. The alternate route, for more experienced walkers, cuts a fair bit of walking and gets you to the views quicker. 25km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 14km is clearly signposted. (This section of trail leads around to the far side of the dam.) Total climbing: 551m, Following Cowan Creek, this walk is one of the most pleasant in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, with great views over the water as well as nice views from the ridge at Berowra. There are a few options – try Hawkesbury River Water Taxi on 0400 600 111 or Rick on 0448 101 010. Before you ask, the rainbow wasn’t real, just a lens artefact from looking almost into the sun with the ancient phone camera I had out on the water. Hawkesbury River railway station is situated 2 km northeast of Brooklyn Dam North West Campsite. I really enjoyed this hike. The Great North Walk follows this river as far as Thornleigh and then the Berowra Creek before heading through part of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to arrive at Brooklyn, on the Hawkesbury River. After rain these falls can become very spectacular, other times is a cool place to rest. This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds down alongside Piles creek, before climbing up through the Brisbane Waters National Park to Scopas peak, and then on to the lovely Kariong brook falls. ( Log Out /  As the track ends at Woy Woy train station, there are regular trains for the trip home. Starting from Cowan Train Station, it’s not just the scenic wilderness views that will take your breath away. The walk crosses a few moist and cool gullies and scrambles for a few rocky outcrops. From $60 single and $90 a double. Whilst another 7km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 390m follows a smooth and hardened path. There are plenty of excellent views, especially at Naa Badu Lookout and the many creek vantage points along the way. The Great North Walk is a rugged 250km hiking track that runs from Sydney to Newcastle. Around 39km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 2.5km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety. Continue straight: From the clearing at Jerusalem Bay, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign, Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads in the opposite direction to the ‘Brooklyn’ arrow, Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Brooklyn’ sign, Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign. The walk climbs over Scopas Peak and passes the Kariong brook falls, before winding to the top of Mt Wondabyne and finishing at the Woy Woy train station, (passing the Woy Woy landfill site). Total climbing: 702m. Jerusalem Bay can be accessed by the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay or from Brooklyn or Cowan Railway Stations. Total climbing: 39m, Starting on the Tony Doyle track, this walk passes the old Warrah Trig before enjoying the views from Warrah lookout. Day 2, the track heads over the scenic Mt Wondabyne and around to Wondabyne Station. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. After the walk, it is also worth a trip down to Patonga for lunch, or just to explore the local area. The two campsites can be found near the summit of Mt Wondabyne, and along the banks of the Mooney Mooney Creek. Total climbing: 226m, Continue straight: From the overpass, this walk heads away from the freeway and down the wide track. This studio style accommodation starts from $120 per night with a spa, television and free wifi. After a ferry ride to Patonga, this walk climbs to the top of the ridge, reaching even more great views. Total climbing: 489m There are some small trees providing limited shade, a great place to soak up the views. The track is leads gently at first then starts to climb up a series of rock ledges. The area is defined by the National Park’s flora and fauna, the quarry, railway station and a few houses sitting above the water around the river. This overnight hike starts from Patonga beach and winds along a section of the Great North Walk, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. Day 2, the track heads over the scenic Mt Wondabyne and around to Wondabyne Station. There are many such trig stations around Australia, which were used to help in surveying. Here the walk heads towards Mooney Mooney Creek before walking up to the Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead on the Old Pacific Hwy. The Great North Walk is a 250 km long walking track between Newcastle and Sydney. Length 3.7 miElevation gain 620 ftRoute type Out & back This three day walk follows the Great North Walk from Patonga, through Brisbane Waters National Park, to the Somersby General Store. Photo: Abesty, CC BY-SA 3.0. There are several small cafe/restaurants in the area, good choice for cooked meals. Mount Wondabyne is one of the most prominent peaks in Brisbane Water National Park. Alternatively, you can catch a water taxi – they generally cost about $100 per group of 4 and need to be booked ahead. Excellent views of the creek can be expected, especially at places like Crosslands and Fishponds. The bay is popular with bushwalkers as it is part of the Great North Walk. Note: There is no car transport option to the start of this walk. West, down next to Mullet Creek, you can see some buildings near Wondabyne Station and the train line. The campsite is not the best, and you will need to carry in water. Total climbing: 1083m. Check the whole walk in a few minutes in this video. The bay itself is also popular with boaters who can anchor in the bay. This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 1, happy camping. The close proximity to the dam means accessible water (treat before drinking). From Pearl Beach, this walk follows the roads to the lower end of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail. Jason tackled the thru-hike, solo, over ten days. My thanks to Barry and Ros for helping out today, and also to Matt Mee and Allan Savins for their offered help in the earlier aborted attempts. Total climbing: 597m, From the ridges above Cowan Creek, this walk takes in some great lookouts (especially around Mt Kuring-gai) as well as enjoying an extremely pleasant bush track along the creek. This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, through the Brisbane Waters National Park. This walk, following a section of the Great North Walk, starts from the Wondabyne train station and winds north, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt road north up a long and gentle hill. This section of the Great North Walk starts from Cowan train station and wanders past the majestic Jerusalem Bay then through to Brooklyn. Some of the highlights along this walk are the sandstone cliffs at Fishponds, the great restaurants at Berowra Waters, and the beautiful Jerusalem Bay at Cowan Creek. Continue straight: From Warrah car park, this walk follows the road off the sealed section and along the dirt. The road leads to an intersection with a track on the right marked with a Great North Walk arrow about 30m before Patonga Drive. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. Total climbing: 76m, This walk takes one of two main tracks down to Mackerel Beach. When you catch the train to Wondabyne, let the guard know you want to get off at Wondabyne Station, otherwise the train will not stop. At the end of my last post, I pondered some options for crossing the Hawkesbury River from Brooklyn to Patonga and hinted at maybe doing something a little different from what the guide book suggested. Total climbing: 189m, This track takes you to one of the most iconic views along the the Great North Walk. Total climbing: 51m, This walk starts at the top of the ridge and leads through a field of wildflowers (in spring and early summer), past some panoramic water views and down to Patonga Village for fish and chips. 13km of this walk has short steep hills and another 11km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Note: There is no car transport option from the end of this walk. Total climbing: 588m, This great walk explores much of the main ridge ridge running through Brisbane Water National Park. The track loops around the small community of Mackerel Beach to come back down the beach and return to West Head Rd. The walk does pass Woy Woy tip, and has a bit of a road slog at the end, but overall is a lovely one way walk. From here, the walk follows the wide trail down to Pearl Beach for lunch at the cafe or a dip at the beach. Success! Jerusalem Bay, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a nice bay east of Cowan Station. Finally a window of opportunity arose on the 12th of October, with a mid-morning outgoing tide and a light westerly wind forecast. A great day out or make it an overnighter by camping overnight at Tank Creek or Mt Wondabyne. North of Patonga Drive, the walk zig-zags along several fire trails with frequent side tracks. Total climbing: 861m This walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The large rock platform has a number of large Sydney Red Gums, providing some shade. The great north walk is essentially an interrupted walk due to the presence of the Hawkesbury River. Make a day of it by catching the ferry from Palm beach or Brooklyn and spend some time exploring the township of Patonga. It is well marked, and traverses a fairly populated area of Australia. The Eve Williams Memorial Oval, Continue straight: From the eastern end of Patonga beach, this walk follows the ‘Warrah Trig 1.7km’ sign. The bay is sometimes known for an iconic photo of the single palm in front of the water. Total climbing: 299m, This walk is a great way to see some popular areas in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Note: There is no car transport option to the start of this walk. The walk then leads along a mix of trails and tracks mostly passing Mt Wondabyne, a worthwhile side trip, before crossing a few gullies with cool creeks and cascades. This section of the Great North Walk starts from Cowan train station and wanders past the majestic Jerusalem Bay then through to Brooklyn. Note this walk was re-routed in early 2016 to go via the streets of Hornsby Heights. The track initially leads fairly steeply, Continue straight: From Myron Brook, this walk follows the rocky track west up the steep hill, Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Wondabyne Station’ sign. The Cowan to Wondabyne station via Patonga rest area bushwalking track takes about 2 Days to walk and is 33.4 km long. The track passes some old concrete pipes. This re-route is due to the multi-agency decision to close the Fishponds to Steele Bridge section of the Benowie Track. Total climbing: 1164m Just near the ferry wharf are a few helpful facilities: The Cowan to Wondabyne station via Patonga rest area bushwalking track takes about 2 Days to walk and is 33.4 km long. Otherwise, most of the expansive views are over much of Brisbane Water National Park. The track cuts straight through the bush from West Head Rd to pass historic Aboriginal engravings and a large cliff with a small waterfall, which also gives an impressive view of the bay. Day 2, the track heads over the scenic Mt Wondabyne and around to Wondabyne Station. More recently, in 2000, the quarry was re-opened for restoration of St Mary’s Cathedral spire in Sydney. The views of trees go on forever, on a clear day you can even see the Blue Mountains. Take a short walk or overnight hike. Unless you come by water, the only access is by train, you cannot drive to the start of this walk. This track one of two ways to access America Bay – the other is by boat. Crossing the river presents something of a challenge now that the regular ferry service is no longer running. The first attempt was going to be on the 30th of September, but strong winds put paid to that. The track leaves West Head Rd, passing some historic Aboriginal engravings before descending to the beach. Be sure to pace yourself and take regular breaks. The Anglers Rest: Pub style accommodation on the intersection of Brooklyn & Dangar Rds. Note this walk was re-routed in early 2016 to go via the streets of Hornsby Heights. Note: There is no car transport option from the end of this walk. A side trip to Camp Kariong is also described if you want to take advantage of the well established camping facilities. The walk requires a bit of planning for transport, but is well worth a car shuffle. After just over 250m, the trail crosses a small creek (at the apex of the dam) then continues bending left. Having bought a kayak at the beginning of 2015, this seemed too good an excuse to get it out on the water and so, with an eye on the tide charts, I began sussing out friends to help with the necessary car shuffle. Total climbing: 130m, This short walk is a great way to see a slice of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has on offer. Piles Creek Loop. Important Note: A water taxi service exists between Brooklyn/Patonga/Brooklyn. Whilst another 10km is flat with no steps and the remaining 7km is very steep. 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