This walk is mostly within the Berowra Valley Regional Park. It has some beautiful sections with great scenery, including sandstone rock features, lots of ferns and great scenery along Zig Zag creek. There is an optional side trip to visit the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag railway.
Cross sectional view of the Cherrybrook to Thornleigh bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cherrybrook to Thornleigh bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
4.4km
Time
1 hr 45 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
2.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.2km is flat with no steps. The remaining (1km) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
3.6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 410m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (410m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 2.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.6km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.1km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 4.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 270m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 3.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.4km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Catch the bus to Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park
(0 km)
Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park
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Lakes trackhead Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 51 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -4 m
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.
The Lakes Of Cherrybrook
Alt = 140 m
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.
(0.05 km)
Lakes trackhead
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Int at stone wall Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 118 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -4 m
Veer left: From the 'Callicoma Walk' signpost, the walk follows the 'Sydney Cove' arrow along the concrete footpath, keeping the lakes on the right. The walk passes a free BBQ and picnic shelters on the left, and a couple of viewing platforms on the right before coming to an intersection just before the road and beside a low handmade stone wall.
(0.17 km)
Int at stone wall
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Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 183 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn right: From behind the low stone wall, the track follows the concrete footpath down the hill through the graffiti-covered tunnel, emerging in a clearing behind the 'Cherrybrook Girl Guides' building. Veer right: From the clearing, the walk follows the bush track, initially keeping the Girl Guides hall on the left. The track passes a shortcut track on the right before coming to a 'T' intersection with a management trail marked with track arrows.
(0.35 km)
Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk
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Top of the Disturbed Creek stairs Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 233 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the houses to the left, arriving at the signposted intersection at the top of the stairs (with a track on the right).
(0.59 km)
Top of the Disturbed Creek stairs
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Int of Callicoma Walk and McKinley trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 170 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -8 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk goes down the steps towards the creek. Immediately after crossing the creek, on concrete stepping stones, the walk bends to the left, following the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow. The walk soon crosses some old concrete slabs and then drops down some more steps. After following the creek, on the left, for a short distance the walk comes to an intersection (with a management trail coming down the hill on the right).
(0.76 km)
Int of Callicoma Walk and McKinley trail
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Int of Callicoma Walk and Disturbed Creek trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 96 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -3 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the creek on the left and soon arrives at a fork intersection.
(0.85 km)
Int of Callicoma Walk and Disturbed Creek trail
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Int of Callicoma Walk and Pogson Dr management trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 184 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -6 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track, keeping the creek on the left and immediately passes a 'Callicoma Walk' signpost. The walk continues along the well formed bush track and climbs steeply to an intersection marked with a 'Callicoma Walk' and red GNW signpost.
(1.04 km)
Int of Callicoma Walk and Pogson Dr management trail
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Jungo campsite Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 613 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -38 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the asphalted management trail up, over the hill, keeping the houses up to the right and soon arrives at an intersection marked with a 'Callicoma Walk' and red GNW track marker. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow down the management trail (no asphalt), keeping the power lines to the left. The walk descends steeply for a while then flattens out and soon comes to an intersection with the Great North Walk. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[1][2] along the wide trail as it bends left and leads downhill along the concrete section[3]. The trail leads down across a usually small creek[4], then heads up to the well-signposted intersection[5] beside the Jungo campsite[6][7], where a 'Fishponds' sign[8] points back down along the trail.
The Jungo
Alt = 98 m
The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection[9]. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities[10]. 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.
(1.65 km)
The Jungo
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Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.43 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -16 m
Veer left: From the intersection at the Jungo, this walk follows the 'Bellamy Street' Great North Walk sign[11] through the campsite and along the pleasant track, leading into, then through, the ferny forest[12] for about 700m before crossing a side creek on a timber bridge[13]. The track then continues in a similar manner for another 700m, coming to a T-intersection with a concrete bike track, beside a large bridge (over Zigzag Creek, on your left) where a sign points back along the 'Great North Walk'[14].
(3.08 km)
Zig Zag Creek Bridge int
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Thornleigh Quarry Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 142 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn left : From the intersection, the walk crosses the 'Zig Zag Creek' bridge, following the 'Historic Quarry' arrow and climbs steeply up the hill on the concrete management trail. The walk soon arrives in front of the old Thornleigh Quarry, marked with a plaque on a large stone. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Thornleigh zigzag railway
Alt = 120 m
The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to an historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The 'Heritage Trail' in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9
Old Thornleigh Quarry
Alt = 129 m
The old Thornleigh Quarry is located on the Heritage Trail in Thornleigh. The quarry dates back to 1883 and was initially a source of 'ballast' for portions of the Sydney (Homebush) to Newcastle (Waratah) rail link. A book is available with some detail on this quarry and the associated zigzag railway: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9
(3.08 km)
Zig Zag Creek Bridge int
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Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 138 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete trail up the hill[15], away from Zig Zag Creek and the bridge[16]. Just after crossing over the culverted creek[17] (with green side rails), this walk comes to an intersection marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign (with a narrower track on the left). A sign points back down the hill to 'The Jungo'[18].
(3.21 km)
Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks
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Morgan Rd Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 229 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sydney Cove' sign[19] along the narrow track away from the wide concrete trail. The track leads behind the house (on your right) following along the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[20]. After the third house, in a small clearing, the track turns right[21], heading up between the houses[22] a short distance to come to the top of the turning circle[23] at the end of Morgan Road, Thornleigh.
(3.44 km)
Morgan Rd
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Thornleigh Train Station Walk: Easy - road
Length = 989 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn left: From the end of Morgan Street, this walk heads up along the road[24] to left into 'Tillock Street'[25]. This street soon bends right[26] to become 'Eddy Street'[27] following the footpath[28] and GNW arrows[29] to the top of the hill where there is a set of traffic lights[30]. The walk cross 'The Esplanade' at the lights[31] to then turn right walking past the car park[32], and through a small park[33] to find a large 'Great North Walk' sign[34] at the (north bound) entrance to Thornleigh train station[35].
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 38 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Berowra Valley National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Following the Berowra Creek the Berowra Valley National Park is located on the Hornsby Plateau and is made up of typical Hawkesbury Sandstone. The great North walk, Benowie walking track, and many other great walks stretch spann this park. The area has varied vegetation including many different sorts of Eucalyptus and plenty of native animals, includingl swamp wallibies, water dragons, bandicoots, Lyre Birds, and bush turkeys. There are several campsites within the Park, and Crosslands Reserve is also a popular spot near the middle of the park. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCamping Current Park Closure information for Berowra Valley Regional Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 26th of May 2013 03:00 AM CLOSED AREAS Impass of Calna Bridge, Crosslands Reserve
Due to unforeseen weather conditions the Calna Creek footbridge connecting Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights and the Great North Walk north of Sam’s Creek is impassable. Therefore access to the Great North Walk is from Glenview Road at Mount Ku-ring-gai. It is currently not known how long will be required to rectify this situation.
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Track: Moderate
1 km
not too much longer now :)