Further down the valley, Berowra Creek widens to a much larger tidal waterway, proving some uninterrupted views along the steep gorges. In the valleys the GNW generally follows Waitara and Berowra Creeks, and in the Hornsby area these creeks tumble down a series of cascades and through some waterholes. Although mostly well hidden, the park contains much evidence of its traditional owners’ time, including rock carvings, axe grinding marks, cave paintings and rock shelters. Much of the route traverses Berowra Valley Regional Park following the Benowie Track, named after a local tribe of the Dharug people. For long stretches there is surprisingly little sign of suburbia. Every time I walk through these valleys, sitting on the northern edge of Sydney, I am surprised at how well preserved the bushland is. This is one of my favourite sections of the Great North Walk. You get to walk most of the length of the river enjoying a number of picnic area, and a wide diversity of forest types before arriving in Thornleigh.ġ Sydney to Boronia Park, 2.5 hours, 6 kmĢ Boronia Park to North Ryde, 2.75 hours, 7.2 kmģ North Ryde Fairlands Circuit, 2.5 hours, 6.9 kmĤ Roseville to Macquarie Park, 3.5 hours, 8.8 kmĥ Macquarie Park to Thornleigh, 4.5 hours, 11.5 km The Great North Walk gets its first solid taste of the bush as it introduces you to the Lane Cove River, and lets you explore the mangroves, sandstone rock formations and ridges of this majestic valley. After the enjoyable ferry ride to Woolwich there are more historic building to enjoy as you walk through the back streets and pockets of bushland of Hunters Hill. Starting at the Obelisk in Macquarie Place, there is an opportunity to glimpse into the life of the traditional owners of this land, as well as the lives of the early convicts and other settlers. The Great North Walk starts its journey by guiding you through Sydney’s history, the beautiful Sydney Harbour and the bushland around Lane Cove River. ![]() ![]() The trail crosses Five Islands Bridge and skirts the northern end of Lake Macquarie, taking the scenic route around the bay’s edge and then through the southern fringes of Newcastle to the official finishing point of The Walk at Queen’s Wharf in central Newcastle, close to the main railway station. Either the train or boat crossing of this majestic river are superb as are The Walk’s middle sections through Brisbane Water National Park and the Ourimbah Valley before reaching the Watagan State Forest … After heading almost due north, the only serious ‘bend’ in the Great North Walk’s route is near Congewai (about 10 km south of Millfield) where the track turns almost due east to follow the Myall Range as far as Teralba, passing many signs of the impressive industrial history of this region. 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. It’s southern sections pass historic locations and heritage homes in the Sydney suburbs before arriving in the Lane Cove River National Park. It is a truly wonderful trail following many tracks through a bewildering array of natural and urban environments.įormally, the Great North Walk starts in Macquarie Place in central Sydney where a short stroll is followed by the first water section in the form of a ferry from Circular Quay. The Great North Walk (or GNW) is a 250 km path from central Sydney to downtown Newcastle in Australia.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |