Crosslands to Cowan

Crosslands to Cowan

5 h 30 min to 7 h 30 min

13.8 km
oneway

↑ 890 m
↓ -706 m

Hard track

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Crosslands camping area and winds north alongside Berowra creek, passing through Berowra Waters and climbing up into Cowan. This day walk provides great views of the Berowra creek from the Naa Badu Lookout and, as it finishes at the Cowan train station, there are fairly frequent trains running, providing a good transport option for the trip home. 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.

Current Alerts

Berowra Valley National Park alerts

Crosslands Reserve

crosslands reserve

start of Crosslands boardwalk

Crosslands boardwalk

berowra creek lookout

following berowra creek

Great North Walk boardwalk

steps up out of valley

GNW sheltered chair

Naa Badu Lookout

Track to Berowra Waters

Rock Overhang

winding along the Great North Walk

Rest spot on the way down to Berowra Waters

heading north from Berowra Waters

steps up onto the ridge

Graceful Bush Pea (Pultenaea flexilis)

the loose rocky track

lookout point

typical bushland found in the area

Winding around to Cowan

Great North Walk Cowan track head

Cowan Station Crossing

PDF | GPX

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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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.6287773,151.1091593)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Pacific Highway Offramp then drive for 3.8 km Turn left onto Pacific Highway, B83 and drive for another 8.3 km 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 6.6 km
Finish	(-33.5937223,151.1716571)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train

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 heading along Somerville Road. Crosslands (about 10 m back from the start). Crosslands Crosslands Reserve is lovely and long mixed use picnic area, spanning along the edge of Berowra Creek. There are picnic tables, electric barbecues, toilets, car parking, a children's playground, garbage bins, camping area, toilets and town water. The southern part of Crosslands is managed by Hornsby Council and the northern half by the NPWS within the Berowra Valley National Park. The first inhabitants of this area were a subgroup of the Dharug people who enjoyed the sandstone caves, fish and abundant plant life in the area. It is now managed by Hornsby Shire Council, but in 1856 Matthew Charlton asked Burton Crossland to be caretaker on this area. Burton built a house and made a living by harvesting timber, growing fruit, fishing and boat-building. There is a car park (about 5 m back from the start). Find the sign at the start.
	After another 95 m (at the intersection of Somerville Road & Canoe entry point) continue straight, to head along Somerville Road.
	After another 110 m (at the intersection of Benowie Walking Track & Somerville Road) continue straight, to head along Benowie Walking Track (a vehicle track). After another 15 m head through/around the gate. After another 15 m head through the bollard. Then find the "Wheelchair Rough" (on your left). 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. After another 50 m find the "Picnic Table" (on your right). Picnic Table A timber slat picnic table and bench seat. 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 (3x5.5m) and about 7m (across grass) from the path. After another 45 m pass the "tap" (on your right). After another 70 m find the "Picnic Table" (15 m on your left). 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. After another 60 m continue straight.
	After another 20 m turn right. After another 15 m find the "Crosslands North Picnic area" (15 m on your left). 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 . After another 20 m find the "Trip Hazard" (on your left). Trip Hazard 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 85 m long)
	Continue straight. 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 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 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 205 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long) After another 160 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
	Continue straight. After another 175 m head up the 65 steps (about 60 m long)
	After another 20 m continue straight. After another 15 m head down the 72 steps (about 60 m long)
	Continue straight. After another 15 m pass a seat (on your left)., has no backrest. After another 7 m cross the bridge (about 30 m long)
	Veer left.
	After another 1.1 km continue straight.
	After another 500 m turn left, to head along Sams Creek Track.
	After another 550 m (at the intersection of Berkely Firetrail & Great North Walk - Berkely Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Great North Walk - Berkely Firetrail (a vehicle track).
	After another 240 m continue straight, to head along Great North Walk - Berkely Firetrail. After another 65 m find the "Naa Badu Lookout" (on your left). 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.
	After another 500 m (at the intersection of Berkely Firetrail & Great North Walk - Berkely Firetrail) turn left (a walking track). After another 35 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
	After another 470 m veer left. After another 235 m come to the viewpoint (8 m on your left). After another 870 m come to the viewpoint (on your left). After another 480 m pass the "Berowra Waters Garden House - closed" (15 m on your left). After another 50 m find the "Berowra Waters Garden House" (25 m on your left). 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. After another 25 m pass the water tap (7 m on your left).
	Turn sharp left, to head along Berowra Waters Road.
	After another 6 m (at the intersection of Kirkpatrick Way & Berowra Waters Road) turn sharp right, to head along Kirkpatrick Way (a residential road). After another 55 m pass the water tap (15 m on your right). Then pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
	After another 1.1 km veer left. After another 400 m cross the ford. After another 350 m pass a "The Roland Murray Bench" (on your left)., has no backrest.
	After another 420 m continue straight, to head along Great North Walk - Firetrail.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Turner Firetrail & Great North Walk - Firetrail) turn left (a walking track). After another 220 m find the "Ridge Top Campground" (8 m on your right). Ridge Top Campground About 800m from Turners Rd, Berowra Heights lies this pleasant ridge top campsite. This is a fairly popular campsite on the Great North Walk, providing a flat area with plenty of shade. There are no facilities (or water) at this large campsite. A faint track leads west from the campsite to an unfenced cliff with great views over the Berowra Waters Valley.
	Continue straight.
	After another 140 m veer left. After another 150 m pass the "GNW Visitor Book" (15 m on your right). After another 140 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
	After another 50 m continue straight. After another 1.5 km pass a seat (10 m on your right). After another 225 m come to the viewpoint (7 m on your right).
	After another 520 m turn left.
	After another 40 m turn right.
	After another 295 m continue straight.
	After another 880 m continue straight, to head along Cowan Trail. After another 520 m head through/around the gate.
	At the intersection of Pacific Highway & Cowan Trail continue straight (a walking track). After another 20 m to find the car park. After another 15 m come to the end. About 50 m past the end is a toilet. Mo-Fr

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Crosslands to Cowan

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	13.8 km
Time	5 h 30 min to 7 h 30 min

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	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There is one 9.3 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.6 km apart with the largest gap of 7.1 km.

Seat: There are 6 on route, on average they are 2 km apart with the largest gap of 7 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	720 m	[seat]
Seat	740 m	Seat
Seat	1.1 km	[seat]
Seat	1.4 km	[seat]
Toilet	6.7 km	[toilet]
Seat	8.5 km	The Roland Murray Bench
Campsite	9.3 km	Ridge Top Campground
Seat	11.3 km	[seat]
Toilet	13.8 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Crosslands
Crosslands Reserve is lovely and long mixed use picnic area, spanning along the edge of Berowra Creek. There are picnic tables, electric barbecues, toilets, car parking, a children's playground, garbage bins, camping area, toilets and town water. The southern part of Crosslands is managed by Hornsby Council and the northern half by the NPWS within the Berowra Valley National Park. The first inhabitants of this area were a subgroup of the Dharug people who enjoyed the sandstone caves, fish and abundant plant life in the area. It is now managed by Hornsby Shire Council, but in 1856 Matthew Charlton asked Burton Crossland to be caretaker on this area. Burton built a house and made a living by harvesting timber, growing fruit, fishing and boat-building.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

Ridge Top Campground
About 800m from Turners Rd, Berowra Heights lies this pleasant ridge top campsite. This is a fairly popular campsite on the Great North Walk, providing a flat area with plenty of shade. There are no facilities (or water) at this large campsite. A faint track leads west from the campsite to an unfenced cliff with great views over the Berowra Waters Valley.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Hornsby Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 20 September
  
  24°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 2:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 6 [High]
  
  Saturday 21 September
  
  10°C → 24°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Sunday 22 September
  
  10°C → 24°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 23 September
  
  10°C → 27°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds.
  
  Tuesday 24 September
  
  12°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Wednesday 25 September
  
  15°C → 28°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds northerly 20 to 30 km/h turning westerly 15 to 25 km/h later.
  
  Thursday 26 September
  
  12°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h tending southerly 25 to 35 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Berowra Valley National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Trail works in Berowra Valley National Park
  There will be surface maintenance works on the Western trail from Monday 9 September 2024 until Friday 27 September 2024, weather permitting. Please follow all signage and instruction from NPWS staff and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400
  
  Safety alerts: Swimming safety in Berowra Valley National Park
  Swimming is not advisable in Berowra Creek at certain times as the water may be subject to variable pollution levels and algal blooms. Please refer to the Hornsby Shire Council website before swimming in Berowra Creek. Alternatively you can call the Hornsby Council 24 hour information line on 9847 6666 or the Algal information line on 1800 999 457.
  Swimming at Fishponds is not advised at any time due to heavy water pollution.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.For more information, contact the NPWS Chatswood area office on 02 8448 0400 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- Muogamarra Nature Reserve alerts
  Other planned events: Muogamarra 2024 Open Season
  Muogamarra Nature Reserve is only open to the public for 6 weeks every year, around spring time for pre-booked tours only. The dates for the 2024 Open Season are from Saturday 17 August to Sunday 22 September.
  Due to the sensitive nature of the reserve, access is restricted at other times to approved educational and research activities only.
  For more information about the reserve, call the NPWS Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or the NPWS North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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