Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

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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	(-33.7217468,151.0442126)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From New Line Road Turn on to Shepherds Drive then drive for 600 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Shepherds Drive and drive for another 150 m
Finish	(-33.7082435,151.0576308)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
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.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the Cherrybrook Lakes at the start. Cherrybrook Village shopping centre (about 95 m back from the start). Cherrybrook Village shopping centre The Cherrybrook Village shopping centre is located at 41/47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. There are a number of local cafes and eateries here, plus some franchises such as Subway and Gloria Jeans, making a great stop for walkers. There is also a Woolworths supermarket. The centre is open 9:00-5:30 Mon-Wed & Fri, 9:00-9:00 Thu, 9:00-5:00 Sat and 10:00-4:00 Sun. Some of the cafes and eateries open directly outside so they may be open longer hours. After 135 m pass the playground (15 m on your right).
	Continue straight. After another 20 m find the "The Lakes Of Cherrybrook" (8 m on your right). The Lakes Of Cherrybrook 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.
	Continue straight. After another 25 m pass the sign (on your right).
	After another 20 m continue straight.
	After another 40 m continue straight.
	After another 9 m turn right.
	After another 10 m turn left. After another 20 m head through the tunnel (about 30 m long) After another 45 m find the "Cherrybrook Girl Guides" (20 m on your left). Cherrybrook Girl Guides The Cherrybrook Girl Guides building is at the corner of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. After another 410 m cross the stepping stones.
	After another 155 m (at the intersection of McKinley Firetrail & Benowie Walking Track) continue straight, to head along McKinley Firetrail.
	After another 40 m turn left.
	After another 60 m turn right, to head along Blackwattle Trail.
	After another 580 m (at the intersection of Blackwattle Trail & Daphne Trail) continue straight, to head along Daphne Trail.
	After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Daphne Trail.
	After another 800 m turn right.
	After another 90 m turn right.
	After another 280 m turn right, to head along Trevors Lane Trail.
	After another 165 m (at the intersection of Trevors Lane Trail & Refuge Rock Trail) turn left, to head along Refuge Rock Trail.
	After another 120 m veer left, to head along Refuge Rock Trail.
	After another 135 m veer right, to head along Refuge Rock Trail. After another 300 m find the "Refuge Rock" (30 m on your left). Refuge Rock Refuge Rock is a large area of rock outcrops and platforms, at the end of the Refuge Rock walk near Cherrybrook. This area has a great atmosphere and is a nice spot to explore or relax, close to the suburbs, but feeling a million miles from it. The various rock platforms extend for hundreds of metres in all directions. At the far south-east edge of Refuge Rock is a natural arch, know as 'London Bridge'. Refuge Rock was used as a target area during military training around WWII. There are a number of visible marks in the rock surface from mortar shells.
	After another 85 m veer left, to head along Refuge Rock Trail.
	After another 135 m veer right, to head along Refuge Rock Trail.
	After another 120 m (at the intersection of Trevors Lane Trail & Refuge Rock Trail) turn right, to head along Trevors Lane Trail.
	After another 165 m turn right.
	After another 85 m come to the end.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 245 m come to "London Bridge".
	The end. About 15 m past the end is "Natural Arch". Natural Arch This natural arch, known locally as 'London Bridge' is at the south-eastern edge of Refuge Rock, near Cherrybrook. The arch is formed below a long, narrow block of rock at the edge of a larger rock platform. To see the arch, you walk down through the narrow chasms separating the block from the rock platform, to emerge underneath the arch. The arch itself, and the area around it is beautiful. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 245 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 245 m come to "London Bridge".

The end.

About 15 m past the end is "Natural Arch".

Natural Arch

This natural arch, known locally as 'London Bridge' is at the south-eastern edge of Refuge Rock, near Cherrybrook. The arch is formed below a long, narrow block of rock at the edge of a larger rock platform. To see the arch, you walk down through the narrow chasms separating the block from the rock platform, to emerge underneath the arch. The arch itself, and the area around it is beautiful.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 245 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	4 km
Time	1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Cherrybrook Village shopping centre
The Cherrybrook Village shopping centre is located at 41/47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. There are a number of local cafes and eateries here, plus some franchises such as Subway and Gloria Jeans, making a great stop for walkers. There is also a Woolworths supermarket. The centre is open 9:00-5:30 Mon-Wed & Fri, 9:00-9:00 Thu, 9:00-5:00 Sat and 10:00-4:00 Sun. Some of the cafes and eateries open directly outside so they may be open longer hours.

The Lakes Of Cherrybrook
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.

Refuge Rock
Refuge Rock is a large area of rock outcrops and platforms, at the end of the Refuge Rock walk near Cherrybrook. This area has a great atmosphere and is a nice spot to explore or relax, close to the suburbs, but feeling a million miles from it. The various rock platforms extend for hundreds of metres in all directions. At the far south-east edge of Refuge Rock is a natural arch, know as 'London Bridge'. Refuge Rock was used as a target area during military training around WWII. There are a number of visible marks in the rock surface from mortar shells.

Natural Arch
This natural arch, known locally as 'London Bridge' is at the south-eastern edge of Refuge Rock, near Cherrybrook. The arch is formed below a long, narrow block of rock at the edge of a larger rock platform. To see the arch, you walk down through the narrow chasms separating the block from the rock platform, to emerge underneath the arch. The arch itself, and the area around it is beautiful.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Hornsby Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Tuesday 1 July
  
  13°C
  Rain. Heavy falls possible.
  100% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. Heavy falls and damaging winds possible, most likely near the coast. The chance of a thunderstorm near the coast. Winds southwesterly 25 to 40 km/h increasing to 35 to 55 km/h near the coast.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions in the afternoon and evening are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Wednesday 2 July
  
  10°C → 15°C
  Rain.
  95% chance of rain
  4 → 25mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. Damaging winds possible. Winds southwesterly 25 to 40 km/h decreasing to 20 to 30 km/h in the evening.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Thursday 3 July
  
  9°C → 16°C
  Rain easing.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of rain, most likely in the morning. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Friday 4 July
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning.
  
  Saturday 5 July
  
  7°C → 18°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds.
  
  Sunday 6 July
  
  10°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds.
  
  Monday 7 July
  
  9°C → 18°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Berowra Valley National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Quarry Trail maintenance
  Surface and vegetation works will be carried out on the Quarry Trail from Wednesday 25 June until Wednesday 16 July 2025, weather permitting.
  Walkers permitted but there may be delays. Please follow all signage and instructions from NPWS staff and contractors.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the North Western Sydney area office on 02 8448 0400.
  
  Other planned events: Fire Trail vegetation works
  Vegetation works will be carried out from Wednesday 25 June to Wednesday 9 July 2025 on the following fire trails in Berowra Valley National & Regional Park:
  
  Lyrebird Gully Fire Trail
  
  Daphne Fire Trail
  
  Patricia Fire Trail
  
  Refuge Rock Fire Trail
  
  Carmen Fire Trail
  
  Kentia Fire Trail
  
  Barkala Fire Trail
  
  Walkers permitted but there may be delays. Please follow all signage and instructions 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
- Berowra Valley Regional Park alerts
  Other planned events: Fire Trail vegetation works
  Vegetation works will be carried out from Wednesday 25 June to Wednesday 9 July 2025 on the following fire trails in Berowra Valley National & Regional Park:
  
  Lyrebird Gully Fire Trail
  
  Daphne Fire Trail
  
  Patricia Fire Trail
  
  Refuge Rock Fire Trail
  
  Carmen Fire Trail
  
  Kentia Fire Trail
  
  Barkala Fire Trail
  
  Walkers permitted but there may be delays. Please follow all signage and instructions 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

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