Bushwalking
Explore the scenic wonders of the local landscape through refreshing bushwalk adventures. With trails catering to all skill levels, from leisurely strolls to challenging treks, the area offers abundant opportunities to reconnect with nature. Immerse yourself in lush forests, breathtaking vistas, and diverse wildlife as you embark on unforgettable outdoor excursions right at our doorstep.
Bar Island
Bar Island
https://discoverhornsby.com/waterways/bar-island/
Rich in Aboriginal and European history, this uninhabited island is well worth a visit. Among the historic sites are a cottage, church and cemetery, as well as Aboriginal middens. Enjoy the native flora and fauna, making sure to keep an eye out for the threatened glossy black cockatoo and whistling kites
People have been visiting Bar Island for many centuries. Signs of occupation together with its strategic location suggest it may have once served as a place of meeting and shared resource for the Darug, Guringai and Darkinjung language groups. The island is thought by some to mark a boundary between these groups. Please respect any sites or artefacts you may encounter. Not only are they protected by law, but they still hold a profound significance for present day descendants of these communities.
Coba Ridge to Collingridge Point Walking Track
Coba Ridge to Collingridge Point Walking Track
If you’re looking for a nature walk that’s close to home but feels a million miles away, head to Marramarra National Park in north-west Sydney. Here, you’ll find Coba Ridge to Collingridge Point walking track. This mostly flat option treats you to beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and the calm waters of Berowra Creek on your way to Collingridge Point.
The track is popular with families, mountain bikers and wildflower enthusiasts – visit in spring to see the landscape burst with colour. You’ll see pink and purple boronias, soft yellow spike wattles, tall flowering grass trees, and bouquets of white on the long leaf smokebush.
The walking track starts at the end of Bloodwood Road and follows Coba Ridge fire trail for 4km. When you reach the junction, keep right and follow the track south for another 1km. You’ll reach an unfenced sandstone outcrop, with stunning views overlooking Collingridge Point and Berowra Creek.
For an extended, 20km return walk, at the junction stay left to continue another 6km to Coba Point. Or, if you’re keen to explore more, try the Marramarra Ridge to Smugglers Ridge walking track and combine it with a stay at Marramarra Creek campground. After a day of hiking, you can cool off in the river and enjoy an authentic bush camping experience.
Coba Ridge Point via Neverfail Track
Coba Ridge Point via Neverfail Track
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/new-south-wales/coba-ridge-point-via-neverfail-track
Check out this 19.2-km out-and-back trail near Fiddletown, New South Wales. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 46 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and walking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You’ll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.
This is a lengthy out-and-back fire trail to Coba Point in Marramarra National Park. Begin the track from the end of Bloodwood Rd, which is best accessed from Arcadia.
The trail starts with a wide fire trail with lots of shade from big trees on either side. A bit uninteresting at times, the trail does have sparse views and opportunities to get better views with short tracks off the main fire trail. Once you turn onto Coba Point Track, it is proper bushwalking to the point. This is a great trail to visit in spring when the wildflowers are blooming!
Marramarra Creek Campsite Loop
Marramarra Creek Campsite Loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/new-south-wales/marramarra-creek-campsite-loop
Head out on this 17.7-km loop trail near Fiddletown, New South Wales. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 34 min to complete. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are June through June. You’ll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.
This is an enjoyable walk through bushland full of wildlife including wedge-tailed eagles, swamp wallabies and bandicoots. This moderate level trail features some great views and interesting history.
The route is a good introduction to overnight hiking, with a night spent camping in a quiet area only accessible by foot or water. Facilities at the campground are picnic tables, barbecue facilities and toilets. Activities popular in the area are canoeing, kayaking, walking, fishing and birdwatching. Bookings are required for the campsite, via the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.
Marramarra Ridge to Smugglers Ridge Walking Track
Marramarra Ridge to Smugglers Ridge Walking Track
Distance 13km loop
Time suggested 4 – 6hrs
Discover the Hawkesbury Sandstone ridge tops and explore the tidal creek lines of Marramarra on this beautiful day walk.
Enjoy easy walking along Marramarra Ridge trail down to Marramarra Creek. Stop for a while and enjoy picnicking and a refreshing swim at Marramarra Creek campground. Head off to explore the historic orange orchards, and in late winter, you can probably pick an orange from these historic trees.
Continue along the walking track that takes you back up to Bloodwood Road along Smugglers Ridge. It’ll be impossible to miss the wildflowers in spring. Admire the beautiful colours of pink eriostemons and boronias, yellow peas and white epacris, as well as yellow and red bloodwoods and angophoras.
Berowra Waters to Crosslands Reserve
Berowra Waters to Crosslands Reserve
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/new-south-wales/berowra-waters-to-crosslands-reserve
Head out on this 12.4-km out-and-back trail near Sydney, New South Wales. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 50 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You’ll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.
SAFETY ALERT: Please be mindful that swimming is not advised in Berowra Creek due to pollution levels and algal blooms.
This return section of the trail features a short but beautiful section of the famous Great North Walk. Beginning from Berowra Waters in the north or Crosslands Reserve in the south, this section of trail features excellent views of Berowra Creek and lush forest.
The trail is well-formed and crosses multiple feeder creeks to Berowra Creek, so it’s best to come prepared to get your feet wet. The southern half of the route is relatively flat, but the northern half finds quite a few steep sections of track to navigate.
Great North walk - Berowra Valley National Park
Great North walk – Berowra Valley National Park
Also known as Benowie walking track, this section of the iconic Great North walk between Sydney and Newcastle makes a great overnight hike or day walk. Camp out the night for an unforgettable bushland adventure.
This beautiful bushland walk through Berowra Valley National Park follows Berowra Creek for 27km of the iconic Great North walk between Sydney and Newcastle.
This section of the walk, from Pennant Hills to Berowra Waters, takes about 2 to 3 days to walk, with several places to camp along the way. If you’d prefer a shorter walk, you can always break the trail up into more manageable sections, especially if you’re taking the kids out for the day.
Join the walk from Pennant Hills, Westleigh, Hornsby, Galston Gorge picnic area or Berowra Waters, and head out into the bush for an adventure. There’s no public access through Hornsby Rifle Range, between Quarry trail and Tunks Ridge, or from Stewart Avenue park entrance. Please follow the signs to continue Great North walk via Manor Road in Hornsby and Simon trail.
For a longer walk extend your trip south along the Great North walk – Lane Cove National Park or link up with the Great North walk – Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and continue north towards Newcastle.
Marramarra National Park
Marramarra National Park
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/marramarra-national-park
Marramarra National Park is a one of the Hawkesbury’s best-kept secrets. It’s great for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, cycling, camping, bushwalking, picnicking and birdwatching.
Marramarra National Park is one of the Hawkesbury’s best-kept secrets and has to be among the most exciting national parks in the country. Hidden away in the northern outskirts of Sydney at the junction of Hawkesbury River and Berowra Creek, it’s a peaceful pocket of Aussie bush on Sydney’s doorstep, just waiting to be explored.
It’s so close to the city, but you’ll barely see another soul. Go boating, kayaking and canoeing on the beautiful waters of Hawkesbury River and Marramarra Creek. Enjoy bushwalking on the many walking tracks and go cycling on your mountain bike along Canoelands Ridge management trail. Take in spectacular views while discovering more about the area’s Aboriginal heritage, and see historic heritage sites from early European settlement.
From all this exploring, you’ll probably be looking for somewhere to take a break. Get back to basics and spend a night camping at Gentlemans Halt or Marramarra Creek campgrounds on the shores of Hawkesbury River. Or simply drop in for the day and enjoy this beautiful place to picnic, not far from Hornsby.
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