Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

4.2 km Circuit

231 m

Hard track

This is an enjoyable circuit walk that allows you to explore this rare pocket of Sydney Blue Gum forest. You will follow a signposted track across a few creeks and alongside Waitara Creek, with a few cascades. There are many small sandstone caves and a great diversity in plant life along the way. Sit quietly on the bank of Waitara Creek and you may see a water dragon, or get going early and listen for the Lyrebirds.

Berowra Valley Bushland Park at the end of Rosemead Rd

Signposted track head at end of Rosemead Rd

Track just north of Berowra Valley Bushland Park

Stepping stones at Old man's Valley Creek

The Rosemead trail goes through dense fern forest

Walking along the edge of the gully south of Fishponds

Small bridge crossing south of Fishponds

Track passing an overhand near Berowra Creek

Water hole below 'the Spa' on Waitara Creek

Couch in overhang on the western side of the Spa

Steep track on western side of Waitara Creek

Steps on the track on the Quarter Sessions Road ridge

Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW)

Walking alongside the ridge below Westleigh

Walking through the mixed forest below Westleigh

Intersection with steps on concreted trail

Servicetrail next to Ginger Meggs Park on Valley Rd

Berowra Valley Bushland Park

'Berowra Valley Bushland Park'[1] is also known as Rosemead Rd Park and is found at the bottom end of Rosemead Rd[2], Hornsby. This is an open area park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees[3], making a pleasant spot to rest on a walk. It has a picnic table with bench seats[4], and a sheltered free electric BBQ[5]. There is a water tap[6] in the park, near the road. There is also a 'Welcome to Old Mans Valley' information sign with information about the traditional country of the Darug and Guringai peoples[7].

(0km) Berowra Valley Bushland Park → Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail

890 m

20 mins

45m

-39m Moderate track

From the lower side of Berowra Valley Bushland Park[8] (at the end of Rosemead Rd, Hornsby[9]), this walk follows the 'Fishponds 1.2km' arrow on the large sign[10], down the track[11] for approximately 30m, to the intersection with the Rosemead management trail[12], marked with a Great North Walk arrow.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the wide rocky management trail[13] as it bends left (and passing some houses off to the left). The trail then bends right[14] and leads across Old Mans Creek using some concrete stepping stones[15]. The walk then continues by heading up the moderately steep hill and then through a thick blue gum and bracken fern forest[16]. The wide trail leads to the top of the hill then bends left, (ignoring the track on the right[17]) to pass over a saddle[18]. Here the trail leads down the gentle hill[19], through the turpentine forest for just over 300m to find an intersection with narrower track on the right, marked with arrow posts[20].

(1km) Int of Blue Gum Walk and Joes Mountain Service Trail → Fishponds Lookout

300 m

7 mins

-39m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Great North Walk' arrow[21] down the narrower track a short distance to find a three-way intersection marked with a large 'Great North walk' signpost[22].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Fishponds' sign[23] along the flat narrow track past the 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign[24]. The track soon bends left (passing along the top of an unfenced cliff) then winds down some steep carved rock steps (with a hand rail)[25]. The rocky track then leads down along the side of the valley for just over 100m to cross a timber foot bridge[26]. The track then continues for another 70m to find a fenced rock platform[27] and signposted intersection[28].

Fishponds Lookout

Fishponds Lookout is a fenced rock platform at the intersection of the Benowie walking track and the Rosemead trackhead. It is marked with a number of Great North Walk signs. This informally named lookout has good views down over Fishponds, a large waterhole on Berowra Creek. Looking north across the creek, there are views to the upper waterhole and the cliffs on the other side.

(1km) Fishponds Lookout → Fishponds crossing

70 m

2 mins

-4m Moderate track

Turn right: From the lookout[29], this walk follows the 'Galston Gorge' sign[30] along the fenced rock shelf (keeping the fence to your left). The track leads down the rocky steps to the edge of Berowra Creek[31]. The walk crosses the creek using the stepping stones, and comes to a small cave[32] on the other side. This creek may be impassable after rain[33]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Fishponds

Fishponds is a long waterhole[34] on Berowra Creek in Berowra Valley Regional Park. The waterhole is lined with tall cliffs[35] and a few sandstone caves. At the southern end, there are stepping stones to help cross the creek[36], and a small timber bridge[37] at the northern end. This is a beautiful spot and a worthy place to rest and enjoy the water passing by[38]. The waterhole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities - please heed the signs and Cora's parents' plea and enjoy the water from the edge.

(1km) Fishponds Lookout → Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW)

990 m

21 mins

87m

-21m Hard track

Turn left: From the lookout, this walk follows the 'Thornleigh Station' arrow[40] (and 'Pennant Hills' arrow[41]) down the timber steps past the 'Blue Gum Walk' sign[42], and crosses a small creek using the small flat timber bridge[43]. The track leads around the side of the hill for about 100m, then scrambles over some rocks and under a sandstone overhang[44]. The rocky track follows alongside Berowra Creek for another 100m, passing beside some cascades[45] to the end of a notably flat section of track[46]. This walk heads over another rock platform[47] (now with Waitara Creek down and to your right), then soon climbs up through the fork in the tree on left[48], coming to a large, unfenced rock platform[49]. This leads to a flat area beside some interesting holes in a rock known as 'the spa'[50]. From here, this walk follows the Blue Gum Track arrow post[51] across Waitara Creek, stepping over 'the spa'[52]. This creek may become impassable after heavy rain, the rocks can also be slippery. On the other side, the track leads uphill[53] and bends right, passing a large rock overhang[54], where the track then leads left, following the arrow posts[55] and climbing up through the crack in the rock[56]. The track leads more gently up through another crack in a rock[57], then continues fairly gently up along the narrow ridge[58]. After about 200m, the track becomes steeper[59], climbing up rock steps[60] and over rocks[61]. This area comes alive with Patersonia lilies and pink wax flowers in early spring. The track then mostly flattens out[62] for another 200m, coming to a signposted three-way intersection, where a 'Fishponds' sign[63] points back along the track.

(2km) Int of the Great North Walk and the Blue Gum Walk (SW) → Int of Blue Gum Walk at bottom of wooden steps

820 m

21 mins

58m

-58m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Blue Gum Walk marker along the bush track, leaving 'The Great North Walk' track behind. The track winds through the blue gum forest, keeping the valley down to the left and houses above on the right as it winds along the side of the hill. The walk comes to an intersection with a bush track, just below some overhead power lines.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track south, keeping the valley down to the left. The track winds along the side of the hill until coming down a set of wooden steps to the 'T' intersection at the top of the concrete section of management trail.

(3km) Int of Blue Gum Walk at bottom of wooden steps → Ginger Meggs Park

650 m

15 mins

15m

-60m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the Blue Gum Walk marker down the bumpy concrete management trail, winding steeply down the hill, until reaching the intersection with an old logging trail on the left .
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the more defined management trail down the hill, following the Blue Gum Walk marker. The trail meanders down the spur until a sharp left turn, shortly after which the walk comes to an intersection with a bush track (on the right) where there is another Blue Gum Walk marker.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the old management trail heads down the hill and follows Waitara Creek past a small pipeline on the left and a few houses on the right, until coming to an intersection with another management trail from the left - this intersection is marked with a Blue Gum Walk post.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north, down the hill with the creek on the right, to the intersection just before the causeway over Waitara Creek. There are usually ducks and brush turkeys in this area.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail across Waitara Creek and up the hill, passing around the gate before arriving on Valley Road, at the lower corner of Ginger Meggs Park.

Ginger Meggs Park

Ginger Meggs Park is a large fenced grassy area with childrens play equipment. The park is found on Valley Rd, Hornsby (opposite Lochness Pl). There are two picnic tables (with shelter), a garbage bin and a drinking fountain. The park was named in July 1997, for the comic character Ginger Meggs, created by Jimmy Bancks. Bancks (1889-1952) grew up in the local area, and the creek south of the park is also named in his honour[66].

(4km) Ginger Meggs Park → Berowra Valley Bushland Park

580 m

12 mins

26m

-15m Easy track

Veer left: From Ginger Meggs Park, this walk follows Valley Road (past Lochness Pl on the right), keeping the children's playground on the left. Note that water is available from the park. The walk passes 'West Hornsby STP' before coming up to the intersection with Rosemead Road and turning left. The walk follows Rosemead Rd down the hill to the end and heads into Berowra Valley Bushland Park.

Maps for the Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit) walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Hornsby	1:25 000 Map Series	91304S HORNSBY	NSW-91304S
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

Altitude analysis for Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	4.2 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

1.8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.4km has short steep hills. The remaining (990m) is very steep.

Quality of track

1.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1.1km) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 2.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.4km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

2.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 990m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (930m) requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 990m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 2.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.9km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit) walk.

Hornsby to Fishponds

5.6 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

A short walk from Hornsby to reach a great spot for admiring Berowra Creek. This walk explores several different environments in the Regional Park along the way. Allow some time to sit and enjoy the view at Fishponds. Expect to see other people along the track as this is one of the most popular walk

Total climbing: 296m

Hard track

Hornsby Blue Gum Walk

This three day walk follows the Great North Walk from Hornsby Station to Brooklyn, staying overnight at the Crosslands Reserve and the Great North Walk ridge top campsite. Some of the highlights along this walk are the sandstone cliffs at Fishponds, the great restaurants at Berowra Waters, and the b

Total climbing: 2695m

Hard track

Circular Quay to Hornsby

44.4 km One way, 3 Days

This fun walk covers a large section of the Great North Walk, starting from the official start in Circular Quay. After a short ferry trip the walk follows the Lane Cove River through the Lane Cove National Park, to Thornleigh. Here, the walk enters Berowra Valley National Park, continuing along the

Total climbing: 1690m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit) walk.

Clarinda St dog walking trail

499 m One way, 15 mins

This short walk links Clarinda St and Simon Pl in Hornsby Heights. The walk follows a management trail and is one of three dog friendly walks in Berowra Valley Regional Park. Starting at the wetlands at the end of Clarinda St you follow the Great North Walk alternate route until the turn off to th

Total climbing: 22m

Easy track

Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

1.4 km Return, 30 mins

A very nice walk through a small part of the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The extensive rock platforms of Refuge Rock make a beautiful place to relax and explore. The optional side trip to see the natural rock arch is well worth it, adding some really beautiful scenery to the walk. Another great bu

Total climbing: 38m

Following mostly along the side of Berowra Creek, along a section of the Great North Walk, this walk is worth spending the day on. Crosslands is a good spot to break at about the half-way mark. Highlights include the views from the top of the ridges between Galston Gorge and Crosslands, and the sect

Total climbing: 974m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit) walk starts and ends at the Berowra Valley Bushland Park (gps: -33.700546, 151.08675)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Berowra Valley National Park

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.

Dog Pound Creek Reserve

Dog Pound Creek reserve is managed by Hornsby Council and is home to a spectatular native Blue Gum stand. The valley has a number of walks and creeks running through it and joins Westleigh, Thronleigh and Hornsby. The reserve is named after a creek that runs from the former dog pound that was on Warrigal Dr, Westleigh.

Manor Road Bushland

Manor Road Bushland is a small parcel of natural bushland between Manor road and the Hornsby quarry. The blue Gum walk and the Great North walk Hornsby track head pass through the section of land where there are some wonderful tall Blue gums and Black Buts. There is also a lovely array of ferns and Turpentine trees.

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