Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek

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4 hrs

9.4 km Return

425 m

Hard track

From the ridge above Berowra Creek, this walk goes steeply down into the valley following Calna Creek. The narrow bush track section is quite beautiful with plenty of small creek crossings and sandstone overhangs. The grasslands section, just before coming to the junction of Calna and Berowra Creeks, is also very pretty.

(0km) Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station → Int of Glenview Rd and the Pacific Hwy

520 m

9 mins

-9m Very easy

From the middle of the tunnel at the bottom of the stairs at Mt Kuring-gai railway station, this walk follows the 'To the Great North Walk' sign[1] through the tunnel[2] to the Pacific Hwy. Here the walk turns left and follows the footpath[3] between the highway and train line for about 200m to pass the traffic lights at Glenview Rd[4]. The walk then continues straight up the ramp[5] for another 100m and turns right[6] onto the pedestrian bridge[7]. Here the walk crosses the Pacific Hwy[8] on the footbridge, then follows the concrete ramp[9] as it zigzags back down to the ground. This ramp ends just near the Aldi shopping complex[10]. From the bottom of the footbridge near the Aldi shopping complex, this walk follows the footpath alongside the Pacific Hwy[11], under the footbridge and away from the shops. Keeping the highway to your right for 100m, this walk then crosses[12] 'Glenview Rd'[13] (at the intersection with the Pacific Hwy) to find the top of 'Lyrebird Gully track'[14], marked with a locked green metal gate[15].

(1km) Int of Glenview Rd and the Pacific Hwy → Lyrebird Clearing

530 m

12 mins

-84m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection (of Glenview Rd and the Pacific Hwy), this walk follows the GNW arrow post[16] around the locked 'Lyrebird Gully Track' gate[17], to head down the sealed management trail. The trail leads past a large 'To the Great North Walk' sign[18] where the trail then bends left[19] behind the houses and heads steeply downhill[20] for about 500m, coming to the end of the sealed trail[21] and a large flat clearing[22].

(1km) Lyrebird Clearing → Lyrebird Waterfall

1.4 km

27 mins

21m

-92m Hard track

Continue straight: From the bottom of the sealed management trail, this walk follows the GNW arrow post across the clearing[23] following the old dirt trail. After about 120m, this walk comes to another small clearing[24], where this walk turns left following the 'The Great North Walk' sign[25]. The track then bends right and leads down to cross over a short flat timber bridge[26] across a concrete channel[27]. From here, the rocky track leads down along the side of the hill[28] for about 150m before heading down some stone steps[29] (with a handrail, under a set of power lines[30]) to come to the 'Great North Walk register' box on a pole[31][32]. After filling in your intentions (and reading others entries), this walk continues down along the track beside a rock wall[33], past a short section of handrail[34] then down a series of timber[35] and rock[36] steps for about 300m to then cross Lyrebird Gully creek[37] on the sandstone platform. This creek crossing and other crossing further down the valley can become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. The walk then leads over the short section of green timber boardwalk[38], following the GNW arrow post[39] uphill. The walk then follows the rocky track along the side of hill[40] for about 250m to pass beside a rock wall[41] (on your right) and a section of handrail[42] and steep valley (on your left). Here the walk steps down a rock (with metal peg)[43] to follow the rocky track downhill and come close to a creek[44]. Here the walk follows the edge of creek (keeping the creek to your left) [45] for just shy of 100m to then cross the creek using boulders with carved steps[46]. Once one the other side of the creek, this walk crosses back again, almost immediately, following the handrail and flat timber bridge[47] (note: this boardwalk/bridge was washed away during a flood in 2012, the hand rail is still in place) at the top of Lyrebird Gully falls[48] to then find a 'The Great North walk' sign[49] back on the other side.

Lyrebird waterfall

This informally named waterfall is found on Lyrebird Gully creek about 300m upstream of its confluence with Calna Creek. The top of the fall is partially fenced with a timber handrail[50] where the water flows over the solid rock platform, with naturally carved holes[51], to fall about 8m to the shallow pool[52] and boulders below. The track passes the top of the fall and does not provide a good view of the face of the fall, but it is still a very pleasant spot.

(2km) Lyrebird Waterfall → Lyrebird Caves

140 m

4 mins

14m

-1m Moderate track

Continue straight: From near the top of Lyrebird Waterfall, this walk follows the GNW arrow post, away from the face of the 'The Great North Walk' sign up the timber steps. The track soon bends left to follow the side of the hill for about 50m and head through a sandstone overhang[53], then through a second smaller cave[54]. Continuing along the side of the hill for another 70m, this walk comes to another larger sandstone overhang[55].

Lyrebird Caves

The Lyrebird caves are a series of notable sandstone overhangs on the eastern side of Lyrebird Gully. There are 3 main overhangs[56][57][58], with the larger (more northern) one providing significant shelter[59]. The larger cave has a fairly flat base[60] in the centre and provides a pleasant place to rest on a hot or rainy day.

(3km) Lyrebird Caves → Calna Creek Campsite (south)

1.6 km

33 mins

39m

-106m Hard track

Continue straight: From the large sandstone overhang, this walk follows the rocky track along the side of the hill, keeping the valley to your left. After about 40m, the track leads steeply down a short rocky slope[61] where the track then continues along the side of the hill for another 200m before bending sharp left[62] and zigzagging steeply down the stone steps[63] to come to the edge of Calna Creek[64]. The track continues along the side of the creek (on your left) through the shaded forest[65] and past some large boulders for about 70m, to then follow a GNW arrow post across the creek using the boulders with carved steps[66]. The track continues downstream (with the creek on your right) among ferns[67], for almost 300m, where another GNW arrow post[68] leads back across Calna Creek using boulders with carved steps[69]. The track continues among more ferns and mossy boulders, now with creek on your left, for 400m to where the track comes to the wide, clearly tidal section of Calna Creek, where there is a small sandy beach and open views down the valley[70]. The mostly flat track[71] continues down beside the wide creek for another 400m to cross over a flat timber bridge[72], then just 25m later, this walk comes to the signposted[73] campsite[74], in casuarina forest[75].

Calna Creek Campsite (south)

This small signposted[76] campsite sits on a flat grassy clearing in a small casuarina forest which provides plenty of shade. There is a small fireplace set up. This creek-side campsite is a good spot for those wanting to get the most out of a relaxing, overnight camp, just a short stroll to Berowra Creek and the main spine of the Great North Walk. Bring your own water, as the creek water is not suitable for drinking.

(4km) Calna Creek campsite (south) → Calna Creek campsite (north)

400 m

9 mins

23m

-23m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the campsite, this walk follows the clear track downstream, keeping Calna Creek to your left. After about 100m of walking through flat grassy area and casuarina forest[77], this walk leads over a timber bridge[78] (with handrails) that crosses a small tidal creek[79]. The now rocky track continues for another 180m, stepping over a fallen tree[80], to then climb up a short timber staircase[81]. At the top of these stairs[82], the track leads over a rocky rise then back down where the track mostly flattens out for another 100m to come to a large, unsignposted clearing[83] and campsite[84] (on your right), just before the southern tip of the saltmarsh[85].

Calna Creek Campsite (north)

This is a quaint little campsite, located on the Mt Kuring-gai access track to the Great North Walk, on the banks of Calna Creek. This campsite provides plenty of room for a few tents[86], and also a fire scar with logs for seating[87]. Carry in your own water as the salty creek water is not suitable for drinking.

(5km) Calna Creek campsite (north) → Int of GNW and Lyrebird Gully tracks

110 m

2 mins

-3m Easy track

Continue straight: From the campsite, this walk follows the clear track south, keeping Calna Creek (though the trees) to your left. After about 100m, the track comes to a well signposted intersection just beside Calna Creek bridge[88].

Maps for the Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek 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
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	1:40 000 Map Series	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek

Altitude analysis for Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek

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	9.4 km
		Time	4 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		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

3.7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 630m is flat with no steps. The remaining (400m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

3km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 1km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 540m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 110m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 4.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 630m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 3.5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 1.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek walk.

Mt Kuring-gai Track to Berowra station

9.7 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

This walk explores three valleys, with great displays of wild flowers in spring, and some nice sandstone overhangs. The section between Mt Kuring-gai and the end of Calna Creek is particularly nice, and Naa Badu Lookout is well worth the small side trip. Take the time to enjoy the many creek side r

Total climbing: 553m

Hard track

Galston Gorge to Mt Kuring-gai

12.6 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows the eastern side of the steep Berowra Creek valley from Galston Gorge to Crosslands and then heads over the ridge to follow Lyrbird Gully up to the train station at Mt Kuring-gai. This enjoyable section of The Great North Walk spends most of the time enjoying the wide tidal creeks

Total climbing: 846m

Hard track

Mt Kuring-gai to Cowan (via Berowra Waters)

17.2 km One way, 8 hrs

Ridge tops, grasslands, creek crossings and spectacular views are all part of this walk as it ventures from the ridge above Berowra Creek down to water level and back up again. Take the short and free ferry ride across the creek to get lunch at Berowra Waters. Conserve your energy for the steep sect

Total climbing: 1147m

Hard track

Hornsby to Mt Kuring-gai

22.3 km One way, 9 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Hornsby train station and winds down along the Blue Gum Walk into Fishponds and along Berowra Creek. The walk passes through the Tunks Ridge Reserve and then into Galston Gorge. From here the walk keeps following the Berowra Creek through the Crossl

Total climbing: 1319m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Mt Kuring-Gai

28.1 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk starts from Thornleigh train station and follows the Great North Walk down through the Berowra Valley Regional Park and along Berowra creek. The walk passes through Fishponds and up to the top of Galston Gorge to the campsite. From there, the walk continues along the Great North

Total climbing: 1614m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek walk.

Apple Tree Bay Birrawanna Loop

3.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This walk enjoys some great views and quiet bushland in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. From Apple Tree Bay, the walk soon heads over the hill and loops down to Bobbin Head, with the option of a bite to eat at the kiosk before returning along a similar but different route to Apple Tree Bay. The wal

Total climbing: 281m

Hard track

Bobbin Head to Mt Kuring-gai via Apple Tree Bay

5.3 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

Exploring Cockle Creek at water level and Ku-ring-gai National Park from the ridge, this is an enjoyable short walk to Mt Kuring-gai. Pop into the cafe at Bobbin Head for a cup of coffee or a light meal. The short side trip to the lookout up on the ridge offers an amazing view. As there are no buses

Total climbing: 364m

Hard track

Cockle Creek Lookout Return

1.1 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a great walk for visitors looking for a reasonably short adventure after lunch. The leisurely walk starts from the cafe and information centre at Bobbin Head and follows the Warrimoo Track up the hill to the Cockle Creek Lookout, before returning along the same route.

Total climbing: 94m

Hard track

Birrawanna Track

4.4 km Return, 2 hrs

This pleasant walk starts near the kiosk at Bobbin Head, climbing the sandstone stairs and then follows a defined track to the Kalkari Discovery Centre. Kalkari is well worth spending some time exploring, with opportunities to learn about and mix with the local flora and fauna.

Total climbing: 262m

Moderate track

Kalkari Discovery trail

798 m Circuit, 30 mins

This pleasant walk starts with a wander through the interesting Kalkari Discovery Center. Enjoy the displays and chat with the volunteers before heading out the back door to find the rest of the walk. The walk follows the concrete path past more information signs and a lovely pond. As you wander t

Total climbing: 25m

Very easy

Kalkari and Birrawanna Loop Tracks

5.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

This great circuit walk enjoys some views of Cowan Creek and explores the many ferns through the open forest. The walk starts at the Kalkari Discovery Centre and follows the Birrawanna Loop Track down to Bobbin Head, a large picnic area with kiosk, toilets, BBQ's and more. The walk then continues u

Total climbing: 298m

Hard track

Bobbin Head Boardwalk

552 m Return, 15 mins

This is a short and pretty walk that can be enjoyed by everyone. It makes a nice addition to a picnic or paddle at Bobbin Head. Starting from the southern end of the Bobbin Head picnic area, you will enjoy great views of Cockle Creek from the bridge, then meander along the boardwalk through the mang

Total climbing: 17m

Very easy

Bobbin Head Rainforest walk

1.6 km Return, 40 mins

This pleasant walk starts from the southern end of Bobbin Head, and enjoys blend of mangrove and rainforest environs. The well-signposted track gives you the opportunity to see the mangrove wildlife up close, and also a historic Aboriginal axe grinding stone and some temperate rainforest.

Total climbing: 82m

Moderate track

The Wilkins Track

5.2 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk follows a well-defined management trail to one of the best views of Cowan Creek in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. At the halfway point, there is a great spot to sit, relax and enjoy the scenery and the surrounds.

Total climbing: 130m

Moderate track

The Perimeter Trail to Smiths Creek

16.1 km Return, 6 hrs

This walk to Smiths Creek follows a wide trail for most of the way, however it is well worth the walk, for Smiths Creek is a lovely spot with open grasslands and a creek to explore. The optional side trip to Wilkins Viewpoint is also worthwhile, with a fabulous view into Cowan Creek - consider incl

Total climbing: 576m

Moderate track

Perimeter Trail

7.2 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This Perimeter Trail walk contours gently around the northern side of Terrey Hills on a wide mostly level trail, with occasional views across Ku-Ring-Gai National Park. However, it is the side trips that make this walk truly worthwhile - if you are only going to do one side trip, the lookdown into

Total climbing: 214m

Moderate track

The Perimeter Trail to Wilkins Viewpoint

5.5 km Return, 2 hrs

This Perimeter Trail walk to Wilkins Viewpoint, near Terrey Hills offers a beautiful view into the waters of Cowan Creek. The setting and views at Wilkins Viewpoint are worth the walking, which is mostly along wide trails. This is a good walk in which to see some typical Ku-ring-gai Chase National

Total climbing: 137m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Mt Kuring-gai to Calna Creek walk starts and ends at the Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station (gps: -33.653812, 151.13673)

Train. (get details)

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.

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