Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back)

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

4.9 km Return

306 m

Moderate track

This track takes you to one of the most iconic views along the the Great North Walk. From Cowan Station, the walk passes through a variety of environments, with dryer vegetation near the freeway and moister rainforest-like plants near the water. Jerusalem Bay is a pretty area, shared by walkers and boaters, and a great place to relax before the walk back up to the station.

Great North Walk track off Cowan Station

(0km) Cowan Station → Freeway Bridge

300 m

6 mins

-15m Easy track

From the front of Cowan station[1], this walk follows the GNW arrow[2] up the concrete ramp, turning right to cross the track at the controlled 'Pedestrian Railway Crossing'[3][4]. The walk follows the ramp onto platform 1 (Sydney-bound side) then around the shelter[5] to follow the GNW arrow post right, down the steps[6] and through the gate. Here the walk crosses the train lines (train storage area) and turns left, following the 'Brooklyn' sign[7] along the wide management trail[8]. After 130m, the trail leads past an electrical switching area[9] then turns right at the large 'Great North Walk' signposts[10]. Here, the narrower trail leads between the fences over a small rise[11] to cross the freeway on a large, fenced concrete bridge[12].

(0km) Freeway Bridge → Jerusalem Bay

2.2 km

50 mins

61m

-222m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the overpass, this walk heads away from the freeway and down the wide track[13]. The track leads down a series of timber steps[14][15], then over a small rise (among the scribbly gums[16]) where the track begins to narrow and lead more steeply down a rocky section[17]. The walk then heads down a series of timber steps[18] (passing a 'Great North Walk' sign[19]), and crosses a short section of timber boardwalk[20]. At the other end of the boardwalk, this track leads left over a rock platform[21] (with a small creek flowing after rain) and then turns right to step off the rock platform[22].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the rocky track[23][24]. The track leads past a few rock walls[25] over about 350m, then turns right onto, then steps down off, a long thin rock platform[26]. The track continues down along the side of the valley for another 200m, passing into a much more lush and dense forest[27], where the track then crosses the creek at a large rock platform[28]. On the other side of the creek, the track leads right down along the other side of the valley[29], passing a few small sandstone overhangs[30][31] then a particularly broad angophora tree[32] after about 500m. Soon after this angophora, the track leads down some rock steps[34] then begins to widen for about 300m, and passes a small track (on your right) marked with a 'No Camping or fires allowed' sign[35]. By this point, the broad waters (or mud flats, depending on the tide) of Cowan Creek are obvious[36], on your right. The walk now continues along the generally broad and flat track[37] for another 500m, then climbs up a set of concrete steps[38], marked with a GNW arrow post. At the top of these steps is a large, fairly flat clearing[39] with a 'No Camping' and a 'Great North Walk' sign[40] and a great view up the middle of Jerusalem Bay[41].

Jerusalem Bay

Jerusalem Bay, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a nice bay east of Cowan Station. The bay is popular with bushwalkers as it is part of the Great North Walk. The bay is sometimes known for an iconic photo of the single palm in front of the water. The bay itself is also popular with boaters who can anchor in the bay. Jerusalem Bay can be accessed by the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay or from Brooklyn or Cowan Railway Stations.

Maps for the Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) 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.

Cowan	1:25 000 Map Series	91304N COWAN	NSW-91304N
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 Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back)

Altitude analysis for Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back)

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	4.9 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		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

Around 2.2km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 300m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 2.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 300m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 2.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 300m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.2km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 300m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.9km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 600m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 600m 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 Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) walk.

Jerusalem Bay Track (Cowan to Brooklyn)

13.4 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This Cowan to Brooklyn Station walk is a popular section of the Great North Walk, with scenery ranging from foreshore to ridge top lookouts. You will follow the Great North Walk from Cowan Station down to the picturesque Jerusalem Bay, then climb up over a series of ridges before descending into Bro

Total climbing: 654m

Hard track

Crosslands to Brooklyn

27.4 km One way, 2 Days

From the Crosslands Reserve, this walk heads along the Great North Walk via Berowra Waters, Cowan, Jerusalem Bay and onto Brooklyn. This is one of the prettiest multi-day walks in the area. The walk explores two rivers and ridge tops, giving a great variety of views. The campsite is not the best, a

Total climbing: 1757m

Hard track

Cowan to Wondabyne station via Patonga rest area

33.4 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Cowan train station and wanders past the majestic Jerusalem Bay then through to Brooklyn. After a ferry ride to Patonga, this walk climbs to the top of the ridge, reaching even more great views. Day 2, the track heads over the scenic Mt Wondabyne and

Total climbing: 1523m

Hard track

Hornsby to Brooklyn three day walk

43.1 km One way, 3 Days

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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) walk.

Berowra Waters to Cowan Station

7.2 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

This is a hilly walk out of the beautiful Berowra Waters valley to Cowan Station. There are many wide views across Berowra Creek providing some great excuses for well deserved rest stops. Take your time to enjoy the views, and rock formations, and creek crossings along the way as the track leads a

Total climbing: 597m

Hard track

Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai

9.4 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

From the ridges above Cowan Creek, this walk takes in some great lookouts (especially around Mt Kuring-gai) as well as enjoying an extremely pleasant bush track along the creek. Easily accessible by public transport, this track gives walkers a good taste of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has t

Total climbing: 551m

Hard track

Berowra to Bobbin Head

8.7 km One way, 4 hrs

Following Cowan Creek, this walk is one of the most pleasant in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, with great views over the water as well as nice views from the ridge at Berowra. Be sure to stop at the cafe for a cuppa in Bobbin Head before going home. Apple Tree Bay is also a very pleasant spot

Total climbing: 473m

Hard track

Berowra to Berowra Waters

5.7 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This pleasant walk follows the Great North Walk from Berowra Station down to Berowra Waters. On this walk you will spend much of the time on ridges enjoying scattered views across the Berowra Creek Valley, there are especially good views from Naa Badu Lookout. The walk crosses a few moist and cool

Total climbing: 287m

Hard track

Berowra to Cowan via Berowra Waters

12.9 km One way, 6 hrs

With train station at each end this walk explores the ridges and valleys around Berowra Waters. There are plenty of excellent views, especially at Naa Badu Lookout and the many creek vantage points along the way. There are some solid climbs on this walk so be sure to allow enough time. Berowra Wate

Total climbing: 884m

Hard track

Berowra to Hornsby

22.6 km One way, 9 hrs 18 mins

One of the longer day walks in Berowra Valley National Park, this walk mostly follows Berowra Creek along the Great North Walk. Excellent views of the creek can be expected, especially at places like Crosslands and Fishponds. Be sure to pace yourself and take regular breaks. Crosslands and Tunks Rid

Total climbing: 1423m

Hard track

Barnetts Lookout

420 m Return, 15 mins

A very pleasant and easy stroll along a path to a stunning view. Starting from Barnetts Road car park you follow the footpath through the picnic area, past the playground then meander gently downhill through the open forest among the scribbly gum trees. You soon discover a fenced lookout platform

Total climbing: 14m

Very easy

Challenger Track

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

The Challenger Track is a simple track which heads through the heath and some forest to arrive at a pleasant lookout. Starting at West Head Rd, the track follows a ridge out to a rocky outcrop where views over the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay reveal Patonga and Brooklyn.

Total climbing: 59m

Moderate track

America Bay Track (to beach)

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This short walk has a great range of scenery, making it a great choice if you have only a short time in this National Park. This track one of two ways to access America Bay - the other is by boat. The track cuts straight through the bush from West Head Rd to pass historic Aboriginal engravings and a

Total climbing: 130m

Hard track

America Bay Waterfall

1.9 km Return, 45 mins

This short walk is a great way to see a slice of what Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park has on offer. The track visits some historic Aboriginal engravings, and enjoys water views, heath and forest environments. The America Bay track also throws in a waterfall for your enjoyment - from the top of the f

Total climbing: 76m

Moderate track

Mackerel Beach

8.2 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk takes one of two main tracks down to Mackerel Beach. The track leaves West Head Rd, passing some historic Aboriginal engravings before descending to the beach. The track loops around the small community of Mackerel Beach to come back down the beach and return to West Head Rd. A nice An opt

Total climbing: 299m

Hard track

The Basin Track and Mackerel Track

5.9 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is a great way to see some popular areas in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk from West Head Rd travels to The Basin campsite, and the ferry takes you over to Mackerel Beach. Before returning to West Head Rd, the walk also gives the option to head down to Currawong Beach. There is

Total climbing: 226m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Jerusalem Bay Track (to Jerusalem Bay and back) walk starts and ends at the Cowan Station (gps: -33.593766, 151.17169)

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

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

A largely untouched wilderness on the northern boundary of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP is one of Australia's oldest national parks. Here at the head of the Hawkesbury River, you'll find Aboriginal engravings and sites, as well as sandstone escarpments,

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