great north walk
sydney cove to hawkesbury river

INN-to-INN walking holiday Self guided & guided departures  6 or 8 day itinerary (includes 4 or 6 days of walking)

• Note that the 6 day itinerary includes 4 long, hard days of walking in a row. If you'd like to walk less distance each day we would recommend the 8 day itinerary that includes 7 nights accommodation and 6 days of walking - the walking route will be the same but it will be spread over 2 more days and you'll have the opportunity to enjoy 2 nights at delightful Berowra Waters and 2 nights at Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River.

highlights

• Start your holiday with a ride on a Sydney Harbour ferry

• Hike the first section of the 250km Great North Walk that links bushland reserves and National Parks all the way from Sydney to Newcastle in the north

• Enjoy waterfront accommodation at Berowra Waters and Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River.

Auswalk's Great North is an INN-to-INN accommodated walking holiday.  You walk through the National Park from one delightful accommodation to the next.  We move your luggage for you while you are out walking.  This holiday can be done Self-Guided or guided with your own private guide.

The Great North Walk is a 250km track linking Sydney to Newcastle in the north. We are offering the first part of the track, from Sydney to Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River. The walking track passes through some of the region’s most outstanding natural scenery, commencing with a ride on one of Sydney’s quaint harbour ferries. Stroll through historic Hunters Hill admiring fine architecture dating back to the 1850s. Follow the Lane Cove River northwards through parkland that changes to steep sided gorges with forests that are home to a cacophony of bird song. The choruses of currawong, kookaburra and magpie calls provide a melodic background to the sounds of running water in the many creeks and rivers you’ll pass.

Looking down onto the sleepy
village of Berowra Waters

This sandstone country is where walkers will find smooth barked apple trees (Angophoras), notable for their fantastically twisted limbs and pink hues that are a photographer’s delight. Continuing through Galston Gorge you’ll hike to Berowra Waters, a sleepy village in an idyllic location. Nestled deep in the gorges of Berowra Creek and accessed by a small ferry, Berowra Waters provides a handful of lucky residents with a magnificent hideaway. Most of the houses are only accessible by boat so if the locals go out partying they keep a keen eye open for the water police! Further north the rivers become progressively wider until meeting the mighty Hawkesbury River itself. Mangroves lining the banks of the river provide soil stabilisation, a valuable natural water purification system and a rich breeding ground for aquatic animals. Make sure you try the local oysters for a real taste treat! This trip finishes at the picturesque village of Brooklyn.

The track meanders alongside pretty streams

location
Starts in downtown, finishes in Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River. Both are accessible by train. We can also arrange private transfers from Sydney airport or city hotels. If you are arriving by car we would recommend you park in the long term car park at the airport and use public transport or a shuttle bus to get to downtown Sydney.

grading
40% easy, 35% moderate, 25% more challenging. 20-24km (6-8 hours) walking each day (if you want to shorten the walks, we'd recommend doing the 8 day itinerary - see the Fact Sheet for more details). Some sections are easy underfoot as the track meanders alongside rivers. But most of the walking is on rougher, rocky tracks and quite a few climbs.

Crossing over a creek -
the track offers a lot of variety

accommodation
Hotels, B&Bs & waterfront apartments - all with private or ensuite bathrooms.

regional wine & food
Dinners are not included in this itinerary as there are so many excellent restaurants to choose from. The region is renowned for its fresh produce, tremendous variety and attractive presentation of food. Hunter Valley wines and Sydney rock oysters are a must to try.

what's included
6 day itinerary: 5 nights accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, luggage transfers, most transport required during the holiday, National Park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, walking notes, maps & a pack of information about the area.

8 day itinerary: 7 nights accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, luggage transfers, most transport required during the holiday, National Park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, walking notes, maps & a pack of information about the area.

Plus one guide on guided trips.

not included
Alcohol, meals not specified, some local transport (allow $15-$30 per person).

the best time to go 
Mar is usually warm to hot with some humidity. By about Apr the weather changes from mild to warm with little humidity. Winter days in May-Sep are great for walking here. By October it starts to warm up again. We do not offer this trip from Dec-Feb as the days are too hot and humid to enjoy walking.

Overlooking Berowra Creek

departure dates
6 day itinerary: Self guided & guided INN-to-INN - any day from 01 Mar to 30 Nov for a minimum of two people booking together.

8 day itinerary: Self guided & guided INN-to-INN - any day from 01 Mar to 30 Nov for a minimum of two people booking together.

prices
Please see our Prices section of the website

itinerary guide - 6 days
(includes 5 nights accommodation & 4 days walking)

Day 1: Starts in Sydney any time after 2pm - no walking scheduled today. Accommodation: Sydney CBD hotel.

Day 2: Take the harbour ferry from Circular Quay to Woolwich. Begin by strolling through affluent Hunters Hill, admiring the fine 1850s architecture. Hike the first section of the Great North Walk through Lane Cove Valley. The terrain here features steep sided valleys that are characteristic of the sandstone that Sydney is built on.  Accommodation: Lindfield.

Day 3: The track continues along the historic Benowie section, criss crossing pretty streams as it winds its way closer and closer to join the Hawkesbury. You’ll feel like you’re many miles away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby towns. Accommodation: Thornleigh

What an idyllic setting!

Day 4: Galston Gorge is a major highlight today. The track continues through sandstone bushland to eventually emerge at the idyllically located Berowra Waters. You’ll cross the river by ferry and experience a touch of river life as most of the accommodations and restaurants here are only accessible by boat – just call for a pick up! Accommodation: Berowra Waters

Day 5: Climb over the high ridge in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park then descend to the mighty Hawkesbury River itself. Your walk finishes at sleepy Brooklyn, home for retirees, fishermen and probably a few hermits as well. Accommodation: Brooklyn on the banks of the Hawkesbury River

Day 6: The trip finishes after breakfast. Catch a train back to your car or Sydney.

itinerary guide - 8 days
(includes 7 nights accommodation & 6 days walking)

Day 1: Starts in Sydney any time after 2pm - no walking scheduled today. Accommodation: Sydney CBD hotel.

Day 2: Take the harbour ferry from Circular Quay to Woolwich. Begin by strolling through affluent Hunters Hill, admiring the fine 1850s architecture. Hike the first section of the Great North Walk through Lane Cove Valley. The terrain here features steep sided valleys that are characteristic of the sandstone that Sydney is built on.  Accommodation: Lindfield.

Day 3: The track continues along the historic Benowie section, criss crossing pretty streams as it winds its way closer and closer to join the Hawkesbury. You’ll feel like you’re many miles away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby towns. Accommodation: Thornleigh

Day 4: From Thornleigh, continue along the Great North Walk. Galston Gorge is a major highlight today. Today's walking finishes with a transfer from Crosslands Reserve to the idyllically located Berowra Waters. You’ll cross the river by ferry and experience a touch of river life as most of the accommodations and restaurants here are only accessible by boat – just call for a pick up! Accommodation: Berowra Waters

Day 5: A day based in Berowra Waters. You have the option of doing a walk to a nearby lookout or all the way to Crosslands where you finished walking yesterday. You can also explore the river by small boat, or just relax on the verandah of your waterfront accommodation. Accommodation: Berowra Waters.

Day 6: Climb over the high ridge in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park via a series of delightful streams and waterfalls. Finish at Cowan Railway station and catch a train to Brooklyn. You should arrive with plenty of time to explore this delightful area and then enjoy some relaxation time at your waterfront apartment. Accommodation: Brooklyn on the banks of the Hawkesbury River

Day 7: Catch the train back up to Cowan Railway station then descend to the mighty Hawkesbury River itself. The hightlight today is stunning Jerusalem Bay. Your walk finishes at sleepy Brooklyn, home for retirees, fishermen and probably a few hermits as well. Accommodation: Brooklyn on the banks of the Hawkesbury River

Day 8: The trip finishes after breakfast. Catch a train back to your car or Sydney.

fact sheet
Would you like more detailed information about this trip?
 
Download our Great North Walk self guided INN-to-INN Fact Sheet.
Download our Great North Walk guided INN-to-INN Fact Sheet. The contains a detailed itinerary with walking times and distances and more information on accommodations including photos of places you will stay at.

Note: If you are having trouble opening this Fact Sheet, please click on the link to download the latest version of Adobe Reader.

prices
See the prices section

how to book
See the booking section

View a sample page of Self-Guided walking notes

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Auswalk Pty Ltd | 4 Red Gum Lease Track | Halls Gap Victoria 3381 | Australia
Phone +61 (0)3 5356 4971 | Fax +61 (0)3 5356 4970 | Email info@auswalk.com.au