Oxfam Trailwalker Australia

The trail sets off from Parsley Bay in Brooklyn on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. Entering the ‘Great North Walk’ trail, you’re in the northernmost reaches of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Wide fire trails take you past Brooklyn Dam and single tracks allow you to enjoy Jerusalem Bay (pictured). Finally, climb through the towering gums into the village of Cowan and the first checkpoint. Note: There is no support crew access at this checkpoint during the event.

Section 1 map
Section 1 written directions

Public transport options
Begin: Hawkesbury River Station (200m from the Start).
End: Cowan Station. Checkpoint 1 is 1.5km further along the trail, walk up and familiarise yourself with the checkpoint, then come back to the station.

This section of trail is considered the toughest, with a number of steep descents and climbs before you reach Berowra Waters. The challenge continues as the trail rapidly climbs up and away from Berowra Creek. Make sure you stop and appreciate how far you’ve climbed at the beautiful ‘Naa Badu’ lookout, with views towards your next section of trail. From here you only have a few km until Berowra township.

Section 2 map
Section 2 written directions

Public transport options
Begin: Cowan Station. Checkpoint 1 is just 1.5km further along the trail, walk the last part of section 1 to reach the Checkpoint.
End: Berowra Station (200m from Checkpoint 2).

From Berowra, the trail returns to the Great North Walk and briefly retraces some of the route before descending to Sams Creek. The trail follows Sams Creek to the mangroves beside Berowra Creek, and then onto the boardwalk through the marshlands (pictured). An ascent through Lyrebird Gully leads to the suburb of Mt Ku-ring-gai. There is a little suburban street walking before re-entering Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and descending to the picturesque Apple Tree Bay on the shores of Cowan Creek. The trail then travels up and over the ridge and into the historic picnic grounds of Bobbin Head, situated in Australia’s second oldest national park, Ku-ring-gai Chase.

Section 3 map
Section 3 written directions

Public transport options
Begin: Berowra Station (200m from Checkpoint 2).
End: Mt Kuring-gai Station is 6kms before Checkpoint 3. Walking back up to the station from Checkpoint 3 is great training.

Behind the marina, the Bobbin Head track snakes its way up the hill before flattening out for a few fast kilometres, bringing you down into the Sphinx War Memorial. Congratulations, this is the halfway point where you will be checked off on event weekend! The trail then heads down across Cowan Creek and climbs up to briefly touch suburbia before passing through the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens and entering St Ives Showground.

Section 4 map
Section 4 written directions

Public transport options
Begin: Mt Kuring-gai Station lies between Checkpoints 2 and 3, 6kms before Checkpoint 3. Or start at the Sphinx War Memorial, catch Shorelink bus 577 (from outside Kuring-gai High School) to Turramurra Station.
End: Corner of Richmond Ave (near Wildflower Gardens) and Mona Vale Rd. Catch Forrest Coach Lines bus 196 or bus 197 to Gordon Station.

Crossing busy Mona Vale Rd and entering Garigal National Park, the trail begins to follow the Harbour to Hawkesbury Walking Track. A series of interconnecting fire trails offer relief from the more technical walking tracks. This will please the majority of teams who will be walking this section at night. At the rock platforms known as The Cascades, the trail veers left to enter suburban Davidson and Checkpoint 6.

Section 5 map
Section 5 written directions

Public transport options
Begin: Wildflower Gardens, just before St Ives Showground. Catch Forrest Coach Lines bus 196 or 197 from Gordon Station to the corner of Richmond Ave and Mona Vale Rd.
End: Catch Forrest Coach Lines bus 281 from Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive, Davidson to Chatswood Interchange.

From Checkpoint 6 the trail retraces its route to The Cascades, and then continues on the Harbour to Hawkesbury Track towards Davidson Park. The trail is narrow and rugged at times, closely following Middle Harbour Creek. It then connects with Governor Phillip Walk and enters Davidson Park – an open, grassy park by the river.

Section 6 map
Section 6 written directions

Public transport options
Begin: Catch Forrest Coach Lines bus 281 from Chatswood Interchange to Checkpoint 6 (Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive).
End: Catch Forrest Coach Lines bus 280, 281, 282 or 283 from the bus stop on Warringah Rd opposite Valley Rd to Chatswood Interchange.

After departing Davidson Park, the trail continues alongside Middle Harbour, offering views of the blue waterways (pictured). It passes by small beaches and the historic decommissioned military magazine buildings in Bantry Bay. Before the last climb into Ararat Reserve the trail passes across an impressive naturally occurring sandstone formation – ‘The Natural Bridge’.

Section 7 map
Section 7 written directions

Public transport options
Begin: Catch Forrest Coach Lines bus 280, 281, 282 or 283 from Chatswood Interchange to Warringah Rd, Roseville Bridge.
End: Take bus 137 on Grattan Crescent or walk to the bus stop on Warringah Rd near Bantry Bay Rd (1.4 km) and take bus 280 to Chatswood Interchange. You can also continue walking on the Trailwalker route to the Spit Bridge and catch a bus from there to North Sydney, Wynyard or Neutral Bay.

Enjoy your last moments in Garigal National Park as you descend the Gallipoli stairs (pictured). After crossing the Spit Bridge the trail route then meanders its way through the picturesque suburb of Mosman past beautiful bays and beaches. Climbing high above Sydney Harbour, the trail offers spectacular views, day or night, of Sydney Heads and is the ideal location to celebrate finishing this amazing challenge. Congratulations!

Section 8 map
Section 8 written directions

Public transport options
Begin: Catch bus 137 on Grattan Crescent or Bus 280 from Chatswood Interchange to the bus stop on Warringah Rd near Bantry Bay Rd. Walk to Ararat Reserve (1.4km).
End: Take the 247 bus from Military Rd, Mosman to Wynyard. There are also buses from Balmoral Beach and the Spit Bridge.

Download our full written trail directions here.

Find out what will be provided at the checkpoints on the day.