The 2008 Trailwalker Trail

The HAWKESBURY to The HARBOUR – 100km

Check out the trail updates for the latest information.

A new trail has been secured this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary year of Oxfam Trailwalker in Sydney (and Australia). The trail starts in the riverside township of Brooklyn beside the Hawkesbury River. Commencing with picturesque views across the Hawkesbury after you depart Parsley Bay, the trail quickly enters the bush at the Brooklyn Great North Walk trailhead and begins its journey southward to Sydney. As the trail winds its way through the northern most reaches of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Berowra Regional Valley Park, the event’s greatest challenges are presented whilst you are fresh and the sun is shining. With these major challenges behind you, don’t get too comfortable as it is not all downhill to the Harbour! The trail still has many twists and turns and ascents and descents along the rugged bush tracks of the Mt Ku-ring-gai, Gibberagong, Sphinx, and Warrimoo Trails before reaching Garigal National Park. The event trail then traverses the ‘Harbour to Hawkesbury Walking Track’ (in reverse) as it follows Middle Harbour Creek from its beginnings into Middle Harbour proper. From Davidson Park onwards the trail offers numerous stunning views which get more spectacular as you approach the finish line. The last kilometre rewards you as you walk high above Sydney Harbour looking out through Sydney Heads, before the triumphant finish at Georges Height Oval in Mosman.

The Start – Checkpoint 1 14km

Parsley Bay (UBD Ref: 56 K11) to Cowan Park (UBD Ref: 75 C12)

Cumulative total: 14km

The Oxfam TRAILWALKER Sydney 2008 event trail sets off from Parsley Bay in the township of Brooklyn. Idyllically situated on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, Brooklyn is steeped in history and is considered as the northern gateway to Sydney. On the day of the event, the morning light on the water and the first 500 metres along the waters edge will get you excited about the journey ahead. Once you have entered 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 before entering the first of the challenging bush tracks. After the steep descent into Jerusalem Bay (pictured) the trail climbs through the towering Sydney Red Gums and Eucalypts into the village of Cowan and the first checkpoint. That’s a few hills out of the way already! Note: There is no support crew access at this checkpoint during the Event.

Checkpoint 1 – Checkpoint 2 14km

Cowan Park (UBD Ref: 75 C12) to Berowra Community Centre (UBD Ref: 94 L12)

Cumulative total: 28km

After departing Cowan, the trail re-enters the Great North Walk and begins its journey to Berowra. This section of trail is considered the toughest. After crossing Glendale Road, there are a number of steep descents and climbs coupled with a real sense of remoteness before you reach the peaceful village of Berowra Waters. The challenges aren’t over yet as the trail rapidly climbs up and away from Berowra Creek. Once on the ridge tops high above the creek (pictured) the trail meanders its way into the outer Sydney suburb of Berowra. Prior to reaching Berowra, make sure you stop at the ‘Naa Badu’ lookout. This beautiful view looks towards your next section of trail. And no doubt you will feel impressed with how far you have climbed! From the lookout you only have a few kilometres until you can enjoy the BBQ provided on the event weekend by the event’s principal sponsor State Street.

Checkpoint 2 – Checkpoint 3 13.5km

Berowra Community Centre (UBD Ref: 94 L12) to Apple Tree Bay (UBD Ref: 114 N10)

Cumulative total: 41.5km

From Berowra, the trail again returns to the Great North Walk and briefly retraces the route you took into Berowra before descending to Sams Creek – which was named after a recluse fisherman who lived for many years in a bark hut near the mouth of the creek. After the creek crossing, the trail follows Sams Creek to the mangroves beside Berowra Creek, and then onto the boardwalk through the marshlands (pictured) prior to the Calna Creek footbridge. At this location the event trail veers away from the Great North Walk proper and begins its ascent through Lyrebird Gully to the suburb of Mt Ku-ring-gai. Some suburban street walking follows before the trail re-enters Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and descends to the picturesque Apple Tree Bay on the shores of Cowan Creek. Once you arrive you can celebrate as you have now completed the three most challenging trail sections.

Checkpoint 3 – Checkpoint 4 8km

Apple Tree Bay (UBD Ref: 114 N10) to Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School (UBD Ref: 134 M11)

Cumulative total: 49.5km

Note: This section of trail is CLOSED to training at night to ensure your personal safety and as a requirement of the event’s use as set by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

As Apple Tree Bay disappears behind you, the trail ascends an adjacent ridge before descending into the renowned picnic grounds of Bobbin Head. Situated within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the second National Park to be established in Australia, Bobbin Head has been a popular recreational area since the 1800’s. At the southernmost end of the picnic grounds, the Gibberagong Track commences with a large suspension bridge and a series of elevated boardwalks through the mangroves (pictured). At the conclusion of the boardwalk, the trail becomes challenging as it follows a narrow and rugged route through a beautiful gorge. At an indistinct junction the event route veers upward towards the suburb of North Turramurra. A series of fire trails and suburban streets brings you to Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School. Congratulations, this is the half way checkpoint! Note: There is no support crew access at this checkpoint during the Event.

Checkpoint 4 – Checkpoint 5 9km

Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School (UBD Ref: 134 M11) to St Ives Showground (UBD Ref: 155 K2)

Cumulative Total: 58.5km

From the checkpoint that will be situated on the grounds of the School during the event, the trail now briefly re-enters Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Passing by the Sphinx War Memorial, the centre piece of which is a sandstone miniature of the Egyptian Sphinx carved by a returned serviceman in the 1920s, the trail descends back to the shores of Cowan Creek. At the junction of the Sphinx Track and the Warrimoo Track (pictured) the trail climbs out of the National Park into suburban St Ives. The contact with suburbia is short lived as the trail re-enters the bush and begins to make its way to Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens. Upon entering the Gardens, there is temporary relief as you reach the sealed cycleway and enjoy a smooth walk almost all the way to St Ives Showground. The Showground offers both you and your fellow team mates the only opportunity for establishing your own tent. So enjoy it!

Checkpoint 5 – Checkpoint 6 12km

St Ives Showground (UBD Ref: 155 K2) to Kambora Public School (UBD Ref: 155 N16)

Cumulative Total: 70.5km

The route out of St Ives Showground retraces the route through the Wildflower Gardens before crossing the busy Mona Vale Road and entering Garigal National Park. At this point the trail begins to follow Middle Harbour Creek and its tributaries towards Sydney Harbour. With the Great North Walk well and truly behind us, the event trail now follows the Harbour to Hawkesbury Walking Track only in reverse. A series of interconnecting fire trails feature throughout this section of trail, offering relief from the more technical walking tracks. This may please the majority of teams that will be walking this section at night. At the rock platforms on Middle Harbour Creek known as The Cascades, the trail veers off the Harbour to Hawkesbury route and enters suburban Davidson. Checkpoint 6 will be situated at Kambora Public School for the first time this year.

Checkpoint 6 – Checkpoint 7 10km

Kambora Public School (UBD Ref: 155 N16) to Davidson Park (UBD Ref: 176 A13)

Cumulative Total: 80.5km

From Kambora Public School 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 as it closely follows Middle Harbour Creek with plenty of crossings of side tributaries along the way. It then connects with Governor Phillip Walk which derives its name from the first official overland expedition of Governor Phillip when he set out in search of farmland for the colony in April 1788. After crossing paths with the large Sydney Water pipeline across Middle Harbour Creek, the trail continues to the crossing of Carroll Creek above the high tide mark. Now on Middle Harbour proper, the trail continues to follow along the waters edge into the parklands of Davidson Park. This large, open grassy park makes the perfect checkpoint to rejuvenate with your support crew…and the ducks!

Checkpoint 7 – Checkpoint 8 7.5km

Davidson Park (UBD Ref: 176 A13) to Ararat Reserve (UBD Ref: 176 L10)

Cumulative Total: 88km

This section is the shortest and in our opinion the easiest, but don’t drop your guard! After departing Davidson Park, the trail continues alongside Middle Harbour and offers expansive views of the deep blue waterways of the inner reaches of Sydney Harbour (pictured). Passing by small beaches and the historic decommissioned military magazine buildings in Bantry Bay, the trail is relatively flat with the exception of the climb up to Ararat Reserve at the end of the section. Before this last climb the trail passes across an impressive naturally occurring sandstone formation, known descriptively as ’The Natural Bridge’. The final checkpoint is situated at Ararat Reserve high above Bantry Bay and offeres glimpses of Sydney city in the not so far distance.

Checkpoint 8 – The Finish 12km

Ararat Reserve (UBD Ref: 176 L10) to Georges Heights Oval (UBD Ref: 217 F10)

Cumulative Total: 100km

Now only 12km short of a triumphant finish, the final section enjoys its last contact with Garigal National Park as it journeys past Bantry Bay before reaching Seaforth Oval. Prior to descending to the bay, ensure you stop to enjoy the magnificent views. This last section of bush trail is challenging as it includes a steep descent followed by a rugged track alongside Bantry Bay. After a brief waterside wander, prepare for a short yet steep climb up from the Bantry Bay picnic area to suburban Seaforth. Once walking alongside Wakehurst Parkway you are well on your way to the FINISH. After crossing the Spit Bridge (pictured) the trail route then meanders its way through the picturesque suburb of Mosman beside beautiful bays and beaches to Middle Head. Situated high above Sydney Harbour, and offering spectacular views of Sydney Heads, Middle Head is the ideal location to celebrate your successful completion of this significant challenge. Congratulations!