Lyrebird Gully circuit
Berowra Valley National Park
Overview
Explore the beautiful bushland of Berowra Valley National Park along Lyrebird Gully circuit. This day walk connects Mount Ku-Ring-Gai and Berowra train stations and forms part of the iconic Great North Walk.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 9km one-way
- Time suggested
- 4 - 6hrs
- Grade
- Grade 5
- What to
bring - Drinking water, first aid kit, hat, sunscreen, snacks, topographic map
- Please note
- This track is quite long and requires a moderate level of fitness.
- There are many creek crossings along this walk. Please take care as the track can get slippery.
- Berowra Creek is susceptible to pollution. Avoid swimming for 3 days after heavy rainfall or if the water is discoloured.
Lyrebird Gully circuit makes for an unforgettable bushland adventure in Berowra Valley National Park. This day walk links Mount Ku-ring-gai and Berowra train stations so it’s a great opportunity to leave the car at home and enjoy a day out by public transport.
From Mount Ku-ring-gai, head north through Lyrebird Gully. Listen for the sounds of water flowing over the rocks as you cross Calna and Berowra creeks. If you visit after rain, you may spot small waterfalls when you reach Lyrebird Creek.
In the middle of the walk, you’ll come across a boardwalk that leads the way across a salt marsh. Bask in the tranquillity of this area as you look up at the hillsides from down in the valley—you’ll feel a million miles away from civilisation. Then make your way up the zig zag stairs to Berkeley trail and head east until you reach the streets of Berowra and the train station.
If you’d like to explore more of the park, there’s lots to see and do. Take Berkeley trail towards Berowra Creek and enjoy the views from Naa Badu lookout. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, continue north along the multi-day Great North Walk.
Also see
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Great North walk - Berowra Valley National Park
Also known as Benowie walking track, this section of the iconic Great North walk between Sydney and Newcastle makes a great overnight hike or day walk. Camp out the night for an unforgettable bushland adventure.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/lyrebird-gully-circuit/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Berowra Valley National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
- Berowra Valley National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger
- Crosslands Reserve is open 8am to 7.30pm during daylight savings and 9am to 5pm the rest of the year
- Barnetts Road Reserve and the lookout is closed from sunset to sunrise
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Lyrebird Gully circuit.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
9km one-way
Time
4 - 6hrs
Quality of markings
Limited signage
Experience required
Some bushwalking experience recommended
Gradient
Very steep
Steps
Many steps
Quality of path
Rough unformed track
Getting there and parking
Lyrebird Gully circuit is in the north-eastern part of Berowra Valley National Park. To get there from Sydney or Newcastle:
- Follow the Pacific Highway to Mount Ku-ring-gai train station
- The walk begins southwest across the Pacific Highway off Glenview Road
If you’re starting from Berowra train station:
- Follow the Pacific Highway to Berowra train station
- The walk begins west across the Pacific Highway along Berowra Waters Road at the intersection with Crowley Road.
Vehicle access
- No vehicle access
Parking
There is street parking nearby on side streets off the Pacific Highway at both Mount Ku-ring-gai and Berowra. If you choose to come in by train, parking is available at both Mount Ku-ring-gai and Berowra train stations.
By public transport
The track is a short walk from either Mount Ku-ring-gai train station or Berowra train station. See the Transport Info website for more information on how to get to each train station.
Facilities
- There are toilets at Mount Ku-ring-gai and Berowra train stations, located at either end of Lyrebird Gully circuit.
- You’ll find toilets, gas/electric barbecues, picnic tables and drinking water at Crosslands Reserve. To get there, head north-west along Lyrebird Gully circuit from Mount Ku-ring-gai station, take a detour along Benowie walking track (part of the Great North Walk) and cross Calna Creek.
- There are no bins along this track, so you’ll need to take all rubbish away with you.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Camping
Camping is not permitted along Lyrebird Gully circuit. If you want to camp, you can do so at spots along the Great North Walk and at Crosslands Reserve.
Cycling
Bikes are not permitted on Lyrebird Gully circuit. If you want to cycle, you can do so along the public roads and some management trails, including Berkeley management trail.
Gathering firewood
Generators
Horses
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Lyrebird Gully circuit is in Berowra Valley National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal importance
Berowra Valley National Park is within the traditional Country of the Dharug People to the west. It contains a number of significant Aboriginal heritage sites, including artefacts, middens and campfire sites. This special area, with its land and waterways, plants and animals, features in all facets of Aboriginal culture and continues to be of great significance to Aboriginal people today.
Bush in the 'burbs
Eucalypt forests, delightful birdlife and all manner of creatures occupy this very beautiful bush valley stretching from the suburbs out towards the Hawkesbury river. While you're in the park, keep your eye out for a powerful owl, sea eagle, wedgetail, or listen for the call of a red crown toadlet.
Making tracks
Great North walk is an iconic track that stretches 250km from Sydney to Newcastle. Constructed in 1988 as part of the Australian Bicentenary, the walk takes in diverse landscapes and a lot of Australian history. Part of the walk travels through Berowra Valley National Park along the Benowie walking track.
- Great North walk stage 3: Across the watershed Join this guided tour in Berowra Valley National Park. You'll walk 10km across Sydney’s north from Thornleigh to Hornsby. This walk is the 3rd stage in the series of Great North walks.
- Great North walk stage 4: Into the gorge On this 16km hike we'll traverse Galston Gorge, beautiful waterholes, and wonderful rock overhangs in Berowra Valley National Park. Start and end the day at Hornsby station. Sign up now and challenge yourself on stage 4 of the Great North walk.
- Great North walk stage 5: Hidden valleys part 1 Stage 5 of the Great North walk takes us from Hornsby to Berowra stations. Explore 12km on this guided walk through the hidden valleys of Berowra Valley National Park.
Wonderful waterways
Berowra Creek is a hidden waterway perfect for canoeing, boating and fishing. Escape the noise and traffic of the city and come and while away a few hours in the perfect serenity of this lovely little spot. Load up your pack with sandwiches and hats and take the family for a wander along the trails or laze under a tree at Crosslands Reserve while the kids play.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.
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Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.
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Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.
Plants
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Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)
Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.