I was keen to get into the bush after a bad bout of flu. An easy walk was called for and the section of the Great North Walk between Thornleigh and Hornsby seemed ideal.
The Spa
It was easy to get to the start by public transport – a short walk from Thornleigh Station. The track starts off following a small creek. Just behind the houses are some attractive stream formation.
A little further downstream there is a 4 m waterfall. The water starts off flowing through a small natural arch. Unfortunately it was chocked up with garden rubbish. A lot of other rubbish was scattered nearby. Not nice!
Further along the conditions are a lot more natural. The track is easy fast walking. Quite a few wildflowers were out, but the peak had passed.
The most interesting feature of the walk was a section of quite amazing creek sculpture at the crossing of Waitara Creek. According to online notes, locals call it “The Spa”. I spent a fair bit of time here waiting for the right light for photographs of it – with only limited success. It was also a nice place to stop for lunch.
A short way downstream, in Berowra Creek, is a large pool called the “Fish Pond”. It looked badly polluted.
I then followed the track to Hornsby. This is part of a “Blue Gum Walk” – and it certainly passes through a nice, but small stand of Sydney Blue Gums (Eucalyptus saligna).
More photos can be found on my website here.
Sad to see the pollution and littering of this section. I spotted echidna, large lizards and snakes a few times along the track. Lovely track but more densely populated around so getting dirtier.
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Hi there, I read your blog with interest, I am new to bushwalking but very fit, I would love to do this walk, but on my own, is it well signed? I won’t get lost will I? And is it safe to do alone? I appreciate any info.
Thanks
Adrienne
Yes -well signposted, but it is worth taking a map. Lots of other tracks intersect the Great North Walk. You may want to use them for access or escape if the weather turned bad. There are also good online notes – try wildwalks website.
Dave