Summary
The Great North Walk is a walking track which runs from Sydney to Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. The main track, 250 kilometres in length, runs between the Obelisk in Macquarie Place in Sydney to Queens Wharf Tower in Bicentennial Park in Newcastle and is well sign-posted. There are many “side tracks” which link the track to populated areas along the length of the walk. The walk includes a huge variety of wildlife and scenery.
My route (FKT)
Brooklyn is located towards the southern end of the trail, some 80 kilometres north of the end of the trail in Sydney. Brooklyn is nicely separated from the north of the track by the Hawkesbury River and makes a good starting point if you wanted to head south. My route starts at Brooklyn and traverses the trail through Cowan, Berowra, Crosslands, Galston Gorge and then over to Quarry Road trail head, a very popular TH for Sidney area people. My route follows the Great North Walk, however approximately 1KM north of the Quarry Road trail head it breaks EAST at a well known white 'Trig point' and continues along to Sydney. My route is 40KM and moves through fire trail and single trail, Eucalypt Forest, steep scrambling climbs, undulating semi tropical trail and some long ascents and descents. There is interesting flora and fauna to see on the way, I saw rock wallabies and white cockatoos during my passage. Although this trail is quite near to Sydney, you get the impression that you are far from civilization, this route is a fantastic day challenge that will leave the hiker or runner satisfied at the end. Best run in the winter, there are limited waterstops and you may want to take a water filter system like 'Be Free' with you. Highly recommend to take a snake bandage with you at all times and basic safety kit, there is sporadic cell phone coverage. Always leave your route time marked with another person.
Jason Trimmer
