The Great North Walk is a 260 km track stretching from Sydney to Newcastle, passing through some of New South Wales’ most beautiful bushland. On this hike, we tackled the Cowan to Brooklyn section, also known as the Jerusalem Bay Track, in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, just 60 km, 37 miles north of Sydney.
With a hot day forecasted (19–32°C), (66 – 89°F) we planned for an early start at 8:40 am to beat the worst of the heat.
Cowan To Brooklyn Hike
- When: 05 January 2025
- Where: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- Weather: Clear and warm summer’s day with a low of 66°F (19°C) and a high of 89°F (32°C)
- Departure: From Cowan train station
- Length: 8.5miles, 13.68 km
- Elevation gain: 1420 ft, 433 m
- Duration: 4 hours 35 minutes moving time
The Start
Our group of seven met at Cowan Train Station, and by the time we set off, the temperature had already climbed to 25°C or 77°F.
Right from the beginning, the track descended steeply over rocky terrain, requiring careful footing. Fortunately, the bushland provided some welcome shade, and the cicadas were in full chorus, their rhythmic buzzing rising and falling as we walked.
On hot days like this, staying hydrated is key—I’ve written a guide on hydration that’s worth a read if you’re planning a summer hike.
Morning Tea on Track
After an hour of hiking, we took a 15-minute morning tea break before starting our ascent. Soon after, we caught glimpses of Cowan Creek, and not long after, the stunning Jerusalem Bay came into view.
On to Lunch at Brooklyn Dam
As we continued towards our lunch stop at Brooklyn Dam, the track became undulating, and we took frequent rest breaks to keep up our water intake.
One of the highlights was a beautiful sandstone overhang cave, where we immediately felt the cool drop in temperature—a much-needed break from the heat.
Eventually, the track widened into a fire trail, but with no shade, the sun was relentless.
By 12:35 pm, we arrived at Brooklyn Dam, where we found a picnic table in a clearing—a perfect spot to rest and enjoy lunch. The dam’s water was stained brown from tannins leaching from the surrounding trees, giving it an almost tea-like color.
One of the most striking sights was the cluster of vibrant yellow water lilies, their huge green lily pads floating elegantly near the dam’s edge.
The Last Leg to Brooklyn
The final stretch to Brooklyn followed another wide, exposed, and undulating fire trail. By 2:00 pm, we had reached Brooklyn, where we capped off the hike with a refreshing drink at the local pub, bustling with other hikers and weekend adventurers.
Since our cars were still at Cowan, we took the train replacement bus back for the drive home.
My Final Thoughts
This hike was relatively easy, though the steep and rocky descent at the beginning required some caution. The views of Jerusalem Bay were breathtaking, and the water lilies at Brooklyn Dam were a surprising highlight.
Overall, a fantastic day out in nature! Happy Hiking!
If you have any questions or have walked this section of the Great North Walk, I’d love to hear from you.