The best walks and hikes in Popran National Park

Piles Creek Loop is a short circuit that follows the creek through a shaded valley. The track includes multiple creek crossings using stepping stones, along with sections of uneven sandstone and exposed roots. Waterfalls and smaller cascades appear along the route, particularly after rain.

This small cascade sits directly off the Piles Creek Loop, where the creek drops over a series of low rock ledges. It’s easy to miss compared to larger falls nearby, but the track passes close enough to see the water moving through the rocks. Flow depends on recent rainfall.

Andamira Lookout looks down into Andamira Falls as it drops into the gorge below. The viewpoint sits above the creek, with the waterfall framed by surrounding vegetation. Flow varies depending on recent rainfall, with a more visible cascade after wet rainfall.

Jerusalem Bay is one of the most scenic spots along the Great North Walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The track descends through sandstone bushland and eucalypt forest before reaching the quiet waters of the bay, which forms part of Cowan Creek. Surrounded by steep bush-covered hills, the sheltered inlet feels remote despite being relatively close to Sydney. The calm water and sandy edges make it a peaceful place to rest along the walk, and it’s common to spot fish, waterbirds, and other wildlife around the bay.

The Great North Walk is one of Australia’s classic long-distance bushwalks, stretching about 250 km between Sydney and Newcastle in New South Wales. The track was created in 1988 for Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations and links a wide range of landscapes including national parks, river valleys, ridgelines, and coastal bushland. The track passes through several major parks such as Ku-ring-gai Chase and Brisbane Water National Park, with many sections accessible from nearby towns and train stations. While the full walk usually takes 8–14 days to complete, most hikers explore shorter sections as day walks, making it one of the most flexible and well-known bushwalking routes in New South Wales.

This access point to the Great North Walk sits in the small riverside town of Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River. Surrounded by bushland and water, Brooklyn is a popular place for bushwalkers to begin or end this section of the trail. The town has cafés, a marina, and views across the river toward Dangar Island, making it a nice place to pause after a long walk. From here you can either continue bushwalking through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park or take a short train ride to nearby Cowan to reconnect with other sections of the Great North Walk.

Brooklyn Loop Firetrail is a section of the Great North Walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park that follows a wide management track through classic Sydney sandstone bushland. Compared to some of the narrower bush tracks nearby, the firetrail is easier to follow and offers a more open stretch of walking through forest and low heath. The track runs along a ridgeline with occasional glimpses toward the surrounding valleys and waterways.

A fabulous part of the Great Northen Walk. We parked at Cowan station. The waymarked trail passes through the station :-), walk through National Park and finish the walk in picturesque Brooklyn. Then an easy train ride back to the car. on the weekend it can be 90 min between trains. So, watch your timing.