Overview
This walk covered the first 100 km of the Great North Walk, which I did in late June 2020 with the Trekker’s Friend. The Great North Walk is 260 km in total. I hope to go back and do the rest of the walk soon.
While I could use the Trekker’s Friend to carry my pack for some of the way, most of this part of the Great North Walk is not suitable for wheels.
Each day
Day 1 was the 31 km between Circular Quay and Thornleigh railway station. I did it in reverse (train to Thornleigh then walked to Woolwich, then ferry to Circular Quay). Was fast and easy walking, with the Riverside Cafe along the way to get lunch. Stayed at an Airbnb place near the station. (note: I actually walked Day 1 last – long story).
This day is interesting because often you are in forest that feels quite remote in some ways, but most of the time you have the roar of traffic somewhere in the background.
Thornleigh Station, start of the walk 
Forest near Thornleigh Station 
Under the A3 
The track goes through this cave 
Mangroves near Woolwich 
Part of the Lane Cove river 
Crossing the M2 close to East Ryde 
Woolwich (Clarke Street) Wharf, waiting for the ferry 
Circular Quay
Day 2 was 25 km from Thornleigh station to Sams Creek, a few km north of the Crosslands Campsite. Got water here by going a little up the creek to get beyond the tidal zone. Be careful where you camp here – I had to move my tent twice in the night as the tide came in!
It is odd to have part of a bushwalk going through a suburb, and odder still, when you feel you are somewhere quite remote, to look up and see the verandah of someone’s house above you – both of these things happen on this part of the walk.
Rocks near Berowra Creek 
Through the streets of Hornsby Heights 
Trekker’s Friend carrying my pack through the Clarinda Wetland near Hornsby 
Metal stairs on rocks are common 
Crossing Berowra Creek at Galson George (I think) 
Around Berowra Creek 
Near Galston Gorge 
Tunks Ridge Rest Area 
Crosslands reserve
Day 3 was the 23.9 km to Brooklyn Train Station, from where I took a train to Woy Woy and stayed for the night. Hardest day – slow and strenuous with lots of ups and downs – had to walk the last couple of hours in the pitch dark, which was OK as it is on a dirt road down to Brooklyn and I was wheeling my pack which made it a lot easier.
Lunch was at Cowan, at the Great North Cafe – highly recommended. It rained all morning so I didn’t get as many photos.
Great North Cafe at Cowan 
Track from Cowan down to Jerusalem Bay 
Trees with red bark, wet after rain 
Jerusalem Bay
Day 4 I got a bus from Woy Woy to Patonga and walked the 20km to Wondabyn Station, then got train out. Good to do this on a weekday as there are more early buses to Patonga.
Start of the day at Patonga 
Near Patonga 
Woy Woy tip 
Near Woy Woy 
Near Woy Woy 
Near Woy Woy 
Near Woy Woy 
From above Wondabyne Station 
End of the Day at Wondabyne Station
Summary
Overall the walk was very unusual and interesting, as it goes through Sydney and its outskirts. It’s great to be able to have lunch in a cafe and have occasional public transport access. Will write more when I finish the walk.