Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

30 min to 1 h

1.4 km
return

↑ 39 m
↓ -39 m

Moderate track
A very nice walk through a small part of the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The extensive rock platforms of Refuge Rock make a beautiful place to relax and explore. The optional side trip to see the natural rock arch is well worth it, adding some really beautiful scenery to the walk. Another great bushland walk in the midst of the suburbs. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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After the fires. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Nice forest on the way to Refuge Rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rocks by the trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Views along the way. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Textures at Refuge Rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Mortar shell impact at Refuge Rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Moss growth at Refuge Rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Extensive rock platforms. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Interesting rock textures. | Photo by admin, 2009.
A narrow chasm in the rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Under the natural arch. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The natural rock arch. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.708296,151.0577415)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom New Line Road
  • Turn on to Purchase Road then drive for 265 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Purchase Road and drive for another 580 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Purchase Road and drive for another 1.1 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Purchase Road and drive for another 690 m
  • Turn left onto Trevors Lane and drive for another 260 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the end of Trevors Ln, Cherrybrook, the walk passes the 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign and follows the management trail beside the houses. The walk almost immediately passes around a gate and arrives at an intersection with another management trail.
From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, directly away from the houses. After a short distance, the trail reaches an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A/92B ...'.
From the intersection, the walk follows the 'ST22/23' arrow, going gently up the hill, along the management trail. After a very short distance, the trail passes under some high voltage powerlines and immediately reaches an intersection with a bush track, to the right, and management trail, to the left.
From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail away from the high voltage powerlines, leaving the visible tower to the left. The trail descends gently, through pleasant forest (ignoring an unmarked bush track to the right) and reaches an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A 92B/16'.
From the intersection, the walk follows the level management trail, leaving the '92A 92B/16' signpost behind on the left. After a short distance, the trail passes a clearing, to the left, and descends for a while before arriving at a large, flat rock outcrop, the western edge of 'Refuge Rock'.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 75 m turn left, to head along Trevors Lane Trail.
After another 165 m (at the intersection of Trevors Lane Trail & Refuge Rock Trail) turn left, to head along Refuge Rock Trail.
After another 120 m veer left, to head along Refuge Rock Trail.
After another 135 m veer right, to head along Refuge Rock Trail.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Natural Arch. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Continue another 190 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 690 m to get back to the start.
About 30 m past the end is "Refuge Rock".
Refuge Rock
Refuge Rock

Refuge Rock is a large area of rock outcrops and platforms, at the end of the Refuge Rock walk near Cherrybrook. This area has a great atmosphere and is a nice spot to explore or relax, close to the suburbs, but feeling a million miles from it. The various rock platforms extend for hundreds of metres in all directions. At the far south-east edge of Refuge Rock is a natural arch, know as 'London Bridge'. Refuge Rock was used as a target area during military training around WWII. There are a number of visible marks in the rock surface from mortar shells.
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Refuge Rock is a large area of rock outcrops and platforms, at the end of the Refuge Rock walk near Cherrybrook. This area has a great atmosphere and is a nice spot to explore or relax, close to the suburbs, but feeling a million miles from it. The various rock platforms extend for hundreds of metres in all directions. At the far south-east edge of Refuge Rock is a natural arch, know as 'London Bridge'. Refuge Rock was used as a target area during military training around WWII. There are a number of visible marks in the rock surface from mortar shells.


An optional side trip to Natural Arch.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Refuge Rock (about 30 m back from the start).
Refuge Rock
Refuge Rock

Refuge Rock is a large area of rock outcrops and platforms, at the end of the Refuge Rock walk near Cherrybrook. This area has a great atmosphere and is a nice spot to explore or relax, close to the suburbs, but feeling a million miles from it. The various rock platforms extend for hundreds of metres in all directions. At the far south-east edge of Refuge Rock is a natural arch, know as 'London Bridge'. Refuge Rock was used as a target area during military training around WWII. There are a number of visible marks in the rock surface from mortar shells.
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Refuge Rock is a large area of rock outcrops and platforms, at the end of the Refuge Rock walk near Cherrybrook. This area has a great atmosphere and is a nice spot to explore or relax, close to the suburbs, but feeling a million miles from it. The various rock platforms extend for hundreds of metres in all directions. At the far south-east edge of Refuge Rock is a natural arch, know as 'London Bridge'. Refuge Rock was used as a target area during military training around WWII. There are a number of visible marks in the rock surface from mortar shells.

After another 265 m come to "London Bridge".
The end.
About 15 m past the end is "Natural Arch".
Natural Arch
Natural Arch

This natural arch, known locally as 'London Bridge' is at the south-eastern edge of Refuge Rock, near Cherrybrook. The arch is formed below a long, narrow block of rock at the edge of a larger rock platform. To see the arch, you walk down through the narrow chasms separating the block from the rock platform, to emerge underneath the arch. The arch itself, and the area around it is beautiful.
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This natural arch, known locally as 'London Bridge' is at the south-eastern edge of Refuge Rock, near Cherrybrook. The arch is formed below a long, narrow block of rock at the edge of a larger rock platform. To see the arch, you walk down through the narrow chasms separating the block from the rock platform, to emerge underneath the arch. The arch itself, and the area around it is beautiful.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 245 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Refuge Rock and Natural Arch


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 1.4 km
Time 30 min to 1 h
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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