Cowan to Brooklyn via Jerusalem Bay

Another walk before a night shift and another walk with a train trip between start and finish.

Part of the Great North Walk.

The start of the walk is straight off the train at Cowan where you step off the platform and onto the track to cross the M1 Expressway and head down to Jerusalem Bay.

Jerusalem Bay on Cowan Creek is a contender for most scenic spot on the GNW. Still on my list of must do paddles, approx 20-25klm return from either Brooklyn or Bobbin Head.

Only 5klm return from Cowan Railway Station though.

The creek runs down to the bay

A couple of serious uphill slogs as you cross the ridges.

Limited views from the top across Cowan Creek to Broken Bay with the distinctive top of  Lion Island just showing.

Views down to the Hawkesbury

The corner of Dangar Island

Then a viewpoint over Sandbrook Inlet, Kangaroo Point and the M1 Bridge over the Hawkesbury.

The marinas of Sandbrook Inlet, Brooklyn

Sandbrook Inlet formed by Long Island, with the Rail Bridge across the Hawkesbury

Then on to Brooklyn Dam

And a last view across to Dangar Island before dropping steeply off the ridge to Parsley Bay and the end of the walk at Brooklyn.

13.5klm by GPS rather than the 11klm stated on the NPWS sign.

Floods Creek Falls

Flood Creek at Somersby runs down to Mooney Mooney Creek with some nice waterfalls on the way. The most famous of these being Somersby Falls. If you follow the creek down from the lower falls you soon reach another set of falls as it cascades over a rock shelf and cave.

The lower Somersby Falls

Following the creek down. 

The "cave" falls 

Looking further down the creek 

The traditional Somersby Falls 

Mooney Mooney Mega Cave

I have walked or at least heard of most walks and sights on the Central Coast but I had never heard of the Mooney Mooney Mega Cave. That is until I bought Gosford's Bushland on foot-Volume Two by Anthony Dunk. I had been to this first viewpoint over Mooney Mooney Bridge but did not know of the rough track from here to the Mega Cave.

As you come along the under the cliff line the caves are guarded by two Blue Gums which I will call the Sentinels. 

A series (3) of caves/overhangs in the cliff line with the last being truly mega.

The first two are a little harder to access. 

Then back past the Sentinels. 

and on to the Mega Cave. Hard to photo to get a true idea of the size. 

An awesome experience and only a short walk 10 minutes from home. A big thank you to Anthony Dunk. Go buy his book and explore.