View of Berowra Waters from road down to ferry

Berowra Waters
Lovely waterfront area in Sydney hinterland
Berowra Waters is an essentially rural and very attractive waterfront location in the northern hinterland of Sydney's metropolitan area, due west of Palm Beach and west of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It sits on either side of Berowra Creek (an anabranch of the Hawkesbury River which extends southwards from the main river) and is bisected by Berowra Waters Road (which runs off the Princes Highway) and a vehicular ferry. The homes here are waterfront properties, many reached only by boat. Not surprisingly, there is a marina and a boat ramp beside a parking area on the western side of the creek, along with public toilets, a picnic area, barbecues and swings. On the eastern side there is a camping and picnic area and access to the Benowie Walking Track (part of the Great North Walk). Boating, fishing and bushwalking are the name of the game here. Petrol is available and Berowra Waters has several restaurants and cafes.

Things to see:  

Berowra Waters vehicular ferry

Getting there
Getting there is simple. As you are roaring towards Gosford and Newcastle on the freeway keep an eye out for a sign to Berowra, turn off, get onto the old Pacific Highway, drive north and follow the signs at Berowra which point towards Berowra Waters. Six kilometres of winding road later (down Berowra Waters Road) you will reach the ferry. It is one of those true rarities. A great experience which is absolutely free. It runs "24 hours daily except second Tuesday each month from noon to 2.30pm".

Activities
The only attraction on the Berowra side of Berowra Creek is the famous Great North Walk which, if you feel like a pleasant stroll, runs beside the creek heading both upstream and downstream from the ferry.

Cross the creek on the ferry and a short distance after arrival there is a car park where visitors have easy access to barbecue facilities, toilets, good fishing spots, picnic benches in the shade and kids playgrounds, all beside Crossland Creek. Nearby is the Berowra Waters Marina which offers the true delight of the area ­ hire boats. You can hire small boats for $75 for half day or $120 for an eight hour day or, if you want something a little more substantial there are the so-called "Luxury Pontoon" boats, licensed to carry twelve people and with a toilet, an ice box and sun awning for $300 a day (8.00am-5.00pm) or $200 for any four hours in a day. Contact 9456 7000 for details. Just beside the marina is the imaginatively titled Fish Restaurant with tables with water views which offers fish and chips and gourmet burgers. The perfect solution if you haven't packed a picnic basket. If you want something a little classier the Waterview Restaurant upstairs offers a seafood buffet open from noon for lunch and 6.00pm for dinner. Bookings are necessary - contact 9456 2633.

The famous Berowra Waters Inn

Berowra Waters Inn
In the 1990s Berowra Waters Inn, when it was run by Tony and Gai Bilson, was one of Australia's most famous restaurants. There was nothing quite so spectacular, and impressive, as hiring a seaplane at Rose Bay and flying a client to Berowra Waters Inn. The landing on the water, the view of the city, the fine food. It was all there. Today the famous restaurant is still open. It can be accessed simply by calling the restaurant from Berowra Waters and they will come and pick you up. The restaurant was designed by Glenn Murcutt. As the current owners point out all it requires to pick you up from the wharf in our own boat (complimentary 2 minute ride) is to call 9456-1027 to let us know you are there.