Covering more than 3800 ha of bushland within the Hornsby Shire, it extends along Berowra, Calna, Tunks and Pyes Creeks between Pennant Hills and Berowra, and links with Marramarra National Park and Muogamarra Nature Reserve.
Where the Park is located
The Berowra Valley National Park is on the northern limits of the Sydney metropolitan area and some 20 km north-west of the city centre. The Park is a strip of bushland about 16 km long, and from 1–6 km wide, running northwards from Pennant Hills to Berowra Waters. At its northernmost point it is some 10 km from the Hawkesbury River. It follows Berowra Creek, and occupies much of the catchment for that waterway.
The climate of the Park
Temperature
The climate of the Berowra Valley Regional Park is temperate, with an average January maximum of 27°C, and an average July minimum of 5°C.
Rainfall
The 1000 mm annual precipitation isohyet follows the ridges along the Pacific Highway, paralleling the Park’s eastern boundary. The mean annual precipitation at Pennant Hills is 1068 mm, indicating that a range of rainfall patterns may be experienced through the Park, perhaps due to orographic influences. The mean annual evaporation is about 1000 mm. The region is subject to protracted droughts or periods of intense rain, leading to high levels of run-off.
Winds
Prevailing winds are north to south-east in summer, and north to south-west in winter (Bureau of Meteorology, 1939-98). Warm, dry weather in summer is associated with north-westerly winds.
Topographical influence
The deeply incised topography gives aspect and vegetation variations, which cause microclimates, the exposed ridges being more subject to extremes than the sheltered valley sides.
Managers of the Park
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for the management of the national parks estate in the Hornsby area, including the Berowra Valley National Park.
Other Supporters of the Park
Hornsby Shire Council – Formerly a joint manager of the Park, Council withdrew from active participation beyond responsibility for Council owned lands such as the area around Crosslands. Council still maintains a strong interest in the quality and maintenance of the Park through its community landcare and regeneration groups.
Department of Lands – The Department of Lands is responsible for maintaining the Great North Walk.
Hornsby Conservation Society – The Asquith District Flora and Fauna Society had its beginnings shortly after World War II, as a group of conservation-minded people. There was an even earlier group from before the war with similar aims. In 1952 the Asquith Society’s name was changed to the Hornsby Wildlife Conservation Society. This name was further changed to its present form, the Hornsby Conservation Society, in the 1970s. At first, their major goal was the preservation of the bushland in Old Mans Valley around the quarry. The Society then began a campaign to preserve bushland in the southern portion of Berowra Valley to protect the lyrebird populations in the area. The continued efforts of the Society have led to the preservation of most of the bushland in Berowra Valley as part of the national parks estate.
Australian Plants Society NSW – The Australian Plants Society NSW Ltd is a non-profit, voluntary organisation, the aims of which are to encourage the appreciation of Australian plants and their use in private gardens, public places and rural areas, and to carry out conservation and educational projects. This is done by the members undertaking projects and by awarding grants. Membership is open to all, and includes those from the professions and many others. The Society publishes two periodicals for members, one being a full-colour quarterly. The Society, part of an Australia-wide coalition of similar societies, consists of twenty-nine district groups, and has 3000 members in New South Wales. Until 1996 the society was known as the Society for Growing Australian Plants
Friends of Berowra Valley – The Friends of Berowra Valley provide a community-based connection between the Park Managers and individuals wishing to volunteer their time in order to promote, preserve and protect the Park in accordance with the plan of management.