Crosslands Reserve
Address:
End of Somerville Road, Hornsby Heights
Phone:
(02) 9847 6791
Email:
hsc@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
Access is from a 2.5km gravel road at the end of Somerville Road, Hornsby Heights, or by foot along the Benowie Walking Track which forms part of the Great North walk.
The access road to Crosslands Reserve is locked from 5:30pm - 8:00am (EST) and 7:30pm - 8:00am (EDST), a key can be arranged if access is required outside of these times.
Please note: dogs are NOT permitted in Crosslands Reserve
Things to do
- Picnicking and barbeques
- Bushwalking
- Camping (bookings required - an adult over the age of 18 must be present at all times for the duration of camping bookings). Additional information is provided below.
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- Bike riding
- Nature observation
Facilities
- Picnic shelters (larger shelter available for hire - seats 12 adults)
- Electric barbecues - free
- Toilets
- Parking
- Children's playground and bicycle track
- Track head for The Great North Walk
Camping at Crosslands Reserve
Camping at Crosslands Reserve is in a beautiful, natural bushland setting and limited facilities are available i.e. there are no showers and there is no power.
It is not suitable for caravans, trailers or campervans and is not located close to public transport and shops.
History
The first inhabitants of the areas were a subgroup of the Dharug (the main aboriginal group of the Hawkesbury Region). They sheltered in caves and behind screens made of bark or branches. They found an abundance of food from the local vegetation, the plentiful fish, shell-fish and small animals of the area.
The first settlers in the area were Burton Crossland and Matthew Charlton, one on each side of Berowra Creek. In 1856 Matthew Charlton, engaged Burton Crossland as caretaker of his property on the eastern bank of Berowra Creek. Burton built his home on it and earned a living timber cutting, orcharding, fishing and boat-building.
Burton's son Tom carried out fishing and farming on the Crossland property and Matthew Charlton's son Albert, later sold his property to Crossland, thus giving him holdings on both sides of the creek.
Since 1947 the original Crossland grant has been occupied by a Seventh Day Adventist Youth Camp. The area opposite is known as 'Crosslands Reserve' and has been maintained by Hornsby Shire Council since 1921. In 1987 the reserve was incorporated into Berowra Valley Bushland Park, forming 38 square kilometres of bushland, stretching from Pennant Hills to Berowra Waters.