PLAN YOUR VISIT
Plan smart – respect your limits – enjoy the park
Plan your journey so you have enough time to exit the park before dark or, if you’re visiting the Crusher Plant Precinct, enough time to exit the reserve before the gates are locked.
Research your trip. Choose walks or activities that match your abilities, fitness and stamina and take note of any opening or closing times for the car park.
Do not enter areas that are closed, or fenced off.
Stay informed: check weather forecasts and warnings.
Park closures
Hornsby Park will be closed on days with fire danger ratings of “Catastrophic” and “Extreme” where there is a fire behaviour index rating of 75 or higher, as assessed by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Greater Sydney Region.
Further information on fire danger ratings can be found on the Rural Fire Service website and New South Wales Fire Danger Ratings.
Hornsby Park may be closed at short notice during flooding, total fire bans and extreme weather. Check the website for updates or phone Council on 9847 6666 for information about park closures.
In an emergency call 000.
Getting here
Access Crusher Plant Precinct from Quarry Road, off Dural Street, Hornsby.
Free parking is available at the Crusher Plant Precinct. The car park gates are open daily from 7am to 5.30pm (7.30pm during daylight saving).
Pedestrian access is available via the path on Quarry Road – a 10 minute walk from Hornsby Train Station.
Or you can walk down the historic Heritage Steps – entry rear of the playground next to Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this steep bushwalk.
For train and bus times visit transportnsw.info
Crusher Plant Precinct Map - click to download
Access guide
Accessible locations
The Crusher Plant Precinct is wheelchair accessible from the pedestrian entrance gate on Quarry Road and car park. The toilets, Southern Lookout, BBQ and three of the picnic shelters are all accessible.
The Crusher Plant Precinct has paved paths running throughout the site with large lawn areas. There are also areas of crushed, granite paved sections. The Southern Lookout has an elevated, metal boardwalk.
Accessible car parking
There are 3 accessible car parking spaces adjacent to the main lawn and close to the Southern Lookout. There are also 2 accessible car parking spaces close to the public toilets on Quarry Road.
Toilet facilities
There are unisex toilets at the Crusher Plant Precinct including 1 accessible and 2 ambulant.
Things to see and do
CRUSHER PLANT PRECINCT
The first chapter in a new story for Hornsby Park – a parkland being shaped for generations to come.
This is just the beginning
Step on board the Southern Lookout to discover what’s been happening behind the scenes to transform the old Hornsby Quarry of the Bushland Shire into walking trails, majestic lookouts and welcoming open spaces.
This striking structure, with its 14-metre-high tapered steel columns, 13-metre flight of stairs and 42-metre-long viewing deck, offers breathtaking panoramic views across the quarry and surrounding bushland.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
The Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail is six kilometres of white-knuckle riding through the picturesque Old Mans Valley.
OFF ROAD ADVENTURES
The single-track mountain bike trail is a combination of narrow bushland trails and flowing one-metre-wide trails. Whether you’re looking for a technical ride or simply want to release the brakes along the flow trail, you’re bound to find it.
HERITAGE STEPS
A MAJESTIC STAIRCASE
The Hornsby Heritage Steps, also known as ‘Depressions Steps’, were constructed as part of a program of ‘works for the relief of unemployment’ during the Great Depression.
COMING SOON
QUARRY LOOP WALKING AND CYCLING TRACK
SCENIC LOOKOUTS
BIKE JUMPS AND PUMP TRACK
FAQs
Dogs on a leash are welcome in Hornsby Park. Please keep to made paths and bushland tracks. Please pick up after your dog. Please note, water is available at the Crusher Plant Precinct and the Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre Precinct.
Portable BBQs are permitted.
The Crusher Plant Precinct has a free electric BBQ for use.
Small, non-commercial use sun shelters are permitted but must not be pegged into the ground (sandbags or weights are permitted). Please ensure their placement does not interfere with the comfort of others or obstruct thoroughfares. Structures for large gatherings or events require approval.
There are no cafe’s or shops at Hornsby Park.
Local cafe’s and shops are an 11 minute, 700m stroll away.
Permanent accessible toilets are in the admin building behind the old Crusher Plant.
Two water refill stations are available in the park. One at the eastern end of the park near the picnic shelter and one on the western end near the lookout.
The Masterplan will be delivered in stages over time. At present, the feasibility of swimming in the quarry lake is yet to be determined. Any opportunity to swim will need to consider community safety, access and funding. In the meantime, you are welcome to enjoy the lake views from the lookouts and along the Quarry Loop. Hornsby Park also contains the Hornsby Aquatic & Leisure Centre which is situated off Peats Ferry Road. Natural waterway swimming is also available across the Shire – please visit swimming in our waterways to find out more.
Whilst drones may be fun, they can be noisy, disturb other visitors, and impact local birdlife. There are also safety concerns, particularly in public spaces. For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, drone flying is not allowed in the park.
