Two days on the Great North Walk, under 60 minutes' train from Sydney

Cowan to Brooklyn on foot, a night in a fishing village, and a platform you have to wave at.

This email was sent

September 22, 2026 4:04am EDT

Is this your brand on Milled? Claim it.

Matte tone:

View in browser

Walker on a sandstone ledge above the Hawkesbury River on the Great North Walk

Two days on the Great North Walk, and a station with no road

Hi -

There's a railway station just an hour north of Sydney's Central Station that lands you straight into a national park you can't drive to. Opened in 1889 to serve a sandstone quarry, the platform is shorter than a single carriage.

It's called Wondabyne, and a two-day walk goes straight through it.

The catch is that it's a request stop, in both directions:

Tell the guard before you leave — the train won't stop otherwise
Sit in the last carriage — only the rear door lines up with the platform
To get on, stand on the platform and wave at the driver
Opal works there, which delights me more than it should

Our new guide has the full two days: Cowan to Brooklyn on foot, where to stay overnight, and two ways to finish.

More next month. Go for a walk.

Simon

Read the two-day guide

Elliker Kiln Hooded Zip Top Backpack 22L

Elliker Buckden Roll Top Backpack 24/35L

Two days on the Great North Walk, under 60 minutes' train from Sydney

Cowan to Brooklyn on foot, a night in a fishing village, and a platform you have to wave at.

Two days on the Great North Walk, and a station with no road

Recent emails from SurfStitch