Note: Muogamarra Nature Reserve is normally open to the public for six weekends year (in August/September). The walk to Bujwa Bay is offered from time to time as a guided walk through the National Parks Discovery Walks Program (bookings essential and a small fee applies).
The Bujwa Fire Trail descends through the southern part of Muogamarra Nature Reserve down to Bujwa Bay on Berowra Creek. It’s not clear where the word “bujwa” comes from, but it’s been suggested it may be derived from the Dharug words “budhawa” (a night owl) or “budjor” (a tea-tree).
The well-maintained firetrail descends gently along the ridge.
After about half a kilometre, there’s a nice view through the trees over Bujwa Bay.
The trail passes a small creek, which flows into Bujwa Creek. Despite being a dry year, it’s surrounded by lush ferns.
Muogamarra is usually open to the public for a number of weekends in August/September, which also means there’s a nice display of wildflowers along the trail.
Not far before the end of the trail is a large rock platform, which makes a nice spot for a break, and offers great views over Berowra Creek.
The trail descends a bit more steeply from here, before reaching a small campsite just above the water (although camping is not allowed here). A well-built set of stones steps descends from the end of the firetrail to the water.
The walking track reaches Berowra Creek at the end of a Bujwa Point, a small peninsula between Bujwa Bay and Little Bay. A line of rocks in the otherwise natural shoreline looks like the remnants of an old jetty or structure.
There’s no evidence of land allotments on historical parish maps – but an application was made in May 1946 for a “boatshed ramp, pontoon, and skids, containing about 20 perches (90ft x 50ft) below high-water mark of Bujwa Bay, Berowra Creek fronting Recreation Reserve”.
Charts in the 1970s identify a “portion 332” jutting into the water, and a road down to the water (which is the Bujwa Fire Trail today).
From the water’s edge, it’s back the same way…
Getting to the Bujwa Fire Trail and Bujwa Bay
The easiest way to access this trail is from behind Cowan Oval, which is at the end of Bujwa Bay Road in Cowan, about an hour north of Sydney. If taking public transport, it’s about a kilometre walk from Cowan Station. You can also access the bushwalk from the Wedgewood Firetrail, which is off Pacific Highway, a short distance further south. Note that prior NPWS approval is required or a booking on a Guided Walk.
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