Was Cowan Creek named after a convict? Or does the name come from an Aboriginal word meaning big water? The origin is a mystery. Welcome to Cowan Creek. It is the main waterway in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This creek is a major tributary to the Hawkesbury River. Cowan Creek forms a boundary. It separates Hornsby Shire and Ku-ring-gai Municipality to the west. It separates Pittwater Municipality and Warringah Shire to the east.
Let’s step back in time. Governor Arthur Phillip explored Cowan Creek in March 1788. This happened shortly after the First Fleet arrived. However, the area remained undisturbed by white colonists until the 1880s. Then, Edward Windybank, a boat builder, took up residence here. He lived in a cave before building his house and boat shed.
In 1888, Eccleston du Faur moved to Turramurra. He campaigned for the conservation of Cowan Creek. By 1894, much of the catchment area became Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It was only the second national park in Australia. Du Faur became the managing trustee.
The twentieth century brought continuous development. Recreational facilities appeared at Bobbin Head and Apple Tree Bay. These are at the headwaters of the creek.
Almost all of Cowan Creek’s catchment lies within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Coal and Candle Creek branches off at Cottage Point. Smiths Creek is another tributary.
Tragedy struck on December 31, 2017. A de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver crashed into Jerusalem Bay. This bay is just off Cowan Creek. Six people died.
Cowan is located approximately 40 kilometres north of Sydney’s central business district. It sits in the local government area of Hornsby Shire. In 2021, 631 people lived in Cowan. The area is 8.7 square kilometres.
The railway stop at Cowan was originally a crossing loop. Trains on the single-line north track could pass each other here. Auxiliary steam engines were disconnected here. This was after the steep haul from Hawkesbury River station. A station and platform were built in 1901. The railway made Cowan a popular holiday spot. It became a starting point for bushwalkers.
Cowan provides hiking access to trails. These trails include the Great North Walk and the Jerusalem Bay Track. These walks combine distances with steep sections. The Bujwa Bay trail offers a west view.
The Cowan area has a notable landmark. It is the “Pie in the Sky” pie shop. This shop is located north of Cowan on the Pacific Highway. “Pie in the Sky” was featured in the Australian film Lantana. It is a frequent stop for day-trippers, bicycle riders and motor-scooter enthusiasts on weekends.
Cowan Creek offers beauty and history. It also provides a place for reflection. Whether you seek recreation or quiet contemplation, Cowan Creek has something for everyone. As you leave, remember the stories and the landscape. They intertwine to create the unique character of this special place.