Galston Gorge, Deep defile in Hornsby Shire, Australia
Galston Gorge is a narrow rock gorge in Hornsby Shire, New South Wales, running through Berowra Valley Regional Park between Galston and Hornsby Heights. The road through it follows a series of tight bends carved into steep sandstone walls, with a creek running along the valley floor below.
The road through the gorge was built in 1891 as a public works project during the economic depression of the 1890s. It was one of the first links between the scattered settlements of what is now the northern outskirts of Sydney.
The Benowie Track, part of the Great North Walk, runs through the gorge and draws walkers who follow its rocky paths through dense bush. Birdwatchers often stop along the route, as the tree cover and creek edges attract a wide range of native birds.
Vehicles over 7.5 m long are not allowed on the road through the gorge because of its sharp turns and narrow sections. Drivers should go slowly and watch for oncoming traffic, especially around the bends where visibility is limited.
A group of feral chickens lived in the bushland of the gorge for years before being removed in 2000, which is a rare occurrence in a nature reserve setting. They shared the habitat with native animals for a long time before wildlife managers decided to act.
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