Berrilee between bushland and local history

Berrilee is a small, rural locality in Hornsby Shire and the Parish of North Colah. It lies about five kilometres west of Berowra. This gives the destination a rural character, complemented by bushland in the surrounding area and historical local connections.

Location and landscape

In the wider area around Berrilee, open forests and woodland form a fauna corridor between Berowra Valley Bushland Park and the bushland in Marramarra National Park. This landscape connection is in the wider area around the destination. The Charltons Creek Road Reserve in Berrilee has been proposed for classification as a “natural area – bushland”; public recreation is listed as its purpose. The reserve information refers to a named location, while the fauna corridor relates to the wider area. This distinguishes the local classification from the broader landscape region.

Local history and heritage status

Mount Orient is a sandstone house on Bay Road in Berrilee. It is heritage-listed and classified as being of state significance. At 5 Chilcott Road is a former school building that has been proposed for classification as an item of local heritage significance. The two descriptions represent different levels and statuses: state significance is noted for Mount Orient, while local classification has been proposed for the former schoolhouse.

The origin of the place name is also explained in different ways. The name Berrilee is traced back to 1840 and is said to come from the Dharug word “burra”, probably meaning “place of kangaroos”. Another explanation, cited by Hornsby Shire Council, links the name to “birra birra” and “the pigs of the white settlers”; it is given as a possible interpretation in connection with the Shire’s place names. These are different interpretations of the name, and neither is presented as definitive.

Ruins and route connection

A fire trail through the area connects the ruins of the Fretus Hotel with McCallums Road in Berrilee, which branches off Bay Road. This describes the ruins’ location in relation to the roads mentioned. If you would like to include the route in a tour, please check in advance whether it can be accessed.

Travel and stay information

In 2020, the ferry service at Berowra Waters was described as a car ferry connecting Berowra, Berowra Waters and Berrilee, serving the local community and visitors. If you plan to use the ferry for your journey, check the current timetable in advance.

Renewal work on a public toilet at Berowra Waters (Dusthole Bay) in Berrilee has been completed. If you depend on this facility, check its current status before your visit.

Find hotels in Berrilee

If Berrilee is your destination, you can use the place name as your search destination and compare specific hotel offers based on their actual location, price and listed amenities. Check the details of each offer against your travel dates. This lets you choose the destination separately from selecting a specific hotel.

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