The 3,884-hectare (9,600-acre) national park is situated approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) north-west of the Sydney central business district.

Located within the Sydney Basin, the park is part of the dissected Hornsby Plateau which is dominated by Hawkesbury Sandstone and predominantly covers the catchment area of Berowra Creek.

A 25-kilometre (16 mi) stretch of the Great North Walk is located within the national park.

This gazettal was in response to increasing community concern over the development of bushland areas in the Hornsby Shire.

On 27 January 2013 a man was found alive in the park after spending 9 weeks being lost.