Starting at the well-established Girrakool picnic area, this walk visits four lookouts and an Aboriginal engravings site. The walk offers a couple of side trips, visiting some nice spots on Piles Creek. The views from each of the lookout are filtered through trees, but still worth the visit. The walk is especially nice in late winter and early spring, when the wildflowers are blooming. A good walk when picnicking at Girrakool.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Girrakool Loop track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Girrakool Loop track bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
1.4km
Time
45 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
Around 1.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 20m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
Around 1.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 290m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 790m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 630m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 1.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 1.4km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'[1]. More info
(0 km)
Girrakool Picnic Area
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Aboriginal Engravings site Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 189 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -20 m
From the Girrakool picnic area car park and information sign, this walk heads across the car park to the 'Girrakool Loop 2km' signpost on the other side. The walk then follows this sign and track into the bush, leaving the freeway noise behind. The track crosses a rock platform then heads down a series of steps, to come to a large rock platform with a pine log and 'Aboriginal Site' sign. The cliff edge around the rock is un-fenced.
Girrakool Aboriginal Engravings site
Alt = 105 m
This rock platform has a log and 'Aboriginal Site' sign. Make an effort to not walk on the the engravings as this will only fade the engraving further. The engraving on this rock have faded but with a bit of effort you can make out a man and kangaroo[2]. More info
(0.19 km)
Aboriginal Engravings site
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Int of Girrakool Loop and Piles Creek Access track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 305 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -16 m
Continue straight: From the Aboriginal Engraving Site, this walk heads down the stairs that lead through the crack a the lower end of the rock platform. The track then winds through the bush for a little while. Soon after passing a glimpse of Piles Creek, the track comes to a 'T' intersection, marked with a small arrow sign post.
(0.49 km)
Int of Girrakool Loop and Piles Creek Access track
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Piles Creek Cascades Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 47 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track in the opposite direction to the arrow, down the hill. The track passes over the rocks, through a small crack and around the red gum tree, to come to the rocky creek bed of Piles Creek. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Piles Creek Cascades
Alt = 90 m
Piles Creek Cascades are an informally named set of cascades on a wide rock platform and Piles Creek, in Brisbane Water National Park. The creek, at this point, flows across a rock platform with many interesting sink holes, small water holes and cascades. this is a nice spot to explore. Care is needed as the rocks are slippery, with unfenced drops, and the area may not be passable after rain.
(0.49 km)
Int of Girrakool Loop and Piles Creek Access track
to
Broula Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 51 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow along the wide track (keeping the valley to the left). The track tends left to soon lead to Broula Lookout.
Broula Lookout
Alt = 95 m
Broula Lookout is fenced and a fairly short walk down from the Girrakool picnic area. Over time, the trees in the area have grown, filtering what would otherwise be a great vantage point for the Piles Creek waterfall. Broula is an Aboriginal word referring to a place of trickling water[3].
(0.55 km)
Broula Lookout
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Illoura Lookout Walk: Easy - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 67 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn right: From Broula Lookout, this walk follows the clearer track heading directly away from the cliff to soon come to the a 'T' intersection with the 'Girrakool Loop' footpath. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Girrakool Loop' sign down along the stone path. The path soon heads down some steps and comes to a fenced and signposted 'Illoura Lookout'.
Illoura Lookout
Alt = 91 m
Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place[4].
(0.61 km)
Illoura Lookout
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Piles Creek Waterfall Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 71 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn left: From Illoura Lookout, the walk follows the left-hand 'Piles Creek' and GNW arrow down the wooden steps (keeping the valley to the right). The track soon passes a 'Caution Low Water Level Crossing Only' sign and crosses Piles Creek using the concrete stepping stones (the creek may be impassable after rain). The track then opens up on an unfenced rock platform, at the top of the waterfall. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
Piles Creek Waterfall
Alt = 83 m
The large waterfall on Piles Creek is south of Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Water National Park. At the Piles Creek Loop track crossing at the top of the falls, there is a large rock platform. The cliff edge is unfenced and would be dangerous to approach for the view. The water falls down the large drop, into a big pool below. The 'Bundilla Lookout' on the other side of the valley provides the only square view onto the falls, but even this only witnesses the top half.
(0.61 km)
Illoura Lookout
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Andamira intersection Track: Moderate - footpath,bushtrack
Length = 451 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 26 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From Illoura Lookout, this walk follows the 'Girrakool Loop' sign keeping the green fence to the left. The track leads up some steps to soon come to a 'Y' intersection and a sign pointing back to 'Girrakool Car Park'. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Girrakool Loop' sign (in the opposite direction to the 'Girrakool Car Park' sign), up the rocky track to soon pass the old 'lookout' sign. The track soon cross a small timber footbridge and continues to wind through the bush for a little while before crossing another footbridge with a handrail. A short time later, the walk crosses a longer timber bridge, then leads up the hill to an intersection with Andamira Lookout (unsignposted), a short distance to the left.
(1.06 km)
Andamira intersection
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Andamira Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 10 m
Time =
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk crosses the small bridge and climbs the stairs to the fenced Andamira Lookout platform. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
Andamira Lookout
Alt = 118 m
The fenced Andamira Lookout is on a platform, overlooking Leaskes Creek waterfall on the Girrakool Loop walk. The waterfall is in a sandstone and ferny amphitheatre with a sandy base. Prior to reaching the waterfall, this creek has just passed under the F3 freeway, which can be heard a short distance away. Trees have grown up over the years and the view of the water if filtered through the leaves.
(1.06 km)
Andamira intersection
to
Boondi Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 18 m
Time =
Climb = 2 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the track and timber steps (away from Andamira Lookout and the freeway noise). At the top of the steps, the track comes to the fenced and signposted 'Boondi Lookout'.
Boondi Lookout
Alt = 119 m
Boondi Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout on the Girrakool Loop track, in Brisbane Water National Park. The view is mostly of the trees in the valley, with some glimpses of Leaskes Creek to the right. 'Boondi' is a word used by the Darkinjung people meaning 'Club-headed weapon'[5].
(1.08 km)
Boondi Lookout
to
Girrakool Picnic Area Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 345 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn left: From 'Boondi Lookout', this walk heads up the stairs, following the main track. The track soon flattens and gently winds through the bush, across a rock platform and across a small wooden bridge. Soon after leaving the power lines, the track comes to a fence and the top of Girrakool Picnic area. The walk heads through the picnic area, tending left to the par park and large information sign.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 8 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Brisbane Water National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Brisbane Waters National Park is situated south west of Gosford perched on the Hawkesbury River. The park is characterised by sandstone features, Aboriginal engravings, flowery heaths, bird life and spectacular water views. Brisbane Waters NP has many bushwalks through the are with the Great North Walk passing through the middle of the park. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
500 meters
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)