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Home arrow Hiking near Sydney arrow Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls     

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls are found in each of the tabs below
Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls
Time: 5 hrs 30 mins Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
6.8 km W of Gosford
Length: 12.3 km Walk Length
As this is a One Way walk, the 12.3 km only includes the walking distance from the start to the end point
Brisbane Water National Park
Climb: 697 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 697 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk
Style: One way
Track: Hard

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds down alongside Piles creek, before climbing up through the Brisbane Waters National Park to Scopas peak, and then on to the lovely Kariong brook falls. The walk finishes at the Staples Lookout. This walk mostly follows a section of the Great North Walk. Depending what time you start, either Scopas Peak or Kariong Brook can make great lunch and rest stops. (open in app)


Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls
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Map Scale 1 km
Girrakool picnic area car park
Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks
Illoura Lookout
Piles Creek Waterfall
Int of Girrakool and Camp Kariong tracks
Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks
Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks
Monolith Cave
Rat Gully Lookout
Int of Patonga Ferry and Girrakool tracks
Tributary Crossing
Scopas Peak
GNW intentions book
Int of GNW and Gosford Rifle Range trail
Int of GNW and Wondabyne Station Trail
Myron Brook crossing
Kariong Brook crossing
Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail
Rock platform
Int of Great North Walk and Powerline service trail
Int of Thommos Trail and Woy Woy Road
Starting point for this hiking track: Girrakool picnic area car park

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Gunderman 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91313S 
 Gosford 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91312S 
 Gosford 1:100 000 Map Series 9131 

Photo Gallery

 
Girracool Picnic Area
 
Girracool Picnic Area +
 
Illoura Lookout view
 
Illoura Lookout view +
 
waterfall at Piles Creek
 
waterfall at Piles Creek +

 
Piles Creek lookout
 
Piles Creek lookout +
 
Rat Gully Falls
 
Rat Gully Falls +
 
Rat Gully Crossing
 
Rat Gully Crossing +

 
Rock Flats
 
Rock Flats +
 
View from Scopas Peak
 
View from Scopas Peak +
 
Twisted tree south of Scopas Peak
 
Twisted tree south of Scopas Peak +

 
view of mooney mooney creek
 
view of mooney mooney creek +
 
Kariong Brook Water fall
 
Kariong Brook Water fall +
 
Track east of Kariong Brook
 
Track east of Kariong Brook +

 
GNW entrance from Woy Woy rd
 
GNW entrance from Woy Woy rd +
 
Staples Lookout Plaque
 
Staples Lookout Plaque +
 
View from Staples Lookout
 
View from Staples Lookout +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls 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 12km
Time 5 hrs 30 mins
.


Grade 4/6

Track: Hard
AS 2156.1 Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*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
6km of this walk is very steep and another 3km has short steep hills. Whilst another 2.7km has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 130m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 4.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (2.6km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs
7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 3.5km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (2.2km) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
Around 8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
Around 11km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure
Around 9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3.5km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes


Drive to Girrakool picnic area car park
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Girrakool Picnic Area Alt = 125 m
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 car park to Illoura Lookout
Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 265 m Time = 6 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -33 m
From the lower side of the car park, this walk follows the 'To The Great North Walk' sign down the path to the lower picnic area. The walk passes the toilet block (on the left) and comes to another picnic area. The path passes through this picnic area to turn right following the 'Piles Creek Loop Track' sign down the steps. The footpath then leads to an intersection with the Broula Lookout track (on the left) and a 'car park' sign pointing back up the hill.
Continue straight: 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[2].

(0.27 km) Illoura Lookout to Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.11 km Time = 27 mins
Climb = 47 m Descent = -83 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.
Veer left: From the top of Piles Creek waterfall, this walk follows the track heading south away from the waterfall (keeping the big valley to the right). The clear track winds through the thick bush crossing a few small tributaries and though four sandstone caves. The caves provide good shelter and a great spot to rest. The track then flattens out and comes to a 3-way intersection and a 'Girrakool' sign.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads south along the wide track in the opposite direction of the 'Girrakool' sign. Soon the track heads down a short wooden staircase to the intersection at the bottom (Piles Creek Lookout visible to the right).

(1.38 km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks to Piles Ck Lookout
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 17 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -8 m
Turn right: With the stairs to the right, this walk follows the short track to the fenced lookout. There are a few steps that then lead down the the lookout platform.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)

Piles Creek Lookout Alt = 46 m
Piles Creek lookout (not formally named), Brisbane Water National Park, sits high on the ridge, east of Piles Creek and north of Rat Gully. This lookout provides views over the Piles Creek valley and can be enjoyed from behind a fence. The valley is surprisingly steep at this point and the views downstream are quite extensive.

(1.38 km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks to Monolith Cave
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 83 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 16 m Descent = 0 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the steps and lookout to soon pass a rock wall. A short time later the track leads through the cleft in a rock to reveal a cave on the right.

Monolith Cave Alt = 72 m
Monolith Cave is an informally named cave and interesting rock formation high on the ridge east of Piles Creek and North of Rat Gully in the Brisbane Water National Park. The cave is a fairly large sandstone overhang on the edge of the track. The cave provides shelter for walkers and is a great spot to rest and enjoy the area. This rock and the more Monolithic rock about 60m to the south are interesting to explore, and provide great views of the surrounding area. Take great care if exploring the rocks.

(1.46 km) Monolith Cave to Rat Gully Lookout
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 221 m Time = 7 mins
Climb = 13 m Descent = -29 m
Continue straight: From the cave, this walk heads south following the track away from the rock to soon come to another large and interesting monolithic rock. Soon after this large rock the track starts to head down the hill to come to an old fenced lookout, looking over Rat Gully.

(1.68 km) Rat Gully Lookout to Tributary Crossing
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.01 km Time = 29 mins
Climb = 96 m Descent = -81 m
Continue straight: From the lookout, the track follows the bush track heading downhill. The track soon does a sharp left hand switch back (at the 'Girrakool' sign) and continues down to Rat Gully. The track then crosses the creek and boulder field following the cut steps (and passing the old bridge). On the other side the track heads right, under the fallen tree and then climbs up the hill. After a short meander through the bush the track drops down and crosses another gully (passing a sign pointing back to 'Girrakool') and coming to a 'Great North Walk' signpost and intersection.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Patonga Ferry' sign[3] up the side of the gully, keeping the intermittent creek[4] to your left. The track leads past a 'Patonga' sign then winds steeply up the hill for about 130m, through a cleft in the rock[5] and past a few rock walls, and then the track mostly flattens out with some filtered distant views[6]. The track continues gently uphill for another 300m, becoming progressively flatter[7] before passing along the side of a long rock wall[8], with a tall sandstone overhang[9]. The track then crosses a small gully and leads past another overhang, where the track begins to lead downhill. The rocky track winds steeply downhill for about 130m to then cross an intermittent creek which flows over the solid sandstone platform[10].

(2.69 km) Tributary Crossing to Scopas Peak
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 2.42 km Time = 57 mins
Climb = 189 m Descent = -33 m
Continue straight: From the west side of the creek, this walk climbs uphill following the rocky track[11]. The track climb for about 600m, fairly steeply for a while then becoming progressively less steep[12]. The track passes a couple of rocky outcrops[13] to then come to a large flat rock platform, with distant views[14]. The rocky track then leads off this rock platform and continues up the ridge[15] for just shy of 300m to come to the edge of a much larger rock platform[16] with more views. A series of GNW arrow posts lead across this rock platform, generally leading towards Scopas Peak[17] for about 400m where the arrows lead off the rock platform and back onto a heathy track[18]. Keeping Scopas Peak up to the left, this track leads around the side of the hill for about 150m to pass a view across the valley to Mooney Mooney Bridge[19]. Over the next 800m, the track leads up across a few more rock platforms[20] then climbs fairly steeply up to a view point, just to the west of Scopas Peak[21].

(5.11 km) Scopas Peak to South end of Scopas Peak Track
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.17 km Time = 23 mins
Climb = 14 m Descent = -80 m
Veer left: From the view point[22], just west of Scopas Peak, this walk heads south steeply down the rocky track[23], initially keeping the distant view to your right. The track leads steeply down past a few rock walls[24] then climbs down over some rocks with cut steps[25], enjoying more views[26] for about 230m, and then the track mostly flattens out to lead gently down across the narrow saddle[27]. The track gently undulates along this ridge for about 750m to come to a green painted metal box on a post (on your left), containing a Great North Walk intentions book[28].
Continue straight: From the Great North Walk intentions book[29], after leaving your comments, this walk heads south, gently downhill[30] along the clear track. After about 150m, the walk comes to a T-intersection[31] with the Gosford Rifle Range trail - At this intersection is a 'Girrakool' sign[32], pointing back along the track.

(6.27 km) Int of GNW and Gosford Rifle Range trail to Myron Brook crossing
Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 2.69 km Time = 58 mins
Climb = 76 m Descent = -205 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[33] downhill along the management trail[34] (directly away from the 'No Entry Past This Point' sign[35]). The trail undulates moderately steeply in a few places) along the ridge line for about 900m, to then walk over a large rock platform[36]. From the top of this platform, there are some distant views over Mooney Mooney Creek[37]. On the large rock platform, this walk tends left to follow the scrape marks on the rock and soon find the wide trail again[38]. The trail leads downhill for about 50m, coming to a signposted intersection with a track on your left[39] and a 'Girrakool' sign[40] pointing back up the trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Patonga' sign[41] heading east down along the rocky track[42]. The track soon bends right and heads around a rock outcrop[43] then continues down through the heath and scribbly gums[44] for about 400m to come to a flat rock platform[45]. Here the track continues downhill over several more rock platforms, becoming progressively steeper[46] for just over 1km to head into the cool valley and come to the bank beside Myron Brook[47].

(8.96 km) Myron Brook crossing to Kariong Brook crossing
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 404 m Time = 11 mins
Climb = 28 m Descent = -33 m
Continue straight: From the western side of Myron Brook, this walk crosses the creek on the sandstone rock platform[48] to follow the track up a few stone steps and up the short steep hill[49]. The track then flattens out as it leads around the side of the hill for about 200m to pass alongside a long rock wall[50] (on your left). Now leading downhill, the track continues for another 100m then heads down a short steep section[51] into the dense moist gully, coming to a faint intersection in front of Kariong Brook Falls[52] (on your left) (just before crossing the creek, which is often underground).

Kariong Brook Falls Alt = 27 m
This tranquil spot of the Great North Walk is home to some lovely falls and a water hole. The eastern side of the creek has a tall sandstone cave and wall. After rain these falls can become very spectacular, other times is a cool place to rest. A great spot to stop for a snack.

(9.36 km) Kariong Brook crossing to Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 688 m Time = 24 mins
Climb = 122 m Descent = -21 m
Continue straight: From Kariong Brook[53], the walk crosses the creek and heads up the hill towards the cave[54] (keeping the waterfall[55] to the left). The track leads under the overhang[56] and then winds up the rocky path for about 400m, past a few rock walls[57] and among the grass trees[58]. The walk then heads up some more stone steps, bending left on the steps with a metal handrail[59]. The rocky track continues up for another 130m over a few more rocks[60] to come to a flat clearing[61] (on your right, that has been used as a campsite). From the clearing, the track continues uphill, passing another rocky outcrop[62] after about 60m, then after about 80m more, the track leads to a T-intersection[63] with a management trail (and a sign pointing back to 'Girrakool'[64]).

(10.05 km) Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail to Int of Great North Walk and Thommos Loop service trail
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.21 km Time = 24 mins
Climb = 48 m Descent = -19 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads north-east following the 'Staples Lookout' sign along the management trail. The walk steadily climbs uphill until to comes to a long rock platform with good views of the valley (to the left)

(11.26 km) Rock platform to Int of Great North Walk and Woy Woy Road
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 623 m Time = 13 mins
Climb = 35 m Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the rock platform, this walk heads north east along the management trail, keeping the main valley views to the left. The trail winds up the hill to come to a four-way intersection with the power line management trail and a 'Thommas Loop' (sign pointing back down the hill).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill following the service trail, past the National Park gate to the intersection of Woy Woy Road.

(11.88 km) Int of Thommos Trail and Woy Woy Road to Staples Lookout
Walk: Easy - road
Length = 372 m Time = 7 mins
Climb = 13 m Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the intersection, heads along Woy Woy Road passing the large brown 'Scenic Lookout 300m' sign. The walk crosses the road (where safe) and crosses a grassy area to come to the car park and signposted Staples Lookout.

Staples Lookout Alt = 201 m
Staples Lookout beside Woy Woy Road, is a fenced lookout providing good views east across the Central Coast, the Brisbane Water and out to the ocean. There is a large car park and picnic tables, with plenty of natural shade. The lookout was named as a tribute to Charles J Staples, a pioneer of route that Woy Woy Rd now follows[65]. The lookout was constructed in 1955 by the Rotary Club of Woy Woy[66]. An inscription at the lookout quotes 'and I shall meditate on your wondrous works' from Psalm 119:27[67].

Drive from Staples Lookout
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Driving Directions
Map Car Shuffle
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by



Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Mannings Sports 172 Mann St , Gosford (02) 4325 1617 6.1 km
BCF Australia Pty Ltd 354 Manns Rd , Gosford West (02) 4322 5833 5.6 km
Camping World Shop 18, 482 Pacific Hwy, Wyoming (02) 4324 6515 7.2 km
Boots Great Outdoors 201 The Entrance Rd , Erina (02) 4367 0396 10 km
Paddlecraft 3B / 1714 Pittwater Road, Bayview 02 9997 8015 25.4 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls
Click to re-center search
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 2 km (to the ESE)
3 VMB2 Tower Street BATEAU BAY 18 km (to the ENE)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 24 km (to the SSW)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
38 km (to the SSW)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 52 km (to the SW)

Weather and Park info

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 9 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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
Wed      30°Showers. Likely storm developing.
Thu19°|26°Possible shower.
Fri18°|31°Partly cloudy.
Sat17°|25°Possible late shower.
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Brisbane Water National Park Link 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 fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

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