This walk explores a variety of environments from the shore line and coastal cliffs near Patonga, to the dry, rocky and open ridge line. The last part of the walk skirts around the edge of Woy Woy tip, but most of the walk offers great views of the water systems around the park. You can catch the ferry from Palm Beach to Patonga, and catch the train home from Woy Woy, making for a grand day out.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Patonga to Woy Woy bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Patonga to Woy Woy 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
15km
Time
5 hrs 45 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
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
*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
8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 5km has short steep hills. Whilst another 1.3km is flat with no steps and the remaining 440m is very steep.
Quality of track
9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 3.9km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 2.3km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 280m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 9km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 6km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 13km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.3km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 15km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
10km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 4.6km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (440m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Catch the ferry to Patonga Beach
Ferry service operates between Palm Beach and Bobbin head daily. Stopping at Patoonga Beach (and Cottage Point on request).
Mon - Fri once a day (before lunch)
Weekends and school holidays 3 times a day from Bobbin Head.
(can get also get it later on the way to palm beach on request)
Phone to confirm times on the day 0414466635 Please check with the ferry operator for latest info on services --> Timetable
Catch the ferry to Patonga Beach
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info Use these links to plan your Ferry (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|There is no regular ferry service between Patonga and Brooklyn any more. You can easily grab a water taxi (about $80+). If you are part of a large group they can also organise a larger boat carrying 35 passengers (about $16 pp). Phone 0410 554 777 to book. Enjoy the boat ride.
Catch the bus to Patonga Wharf car park
A bus service runs along Patonga Drive down to Patonga. The service only runs a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277 (route 50) Timetable
(0 km)
Patonga Wharf car park
to
Broken Bay View Track: Moderate - road,beach,bushtrack
Length = 1.12 km
Time = 31 mins
Climb = 136 m
Descent = -13 m
From the car park[1] at Patonga wharf[2], this walk follows the footpath beside Patonga Drive[3], keeping the water on the right. The road leads out of town passing beside 'Eve Williams Memorial Oval'[4][5][6] for 70m to find a large 'The Great North Walk' sign[7] opposite the toilet block[8]. Soon after this sign, this walk turns right following the 'Boat Ramp' sign and GNW arrow post[9] down along a side road[10] for 220m to find a parking area beside Patonga's boat ramp[11]. (Alternatively it is possible to walk along the sandy beach[12] from the wharf to the boat ramp.) Continue straight: From the boat ramp, this walk follows the power lines across the car park, keeping the water to the right. The walk heads around the gate and continues to follow the power lines across the sand, coming to the eastern end of Patonga Beach and the 'Brisbane Water National Park' sign[13]. This area of the beach is also know as 'Dark Corner'[14]. Continue straight: From the eastern end of Patonga beach, this walk follows the 'Warrah Trig 1.7km' sign[15] up the steps. The track winds up the side on the hill, turning left and following the ridge line uphill. Soon after passing up some stairs between the rock, the track comes to a lovely view across the water. Here, the track turns left and climbs up more steps before flattening out and passing a few more GNW arrows. Just after passing two GNW arrows next to each other (at the end of a large crack in the rock), the track passes a few large Sydney Red Gums and comes to an unfenced rock platform on the right - Broken Bay view.
Broken Bay View
Alt = 124 m
Broken Bay View is an informal, unnamed and unfenced vantage point at the top of the cliffs, east of Patonga. The large rock platform has a number of large Sydney Red Gums, providing some shade. There are great views across the Hawkesbury River, along Cowan Creek and to West Head. The views to the left extend past Lion Island to Barrenjoey Head and out to the Pacific Ocean.
(1.12 km)
Broken Bay View
to
Warrah Lookout intersection Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 697 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 26 m
Descent = -26 m
Veer left: From the Broken Bay view, this walk follows Great North Walk arrows uphill along the track. The track winds gently through the bush, with the occasional water glimpse to the right. After a short time, the track comes to a clear intersection with the Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail with a sign pointing back to 'Patonga'[16]. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow downhill along the wide management trail. After about 250m, the trail passes a track on the right (marked with 5 large boulders - this informal track leads to an unfenced view). The walk continues along the management trail for another 100m and comes to an intersection near the Warrah Lookout, and a sign pointing back to 'Patonga'[17].
(1.82 km)
Warrah Lookout intersection
to
Warrah Lookout Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 70 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -12 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads between the timber posts and follows the 'Warrah Lookout' sign[18] along the sandstone footpath. The path leads through the bush for a short distance, coming to the fenced Warrah Lookout. (Beware of informal side tracks that lead to unfenced sections of cliff.) (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Warrah Lookout
Alt = 114 m
Warrah Lookout is a mostly fenced lookout on a large sandstone platform. The lookout provides fantastic views across the Hawkesbury River. From left to right, you can see along the escarpment which forms the southern boundary of Brisbane Water National Park, out to the Pacific Ocean, Barrenjoey Headland, West Head, along Cowan Creek, Juno Point and along the escarpment to Patonga. This is a great place to spend some time soaking up the views.
(1.82 km)
Warrah Lookout intersection
to
Warrah Trig Station Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 308 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Tony Doyle Track, Warrah Car Park' sign[19] up the sandstone steps and footpath. After winding through and over some rock platforms, the path leads up the hill to two sets of timber staircases. At the top of the second set, the walk comes to the old Warrah Trig station (a green metal post).
Warrah Trig Station
Alt = 164 m
Warrah Trig Station is part of a national geodetic survey established during the 1970's. The 'Triangulation station' (aka trigonometrical or trig station) is a distinct marker once clear of trees, and would have been visible for many kilometers in the area. There are many such trig stations around Australia, which were used to help in surveying. Each station has a know position and altitude, which allows surveyors to use triangulation and determine another point's location. With advances in technology, these trig stations have been abandoned and superseded. The trig station is now surrounded by trees, with some filtered views along the Hawkesbury River[20]. The area is rich with wildflowers in spring.
(2.13 km)
Warrah Trig Station
to
Warrah car park Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 32 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From Warrah Trig Station, this walk follows the sandstone steps and footpath down the hill towards the dirt road. The path soon passes a plaque and a sign pointing back along the 'Tony Doyle Track'[21] and comes to the Warrah car park.
(2.16 km)
Warrah Car Park
to
Int Warrah Trig Rd trail and Warrah Trig Station Rd Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 308 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From Warrah car park, this walk follows the road off the sealed section and along the dirt. The road passes a larger dirt overflow car park, then ignores an old trail (on the right) to soon come to an intersection with a management trail and gate on the left side.
(2.47 km)
Int of Warrah Trig trail and Warrah Trig Station Rd
to
Int of Great North Walk and Patonga Dr Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 1.22 km
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -14 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt road north up a long and gentle hill. The road leads to an intersection with a track on the right marked with a Great North Walk arrow about 30m before Patonga Drive. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow marker around the drainage ditch[22] to follow the track running parallel to Patonga Drive (keeping the road about 20m to your left). The track leads through the heath and scribbly gum forest[23] for about 100m before passing some distant ocean views[24] (on your right), where the track continues for another 150m to come to the sealed Patonga Drive[25]. Here the walk follows the GNW arrow post[26] across the road to a locked gate and management trail[27], marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign[28].
(3.68 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Patonga Dr
to
Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.99 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 30 m
Descent = -55 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[29] around the locked gate[30] to follow the management trail[31] away from the road. After about 100m, this walk comes to a clear three-way intersection[32] marked with sign pointing back to 'Patonga'[33]. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Girrakool' sign[34] gently up along the wide trail. After about 200m, the trail bends left[35], then leads gently down for another 100m, coming to an intersection[36] where the main trail bends right (and with the narrower Patonga Creek trail ahead), marked with a GNW arrow post[37]. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post north along the wide sandy management trail. The trail leads among the heath and large scribbly gums[38] for about 270m to come to T-intersection[39] with another wide trail[40], marked with a 'Patonga' sign[41] pointing back up along the trail. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Girrakool' sign[42] downhill along the management trail. Over the next 200m, the trail gently bends right then comes to an intersection (just before a large open rock platform[43]), marked with a 'Girrakool' sign[44] (pointing right). Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Girrakool' sign[45] east uphill along the management trail[46]. The trail leads up the hill for about 25m to head over a short rock platform[47] where the trail continues fairly steeply uphill. The trail bends left[48] and then winds gently around the side of the hill[49], enjoying some views[50] along the way. The trail undulates for a while before leading gently down to pass a large clearing[51] (on your left). Just past this clearing, the trail heads down (fairly steeply at first) for about 200m to enter a tall wooded forest and come to a clear three-way intersection, marked with a 'Sani Depot Trail' sign[52] (on your right).
(5.67 km)
Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail
to
Rock Platform Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.33 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -56 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[53] downhill along the wide trail. The trail soon leaves the tall Sydney Redgums[54] to lead down for almost 600m. The walk crosses a culverted creek[55] (with sandstone blocks[56]) and then the trail mostly flattens out[57]. Here the trail continues for another 170m leaving the tall forest to walk through the open heath[58], passing near a small cliff (on your right), to come to an intersection with the faint track[59] (on your left, this is just before the main trail bends right and starts to lead downhill again). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide trail downhill[60], keeping the valley to your left. The trail winds downhill for almost 600m, crossing a couple of culverted creeks[61][62], until, just after a left-hand bend, this walk comes to a noteable rock platform[63] (with an ephemeral creek) and filtered view down the valley (to your left)[64].
(7 km)
Rock Platform
to
Woy Woy landfill view Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 964 m
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 77 m
Descent = -39 m
Continue straight: From the rock platform, this walk follows the trail north up the side of the hill. The trail leads uphill for about 25m before bending left and leading downhill[65] for about 80m, where the trail winds through a ferny valley[66] with a scattering of cabbage palms[67] (Livistona australis). Here the trail leads quite steeply uphill[68] for about 200m, then more gently downhill for just over 200m more, to come to a Y-intersection[69] with the signposted 'Great North Walk' track[70] (on your left). (The trail ahead soon leads over Patonga Creek[71] to the locked back[72] gate of Woy Woy Landfill). Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[73] downhill along the track. After just shy of 100m, the track crosses Patonga Creek[74] among the moist cabbage palm[75] forest. Soon after crossing this creek, the track begins to head quite steeply uphill[76] for another 100m, passing a faint side track[77] before climbing up some carved steps[78] in the rock beside a sloped rock platform (on your left)[79]. The track continues steeply up for another 40m, where the track bends right (at the GNW arrow post)[80] to head over a mostly flat rock outcrop. The track continues (with occasional glimpses of the Woy Woy landfill[81]) gently uphill for just over 100m to pass another side track[82], then lead up a bit more steeply[83] for just over 100m more (past a rock wall[84], on your left) to come to an unfenced clear view over Woy Woy landfill[85] (where the track bends left[86]).
(7.96 km)
Woy Woy landfill view
to
Int of Hawkesbury Track and Dillons Trail Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.83 km
Time = 39 mins
Climb = 75 m
Descent = -74 m
Veer left: From the view point over Woy Woy Landfill[87], this walk heads west following the rocky track uphill, directly away from the view. The sandy track[88] soon leads up a few rock steps[89] and after about 130m, climbs up a few carved steps[90] onto a fairly large rock platform[91], marked with a GNW arrow post[92]. The track now undulates, following a series of GNW arrow posts (generally up) along a rocky ridge line[93], passing over many rock platforms[94] for almost 1km (enjoying the distant views[95][96] over Woy Woy Bay and the Brisbane Water, to your right) to come to the highpoint on this section of track[97]. From here, the track continues mostly flat for the next 500m, then begins to head downhill for about 300m to come to a clear intersection[98] with the signposted 'Dillons Trail'[99]. There is a sign pointing back up the track towards 'Patonga'[100].
(9.79 km)
Int of Great North Walk service trail and Patonga track
to
Woy Woy Landfill Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.76 km
Time = 34 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -112 m
Turn right: With the Patonga-bound bush track on the right, this walk follows the management trail east, down the long, gentle hill. The trail gradually steepens as it winds down to the Woy Woy Landfill site. The walk then follows the landfill fence past a building and steps through a gap in the fence. The walk then heads along the gravel driveway to the landfill road.
Woy Woy Landfill Site
Alt = 73 m
Gosford Council operates this landfill site for the disposal of solid wastes. For more details, phone 02 4342 5255. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday 7am-5pm and Saturday to Sunday 8am-4pm.
(11.55 km)
Woy Woy Landfill
to
Woy Woy Landfill site front gates Walk: Easy - road
Length = 1.01 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -84 m
Veer left: From the Woy Woy landfill site, this walk down the road, winding to the bottom where it flattens out at the Woy Woy Landfill front gates (these gates are locked at night but there is a gap for walkers to get through just up to the right of the gates).
(12.56 km)
Woy Woy Landfill site front gates
to
Woy Woy train station Walk: Easy - road
Length = 2.92 km
Time = 45 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -21 m
Continue straight: From the landfill gates, this walk follows Nagari Road past the large self-storage facility on the right, and along to the intersection of Shoalhaven Drive. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows Railway Street through the residential area, past the shopping centre to the Woy Woy train station.
Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Public Transport Timetables
To the start of the walk
Catch a ferry to Patonga Beach Ferry service operates between Palm Beach and Bobbin head daily. Stopping at Patoonga Beach (and Cottage Point on request).
Mon - Fri once a day (before lunch)
Weekends and school holidays 3 times a day from Bobbin Head.
(can get also get it later on the way to palm beach on request)
Phone to confirm times on the day 0414466635 Get Timetable Catch a ferry to Patonga Beach There is no regular ferry service between Patonga and Brooklyn any more. You can easily grab a water taxi (about $80+). If you are part of a large group they can also organise a larger boat carrying 35 passengers (about $16 pp). Phone 0410 554 777 to book. Enjoy the boat ride. Get Timetable Catch a bus to Patonga A bus service runs along Patonga Drive down to Patonga. The service only runs a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277 (route 50) Get Timetable
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 7 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: Hard
5 km
Ferry service operates between Palm Beach and Bobbin head daily. Stopping at Patoonga Beach (and Cottage Point on request).
A bus service runs along Patonga Drive down to Patonga. The service only runs a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277 (route 50) 
There is free parking available.
Check out the facilities at 
Catch a ferry to Patonga Beach 
Catch a bus to Patonga 
not too much longer now :)