Starting from the Girrakool picnic area, this walk takes you on a round trip through part of the stunning Brisbane Water National Park. The walk explores both sides of Piles Creek, rewarding you with its waterfall and lookouts. Girrakool picnic area also has barbeques and toilets.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Piles Creek Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Piles Creek Loop 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
4.2km
Time
2 hrs
.
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
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
Around 2.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 2km has short steep hills.
Quality of track
Around 3.4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 700m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 3.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 930m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 3.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 970m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 2.7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.5km 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 car park
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Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 228 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -27 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.
(0.23 km)
Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks
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Broula Lookout Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 30 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk leaves the main footpath and follows the rocky track to the signposted 'Broula Lookout' a short distance away. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
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[2].
(0.23 km)
Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks
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Illoura Lookout Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 37 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -6 m
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[3].
(0.27 km)
Illoura Lookout
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Int of Bundilla Lookout and Piles Creek tracks Track: Moderate - footpath,bushtrack
Length = 144 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -10 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 left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Piles Creek Loop' sign down the rocky steps (keeping the valley to the right). The track soon crosses Leask Creek on a narrow concrete footbridge. The track continues to wind gently through the bush, soon coming to an intersection with a track which heads down to Bundilla Lookout (on the left).
(0.41 km)
Int of Bundilla Lookout and Piles Creek tracks
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Bundilla Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 11 m
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track downhill to the fenced and signposted Bundilla Lookout (which is visible). (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Bundilla Lookout
Alt = 86 m
Bundilla Lookout provides a good (but filtered) view from the southern side of the Leask and Piles Creeks junction. From the fenced lookout, you can see the top part of Piles Creek waterfall and much of the surrounding bushland. Bundilla is an Aboriginal word meaning 'meeting of waters'[4].
(0.41 km)
Int of Bundilla Lookout and Piles Creek tracks
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Western Piles Creek Caves Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 238 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -17 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track down the hill keeping the valley (and lookout) to the left. The track soon heads down some rocky steps to pass a large rock wall on the right and further down hill the track comes close to a water hole on Piles Creek. The track then heads up the hill to pass more stone boulders and down some steps next to another rock wall. The track passes a couple of metal arrows markers to soon come to a large rock overhang at the top of a set of stairs.
Western Piles Creek Caves
Alt = 79 m
The Western Piles Creek Caves are series of sandstone caves, not formally named, on the north western side on Piles Creek. The Piles Creek loop passes at the base of a cliff helping find these sandstone caves. Each overhang providing a cool sheltered spot for walkers to rest and enjoy the surrounding bushland. Some are very tall and others much shorter, but all fairly narrow.
(0.65 km)
Western Piles Creek Caves
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Phil Houghton Bridge Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.31 km
Time = 33 mins
Climb = 65 m
Descent = -138 m
Continue straight: From the cave, this walk heads down the stairs keeping the cave wall to the right. The track winds through the bush for a while, passing another rock wall and crossing over 3 small foot bridges. The track then passes a couple more caves and a rock wall and then some distant views to the left. After passing another cave the track crosses a creek using a hand railing and passes a section of track with a steep drop to the left. Soon the track heads down a long set of steps with an old hand rail then winds down the hill to come to a large clearing and the Phil Houghton suspension Bridge.
Phil Houghton Bridge
Alt = 3 m
The Phil Houghton Bridge is a metal suspension bridge that crosses Piles Creek. It is part of the Great North Walk and replaces an older bridge, with part still visible upstream. The bridge can hold up to 8 people and feels very stable. There are great views both up and downstream half way across this bridge. There is a clearing on the northern side that people have used for camping.
(1.96 km)
Phil Houghton Bridge
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Int of Patonga Ferry and Girrakool tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 222 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -17 m
Turn left: From the clearing, this walk heads up the stairs[5] and across the Phil Houghton suspension footbridge[6], enjoying the views of the tidal Piles Creek[7]. On the other side, the walk heads down the stairs and turns left, passing the old bridge[8], where the track bends right to head uphill. The rocky track winds steeply uphill[9] for about 170m to come to a well signposted three-way intersection[10] beside a small intermittent creek[11].
(2.18 km)
Int of Patonga Ferry and Girrakool tracks
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Rat Gully Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 291 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 33 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk crosses the small creek and then follows the 'Girrakool' sign along the bush track. The track winds up the side of the hill to soon head back down hill into Rat Gully. The track heads under a large fallen tree and crosses the boulder field and creek. There are steps cut in the rock to help the crossing. The walk then passes the old bridge and heads into the bush again. The track then does a right hand switch back (at the 'Girrakool' sign) and climbs a small hill to an un-signposted but fenced lookout.
(2.47 km)
Rat Gully Lookout
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Monolith Cave Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 221 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 29 m
Descent = -13 m
Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk heads up the hill initially keeping the large gully to the right. The track soon turns left and heads to the top of the hill and passes a large and interesting monolithic rock. About 60m after this rock the track leads to another similar rock with a large cave just to the left of the track.
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.
(2.69 km)
Monolith Cave
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Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 83 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -16 m
Continue straight: From the cave, this walk heads north through the cleft in the rock. The clear track soon passes another rock wall then comes to an intersection at the base of the timber staircase.
(2.78 km)
Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks
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Piles Ck Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 17 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -8 m
Turn left: 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 left 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.
(2.78 km)
Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks
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Girrakool picnic area car park Track: Moderate - bushtrack,footpath,footpath
Length = 1.38 km
Time = 33 mins
Climb = 116 m
Descent = -47 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads up the wooden staircase and along the track for a little while, until it comes to a three-way intersection and a 'Girrakool' sign. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Girrakool' sign along the bush track. After a short time the track passes under four sandstone caves (overhangs) and then crosses a few small tributaries. The caves provide good shelter and a great spot to rest. The track continues through the thick scrub and soon opens up on an unfenced rock platform at the top of Piles Creek Waterfall. Veer right: From the top of the waterfall, the walk crosses the creek using the concrete stepping stones (the creek may be impassable after rain) and heads up the wooden steps to soon come to Illoura Lookout. Turn right: From Illoura Lookout, this walk follows 'Girrakool Loop' sign up the stone steps directly away from the lookout. The walk follows the footpath up the stone steps to soon come to the intersection with the Broula Lookout track and another 'Girrakool Loop' sign pointing back down the hill. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'car park' arrow up the few steps and along the stone footpath. The path heads through the bush, up some more steps to come to the lower Girrakool picnic area. The walk then heads through the picnic tables and past the BBQ up the straight path to the large car park passing the toilet block (on the right).
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.
it gets fairly damp on the western side. spray footware with insect spray due to the abundance of leeches. i forgot and five fat ones had attached themselves to me.
great walk.
Shano - 4.1km ?!
IP:124.170.14.xxx | 2010-04-08 10:28:46
I think that this trail is closer to 6km than 4. My GPS showed that we had comfortably covered 2km, well before we reached the swing bridge.
A great walk, and some of the features along the way are simply stunning.
admin - re: 4.1km ?!
Super Administrator | 2010-04-08 10:38:00
Shano wrote:
I think that this trail is closer to 6km than 4. My GPS showed that we had comfortably covered 2km, well before we reached the swing bridge.
Hi Shano
Glad you had a great walk.
I think the 4.1km is correct, but always happy to debate. The problem with using GPS to measure distance whilst walking is that all the small errors can add up to big distances differences quickly. Esq in the case of this walk where you are walking next to cliff and under overhangs. If you are not convinced send me your log file and I can have a look to see how it compares to our distance data (matt at wildwalks dot com).
AlanM - Very enjoyable
IP:125.254.75.xxx | 2010-11-25 23:18:56
Great way to spend a couple of hours. I have crossed the creek here in several occasions doing the GNW.
Enjoyed this walk very much, nice views along the way and lovely waterfalls and variety of vegetation...took some salt following comment from previous hiker. In came in handy has had a a number of leeches attached to our shoes and socks after the western side of the walk!!
Simon - Bike
IP:121.217.210.xxx | 2011-03-15 10:08:55
Doing this walk tomorrow and looking forward to it. I wonder if (and hope "not") whether the bicycle dumped in the creek visible in the photo titled "View to Piles Creek" is still there despoiling the area.
Simon - Walker comments - March '11
IP:121.217.210.xxx | 2011-03-16 22:30:49
Sadly the bike is still sitting drowned in the rock pool...perhaps on another day I'll go back down there with suitable equipment and drag it out.
Unfortunately on the Eastern side of the swing bridge the traffic noise from the nearby F3 is a constant background drone once you climb out of the valley.
Nevertheless...a very nice loop walk. Very well maintained picnic area, amenities and track: Kudos to the NSW NPWS.
Nice flowering on many plants at this time of year. A school of a dozen or so fish (up to 35cm length) were lazily swimming in the waterhole beneath the swing bridge. Looked like carp to us, but a passing walker who seemed familiar with the area claimed they were mullet which spend their juvenile time in the creek before getting washed down in the winter rains to the river/sea.
Look out for some fantastic pink spotted gums growing 'into' the rock at the cliffs and caves on both the Eastern and Western sides of the walk. Several have the appearance of holding up the overhead rock ledge. On the Western side approx. 1 to 1.5 kms from the carpark, there is an especially good very large example right on the track that grows straight up for 1 metre, then sharply bends at a 45d angle, paralleling the cliff face, then sharply bends again 45d before growing around the overhead ledge.
Alex Portnoy - PO Box# 1048, B - Mothers' Day - BEWARE!
IP:220.236.0.xxx | 2011-05-15 03:59:09
Beware of coming to Girrakool & Somersby Falls on Mothers' Day.
We came here on Mothers' Day 2011, and could not even get a parking spot at both locations!
Plenty of NPWS Rangers about Fining people for not paying their $7-per-vehicle fee ($200 Fine paid via NSW SDRO).
Every BBQ was taken.
Normally, there is no-one here!
So be warned to expect large crowds - your peace will be shattered :-)
Andrew & Debbie - Great Walk- Bit of Everything
IP:124.149.33.xxx | 2011-07-03 06:37:03
What a terrific walk. Due to all the rain we have had lately alot of water dripping down from the cliff tops. Manage to avoid the leaches. We sprayed our shoes and socks. Nice views from the lookouts. Took a couple of photos.
Rachel - beautiful
IP:124.179.21.xxx | 2012-02-06 11:23:33
Fantastic walk, so beautiful! We managed to get no leeches, I recommend bushmans repellant it works every time. We also saw a huge eel as we came back to the top lookout. Amazing. I suggest everyone tries this walk
Tinribs - Surprised
IP:121.216.249.xxx | 2012-03-11 03:59:20
Wow! What a wonderful walk. Would recommend it to anyone. Beautiful waterfalls, caves and rock cliffs not to mention the flora. Hiking boots meant no problems with leeches or water. Ticket machine in park broken so unable to pay for park entry. Will do this one again.
Kensoboy - Very nice walk in winter
IP:121.209.228.xxx | 2013-06-16 06:40:54
Excellent walk. Winter is the best time to go. No leeches. Sometimes the track is quite faint and you have to pay attention. The caves are great with water streaming over the overhang you feel like walking on the inside of a small waterfall.
marg kids and oldies - fantastic but full on
IP:120.22.130.xxx | 2014-09-28 04:11:32
Absolutely wonderful walk. Beautiful in september with all the flowers. Probably not for little ones but we did just have our two year old with us. I wouldnt advise it though it was hard on him.
Trust the signs , you need to be fit ( or brave) and you need 3 hours to enjoy this one.
But dont be put off by that it is worth every moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
Parking fees apply in the area.
not too much longer now :)