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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Devines Hill are found in each of the tabs below
Devines Hill
Time: 2 hrs Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
0.9 km N of Wisemans Ferry
Length: 3.6 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 3.6 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Dharug National Park
Climb: 257 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 257 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 There is a bus stop within 2km of the start and end of this walk
Style: Return
Track: Moderate

A great walk with some really nice scenery and plenty of history. This walk follows the well formed Devines Hill ascent portion of the Old Great North Road. The convict built road is impressive and there are good information signs along the trail. The visible remnants of the Old Great North Road include rock cuttings, stone retaining walls, an old quarry site and Hangmans Rock. It is also worth the very short walk down the hill from the start of the walk to have a look at the historic Thomas James bridge. (open in app)


Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Devines Hill

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Devines Hill bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Devines Hill
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Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 500 meters
Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR
Hangmans Rock
Starting point for this hiking track: Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR

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
 Lower Portland 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-90312S 
 St Albans 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-90312N 
 St Albans 1:100 000 Map Series 9031 

Photo Gallery

 
The Wisemans ferry end of the Old Great North Road
 
The Wisemans ferry end of the Old Great North Road +
 
Heading up the Old Great North Road
 
Heading up the Old Great North Road +
 
Interesting cliffs along the OGNR
 
Interesting cliffs along the OGNR +

 
The well formed OGNR
 
The well formed OGNR +
 
A rock cutting on the OGNR
 
A rock cutting on the OGNR +
 
High retaining wall on the Devines Hill ascent.
 
High retaining wall on the Devines Hill ascent. +

 
Old rock drill marks on the Old Great North Road
 
Old rock drill marks on the Old Great North Road +
 
Drainage culvert under the OGNR
 
Drainage culvert under the OGNR +
 
Stonework on the Old Great North Road
 
Stonework on the Old Great North Road +

 
Convict Rock graffiti
 
Convict Rock graffiti +
 
Retaining wall and support on the OGNR
 
Retaining wall and support on the OGNR +
 
Curved retaining wall
 
Curved retaining wall +

 
Hangmans Rock
 
Hangmans Rock +
 
Old quarry site on the Old Great North Road
 
Old quarry site on the Old Great North Road +
 
Looking through Hangmans Rock
 
Looking through Hangmans Rock +

 
Interesting rock work
 
Interesting rock work +
 
Along the trail
 
Along the trail +
 
Retaining wall near the top of Devines Hill
 
Retaining wall near the top of Devines Hill +

Terrain


Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Devines Hill bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Devines Hill bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Devines Hill bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Devines Hill 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 3.6km
Time 2 hrs
.


Grade 3/6

Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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
This whole walk, 1.8km has short steep hills.

Quality of track
This whole walk, 1.8km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
This whole walk, 1.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 1.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
This whole walk, 1.8km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes


Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
Catch the bus to Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about $1 per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up from Gosford and drop off near Wisemans Ferry would be approximately $150 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374
Drive to Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
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|

Old Great North Road Alt = 34 m
The historic Great North Road was built using convict labour between 1826 and 1836 (this section south of Wollombi was completed in 1832). The road formed a link between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle. There are visible remnants of the original work in bridges, retaining walls and other structures along the way. The 'Convict Trail Project' has member groups involved in the conservation of historical remnants along the road. The Convict Trail Project and the NPWS have erected information signs at various points to illustrate the history. The Convict Trail Project has an excellent website for further reading. More info

Thomas James Bridge Alt = 43 m
The historic Thomas James Bridge is on Wisemans Ferry Rd, NSW. This is the oldest in-use bridge on mainland Australia (Tasmania has older bridges) and is one of several convict built bridges along the Old Great North Road. The bridge was built during 1830 (the timber deck is more recent) and was named after the overseer of 'Road Party 25' which built the bridge. More info

Wisemans Ferry Alt = 11 m
Wisemans Ferry village is on the banks of the Hawkesbury river, NSW. The town, and nearby car ferry, is named after Solomon Wiseman, a former convict who received a land grant in the area and established the ferry service. The town is a popular day trip and weekend destination from Sydney. There are several good spots to eat in town, including bistros at the Wisemans Ferry Inn and the Wisemans Ferry Bowling club, and takeaway food from Bush Bites cafe. The Riverbend Restaurant can be found in the 'Retreat at Wisemans' for finer dining. The area has some great walking and interesting history surrounding the convict built Old Great North Road. More info

(0 km) Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR to Hangmans Rock
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.09 km Time = 31 mins
Climb = 127 m Descent = -49 m
From the car park and intersection on Wisemans Ferry Rd (about 500m west of the car ferry), the walk passes around a gate, passes an information sign, and follows the 'Old Great North Road' up the hill. This section of the walk winds up the hill, passing numerous cuttings and retaining walls built with convict labour. There are several information signs on the way, making the walk more interesting. The walk then arrives at the signposted "Hangman's Rock".

Hangmans Rock Alt = 111 m
Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot. More info

(1.09 km) Hangmans Rock to Int of OGNR and Shepherds Gully Rd
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 720 m Time = 18 mins
Climb = 69 m Descent = -12 m
Continue straight: From Hangman's Rock, the walk follows the management trail gently up the hill. The trail bends back and forth as it gently climbs. Another information sign indicates the probable site of a stockade to hold the "more troublesome convicts". A little further along, the walk passes around a gate and reaches the intersection with "Shepherd's Gully Road". There is another information sign at this intersection.

Devines Hill Alt = 173 m
Devines Hill is a historically significant area on the Old Great North Road, near present day Wisemans Ferry, NSW. There are substantial remnants visible here, including cuttings, retaining walls and quarry sites. There were 3 main road lines built at different times to climb the hills just north of Wisemans Ferry, starting with Finchs Line to the east, followed by the Devines Hill ascent and then Shepherds Gully, to the west. Information signs in the area provide some interesting historical background and the 'Convict Trail Project' has an excellent website for further reading. More info

Catch the bus from Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR
Public transport (bus) available from this Bushwalk Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about $1 per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up near Wisemans Ferry and drop off at Gosford would be approximately $150 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374
Drive from Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR
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
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

Catch a bus to Wisemans Ferry Dialacar
Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about $1 per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up from Gosford and drop off near Wisemans Ferry would be approximately $150 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374 Get Timetable
From the end of the walk

Catch a bus to
Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about $1 per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up near Wisemans Ferry and drop off at Gosford would be approximately $150 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374 Get Timetable

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by


Campsites in the park
Mill Creek camping ground
Ten Mile Hollow campground


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Castle Tarpaulin Warehouse 14/ 10 Victoria Ave, Castle Hill (02) 9899 3959 39.3 km
BCF Australia Pty Ltd 354 Manns Rd , Gosford West (02) 4322 5833 32.6 km
Camping World Shop 18, 482 Pacific Hwy, Wyoming (02) 4324 6515 34.1 km
Mannings Sports 172 Mann St , Gosford (02) 4325 1617 33.6 km
Kangaroo Tent City & BBQ 596a Church St , North Parramatta (02) 9630 2888 46.8 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Devines Hill.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Devines Hill
Click to re-center search
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 30 km (to the ESE)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 30 km (to the SSE)
2 KUR02 Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS 39 km (to the WSW)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
41 km (to the SSE)
3 VMB2 Tower Street BATEAU BAY 44 km (to the E)

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 )
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Dharug National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
Named after the traditional custodians (the Darug People), this park has much history and some great sandstone formations. The wildflowers in spring add a wonderful touch of colour to the bushland. The Old Great North Road including its quarries, bridges and other features improves access and provides a great deal of interest for visitors. Close to Sydney and Gosford, it feels like stepping back in time when visiting this park.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.


Yengo National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
Yengo National park is a large and seemingly remote park. The park stretches from Wisemans Ferry to near Singleton. The park is bound by Putty Rd (and Wollemi NP) on the west. The park has been subject to logging in the past, particularly around Mount Yengo. Much of the park is difficult to access, increasing the sense of wilderness. Yengo NP is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area and is home to sections of the Old Great North Road.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

Walker Feedback

Comments
Add NewSearch
Alex Portnoy - PO Box# 1048, B - Visitors Book IP:121.91.20.xxx | 2010-04-29 15:44:01
A very well looked after site.

There is now a "Visitors Book" with a pen for you to sign, next to the Hangman's Rock information sign.

Look for it at the bottom of the sign, with the words "Visitors Book" in a green plastic container.
Alex Portnoy - Devine's Hill closure IP:125.7.44.xxx | 2012-08-20 00:32:37
Whilst Devine's Hill is currently closed due to a rock falling, it is actually possible to squeeze around it with a bike and keep riding.

The rock only affected a small part of the area, and as this is the only way up the escarpment, there are no alternatives.
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