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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill are found in each of the tabs below
Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill
Time: 2 hrs Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
3.1 km N of Wisemans Ferry
Length: 4 km Walk Length
As this is a One Way walk, the 4 km only includes the walking distance from the start to the end point
Yengo 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: One way
Track: Moderate

A great one-way walk which offers some beautiful scenery in the moist and shaded parts of Shepherds Gully, some bigger views on Devines Hill and plenty of Old Great North Road history. There are plenty of information signs along the way giving some good background on the convict build roads, making the walking more interesting. A short walk along Wisemans Ferry Rd from the end of the walk will also get you to the Thomas James Bridge, the oldest in-use bridge on mainland Australia. (open in app)


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

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill
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Map Scale 1 km
Int of Settlers Rd and Shepherds Gully Rd
Int of OGNR and Shepherds Gully Rd
Hangmans Rock
Starting point for this hiking track: Int of OGNR and Shepherds Gully Rd

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

 
A gate along Shepherds Gully
 
A gate along Shepherds Gully +
 
Along the trail
 
Along the trail +
 
Nice boulder scenery
 
Nice boulder scenery +

 
Thick vegetation along the way
 
Thick vegetation along the way +
 
Remnants of an old bridge in Shepherds Gully
 
Remnants of an old bridge in Shepherds Gully +
 
Nice scenery
 
Nice scenery +

 
Big boulder scenery
 
Big boulder scenery +
 
Grasstrees in the gully
 
Grasstrees in the gully +
 
A retaining wall supporting Shepherd's Gully road
 
A retaining wall supporting Shepherd's Gully road +

 
Beautiful and green
 
Beautiful and green +
 
Burnt grasstrees
 
Burnt grasstrees +
 
After the fire
 
After the fire +

 
Retaining wall near the top of Devines Hill
 
Retaining wall near the top of Devines Hill +
 
Hangmans Rock
 
Hangmans Rock +
 
Old quarry site on the Old Great North Road
 
Old quarry site on the Old Great North Road +

 
Curved retaining wall
 
Curved retaining wall +
 
Convict Rock graffiti
 
Convict Rock graffiti +
 
Stonework on the Old Great North Road
 
Stonework on the Old Great North Road +

 
Old rock drill marks on the Old Great North Road
 
Old rock drill marks on the Old Great North Road +
 
High retaining wall on the Devines Hill ascent.
 
High retaining wall on the Devines Hill ascent. +
 
A rock cutting on the OGNR
 
A rock cutting on the OGNR +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill bushwalking track



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

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Shepherds Gully and 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 4km
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 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, 4km has short steep hills.

Quality of track
Around 2.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 1.8km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
This whole walk, 4km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
This whole walk, 4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes


Catch the bus to Int of Settlers Rd and Shepherds Gully Rd
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 Settlers Rd and Shepherds Gully Rd
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|

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

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

(0 km) Int of Settlers Rd and Shepherds Gully Rd to Int of OGNR and Shepherds Gully Rd
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.15 km Time = 47 mins
Climb = 196 m Descent = -48 m
From the signposted track head on Settlers Rd, marked with a "Shepherd's Gully Road" Convict Trail signpost (about 9km from Wisemans Ferry crossing), the walk passes the 'Yengo National Park' signpost and follows the management trail gently up the hill. After a short distance the walk passes an information sign and goes around a gate. The walk then continues to wind up along the valley for a long while, initially through very moist forest but getting drier as it climbs. Keep an eye out on the other side of the gully for remnants of the rock retaining walls of the earlier lines of the road. There are also some areas of beautiful scenery with lots of boulders, ferns and grasstrees. The walk eventually arrives at a signposted intersection beside a gate.

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

(2.15 km) Int of OGNR and Shepherds Gully Rd to Hangmans Rock
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 720 m Time = 18 mins
Climb = 12 m Descent = -69 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk passes around a gate and follows the management trail gently down the hill. This section of the walk zigzags a little, passing an information sign indicating the probable site of a stockade to hold the "more troublesome convicts", and continuing further to reach "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

(2.87 km) Hangmans Rock to Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.09 km Time = 31 mins
Climb = 49 m Descent = -127 m
Continue straight: From Hangman's Rock, the walk follows the old Great North Road gently down the hill. This section of the walk winds down 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 passes around a gate to arrive at the intersection with Wisemans Ferry Rd and car park (about 500m west of the car ferry).

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

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
Map Car Shuffle
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by


Campsites in the park
Blue Gums large group campground
Finchley campground
Mogo Creek 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 41.5 km
BCF Australia Pty Ltd 354 Manns Rd , Gosford West (02) 4322 5833 33.2 km
Camping World Shop 18, 482 Pacific Hwy, Wyoming (02) 4324 6515 34.6 km
Mannings Sports 172 Mann St , Gosford (02) 4325 1617 34.3 km
Anglers Leisure World 3/ 2 Garling Rd , Blacktown (02) 9679 8977 43.9 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill
Click to re-center search
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 31 km (to the ESE)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 32 km (to the SSE)
2 KUR02 Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS 40 km (to the WSW)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
44 km (to the SSE)
3 VMB2 Tower Street BATEAU BAY 45 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 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.

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

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.


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.

Walker Feedback

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