Wander among the mangroves to step back in time to explore the old Schoolmaster's House that was part of a once vibrant community in the area. Following devastating floods in 1955, the people moved from the area with the area still being leased as farmland. Now, these wetlands are protected as part of the national park ensuring the survival of the endangered ecological community of saltmarsh and all the fish, birds and other animals that rely on them for survival. Bring a picnic lunch and settle under a tree or bring binoculars and a bird guide. Take your time to enjoy all this area has on offer.
(open in app)more...
Come and meander at your own pace through this unique saltmarsh ecosystem. The timber boardwalk guides you among the mangroves as you keep an eye out for baby fish and crabs while also enjoy the birdlife. There are seats along the way making it easy to stop and just watch. There are information signs so you can get a deeper understanding of how precious this ecosystem is. Take the short side trip to the old Schoolmaster's House and step back in time exploring the historic artefacts and displays. The walk finishes with a stroll through Sue's Garden then along Cobbans Track to the car park. If you don't organise a lift from the end, allow extra time and retrace your steps or return along the road.
(open in app)more...
Step back in time on this short easy walk that guides you from Riverside Park picnic area to the ruins of the Milham's family farmhouse. The farm was once a vibrant dairy and today you will still see cattle grazing in the fenced paddocks alongside the walk. From the banks of the north arm of the Hunter River, this walk follows the old farm road (closed to traffic) alongside the paddocks and she oak forest. There is a picnic table in the shade near the old house, a nice quiet spot to sit and reminisce on the rich history and natural beauty of the area.
(open in app)more...
This walk guides you around, then through the wetlands via Scott Point. You first walk along an old closed road on the banks of the Hunter River (north and south arms) then you meander along the lovely boardwalk through the heart of the wetlands then along the rainforest track to see a greater diversity of plants. You then return to the start by walking along a few roads giving you the sense of a stroll through rural farmlands. This lovely circuit walk gives you the sense of the variety of life in the precious ecosystem.
(open in app)more...
On this walk you follow a trail nestled between the Hunter River and the glistening wetlands. You will enjoy an abundance of water birds, water views and plenty of places to sit to take it all in. The walk starts with an optional side trip along a boardwalk before following the old road (now closed to traffic) along side the Green and Golden Bell Frog habitat to the delightful picnic area at Scotts Point. Then the trail leads you along the northern arm of the Hunter River to the car park at Riverside Park. Maybe pack a fishing rod, camera, binoculars or a picnic lunch taking the extra time to enjoy this unique historical and environmentally sensitive area.
(open in app)more...
This walk leads through the heart of Hunter Wetlands National Park allowing you to explore this area rich in history and nature. The boardwalk takes you through a wetland with great water bird viewing opportunities, the rainforest walk leads you through a diverse forest with information signs about the plants. The walk then finishes with a road walk through open areas to the well-established Riverside picnic area on the banks of the Hunter River.
(open in app)more...
Explore the bank of the north arm of the Hunter River by following an old road from one picnic area to another. Starting from the well established Riverside Park picnic area, you wander along the mostly flat walk following the asphalt and gravel trail along the banks of the river, through a She Oak forest and beside the wetlands. A great walk for enjoying the birdlife and varied forest along the way. There are a series of picnic tables along the way and a sheltered seating area at Scotts Point. Once you are ready, retrace your steps back to the car.
(open in app)more...
A great way to explore the tree canopy and valley in one easy walk. From the car park, you will be lead along a 100m long elevated timber boardwalk that brings you eye level with the tree canopy. Continue into the valley following the gently undulating wide track to cross Flaggy Creek using a solid suspension bridge. From the bridge, it is just 40m to a pleasant picnic area near the creek. You will find a rough track leading down to the rock platform that forms the Flaggy Creek bed, from the picnic area. The walk is gently sloping downhill most of the way to the picnic area, so it is uphill the way back.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk explores a section of the historic Bumble Hill Dray track. You will walk along the edge of ridge mostly through an open dry eucalypt forests and occasionally through moist ferny gullies as well as alongside the base of a tall rock wall. Bumble Hill Dray track was cut during the mid 1800’s to allow teams of bullocks to haul felled cedar to Mangrove Creek, where a barge would take it to Sydney. The oxen are now long gone, but this is a great way to lead into the small Yarramalong township.
(open in app)more...
This pleasant walk explores the rural valleys and a beautiful section of Jilliby State Conservation Area. Starting at Ourimbah Valley Trackhead you walk into Hidden valley along the dirt road, to then follow a trail beside Ourimbah Creek to Stringy Bark Point. This is a pleasant mossy area with many ferns and near a wide sandy section of Ourimbah Creek. A bit further on you cross Ourimbah Creek then walk up the ridge to the dirt Tooheys Road. After turning off the old Tooheys Rd the Great North Walk leads along a narrow track and across the mossy and delightful Dead Horse Creek. The track then meanders through a heath and scribbly gum forest to Cherry Lane. After about a 1.5km road slog this walk leads you to a GNW trackhead on Great Rd.
(open in app)more...
Starting at the quaint Yarramalong township, this walk follows a couple of rural roads to the Cedar Brush Trackhead. This is the longest road stretch on the Great North Walk. Some people see this is a road slog and either grab a lift or power walk it, others see it as an opportunity to stroll through the country side. However you choose to undertake this section of the walk I encourage you to enjoy the valley views and soak up the vibe on the semi secluded rural valley community.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk explores the rural area of Kulnura as you walk along the roads before heading along the historic Bumble Hill Dray track. This track leads you along the edge of ridge mostly through an open dry eucalypt forests and occasionally through moist ferny gullies as well as leading you alongside the base of a tall rock wall. Bumble Hill Dray track was cut during the mid 1800’s to allow teams of bullocks to haul felled cedar to Mangrove Creek, where a barge would take it to Sydney. The oxen are now long gone, but this is a great way to lead into the small Yarramlong township.
(open in app)more...
This pleasant walk explores the rural valleys and a beautiful section of Jilliby State Conservation Area. Starting at Ourimbah Valley Trackhead you walk into Hidden valley along the dirt road, to then follow a trail beside Ourimbah Creek to Stringy Bark Point. This is a pleasant mossy area with many ferns and near a wide sandy section of Ourimbah Creek. A bit further on you cross Ourimbah Creek then walk up the ridge to the dirt Tooheys Road. From here you walk along the little used dirt road to Forest Road, passing through the tall eucalypt forest and through the Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club area. A side trip at the end of this walk gives you the option of staying at Forest Park.
(open in app)more...
Starting with a walk through the streets of urban Somerbsy, you soon leave the farms and head into Palm Grove Nature Reserve. First you will follow the signposted track down the open dry ridge to the dense rainforest. In this valley you can explores the moist rainforest with towering Eucalypts, Strangler Fig trees, Cabbage Palms and a tangle of vines. From here walk up the rocky track to another dry ridge, where you can follow a side trip to a flat clearing and designated campsite. From near the campsite the track winds down through another moist forest and past more Cabbage Palms before coming to the signposted Ourimbah Valley Trackhead on Ourimbah Creek Road.
(open in app)more...
Starting from a small park in Charlestown you will follow the Great North Walk through a few reserves and along a Burwood Beach, past the heads to Merewether Beach. Exploring bush around Glenrock lagoon on the Yuelarbah Track, including the Leichhardt’s Lookout are highlights. From this lookout the track leads down past the edge of the lagoon then along the sandy beach, past Merewether ocean pools. This walk describes a side trip to the scout campsite beside the lagoon for those who have organised to camp there.
(open in app)more...
Starting from Merewether, you will mostly follow the coast line to Queens Wharf. After exploring some of Newcastle's (and arguably Australia's) best beaches, the grand views from Strzelecki Lookout, you then wander through King Edward Park where you can take the optional side trip to the intriguing Bogey Hole. The walk then takes you up to more panoramic views from the The Obelisk, before you stroll through Newcastle CBD and mall to Queens Wharf. There are a few long hills, just take you time and enjoy the salt air.
(open in app)more...
This four day walk starts at the Basin Campsite, in the Olney State Forest, and follows the Great North Walk, heading north. The walk passes through to the Watagan State Forest and into the Congewai Valley, continuing east into the Watagan National Park and all the way through to Heaton Gap. The three campsites can be found along the ridgeline before dropping down into the Congewai Valley, at the Barraba campsite, and at the Watagan Forestry H.Q campsite on the corner of Watagan and Bakers Roads in the Watagan National Park.
(open in app)more...
This three day walk starts at the Somersby General Store and follows the Great North Walk, heading north, into the the Jilliby State Conservation Area where the first nights campsite is at Stringy Bark Point. The walk continues north, out of the Conservation Area, to Yarramalong for the second night, and further north into the Olney State Forest, finishing at the Basin Campsite.
(open in app)more...
This walk follows the most northern section of the Great North Walk, from the Teralba station along Macquarie lake, to Warners Bay. Most of the walking is along footpaths, through park land, or along the road side. After Charlestown, the walk heads through the bush to the old Belmont railway and along Flaggy creek to the Glenrock Scout Camp. On day two, the walk heads along the beaches past Merewether baths, and up to the top of Shephards hill, through King Edwards park to the obelisk and down to the cities train station.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Congewai Valley east track head and heads north up into the Watagan National Park, climbing up to the ridgeline and following the management trails and bush tracks heading east all the way to the Forestry HQ campsite. On day two, the walk continues east, winding all the way around the ridge and past some great lookouts to the Heaton communications tower and down the steep ridgeline to Freemans Drive and the Watagan Forest Motel.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from Watagan Creek Road and heads north, up the side of the valley then along the dirt roads to the Congewai communications tower. From the tower, you follow a bush track and wind down into the valley, through some farmland and along to the Congewai west track head. From here, the walk follows the road winding south through rural farmland, past the school, to the Congewai east track head.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Yarramalong general store and follows the roads to the Cedar Brush track head. From here the walk heads north through the Olney State Forest to the Basin Campsite. On day two, the walk continues north, through the State Forest, to Mt Warrawolong, where there is a side trip to the peak. The walk finishes by heading down the ridge to Watagan creek road.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts form the Somersby General Store and follows the Great North Walk north into the Jilliby State Conservation Area to Stringy Bark Point campsite. On day two, the walk continues north through the forest and around the back of some farmland to Cherry Lane, and along the Bumble Hill Dray track, to Yarramalong village.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Charleston Park track head and winds through the streets and the bush to the Glenrock State Conservation Area. Following a section of the Yuelarbah management trail, this walk also heads to the coast and down to the beaches. From near Glenrock Lagoon, the walk heads north along the beaches passing Merewether baths, and all the way up Shepherds hill and down to Newcastle Station. This track also offers an alternate route through Glenrock, winding down through the scout training camp and out to the beaches.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Teralba train station and winds down and around the edge of Lake Macquarie. The walk passes through the Cockle reserve, and continues to Warners bay and up along the roads, before cutting through the bush to Charlestown, where it winds around the golf course and finishes at the Charlestown Park track head.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from Heaton Gap near the Watagan Forest Motel, and winds east, towards Newcastle. The walk passes through the Awaba State Forest and past the Sugarloaf range, down into Wakefield and on to Teralba, a pleasant town on the edge of Lake Macquarie. Accommodation is available at both ends of this day walk.
(open in app)more...
This walk starts from the Watagan Forestry HQ campsite and follows the Great North Walk through the Watagan State Forest. The walk then heads out to Heaton lookout and down the long descent into Heaton Gap, passing several more fantastic lookouts and picnic areas on the way. The walk finishes at Heaton Gap on Freemans drive, just opposite the Watagan Forest Motel.
(open in app)more...
This full day walk starts from the Congewai valley trackhead (east) and follows the Great North Walk up into the Watagan National Park. Winding east along Georges road for the most part, this walk also passes many great lookouts and gives the option of a side trip down to the 125r lookout, which provides a great view to the south and nice spot for lunch. The walk finishes at the Watagan Headquarters campsite, which has a fire place and a picnic table.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Watagan Creek Road and winds north across the valley and up into the Watagan State Forest, following the ridge lines around the Flatrock Lookout and down into the Congewai Valley before finishing at the track head at Congewai Valley Road. There are few (and unreliable) water sources in this section, so carrying sufficient supplies is necessary.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Basin campsite in the Olney State Forest and winds north into the Watagans, via the Warrawolong Flora Reserve. This walk also offers a side trip from Turners Road up to the top of Mt Warrawolong, which is the highest point along the Great North Walk. The walk finishes at the Watagan Creek Road and gives a nice opportunity for that quiet drive in the country.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Cedar Brush track head and winds up into the Olney State Forest, following bushtracks and service trails down into the Wollombi Brook gully. From here, the walk heads south along the Lyre Bird trail to the Basin Campsite. The Basin Campsite provides more than enough space for large groups to camp, as well as a picnic shelter, fire place and a toilet. It is a fair drive around for the car shuffle, but a nice walk into the campsite.
(open in app)more...
This walk follows the Great North Walk from Greta road to the Cedar Brush track head, via the Bumble Hill Dray track and the Yarramalong General Store. While most of this walk is on the road, it does provide a good, mostly level bushwalk and a great stroll along a quiet country road, through a pleasant rural community. The Yarramalong general store is a great place to stop for lunch. Yarramalong is worth exploring, and the historic church is worth a look.
(open in app)more...
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Somersby General Store and winds north, through the Jilliby State Conservation Area, and finishes at the corner of Greta Road and Cherry Lane. At just under 20km, this full day walk explores the Palm Grove, Hidden Valley and Ourimba Creek tracks, winding around the Tuggerah Lake field archery range and following the outside edge of a farming property.
(open in app)more...
This return walk starts from a nice rest area on Georges Road and follows the road along the ridge, passing several great lookout points across the valley, to the quiet little 125r lookout, which provides a nice open clearing that just screams lunch time. Please note that Watagan and Georges Roads are dry weather roads only, if you are unsure, check with the park office before heading out. This walk can be made shorter by driving further along Georges Rd.
(open in app)more...
This loop track starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area and follows the Great North Walk around the edge of the ridge via the Macleans Lookout, Rocky Creek gully and the cliffs around the eastern edge of the ridge. This walk provides great views across the valley and much of the Hunter to the north. On the return, the walk takes a leisurely stroll along the dirt roads, passing the pines plantation area and the rocky creek camping area.
(open in app)more...
This loop walk starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area. The walk provides great views across the valley and winds around the edge of the ridge line, passing Macleans lookout, also with great views. The walk continues along a short section of the Great North Walk, through an open forest to the end of Glen road. From here the walk follows the dirt roads back to the Hunter Lookout.
(open in app)more...