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)
There are closures in Jilliby State Conservation Area Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Forest Road
Cross sectional view of the Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Forest Road bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Forest Road 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
11km
Time
4 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
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
6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 4.1km is very steep. The remaining (1.1km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 1.8km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 3.1km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 2.3km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (1.8km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 4.1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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(0 km)
Ourimbah Valley Trackhead
to
Int of Platypus Creek La and Ourimbah Creek Rd Walk: Easy - road
Length = 1.85 km
Time = 32 mins
Climb = 30 m
Descent = -25 m
From the 'Ourimbah Valley Trackhead'[1] (on Ourimbah Creek Rd), this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign downhill along the dirt road. The road soon leads down and across a flat timber vehicle bridge[2] then the road mostly flattens out, winding among the rural properties for almost 300m to pass a 'Palm Grove Nature Reserve' sign[3] and a few 'Hidden Valley' signs[4]. The walk continues along the road for about 700m then comes to the intersection in front of the Hidden Valley property (on your left, not far before another road bridge).
This walk continues straight, gently downhill along the wide dirt road to almost immediately pass 'Wombats End' (private road)[5] then cross the flat timber road bridge[6]. After about 400m, the road leads under some high tension power lines[7] then after another 150m of winding past the rural properties[8], this walk passes a timber 'Hidden Valley' private property shelter[9] and water tank (on your right). A further 100m along the road past this shelter, the walk veers left (ignoring 'Platypus Creek La') to come to a locked gate with a 'Road Closed' sign[10].
(1.85 km)
Int of Platypus Creek La and Ourimbah Creek Rd
to
Forty Acres Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.98 km
Time = 36 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -43 m
Continue straight: From the gate (near the intersection of Ourimbah Creek Road and Platypus Creek La), this walk heads up around the locked gate and follows the Ourimbah Creek Rd trail along the side of the valley for about 800m, where it crosses a culverted creek[11]. From here, the walk continues along the clear trail as it gently undulates alongside Ourimbah Creek (which is down the steep bank on your right) for about 1.2km until coming to a three-way intersection, marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign[12], just before the gates of 'Forty Acres' property[13].
(3.83 km)
Forty Acres
to
Stringy Bark Point Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.82 km
Time = 33 mins
Climb = 43 m
Descent = -33 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[14] north-east along the clear trail. This trail gently undulates along the side of Ourimbah Creek[15] (which is down the steep bank on your right) for about 1.6km, then passes a campsite with a metal fireplace[16] (on your right). Here the walk continues along the trail for about 100m to head past a track[17] (on your right, that leads down to the sandy creek) and continues along the main trail for another 150m to come to large clearing and campsite, Stringy Bark Point[18] at the end of the trail (marked with a timber and metal footbridge[19] on the right).
Stringy Bark Point
Alt = 46 m
This campsite is in a small clearing at Stringy Bark Point, just on the southern side of the bridge. This campsite provides room for a small campfire and a few tents. Water is usually available from the creek running by the campsite, please treat before drinking.
(5.64 km)
Stringy Bark Point
to
Int of Great North Walk and Tooheys Road south Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.83 km
Time = 53 mins
Climb = 237 m
Descent = -42 m
Veer right: From Stringy Bark Point campsite[20], this walk heads across the timber and metal footbridge[21] (with a small mossy canyon on your right[22]). Once on the other side of the bridge, the old trail gently undulates west through the bush[23] for about 300m where this walk turns right following a GNW arrow post down a few rock steps[24]. The distinct track leads fairly steeply down to find, then cross, the perennial Ourimbah Creek[25]. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain.
On the other side, the track leads up the bank then gently up through the dense, leafy forest for about 50m, following a series of GNW arrow posts. The track then starts to lead steeply uphill for about 100m and leaves the dense forest, climbing up onto the more open ridge. Here the track mostly flattens out, leading over a rocky area[26] to then come to a large ant hill[27]. The track now leads uphill for about 250m to pass some cabbage palms (Livistona australis)[28]. The track starts to climb steeply again for about 150m, up some stone steps[29] (and past a rock with a view[30]) to where the track mostly flattens out again for about 60m, coming to a three-way intersection that is marked with a GNW arrow post[31]. Here the walk veers left and follows this old trail steeply uphill[32] for about 130m, before turning left at another GNW arrow post[33]. This track soon bends sharp right and leads up some stone steps[34] then comes to an intersection[35] (with the same old trail). Here the walk leads gently uphill for about 30m, over the a rise (ignoring the faint track on your right), after which the track leads gently down through the tall forest[36] for about 300m and comes to an T-intersection with the dirt Tooheys Rd[37], marked with a 'The Great North Walk' signpost[38].
(7.47 km)
Int of Great North Walk and Tooheys Road south
to
Int of Great North Walk and Tooheys Road north Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 2.3 km
Time = 52 mins
Climb = 139 m
Descent = -67 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Camping Area' sign[39] north, down along the wide dirt road. The road soon crosses a saddle and starts to lead uphill, then meanders (quite steeply in places) along the ridge and through a variety of forests for about 2.2km, before passing a 'Caution Archery In Progress At Any Time - Keep to the Main Track' sign[40]. Just over 100m past this sign, the road leads up to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow post[41], and the signposted GNW track (on your left)
(9.78 km)
Int of Old GNW track and Tooheys Rd
to
Archers Campsite Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 157 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[42] uphill along the wide dirt road. After about 30m, the road bends right[43] (ignoring the trail on the left) and leads gently up for about 150m to pass below the campsite, then come to the signposted intersection with the 'Camping Area'[44] (on your left)
Archers Campsite
Alt = 311 m
This informally named campsite is found in Jilliby State Conservation Area, and is used regularly by members of the Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club. This is a basic campsite with a water tank[45][46] and shed used for hanging shower water bags[47][48]. The large open camping area has a few existing fire scars[49] and a few flat grassy areas. (There are other facilities 150m further north along the dirt trail at the club house.)
(9.93 km)
Archers Campsite
to
Archers Club House Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 155 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -8 m
Continue straight: From the intersection in front of the camping area[50], this walk follows the sandy road, gently downhill[51] whilst initially keeping the camping area behind and to your left. After about 150m, the road leads down across a saddle[52], past the water tank[53] to the front of the 'Tuggerah Lake Field Archers' club house[54]
Archers Club House
Alt = 303 m
The Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club house is found on the dirt Tooheys Road in Jilliby State Conservation Area. The club house is used irregularly on weekends, and these facilities should not be relied upon. The club house had some picnic tables under a large covered meeting area[55], a wood fired BBQ[56], toilet[57] and water tank[58][59]. A good place to stop and rest.
(10.09 km)
Archers Club House
to
Int of Forest and Tooheys Rds Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 1.09 km
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the club house[60], this walk heads north along the wide sandy road, heading gently uphill[61] (directly away from the front of the club house). The walk continues gently up along the sandy road, ignoring many side tracks[62][63] (archery ranges) for about 400m to then pass the 'Jilliby State Conservation Area' sign[64], as you leave the park. The walk continues up along the dirt road for another 600m, between two farms, ignoring the side gates[65][66] to come to a T-intersection with the sealed Forest Road[67].
(11.18 km)
Int of Forest and Tooheys Rds
to
Forest Park Country Retreat Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - road
Length = 958 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -15 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads east gently uphill along the sealed Forest Rd (in the opposite direction to the GNW arrow post). The road gently meanders past a number of rural properties for almost 1km to come to the signposted 'Forest Park Country Retreat', on your left.
Forest Park Country Retreat
Alt = 341 m
Forest Park is lovely retreat on Forest Road, a short detour from the Great North Walk. The well presented two bedroom home is set on a large rural block with no visible neighbors. With your exclusive use, you can enjoy such luxuries as a spa bath, a well equipped kitchen, air conditioning, TV and DVD player and a gas log fireplace[68]. Mid-week, a single night is $250[69] - on weekends, there is two night minimum stay. Price includes breakfast and for an extra $20 a head, your hosts can provide a hamper for dinner. The retreat is signposted and found at 252 Forest Road, Kulnura PH (02) 4376 1340.
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.
Region: Park fees Current Park Closure information for Jilliby State Conservation Area Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Safety alerts: Road access within Jilliby SCA Roads in Jilliby State Conservation Area are unsealed, and accessible by 2WD in dry conditions only. 4WD's should be used at all other times. Gates may be temporarily closed on some roads, for roadworks, to prevent damage when wet.
Closed areas: Lemon Tree Forest Road Lemon Tree Forest Road, between Prickly Ridge Road and Yambo Forest Road, in Jilliby SCA is closed to vehicles until further notice, due to severe erosion. This closure will remain in place indefinitely. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact NPWS Lakes area office on (02) 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Ourimbah State Forest Ourimbah State Forest is a small parcel of land west of Wyong on the NSW central Coast. The forest in on the southern boarder of Jilliby State forest and is home to a small section of the Great North Walk Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)