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Sitting area at Somersby Store +
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Breakfast at Somersby Store (Yum, but I could only fit half in) +
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Toilets at Somersby Store +
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Bridge over Peats Ridge Road +
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Walking along Wisemans Ferry Road +
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Intersection of Wisemans Ferry and Dog Trap Roads +
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Intersection of Dog Trap and Kilkenny Roads +
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Walking past the farms on Kilkenny Road +
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Intersection with driveway just south of Bumbles Creek +
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Crossing the slippery Bumbles Creek on Kilkenny Road +
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The end of Kilkenny Road +
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Walking beside farmland north of Kilkenny Road +
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Track behind the farms near Kilkenny Road +
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Open ferny forest near Kilkenny Road +
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Plesent morning light north of Kilkenny Road +
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Flower in the morning light +
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Steps on the south side of Palm Grove Nature Reserve +
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Enjoining the tall forest on the south side of Palm Grove Nature Reserve +
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Cabbage Palm (Livistona Australis) +
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Well signposted GNW track in Palm Grove Nature Reserve +
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Birds Nest fern (Asplenium) in Palm Grove Nature Reserve +
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Birds nest fern (Asplenium) growing on a mossy rock +
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Crossing a small creek in Palm Grove Nature Reserve +
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Tall eucalypts and Cabbage palms +
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Walking through Palm Grove Nature Reserve +
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The morning light filtering through the vines +
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Walking along a mossy rock wall in Palm Grove NR +
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South side of the ridge in Palm Grove NR +
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Walkers Registration tube in the Palm Grove NR +
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Tall open forest on the ridge in Palm Grove NR +
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Sunrise at the campsite in Palm Grove NR +
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The track on the north side of the ridge in Palm Grove NR +
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Rock steps in Palm Grove NR +
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Rocky track winding through the Palm Grove NR +
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Strangler fig (Ficus obliqua) on mossy rocks in the Palm Grove NR +
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Mossy and cool environement on the north side of Palm Grove NR +
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Tall forest in Palm Grove Nature Reserve +
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Large clump of Cabbage Palm (Livistona Australis) on the north side of Palm Grove NR +
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Tall young forest near Ourimbah Creek Road +
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Just south of Ourimbah Creek Road +
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Ourimbah Valley Trackhead sign on the north side of Palm Grove NR +
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Cross sectional view of the Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead 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.
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Length |
6km |
| Time |
2 hrs 30 mins |
| . |
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Grade 4/6
Track: Hard |
AS 2156.1 |
Gradient |
Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track |
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) |
| Signs |
Minimal directional signs (4/6) |
| Experience Required |
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) |
| Weather |
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) |
| Infrastructure |
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6) |
*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 3.4km of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 2.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
2.6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.4km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (990m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
2.6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 2.4km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (990m) has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
2.6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 2.4km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (1km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 3.4km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 2.6km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
2.6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (1.4km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Catch the bus to Somersby Store
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A bus service runs along Wisemans Ferry Rd passing Somersby store. The service runs between Gosford and Spencer only a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277. The bus only picks passengers up from Somersby to head to Gosford on the morning runs. Timetable
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Somersby Store
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Alt = 282 m |
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Somersby Store offers a good place to have lunch or pick up the basic food supplies. The store serves hot food including burgers, chips, pies etc and cold drinks. Opening hours are 6am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 6.30am to 4pm on Saturdays (closed Sundays). There is a pay phone and a bus stop however services are limited to two buses a day. Contact details are (02)4372 1269, at 841 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby, NSW 2250. The store owners are happy for you to phone ahead. If you are a large group you can order ahead to save the stress. I always encourage people to use local stores like this on track, but since it is a small store it is worth phoning ahead to see what they have what you want in stock.
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(0 km)
Somersby Store
to
End of Kilkenny Road
Track: Moderate - road |
Length = 2.63 km |
Time = 48 mins |
| Climb = 54 m |
Descent = -69 m |
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From the Somersby Store[1], this walk heads north, gently downhill along the side of 'Wisemans Ferry Rd', past the public toilet[2]. After about 120m, this walk crosses an on-ramp[3] then heads over the bridge[4] crossing Peats Ridge Road, then past another on-ramp[5]. The walk continues along Wisemans Ferry Rd for about 700m to then turn sharp right at the three-way intersection[6], onto 'Dog Trap Rd'[7]. Just over 100m along Dog Trap Rd, this walk turns left into 'Kilkenny Rd'[8]. The walk follows Kilkenny Rd past the rural properties[9] for about 1.2km, where the walk continues along the now dirt road[10]. About 50m after becoming dirt, the road leads across a rock ford[11] that can be extremely slippery when wet. The walk continues up along the dirt road[12] for another 300m to come to the end of the road and a 'Great North Walk' sign[13], beside 'Illawong' (farm).
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(2.63 km)
End of Kilkenny Road
to
creek crossing
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 1.38 km |
Time = 32 mins |
| Climb = 11 m |
Descent = -207 m |
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Continue straight: From the northern end of Kilkenny Road next to 'Illawong' (farm)[14], this walk follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[15] along the management trail, between the two farms[16]. After about 300m, the trail leads to a clearing[17], where this walk turns right to follow the GNW arrow post along track beside the fence line[18] (keeping the paddock on your right) for about 70m. The walk then turns left and follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[19] down the hill. The track leads steeply at first[20] and become progressively less steep as the walk heads down the ridge line, until almost flattening out[21] about 400m after leaving the farm. The track then bends left and winds steeply down the side of the ridge, down a series of rock steps[22] for about 600m, leading into a dense moist rain forest. The track passes some wonderful examples of bird's nest ferns (Asplenium australasicum)[23] before the last little walk down to the rocky intermittent creek[24]. This walk then crosses the creek in the mossy, cool and moist valley[25].
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(4.01 km)
creek crossing
to
Palm Grove Campsite intersection
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 1.05 km |
Time = 28 mins |
| Climb = 114 m |
Descent = -25 m |
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Continue straight: From beside the creek[26], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[27] uphill, using the series of rock steps[28]. The track leads uphill, passing some notably large trees[29] over about 120m to then turn right onto a leafy trail[30]. Here the walk crosses an ephemeral creek[31] then continues along the leafy trail in the shaded rainforest[32]. After about 250m, the walk turns left, following the 'Great North Walk' sign[33] gently up along a narrow track for about 60m to pass a large strangler fig tree[34]. Just past the fig, this track begins to climb steeply up a series of rock steps[35] and switch-backs[36] for about 100m to pass along side a rock wall[37] (on your right). Just past the rock wall, this walk ducks under a fallen tree[38] then continues steeply (into the more open forest) up more rock steps[39] and switchback for another 250m, where the track flattens out and comes to the signposted 'Walker Register' tube[40]. After leaving your comments, and having a bit of a read of other people's adventures, this walk turns right and follows the GNW arrow post[41] along the top of the ridge, through a clearing[42]. Here the walk start to lead down along the top of the ridge[43] for about 150m to come to a three-way intersection[44], marked with a couple of GNW arrow posts (just before a campsite[45], ahead).
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(5.05 km)
Palm Grove Campsite intersection
to
Palm Grove Campsite
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 48 m |
Time = 1 mins |
| Climb = 0 m |
Descent = -2 m |
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the top of the ridge towards the clearing for just shy of 50m to come to the signposted 'Camping Area'[46].
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
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Palm Grove Campsite
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Alt = 160 m |
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A Great North Walk signposted campsite with plenty of room for a few tents but providing minimal facilities ie. no water, toilets or tables however there is a bench and barbeque plate and room for a fire.
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(5.05 km)
Palm Grove Campsite intersection
to
Ourimbah Valley Trackhead
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 987 m |
Time = 24 mins |
| Climb = 15 m |
Descent = -143 m |
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Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post north-west, gently down off the side of the ridge[47] (initially keeping the campsite track down to your right). The track leads down along the side of the ridge[48] for about 150m before leading much more steeply down a series of rock steps[49] for about 200m. The track mostly flatten out just before passing a tall fig growing over a large boulder[50] (on your right). Here the track winds more gently downhill for about 150m to pass a couple cabbage palms (Livistona australis)[51], then continues to wind fairly steeply down for another 400m where the track mostly flattens out again[52]. Near the end of this 400m, the track leads through a short weedy section before heading down a short embankment[53] to a T-intersection with the dirt Ourimbah Creek Rd[54], marked with a large 'Ourimbah Valley Trackhead' sign[55].
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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 |
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To the start of the walk
Catch a bus to Somersby
A bus service runs along Wisemans Ferry Rd passing Somersby store. The service runs between Gosford and Spencer only a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277. The bus only picks passengers up from Somersby to head to Gosford on the morning runs. Get Timetable
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From the end of the walk
Sorry there are no
public transport options
from the end of this walk |
Driving Directions |
| Map Car Shuffle
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To the start of the walk
Drive from:
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From the end of the walk
Drive to:
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Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
| Store |
Address |
Phone |
Distance (straight line) |
| BCF Australia Pty Ltd | 354 Manns Rd , Gosford West | (02) 4322 5833 | 7.4 km | Camping World | Shop 18, 482 Pacific Hwy, Wyoming | (02) 4324 6515 | 7.9 km | Mannings Sports | 172 Mann St , Gosford | (02) 4325 1617 | 8.9 km | Boots Great Outdoors | 201 The Entrance Rd , Erina | (02) 4367 0396 | 12.4 km | Kangaroo Tent City & BBQs | Homemakers Supa Centre Cnr Wyong Rd & Bryant Drv , Tuggerah | (02) 4353 4335 | 13.3 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead.
Fire DangerThis 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 ClimateWeather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here | | °C (feels like °) | | km/h from the | | % humidity (as at ) |
| Wed | 30° | Showers. Likely storm developing. | | | Thu | 19°|26° | Possible shower. | | | Fri | 18°|31° | Partly cloudy. | | | Sat | 17°|25° | Possible late shower. | |
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Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
not too much longer now :)