Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West)
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Crossing paddock from Watagan Creek Road +
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Over the hill and far away +
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Crossing the paddock fence +
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Winding up the side of the valley +
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The fenced-off cliffs near Flat Rock Lookout +
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View from Flat Rock Lookout +
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Track down to the Congewai +
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Following the side of a property +
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Following the edge of a property +
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Road to Congewai valley +
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Across Congewai valley floor +
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Congewai valley track head (west) +
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Cross sectional view of the Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West) bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West) 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 |
13km |
| Time |
5 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 |
Directional signs along the way (3/6) |
| Experience Required |
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) |
| Weather |
Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6) |
| 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
Around 8km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 4.7km is very steep.
Quality of track
7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 4.9km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. Whilst another 930m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 230m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
This whole walk, 13km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 6km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 12km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 230m is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
(0 km)
Int of GNW track & Watagan Creek Road (westside)
to
End of Langans Road
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 1.47 km |
Time = 48 mins |
| Climb = 243 m |
Descent = -41 m |
From the intersection[1], this walk follows the GNW arrow post down the short but steep road embankment, and passes through the paddock gate[2] (with a 'Laguna' sign[3] on it). The walk continues gently downhill[4] across farmland for about 200m, until coming to, and heading through, a paddock gate[5] with a 'Great North Walk' sign (and a yellow electric fence box[6]).
Continue straight: From the paddock gate[7] (with the yellow electric fence box[8]), this walk follows GNW arrow down the moderately steep grassy bank[9] towards the creek. After about 10m, the walk crosses the creek[10], usually just over ankle deep. This creek maybe impassible after rain. The walk continues following GNW arrow markers[11] along the fence for about 100m, passing through two more paddock gates[12]), until heading through another paddock gate[13] with a 'Please Shut Gate' sign[14], just before the forest.
Continue straight: From the paddock gate[15] in the Watagan Valley[16], this walk follows the track moderately steeply uphill[17]. The walk heads through the wooded forest, up a series of timber[18] and rock steps[19] as the track winds up the hill. About 1km after leaving the open farmland, this track leads to an intersection with the turning area at the end of the dirt Langans Road[20].
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(1.47 km)
End of Langans Rd
to
Walkers Rest Area
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 2.2 km |
Time = 47 mins |
| Climb = 129 m |
Descent = -28 m |
Turn right: From the turning area at the end of Langans Road[21], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[22] gently uphill along the dirt road[23]. The walk continues generally uphill for about 800m and comes to a three-way intersection[24] with the signposted 'Cabans Road'[25] (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection[26], this walk follows the GNW arrow post north-west along the dirt[27] road, initially keeping Cabans Road[28] on your right. The walk continues, gently undulating up along the top of the ridge for about 1.4km, until coming to the signposted 'Walkers Rest Area'[29].
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Great North Walk Campsite
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Alt = 468 m |
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This neat little signposted[30] campsite consists of a brick fireplace[31] with a couple of basic wooden seats[32] and some room for a few tents. There is no water available at this campsite.
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(3.67 km)
Walkers Rest Area
to
Flat Rock Lookout
Track: Moderate - road |
Length = 348 m |
Time = 8 mins |
| Climb = 12 m |
Descent = -25 m |
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Continue straight: From the 'Walkers Rest Area'[33], this walk follows the trail west, initially keeping the rest area on your left. The walk continues to gently undulate for about 250m, until coming to the unfenced signposted 'Flat Rock Lookout'[34] (on your right).
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Flat Rock Lookout
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Alt = 455 m |
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Flat Rock Lookout is a natural rock platform that offers magnificent views across the Congewai Valley to the east and north. There are, however, no fences or safety railings at the lookout, so walkers will need to exercise extra caution.
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(4.01 km)
Flat Rock Lookout
to
Congewai Communications Tower
Track: Moderate - road |
Length = 3.99 km |
Time = 1 hr 25 mins |
| Climb = 182 m |
Descent = -142 m |
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Continue straight: From 'Flat Rock Lookout'[35], this walk follows the trail north west, initially keeping the lookout[36] on your right. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 800m, to find a three-way intersection[37] with 'Langans Road'[38] (on the left). Here, this walk turns right and continues for about 3km (ignoring many side trails) to find a significant and wide intersection[39] with 'Cedar Ridge Road'[40]. The walk veers right to walk along the dirt road for about 40m to find a large 'The Great North Walk' sign pointing back to 'Sydney Cove'[41].
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(8 km)
Congewai Communications Tower Management Trail
to
Paddock Gate
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 2.99 km |
Time = 1 hr 11 mins |
| Climb = 71 m |
Descent = -373 m |
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Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Congewai Valley' arrow on the large 'Great North Walk' sign up hill along the trail, following the ridge line for about 100m to the end of the trail, beisde the Congewai Communication Tower[42]. This walk now follows the track and GNW arrow marker[43], keeping the tower and metal fence on your left. Near the end of the fence, this walk follows the GNW arrow right and steeply downhill[44]. Then the walk continues steeply downhill (rocky[45] and eroded[46] in places) for about 900m, to find a level section[47] of track (where the track[48] bends right). The walk then continues undulating moderately steeply (mostley downhill) for about 1.5km, to find an intersection[49] with a GNW arrow post[50]. The walk then continues, gently uphill for about 150m, across the open farm land to a paddock gate[51] (with a fence[52] on your right).
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(10.99 km)
Paddock Gate
to
Int of GNW track AND sealed rd
Track: Hard - servicetrail |
Length = 690 m |
Time = 13 mins |
| Climb = 5 m |
Descent = -48 m |
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Continue straight: From here, walk through the paddock gate[53], this walk follows the trail gently uphill, while following the fence on your right. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 450m, then crosses a small creek[54]. Then the walk continues for about 60m and crosses a stile[55] at a closed gate[56]. The walk then continues for about 200m until coming to an intersection[57] with a sealed road.
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(11.68 km)
Int of GNW AND Eglinford La
to
Lonely Goat Olives
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 929 m |
Time = 22 mins |
| Climb = 76 m |
Descent = -18 m |
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads steeply uphill following the sealed Eglinford La to the west. The road leads steeply uphill[58] for about 180m to the top of the rise, where the road becomes dirt[59]. Over the next 500m, this walk stays on the dirt road as it leads down across a gully[60] beside farmland to head uphill again to the timber fence[61] and signposted entrance to 'Ffynnon Garw' AND 'Lonely Goat Olives'[62]. Turn left here and follow the driveway[63] for almost 300m to find the large workshop building[64]. There is a bell to attract your hosts' attention. The accommodation is over the small rise on the left.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
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Lonely Goat Olives
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Alt = 215 m |
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Lonely Goat Olives is a tranquil country cottage in Congewai Valley, about 900m from the GNW. The cottage has two separate bedrooms[65][66], both with en-suites[67]. The bedrooms open on to a veranda[68] with views over the gorgeous valley and the Tuscan style olive groves[69]. The cottage has an outdoor BBQ kitchen[70] and both rooms have a satellite TV, Wi-Fi Internet access, bar fridge[71], toaster and kettle. Rooms are from $202 a night including breakfast, meal packs are also available. A two night min. stay is normal, but chat with Keith about mid-week and other options. Your friendly host is also happy to pick you up or drop you off at Watagan Creek Rd for about $75. Ph 02 4998 1693
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(11.68 km)
Int of GNW track & sealed road
to
Congewai Valley west trackhead
Track: Moderate - road |
Length = 932 m |
Time = 16 mins |
| Climb = 7 m |
Descent = -30 m |
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Veer right: From the intersection[72], follows the GNW arrow marker[73] gently downhill along the sealed road[74]. The road becomes unsealed after about 50m as the dirt road then undulates gently through farmland[75] for about 900m to a T-intersection[76] with Congewai Valley Road[77] at the Congewai Valley west trackhead[78], just past the cattle grate.
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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
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) |
| Carneys Sport & Leisure | 137 Vincent St , Cessnock | (02) 4991 2208 | 22.7 km | Lake Macquarie Kayaks & Camping | Unit 1 61 Alliance Ave, Morisset | (02) 4973 2028 | 21 km | Central Coast Canvas | 33 Holloway Drv, Jilliby | (02) 4353 9885 | 26.5 km | Camping Country | 401 Pacific Hwy, Belmont North | (02) 4945 1555 | 36.4 km | Wyong Warehouse & Camping World | 59 Howarth St , Wyong | (02) 4352 1501 | 31.9 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West).
Fire DangerThis walk passes Greater Hunter 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 wx61242 | | °C (feels like °) | | km/h from the | | % humidity (as at ) |
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 Watagan State Forest Watagan State Forest is a large section of mostly native bushland west of Lake Macquarie. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment. Corrabare State Forest Corrabare State Forest is a large section of mostly native bushland west of Lake Macquarie. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment. |
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
not too much longer now :)