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Home arrow Hiking near Sydney arrow Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West)     

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West) are found in each of the tabs below
Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West)
Time: 5 hrs 30 mins Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
12.5 km S of Paxton
Length: 12.6 km Walk Length
As this is a One Way walk, the 12.6 km only includes the walking distance from the start to the end point
Watagan State Forest
Climb: 649 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 649 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
Style: One way
Track: Hard

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)


Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West)

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West) bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West)
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Int of GNW track & Watagan Creek Road (westside)
Great North Walk Paddock Gate
Back Paddock Gate
End of Langans Rd
Int of Langans Rd & Cabans Road
Walkers Rest Area
Flat Rock Lookout
Congewai Communications Tower Management Trail
Paddock Gate
Int of GNW AND Eglinford La
Int of GNW track & sealed road
Starting point for this hiking track: Int of GNW track & Watagan Creek Road (westside)

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
 Wollombi 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91323S 
 Quorrobolong 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91322S 
 Murrays Run 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91314N 
 Morisset 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91311N 
 Wollombi 1:50 000 Map Series CW-91323 
 Cessnock 1:50 000 Map Series CW-91322 
 Cessnock 1:100 000 Map Series 9132 
 Gosford 1:100 000 Map Series 9131 

Photo Gallery

 
Crossing paddock from Watagan Creek Road
 
Crossing paddock from Watagan Creek Road +
 
Over the hill and far away
 
Over the hill and far away +
 
Crossing Watagan Creek
 
Crossing Watagan Creek +

 
Crossing the paddock fence
 
Crossing the paddock fence +
 
Path up from paddock
 
Path up from paddock +
 
Winding up the side of the valley
 
Winding up the side of the valley +

 
The fenced-off cliffs near Flat Rock Lookout
 
The fenced-off cliffs near Flat Rock Lookout +
 
View from Flat Rock Lookout
 
View from Flat Rock Lookout +
 
Flatrock com tower
 
Flatrock com tower +

 
Track down to the Congewai
 
Track down to the Congewai +
 
Bottom of the valley
 
Bottom of the valley +
 
Following the side of a property
 
Following the side of a property +

 
Following the edge of a property
 
Following the edge of a property +
 
Almost through
 
Almost through +
 
Farm road
 
Farm road +

 
Road to Congewai valley
 
Road to Congewai valley +
 
Across Congewai valley floor
 
Across Congewai valley floor +
 
Congewai valley track head (west)
 
Congewai valley track head (west) +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West) bushwalking track

Cross Section 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

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of 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.
Length 13km
Time 5 hrs 30 mins
.


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).

Track Notes


Drive to Int of GNW track & Watagan Creek Road (westside)
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|

(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].

(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].

Great North Walk Campsite Alt = 468 m
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.

(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
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).

Flat Rock Lookout Alt = 455 m
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.

(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
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].

(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
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).

(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
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.

(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.)

Lonely Goat Olives Alt = 215 m
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

(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
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.

Drive from Congewai Valley west trackhead
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

Driving Directions
Map Car Shuffle
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by



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).
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West)
Click to re-center search
6 NEW06 Gencom Site 1 Sugarloaf Range via NEWCASTLE 24 km (to the ENE)
2 VMB4 Auzcom Communications Site 1 Sugarloaf Range Via NEWCASTLE 26 km (to the ENE)
1 CHT01 Our Town Repeater Group 244 Pacific Highway CHARLESTOWN 40 km (to the E)
5 CHN05 Our Town Repeater Group 244 Pacific Highway CHARLESTOWN
Emergency use only
40 km (to the E)
3 VMB2 Tower Street BATEAU BAY 43 km (to the SSE)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This 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 9 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 wx61242
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

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.

Walker Feedback

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