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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite are found in each of the tabs below
Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite
Time: 2 Days Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
1.1 km NNW of Yarramalong
Length: 33.7 km Walk Length
As this is a One Way walk, the 33.7 km only includes the walking distance from the start to the end point
Olney State Forest
Climb: 1615 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 1615 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 There is a bus stop within 2km of the start of this walk
Style: One way
Track: Hard

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)


Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite
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Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 5 km
Yarramalong Track Head
Int of Brush Creek and Ravensdale Roads
Cedar Brush Track Head
Int of GNW track & Kingtree Ridge Fire Road
GNW rest area
Int of Kingtree Ridge and Walkers Ridge Roads
Int of GNW & Walkers Ridge Road
Int of GNW AND an unsealed road
Int of GNW track AND a rocky trail
Int of GNW tracks AND Lyrebird Trail
Int of Rock Lilly and Lyrebird trails
Basin Campsite
Int of Rock Lilly AND Lyrebird trails
Int of GNW tracks & Lyrebird Trail
Wollombi Brook Pool
End of Wild Boar Road
Int of GNW track & Pig and Sow Ridge Rd
End of Kangaroo Point Road
Int of Kangaroo Point & Murrays Forest Road
Int of Murrays Forest Road and the Great North Walk
Rest Area
Int of Great North Walk and Bar trail
Int of Bar trail and Warrawolong Road
Int of Turners and Warrawolong Roads
Int of Warrawolong Road and Mt Warrawolong trail
Int of Turners and Warrawolong Roads
Signposted Rest Area
Starting point for this hiking track: Yarramalong Track Head

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
 Murrays Run 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91314N 
 Dooralong 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91311S 
 Morisset 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91311N 
 Gosford 1:100 000 Map Series 9131 

Photo Gallery

 
Yarramalong General Store
 
Yarramalong General Store +
 
Yarramalong Track Head
 
Yarramalong Track Head +
 
Ravensdale road
 
Ravensdale road +

 
Dilapidated shed
 
Dilapidated shed +
 
Intersection of Brush Creek Rd and Ravensdale Rd
 
Intersection of Brush Creek Rd and Ravensdale Rd +
 
Cedar Brush track head
 
Cedar Brush track head +

 
Creek crossing in farm
 
Creek crossing in farm +
 
Tree stripped bare
 
Tree stripped bare +
 
path down to Basin campsite track
 
path down to Basin campsite track +

 
Wollombi creek Gully track
 
Wollombi creek Gully track +
 
Winding down into the basin
 
Winding down into the basin +
 
Basin campsite, with open clearing and picnic tables
 
Basin campsite, with open clearing and picnic tables +

 
Basin campsite table and shelter
 
Basin campsite table and shelter +
 
path up from valley
 
path up from valley +
 
kangaroo point road
 
kangaroo point road +

 
intersection of the Great North Walk and the Bar trail
 
intersection of the Great North Walk and the Bar trail +
 
following the ridge
 
following the ridge +
 
int of warrawolong road
 
int of warrawolong road +

 
path up Mt Warramalong
 
path up Mt Warramalong +
 
view from path up Mt Warramalong
 
view from path up Mt Warramalong +
 
Looking through the trees, east of Mt Warrawolong
 
Looking through the trees, east of Mt Warrawolong +

 
nearing the top
 
nearing the top +
 
warrawolong fire tower
 
warrawolong fire tower +
 
following the dirt roads
 
following the dirt roads +

 
trail leading down to Watagan creek road
 
trail leading down to Watagan creek road +
 
Watagan creek GNW campsite
 
Watagan creek GNW campsite +
 
Watagan creek road
 
Watagan creek road +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite 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 34km
Time 2 Days
.


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 (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
16km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 11km has short steep hills. The remaining (6km) is very steep.

Quality of track
13km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 13km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (8km) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
Around 22km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 12km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
17km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 17km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (280m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 34km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
19km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 12km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (2.3km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Track Notes


Catch the bus to Yarramalong Track Head
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk A bus School service runs along Yarramalong Rd from Wyong. Since this is a school bus service it only heads into Yarramalong twice a day. Phone Busway on (02) 4392 6666 to organise a pick up (they are happy to take passengers. Timetable
Drive to Yarramalong Track Head
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|

Yarramalong Store Alt = 32 m
Yarramalong Store is good place to have lunch or pick up the basic food supplies. The store serves hot food including burgers, chips, pies etc as well as cold drinks. The store is open 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week. There is a pay phone outside and a tap to refill water, and the store has its own fuel pump. Phone on (02)4356 1222. The address is 1625 Yarramalong Rd, Yarramalong NSW 2259. 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. It is a small store so choice is limited.

Yarramalong Manor Alt = 30 m
Yarramalong Manor offers accommodation and a restaurant in the picturesque Yarramalong Valley. The restaurant is open to the public for breakfast & lunch (10am weekdays and 9am weekends) daily, and dinner Friday and Saturday. Yarramalong Manor has 6 guest rooms, each with ensuite, TV, fridge and tea & coffee making facilities. Tariffs for bed and breakfast start at $95 - single, $75/person - twin share. ph:(02) 4356 1066. More info

(0 km) Yarramalong Track Head to Int of Brush Creek and Ravensdale Roads
Walk: Easy - road
Length = 3.3 km Time = 57 mins
Climb = 48 m Descent = -53 m
From the 'Yarramalong Trackhead' (at the intersection of Yarramalong and Bumble Hill Roads)[1][2], this walk follows the 'Cedar Brush Creek' sign along Yarramalong Road[3], away from Yarramalong Store. This walk continues through Yarramalong for about 400m, to cross a bridge[4] over the Wyong River[5]. Then this walk continues straight ahead past farm properties[6][7], undulating gently, for just shy of 3km, until coming to a three-way intersection[8][9], with 'Brush Creek Road' and a GNW 'Cedar Brush' sign on the left.

(3.3 km) Int of Brush Creek and Ravensdale Roads to Cedar Brush Track Head
Walk: Easy - road
Length = 7.66 km Time = 2 hrs 21 mins
Climb = 193 m Descent = -145 m
Veer left: From the intersection[10][11], this walk follows the GNW arrow marker and Brush Creek Road gently downhill, while keeping Ravensdale Road on your right. This walk continues gently uphill, passing numerous farm properties[12] for about 300m, then crossing a timber bridge[13]. Then this walk continues on gravel road (with occasional sealed sections) amongst more farm properties[14][15] for about 6.7km, crossing over a timber bridge[16] to find a four-way intersection[17] with 'Kingtree Ln' and 'Misty Valley Ln'. This walk continues straight ahead for another 600m, until coming to an intersection[18] with the 'Cedar Brush Trackhead' sign[19] and track on the right.

(10.96 km) Cedar Brush Track Head to Int of GNW track & Kingtree Ridge Fire Road
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.98 km Time = 58 mins
Climb = 266 m Descent = -38 m
Turn right: From the signposted 'Cedar Brush Creek Trackhead'[20][21] (on Brush Creek Road[22]), this walk crosses the stile[23] and follows the track gently downhill[24], while following the 'Newcastle' sign[25]. The walk continues for about 220m then crosses a timber and metal bridge[26]. On the other side of the bridge, the walk heads gently uphill[27], past the 'Please keep on track' sign[28], then about 100m later this walk comes to 'The Great North Walk Walkers Register' book on a post[29] - a good place to note your intentions. Now in a denser forest, the track begins to wind moderately steeply uphill[30] (crossing over two moist gullies[31][32]) for about 1.5km until coming to a three-way intersection[33][34] with Kingtree Ridge Road.

(12.94 km) Int of GNW track & Kingtree Ridge Fire Road to GNW rest area
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 117 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 8 m Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection[35][36], this walk follows the GNW arrow post gently uphill along the dirt Kingtree Ridge Road [37]. The walk heads north along the dirt road for about 130m, coming to a flat GNW rest area with a couple of simple bench seats[38][39] (on your left).

Walkers Rest Area Alt = 309 m
This GNW walkers rest area (signposted) is located beside King Ridge Road, and consists of two benches[40], a campfire and enough room for four or five tents on a grassy level surface[41]. There is no water is available.

(13.06 km) GNW rest area to Int of Kingtree Ridge & Walkers Ridge Roads
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 3.38 km Time = 1 hr 4 mins
Climb = 115 m Descent = -44 m
Continue straight: From the GNW rest area[42][43], this walk follows the dirt Kingtree Ridge Road gently uphill[44], whilst initially keeping the rest area on your left. The walk follows the series of GNW arrow markers, ignoring a few side roads[45] for about 3.4km, until coming to a T-intersection[46][47][48] with the dirt Walkers Ridge Road, marked with a 'Walkers Rest Area 3.4 km' sign[49] pointing back along the road.

(16.43 km) Int of Kingtree Ridge and Walkers Ridge Roads to Int of Great North Walk and Walkers Ridge Road
Track: Moderate - road
Length = 373 m Time = 8 mins
Climb = 11 m Descent = -20 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads along Walkers Ridge Road, following the Great North Walk arrow west over the hill, past Bobs Point Rd (on the left) and coming down the other side to the signposted intersection on the Great North Walk.

(16.81 km) Int of GNW & Walkers Ridge Road to Int of GNW & an unsealed road
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 369 m Time = 7 mins
Climb = 12 m Descent = -5 m
Veer right: From the intersection[50][51], this walk follows 'The Great North Walk' sign[52] and GNW arrow marker north east along the dirt road. The walk continues through forest (ignoring side roads[53]) as it leads over a gentle rise for about 400m, then comes to a three-way intersection[54][55] with a trail (on the left) marked with 'The Great North Walk' sign[56].

(17.18 km) Int of GNW AND an unsealed road to Int of GNW AND Lyrebird trail
Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 1.28 km Time = 34 mins
Climb = 49 m Descent = -200 m
Turn left : From the intersection[57][58], this walk follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[59] south-west, gently downhill[60] along the fairly wide trail. The walk continues down for about 400m, becoming moderately steep partway [61], to come to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow marker[62] (pointing right)[63][64].
Turn right: From the intersection[65][66], this walk follows the GNW arrow post east along the narrow track, which soon bends left and crosses the trail (just below the last intersection). Here, this walk follows the GNW arrow post moderately steeply downhill[67] along the track, and down some stone steps for about 50m. The walk continues for about 700m along the side of the hill. Here the track leads steeply downhill, down a series of timber[68] and rock steps[69] for another 150m, to find a T-intersection[70][71] with the 'Lyrebird Trail', also marked with a 'Basin camping area' sign[72].

(18.46 km) Int of GNW tracks AND Lyrebird Trail to Basin Campsite
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.2 km Time = 54 mins
Climb = 129 m Descent = -180 m
Turn sharp left: From the intersection[73], this walk follows the 'Basin Camping Area' sign[74] along the track, while keeping Wollombi Brook on your right. The walk continues through dense vine and mossy forest as the track gently undulates along the side of the gully. Over the first 700m, the track leads past a few sandstone caves[75][76] and crosses over several small creeks. The walk then continues for another 1.2km, where the track enters a more open forest on a saddle[77][78]. At the edge of this saddle is an intersection with the Rock Lilly trail (signposted 'The Basin Camping Area' sign[79] on the right) and a GNW arrow marker[80] pointing directly ahead (also leading to the Basin campsite).
Continue straight: From the intersection on the saddle[81][82], this walk follows the GNW arrow marker gently downhill[83] heading west[84] (directly away from 'The Basin Camping Area' sign[85]). The walk continues through tall open forest[86][87] for about 300m, until coming to the large open clearing and Basin campsite[88][89].

Basin Campsite Alt = 176 m
This large campsite sits by Wollombi Brook on the Great North Walk[90] and is accessible by car. The campsite provides a range of facilities such as a pit toilet[91], picnic tables and chairs[92], wood BBQs[93] and fireplaces[94]. Water is usually available from the water tank[95] or the nearby creek[96] - treat before use.

Overnight stay Goto day 2 notes

Day 2


(20.66 km) Basin Campsite to Wollombi Brook Pool
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 2.48 km Time = 1 hr 1 mins
Climb = 199 m Descent = -156 m
Turn around: From the Basin campsite[97][98], this walk follows 'The Great North walk' sign, gently uphill [99][100], initially keeping the campsite on your right. The walk continues through tall open forest[101][102] for about 300m, until coming to a saddle[103], with a GNW arrow marker[104] (pointing ahead) and a 'The Basin Camping Area' sign[105] (Rock Lilly Trail, on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection at the edge of the saddle[106][107][108], this walk follows the GNW arrow east and gently downhill. The track leads downhill to come close to Wollombi Brook (on your left), where the track gently undulates as it leads into the dense vine and mossy forest for about 1.2km. Then over the next 700m or so, the track leads past a few sandstone caves[109][110] and crosses a few small creeks to come to a signposted three-way intersection[111][112] with 'The Great North Walk' and the 'Lyrebird Trail' track, where a sign points back to 'Basin Camping Area'[113].
Continue straight: From the intersection[114][115], this walk follows the 'Lyrebird Trail' & 'The Great North Walk' sign [116], north along the track whilst keeping the valley to your left. The walk leads through the dense forest[117] for about 250m, until crossing a mossy creek with many small boulders[118]. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. On the other side of this side creek, the walk comes to the edge of the delightful Wollombi Brook Pool[119][120] (on the left, at the junction of this side creek and Wollombi Brook).

Wollombi Brook Pool Alt = 219 m
The Wollombi Brook pool is located where two creeks come together and is a deep pool surrounded by moist cool forest. On a hot day, this spot would make an ideal resting spot or place for a cooling swim.

(23.14 km) Wollombi Brook Pool to End of Wild Boar Road
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 549 m Time = 14 mins
Climb = 52 m Descent = -5 m
Turn right: From Wollombi Brook Pool[121][122], this walk follows GNW arrow post north-east steeply uphill[123], initially keeping the main pool behind and to the left. The walk zigzags up through dense forest[124], up a series of timber[125] and rock steps[126] and past some large rock walls for about 500m, until coming to the the wide and flat area at the end of the dirt Wild Boar Road[127].

(23.69 km) End of Wild Boar Road to Int of GNW track & Pig and Sow Ridge Rd
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 3.05 km Time = 1 hr 9 mins
Climb = 204 m Descent = -60 m
Continue straight: From the end of Wild Boar Road[128][129] (aka Piglet Point Road), this walk follows the dirt road fairly gently uphill[130][131] to the north. The roads leads distinctly uphill for about 500m, and then gently undulates along the ridge through forest[132] for about 2.5km. Here the walk comes to a clear and signposted four-way intersection[133][134] with 'Walkers Ridge Road' route and 'The Great North Walk' track.

(26.73 km) Int of GNW track & Pig and Sow Ridge Rd to End of Kangaroo Point Road
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 968 m Time = 29 mins
Climb = 91 m Descent = -108 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[135], this walk follows 'The Great North Walk' sign[136] north along the track that heads moderately steeply downhill. The walk continues through forest[137](with occasional timber[138] and rock steps[139]) for about 500m, to cross the usually small Wollombi Brook[140]. Then the walk climbs moderately steeply uphill[141] for about 400m, until coming to the end of the dirt Kangaroo Point Road[142][143].

(27.7 km) End of Kangaroo Point Road to Int of Kangaroo Point & Murrays Forest Road
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.29 km Time = 34 mins
Climb = 146 m Descent = -9 m
Continue straight: From the end of Kangaroo Point Road[144], this walk follows the GNW arrow post north, gently uphill along Kangaroo Point Road[145]. The walk continues through forest (with the road gradually widening[146]) for about 1.3km, until coming to a signposted four-way intersection[147] with Murrays Forest Road[148] (and a wide trail[149] directly ahead).

(28.99 km) Int of Kangaroo Point & Murrays Forest Road to Int of Murrays Forest Road & GNW track
Track: Moderate - road
Length = 140 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection[150], this walk follows the dirt Murray Forest Road north-east, gently uphill[151] and directly away from the face of the 'Kangaroo Pt' sign[152]. After about 150m, this walk comes to a signposted three-way intersection[153] with the 'Great North Walk' trail (on your left).

(29.13 km) Int of Murrays Forest Road and the Great North Walk to Int of Great North Walk and Bar trail
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 881 m Time = 19 mins
Climb = 14 m Descent = -93 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[154] north along the dirt road for about 20m to another intersection with a 'The Great North Walk' sign[155]. Here the walk veers right (following the sign) up along the track until it flattens out and winds down to the top of a ridgeline. The track then follows this ridgeline through an open wooded forest[156] for about 300m, to find an unsignposted area that has been used as a campsite[157], at the end of a mostly flat section.
Continue straight: From the rest area[158], this walk follows the track down along the ridge line. The track winds steeply down into a saddle, where the track flattens out to lead through thicker green forest to the intersection with the narrow Bar Trail[159][160].

(30.01 km) Int of Great North Walk and Bar trail to Int of Bar trail and Warrawolong Road
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 855 m Time = 18 mins
Climb = 27 m Descent = -54 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[161] north-east along the narrow, overgrown trail[162]. The trail begins to widen and after about 800m, this walk turns left to follow a 'The Great North Walk' sign[163] down for about 20m to an intersection[164] with the wide dirt Warrawolong Road.

(30.87 km) Int of Bar trail and Warrawolong Road to Int of Turners and Warrawolong Roads
Track: Moderate - road
Length = 362 m Time = 7 mins
Climb = 8 m Descent = -12 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[165] north, gently down along the the dirt road for about 400m to find the intersection with the dirt Turners Road, just past the 'Mt Warrawolong' sign[166].

(31.23 km) Int of Turners and Warrawolong Roads to Mt Warrawolong Fire Tower
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.03 km Time = 56 mins
Climb = 245 m Descent = -31 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads north-west down along the dirt road[167], initially keeping the 'Mt Warrawolong' sign[168] on your left and keeping the valley on your right. The road leads gently downhill along the side of the hill for just over 300m to come to a Y-intersection[169] with the Mt Warrawolong trail (on your left).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the upper trail[170] past the 'Authorised Vehicles Only' sign[171]. After about 200m, the walk heads around a locked gate[172] then continues moderately steeply uphill, winding up the hill[173] for about 1.5km to come to a large flat clearing[174] and the tall fire tower[175] at the top of Mt Warrawolong[176].
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)

Mt Warrawolong Alt = 631 m
At 642m above sea level, Mt Warrawolong is the highest point of the Great North Walk.

(31.23 km) Int of Turners and Warrawolong Roads to Signposted Rest Area
Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 2.34 km Time = 53 mins
Climb = 40 m Descent = -267 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[177], (away from face of the 'Mt Warrawolong' sign[178]) to head east along the dirt Turners Road. After about 150m, this walk turn left at another 'The Great North Walk' sign[179] to follow the trail as it gently undulates along the top of the ridge for just over 1km. Here the trail begins to wind downhill, becoming steeper as it goes, for about 1.1km to head around a rock road block[180] and find the signposted rest area, where a 'Sydney Cove' sign[181] points back up the trail.

Watagan Creek Campsite Alt = 197 m
This is a Great North Walk signposted campsite, with plenty of room for a few tents but providing minimal facilities ie. no water, toilets or tables. There is, however, a bench and room for a fire.

(33.57 km) Signposted Rest Area to Int of GNW track & Watagan Creek Road(southside)
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 96 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m Descent = -25 m
Turn right: From the rest area[182], this walk follows 'Newcastle' sign[183] gently downhill[184] towards the valley, along the narrow track. The track leads downhill for almost 100m, coming to a T-intersection[185] with the dirt Watagan Creek Road[186], marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign[187] pointing back uphill.

Drive from Int of GNW track & Watagan Creek Road(southside)
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
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

Catch a bus to Yarramalong
A bus School service runs along Yarramalong Rd from Wyong. Since this is a school bus service it only heads into Yarramalong twice a day. Phone Busway on (02) 4392 6666 to organise a pick up (they are happy to take passengers. Get Timetable
From the end of the walk

Sorry there are no
public transport options
from the end of this walk

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)
Central Coast Canvas 33 Holloway Drv, Jilliby (02) 4353 9885 12.2 km
Wyong Warehouse & Camping World 59 Howarth St , Wyong (02) 4352 1501 15.3 km
Kangaroo Tent City & BBQs Homemakers Supa Centre Cnr Wyong Rd & Bryant Drv , Tuggerah (02) 4353 4335 16.5 km
BCF Australia Pty Ltd 354 Manns Rd , Gosford West (02) 4322 5833 21.8 km
Camping World Shop 18, 482 Pacific Hwy, Wyoming (02) 4324 6515 21.6 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite
Click to re-center search
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 24 km (to the S)
3 VMB2 Tower Street BATEAU BAY 25 km (to the SE)
6 NEW06 Gencom Site 1 Sugarloaf Range via NEWCASTLE 38 km (to the NE)
2 VMB4 Auzcom Communications Site 1 Sugarloaf Range Via NEWCASTLE 40 km (to the NNE)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 45 km (to the SSW)

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 8 years ago)
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 8 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 detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Olney State Forest Only State Forest is a section of mostly native bushland just South of Watagan State forest and National parks
Region:
I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.


Watagan State Forest Watagan State Forest is a large section of mostly native bushland west of Lake Macquarie.
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I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

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Colin McCormack - Navigational Challenge, coming IP:60.241.67.xxx | 2010-04-08 22:16:41
We did a car shuffle between Watagan Ck and started at the Basin.

If you haven't hiked into the Basin first, the signage can be misleading.

On lyrebird track, you find a sign off to the right for GNW and straight ahead for lyrebird. We turned right following the GNW sign, up some wooden steps, and ended up further south than we expected.

We should have known we were off the course, because we did not cross any creeks (water holes, etc) on the brook. But we didn't, and added about 6km to our day hike. Of course, on the lyrebird track, GPS wasn't working.

May I suggest that significant waypoints (on the maps, and perhaps in the track notes) be tagged with map references? The broad similarity between the track notes and the terrain we saw was enough to fool us, and we weren't assiduous enough to double-check.
Colin McCormack - The positives - wildlife! IP:60.241.67.xxx | 2010-04-08 22:22:06
We saw an amazing variety of wildlife - wedge-tailed eagle, rosella, yellow-tailed black cockatoo, rosella, honeyeaters, wallabies, eastern grey kangaroo, tawny frogmouth, scorpion, echidna, feral cat, goanna, lyrebird - it was just amazing.

Oh, and leeches. Tens of thousands of leeches at each creek level part of the hike. Take your salt, aerogard, and some thick socks.
Colin McCormack - Terrain IP:60.241.67.xxx | 2010-04-08 22:32:30
There were a few navigational challenges, but generally the track is well marked. You have to watch out in some of the creek level tracks, as the quite dense rainforest obscures the track a bit - there's one point in lyrebird gully where a false trail leads you to the creek, where you think you might have to cross (would be very difficult!) but actually have to backtrack about 20m and climb up a rock to an overhang, where the trail continues.

There are a couple of quite steep ascents (the hardest one was on Kangaroo Pt Rd, but it's a firetrail, and thus easy enough to ascend.)

The final descent from Mt Worrawalong to Watagan Ck is along what looks to be an eroded firetrail - eroded by 4WD and bikes. Individual segments of that (where the trail looks like a series of switchbacks) are very steep, and quite eroded, and you may have to descend crabwise on your back (or use sticks very carefully.)

I certainly wouldn't want to walk this one north->south in summer, as the initial climb (from about 120m to about 500m) would be a morale killer.
brett Lesmond - track and road conditions. IP:60.240.1.xxx | 2013-03-08 02:13:31
Just finished this section of the walk and was a little harder than anticipated. The washed out bridge at the start should have been a warning. Signage in some sections is very poor or non existent and other areas very good,which in itself can cause a doubts.

The track condition in places is very degraded and overgrown.The track has just about vanished in some areas. Numerous fallen trees along the track require a bit of bush bashing to get through or around, with the track very hard to pick up on occasion.
LOTS of leeches. Lots of fabulous wildlife kangaroos, wallabies echidnas goannas snakes Diamond pythons and black snakes and lots of bird life including lyrebirds running alond and across the tail. NOTE WATAGAN CREEK ROAD IS STRICTLY 4W DRIVE ( I'm talking Landcruiser or patrol not SUV ) so the walkout is a good 3 to 4 hours after you make the trail head.
Melissa IP:110.20.231.xxx | 2014-05-28 07:40:18
Walked from Cedar Brush to Congewai Valley on the weekend,camping at the Basin, then at Watagan Creek campsite. Both were good, basic campsites. No water in the tank at the Basin, but we filtered water from the creeks and were fine. The bridge at the start of the walk from the Basin has been replaced. The track down into the Basin was a little tricky, take care. Signage was good, although an arrow pointing straight ahead just after the track crosses Walkers Ridge Rd would be very useful - the track goes straight ahead, but the trail bikes have made a left fork, down a steep hill, look like the dominant path. As Colin said above, that last descent into the Watagan Creek campsite was severely degraded, and despite being very careful, several of my group went sliding. A great weekend's walk.
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