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Basin campsite in the Watagans +
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Basin campsite, with open clearing and picnic tables +
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Sign near Basin campsite in the Watagans +
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A small bridge, east of the Basin campsite +
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Rock Lilly Trail, near the Basin campsite +
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Fern forest on Rock Lilly Trail +
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Looking at the junction of Lyrebird and Rock Lilly Trails +
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Sign at junction of Lyrebird and Rock Lilly Trails +
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Open canopy, west of Wollombi Brook +
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Into the canopy, west of Wollombi Brook +
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Lyrebird Trail, alongside Wollombi Brook +
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False Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea) +
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Meandering track alongside Wollombi Brook +
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Rock walls and grand trees on the Lyrebird Trail +
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Dense forest on the Lyrebird Trail +
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Moss and ferns characterise the Lyrebird trail +
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Intriguing landscapes alongside Wollombi Brook +
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Rock overhang alongside Wollombi Brook +
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GNW sign on the Lyrebird Trail +
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GNW sign on the Lyrebird Trail +
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GNW sign on the Lyrebird Trail +
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Track south of Wollombi Brook Pool +
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Cascade into Wollombi Brook Pool +
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Plant life on the banks of Wollombi Brook Pool +
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Timber steps north of Wollombi Brook Pool +
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Timber steps north of Wollombi Brook Pool +
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Steep track, north of Wollombi Brook Pool +
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The end of Wild Boar Road +
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The end of Wild Boar Road +
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GNW sign on Wild Boar Road +
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Dense forest along Wild Boar Road +
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Timber steps, south of Kangaroo Point Road +
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Moss wall, south of Wollombi Brook crossing +
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Crossing Wollombi Brook +
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End of Kangaroo Point Road +
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End of Kangaroo Point Road +
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Intersection of Kangaroo Point and Murrays Forest Roads +
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Intersection of Kangaroo Point and Murrays Forest Roads +
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Fire scar south of Mt Warrawolong +
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Mt Warrawolong rest area +
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Wide trails in Olney State Forest +
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Intersection of Walkers Ridge and Murrays Forest Roads +
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Intersection north of Walkers Ridge and Murrays Forest Roads +
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Open woodland in Olney State Forest +
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Flora Reserve Ridge rest area +
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Rocky track, south of rest area +
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Rest area, south of Bar Trail +
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Termite mound, north of rest area +
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Rocky track, Olney State Forest +
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Rocky track, Olney State Forest +
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Rocky track, Olney State Forest +
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GNW meets the Bar Trail +
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GNW meets the Bar Trail +
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GNW meets the Bar Trail +
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Intersection of Bar Trail and Warrawolong Rd +
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Dense forest along Warrawolong Rd +
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Mt Warrawolong track, off Warrawolong Rd +
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Looking through the trees, east of Mt Warrawolong +
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Fire tower on top of Mt Warrawolong +
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Turners Road, NE of Mt Warrawolong +
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Turners Road, Olney State Forest +
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Filtered views along Turners Road, Olney State Forest +
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Looking SW to Mt Warrawolong +
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Turners Road, Olney State Forest +
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Turners Road, Olney State Forest +
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Turners Road, Olney State Forest +
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The steep zigzag along Turners Road +
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The steep zigzag along Turners Road +
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Along the rocky track, Turners Rd +
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Turners Road, east of Watagan Creek campsite +
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Seat and fire scar at Watagan Creek campsite +
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GNW signage at Watagan Creek Campsite +
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The edge of the forest, north of Watagan Creek campsite +
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GNW track meets Watagan Creek Road +
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GNW track meets Watagan Creek Road +
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GNW track meets Watagan Creek Road +
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Cross sectional view of the Basin campsite to Watagan Valley bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Basin campsite to Watagan Valley 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 |
6 hrs |
| . |
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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
8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3.5km is very steep. The remaining (1.8km) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
Around 8km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 13km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 280m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
12km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 930m requires no previous bushwalking experience. The remaining (280m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 13km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
11km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.4km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (930m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Basin Campsite
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Alt = 176 m |
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This large campsite sits by Wollombi Brook on the Great North Walk[1] and is accessible by car. The campsite provides a range of facilities such as a pit toilet[2], picnic tables and chairs[3], wood BBQs[4] and fireplaces[5]. Water is usually available from the water tank[6] or the nearby creek[7] - treat before use.
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(0 km)
Basin Campsite
to
Int of Rock Lilly and Lyrebird trails
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 336 m |
Time = 7 mins |
| Climb = 41 m |
Descent = -4 m |
|
From the Basin campsite[8][9], this walk follows 'The Great North walk' sign, gently uphill [10][11], initially keeping the campsite on your right. The walk continues through tall open forest[12][13] for about 300m, until coming to a saddle[14], with a GNW arrow marker[15] (pointing ahead) and a 'The Basin Camping Area' sign[16] (Rock Lilly Trail, on the left).
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(0.34 km)
Int of Rock Lilly AND Lyrebird trails
to
Int of GNW tracks AND Lyrebird Trail
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 1.87 km |
Time = 47 mins |
| Climb = 139 m |
Descent = -125 m |
|
Continue straight: From the intersection at the edge of the saddle[17][18][19], 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[20][21] and crosses a few small creeks to come to a signposted three-way intersection[22][23] with 'The Great North Walk' and the 'Lyrebird Trail' track, where a sign points back to 'Basin Camping Area'[24].
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(2.2 km)
Int of GNW tracks & Lyrebird Trail
to
Wollombi Brook Pool
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 276 m |
Time = 7 mins |
| Climb = 19 m |
Descent = -27 m |
|
Continue straight: From the intersection[25][26], this walk follows the 'Lyrebird Trail' & 'The Great North Walk' sign [27], north along the track whilst keeping the valley to your left. The walk leads through the dense forest[28] for about 250m, until crossing a mossy creek with many small boulders[29]. 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[30][31] (on the left, at the junction of this side creek and Wollombi Brook).
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Wollombi Brook Pool
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Alt = 219 m |
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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.
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(2.48 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[32][33], this walk follows GNW arrow post north-east steeply uphill[34], initially keeping the main pool behind and to the left. The walk zigzags up through dense forest[35], up a series of timber[36] and rock steps[37] 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[38].
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(3.03 km)
End of Wild Boar Road
to
Int of Kangaroo Point & Murrays Forest Road
Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack,servicetrail |
Length = 5.31 km |
Time = 2 hrs 12 mins |
| Climb = 441 m |
Descent = -177 m |
Continue straight: From the end of Wild Boar Road[39][40] (aka Piglet Point Road), this walk follows the dirt road fairly gently uphill[41][42] to the north. The roads leads distinctly uphill for about 500m, and then gently undulates along the ridge through forest[43] for about 2.5km. Here the walk comes to a clear and signposted four-way intersection[44][45] with 'Walkers Ridge Road' route and 'The Great North Walk' track.
Continue straight: From the intersection[46], this walk follows 'The Great North Walk' sign[47] north along the track that heads moderately steeply downhill. The walk continues through forest[48](with occasional timber[49] and rock steps[50]) for about 500m, to cross the usually small Wollombi Brook[51]. Then the walk climbs moderately steeply uphill[52] for about 400m, until coming to the end of the dirt Kangaroo Point Road[53][54].
Continue straight: From the end of Kangaroo Point Road[55], this walk follows the GNW arrow post north, gently uphill along Kangaroo Point Road[56]. The walk continues through forest (with the road gradually widening[57]) for about 1.3km, until coming to a signposted four-way intersection[58] with Murrays Forest Road[59] (and a wide trail[60] directly ahead).
|
(8.33 km)
Int of Kangaroo Point & Murrays Forest Road
to
Rest Area
Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - servicetrail |
Length = 47 m |
Time = 1 mins |
| Climb = 2 m |
Descent = 0 m |
Continue straight: From the four-way intersection[61], this walk follows the wide trail north and directly opposite Kangaroo Point Road[62][63]. After about 70m, this walk comes to a clearing used as an informal rest area[64][65].
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
|
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Mt Warrawolong Campsite
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Alt = 532 m |
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This relatively small campsite is a flat open clearing a stones throw away from the dirt road with a small fire pit and enough room to comfortably pitch three tents. There is no water available at this campsite so you will need to make sure you have enough to last until you get to the next water source.
|
(8.33 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[66], this walk follows the dirt Murray Forest Road north-east, gently uphill[67] and directly away from the face of the 'Kangaroo Pt' sign[68]. After about 150m, this walk comes to a signposted three-way intersection[69] with the 'Great North Walk' trail (on your left).
|
(8.47 km)
Int of Murrays Forest Road and the Great North Walk
to
Int of Bar trail and Warrawolong Road
Track: Hard - bushtrack,servicetrail |
Length = 1.74 km |
Time = 37 mins |
| Climb = 41 m |
Descent = -147 m |
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[70] north along the dirt road for about 20m to another intersection with a 'The Great North Walk' sign[71]. 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[72] for about 300m, to find an unsignposted area that has been used as a campsite[73], at the end of a mostly flat section.
Continue straight: From the rest area[74], 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[75][76].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[77] north-east along the narrow, overgrown trail[78]. The trail begins to widen and after about 800m, this walk turns left to follow a 'The Great North Walk' sign[79] down for about 20m to an intersection[80] with the wide dirt Warrawolong Road.
|
(10.21 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[81] 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[82].
|
(10.57 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[83], initially keeping the 'Mt Warrawolong' sign[84] 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[85] with the Mt Warrawolong trail (on your left).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the upper trail[86] past the 'Authorised Vehicles Only' sign[87]. After about 200m, the walk heads around a locked gate[88] then continues moderately steeply uphill, winding up the hill[89] for about 1.5km to come to a large flat clearing[90] and the tall fire tower[91] at the top of Mt Warrawolong[92].
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
|
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Mt Warrawolong
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Alt = 631 m |
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At 642m above sea level, Mt Warrawolong is the highest point of the Great North Walk.
|
(10.57 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[93], (away from face of the 'Mt Warrawolong' sign[94]) to head east along the dirt Turners Road. After about 150m, this walk turn left at another 'The Great North Walk' sign[95] 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[96] and find the signposted rest area, where a 'Sydney Cove' sign[97] points back up the trail.
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Watagan Creek Campsite
|
Alt = 197 m |
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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.
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(12.91 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 |
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Turn right: From the rest area[98], this walk follows 'Newcastle' sign[99] gently downhill[100] towards the valley, along the narrow track. The track leads downhill for almost 100m, coming to a T-intersection[101] with the dirt Watagan Creek Road[102], marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign[103] pointing back uphill.
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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) |
| Lake Macquarie Kayaks & Camping | Unit 1 61 Alliance Ave, Morisset | (02) 4973 2028 | 22.6 km | Central Coast Canvas | 33 Holloway Drv, Jilliby | (02) 4353 9885 | 22.3 km | Wyong Warehouse & Camping World | 59 Howarth St , Wyong | (02) 4352 1501 | 27.1 km | Carneys Sport & Leisure | 137 Vincent St , Cessnock | (02) 4991 2208 | 32 km | Kangaroo Tent City & BBQs | Homemakers Supa Centre Cnr Wyong Rd & Bryant Drv , Tuggerah | (02) 4353 4335 | 29.2 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Basin campsite to Watagan Valley.
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 detailed weather and climate information here | | °C (feels like °) | | km/h from the | | % humidity (as at ) |
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 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. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment. |
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
not too much longer now :)