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View from Flat Rock Lookout +
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Behind Flat Rock Lookout +
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Langans Rd, north of Flat Rock Lookout +
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Langans Rd, Watagan State Forest +
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Wide clear roads, Watagan State Forest +
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Old road signs in Watagan State Forest +
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GNW signage near the communication tower +
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Intersection with Cedar Ridge Rd +
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Congewai Communications Tower, Watagan State Forest +
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Congewai Communications Tower +
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Steps in track, east of communications tower +
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Open forest in Watagan State Forest +
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Ancient grass trees in Watagan State Forest +
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Wide trails in Watagan State Forest +
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Some dense forest in Watagan State Forest +
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Sign on track between Congewai Tower and Valley +
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Walking along the ridge on the western side of Congewai Valley +
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Following the GNW arrow post +
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GNW sign post in Open forest on western side of Congewai Valley +
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Walking through the open forest +
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Edge of farm land on the western side of Congewai Valley +
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Great North Walk sign post in tall wooded forest +
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GNW heading through the open farm land +
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Remember to shut the gates as you walk across the farms +
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Walking across the farm on a sunny morning +
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Stile in Congewai Valley +
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Dirt trail on farm in Congewai Valley +
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Walking through farm land in Congewai Valley +
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Friendly beast in Congewai Valley +
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Walking through farm land in Congewai Valley +
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Near the Congewai Valley West trackhead +
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the congewai west track head +
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Walking along the Congewai Valley Rd +
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Gums lineing the Congewai Valley Rd +
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Road Bridge on Congewai Valley Rd +
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Congewai Valley after good rain fall +
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Congewai Valley East Track head +
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Rainbow from Congewai Valley East trackhead +
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Looking over the lagoon from Congewai Valley East trackhead +
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Cross sectional view of the Flat Rock to Congewai Valley East Track Head bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Flat Rock to Congewai Valley East Track Head 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 |
14km |
| Time |
5 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 |
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) |
| Weather |
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) |
| 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
5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 4.9km has short steep hills. The remaining (3.7km) is very steep.
Quality of track
6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 4km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (3.7km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 5km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 10km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.7km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 14km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 10km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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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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(0 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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From 'Flat Rock Lookout'[1], this walk follows the trail north west, initially keeping the lookout[2] on your right. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 800m, to find a three-way intersection[3] with 'Langans Road'[4] (on the left). Here, this walk turns right and continues for about 3km (ignoring many side trails) to find a significant and wide intersection[5] with 'Cedar Ridge Road'[6]. 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'[7].
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(3.99 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[8]. This walk now follows the track and GNW arrow marker[9], 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[10]. Then the walk continues steeply downhill (rocky[11] and eroded[12] in places) for about 900m, to find a level section[13] of track (where the track[14] bends right). The walk then continues undulating moderately steeply (mostley downhill) for about 1.5km, to find an intersection[15] with a GNW arrow post[16]. The walk then continues, gently uphill for about 150m, across the open farm land to a paddock gate[17] (with a fence[18] on your right).
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(6.97 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[19], 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[20]. Then the walk continues for about 60m and crosses a stile[21] at a closed gate[22]. The walk then continues for about 200m until coming to an intersection[23] with a sealed road.
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(7.66 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[24] for about 180m to the top of the rise, where the road becomes dirt[25]. Over the next 500m, this walk stays on the dirt road as it leads down across a gully[26] beside farmland to head uphill again to the timber fence[27] and signposted entrance to 'Ffynnon Garw' AND 'Lonely Goat Olives'[28]. Turn left here and follow the driveway[29] for almost 300m to find the large workshop building[30]. 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[31][32], both with en-suites[33]. The bedrooms open on to a veranda[34] with views over the gorgeous valley and the Tuscan style olive groves[35]. The cottage has an outdoor BBQ kitchen[36] and both rooms have a satellite TV, Wi-Fi Internet access, bar fridge[37], 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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(7.66 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[38], follows the GNW arrow marker[39] gently downhill along the sealed road[40]. The road becomes unsealed after about 50m as the dirt road then undulates gently through farmland[41] for about 900m to a T-intersection[42] with Congewai Valley Road[43] at the Congewai Valley west trackhead[44], just past the cattle grate.
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(8.59 km)
Congewai Valley west trackhead
to
Congewai Valley east trackhead
Walk: Easy - road |
Length = 5.19 km |
Time = 1 hr 28 mins |
| Climb = 71 m |
Descent = -60 m |
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Turn right: From the Congewai Valley west trackhead[45], this walk follows 'Barraba Trig' sign south along the unsealed road[46]. The walk continues (undulating gently) for about 4.4km (part of the road is sealed[47]), to cross a timber bridge[48]. Here the walk continues through farmland[49] for about 500m, to a signposted intersection[50], at the Congewai Valley east trackhead, where a sign points back to 'Congewai Valley'[51] and where there is a stile[52] (on the left) (and some wetlands on the right).
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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 | 20.1 km | 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 | 29.1 km | Camping Country | 401 Pacific Hwy, Belmont North | (02) 4945 1555 | 36.7 km | Camping World | Cnr Hillsborough & Macquarie Rds, Warners Bay | (02) 4956 6183 | 35.9 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Flat Rock to Congewai Valley East Track Head.
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 
5 km
not too much longer now :)