This scenic walk includes dramatic lookouts and time spent in moist cool forest. The walk initially travels on dirt road past Hunter and MacLean’s Lookout, before descending into the Wallis Creek catchment. Here the walk traverses underneath many cliffs before crossing Wallis Creek and arriving at Heaton Lookout. A recommended walk with car access either end.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Watagan Headquarters to Heaton Lookout bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Watagan Headquarters to Heaton Lookout 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
8km
Time
4 hrs
.
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
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
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
3.6km of this walk is very steep and another 2.7km has short steep hills. The remaining (1.8km) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
3.2km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 2.8km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (2.1km) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 4.4km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 3.7km has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
3km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 2.6km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (2.6km) requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 3.9km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (270m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Online bushwalking Magazine. Download the full magazine for free Bushwalk Australia eMag The Online Magazine is produces by the community at bushwalk.com and the Wildwalks team Bushwalk.com Australia's most active bushwalking forum - Check it out. Happy Reading. Matt :)
Watagan Headsquarters campsite[1] (aka Forestry HQ) is located in the Heaton State Forest, beside Bakers Rd, near Heaton Rd. This campsite has wood fired barbecues[2], picnic tables[3] and a garbage bin[4]. The large, flat, cleared area[5] allows plenty of room to pitch a tent. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so there is no longer water available.
(0 km)
Forestry H.Q campsite
to
Hunter Lookout picnic area Track: Moderate - road,bushtrack
Length = 1.62 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -38 m
From the intersection (Forestry H.Q. campsite)[6], this walk follows Bakers Road gently downhill[7], while keeping the GNW arrow marker on your right[8] and the large 'Great North Walk' sign[9] on your left. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 900m until coming to a three-way intersection with Rocky Creek Road[10] (on the right). Continue straight: From the intersection[11], this walk follows Bakers Road north and gently uphill, while keeping Rocky Creek Road (no signpost) on your right. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 400m until coming to a three-way intersection with Glen Road[12] (on the right). Continue straight: From the intersection[13], this walk follows Bakers Road gently uphill[14], while keeping Glen Road on your right. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 250m until coming to Hunter Lookout picnic area[15] (on the left). Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads off the road and up the hill following the Hunter Lookout picnic area sign, past the wooden gate and the public toilet, to the picnic area area and the lookout.
Hunter Lookout
Alt = 435 m
Hunter Lookout[16] can be found on Bakers Road, along the Great North Walk. This fenced lookout has everything you will need snack-stop, including toilets[17], picnic tables, chairs and wood-fired barbecues[18]. This lookout has fantastic views[19] over much of the Hunter region[20]. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so water is no longer available at Hunter Lookout.
(1.62 km)
Hunter Lookout picnic area
to
Int of GNW track & Bakers Road Track: Moderate - bushtrack,road,road
Length = 666 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -35 m
Continue straight: From the picnic area, this walk heads north, past the metal gate to the intersection of Bakers Road. Veer left: From the Hunter Lookout picnic area[21] (on Bakers Road), this walk follows Bakers Road north and gently downhill[22], while keeping Hunter Lookout on your left. The walk continues for about 400m until coming to a Y-intersection[23] (Bakers Road loop). Veer right: From the intersection[24] (Bakers Road loop),this walk follows the Bakers Road loop gently downhill, while keeping the gently uphill Bakers Road loop on your left. The walk continues through forest for about 210m until coming to a three-way intersection[25] with a wide track and 'The Great North Walk/Maclean Lookout' sign[26] on the right.
(2.29 km)
Int of GNW track & Bakers Road
to
Maclean Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - road
Length = 102 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the intersection[27], this walk follows Bakers Road gently uphill, while keeping the GNW arrow marker and views on your right. The walk continues for about 80m until coming to Mcleans Lookout[28] (on the right). (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Mcleans Lookout
Alt = 445 m
McLeans Lookout[29] offers magnificent views of the valleys[30] in Heaton State Forest. Located on Bakers Road, this fenced lookout also has picnic facilities including tables with seats[31] and open grassy areas.
(2.29 km)
Int of GNW track & Bakers Road
to
Int of GNW track AND Glen Road Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 566 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -83 m
Turn right: From the intersection[32], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[33], while keeping the 'Heaton Lookout' sign on your right. The walk continues (becoming moderately steep downhill) for about 280m until coming to a three-way intersection[34] with a track on the left. Turn sharp right: From the intersection[35], this walk follows the track moderately steeply downhill[36], while keeping the GNW arrow marker on your left. The walk continues (descending moderately steeply into[37] and out[38] of a gully) for about 150m, until coming to a three-way intersection, Glen Road[39].
(2.85 km)
Int of GNW track & Glen Road
to
Int of GNW track & a narrow road Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 856 m
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 87 m
Descent = -67 m
Turn left: From the intersection[40], this walk follows the track gently downhill[41], while keeping the 'Glenn Rd' sign[42] on your right. The walk continues through forest[43] for about 120m, until coming to a three-way intersection[44] with a track and GNW arrow marker (on the left). Turn left : From the intersection[45], this walk follows the GNW arrow marker[46] moderately steeply down along the track[47]. The walk continues for about 100m, to find a forested mossy creek[48] where the track bend right and continues close to the creek[49] for about 70m to then bend left and crossing the creek. The walk now follows the track undulating gently for about 280m before finding a large rock overhang[50]. The walk then continues moderately steeply uphill[51] for about 200m until coming to a T-intersection[52] with a wide trail and GNW arrow marker[53].
(3.71 km)
Int of GNW track & a wide track
to
Int of GNW track and Hammonds Road Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 772 m
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 89 m
Descent = -85 m
Turn right: From the intersection[54], this walk follows 'Watagan Forest Road' sign[55] uphill[56] along the trail for about 200m to a three-way intersection[57], with another 'Watagan Forest Road' sign[58] (on your left). Continue straight: From the intersection[59], this walk follows the wide track gently downhill, while keeping the 'Macleans Lookout 2km' sign[60] on your right. The walk continues for about 140m to a three-way intersection[61], with Fosters Road on your right and 'Fosters Road' sign[62] on your left. Continue straight: From the intersection[63], this walk follows the GNW arrow post down along the wide old trail[64], passing the 'Fosters Road' sign[65] on your left. The walk continues for about 100m, where the wide track then leads moderately steeply downhill[66] for about 150m more. The walk then crosses a gully[67] and heads up[68] over another rise for about 70m to where the track narrows then bends left at a GNW arrow post. About 180m past the post, the walk crosses a gully[69] then heads up the other side, past a termite mound[70] to an unfenced cliff with distance valley views[71]. Here the track bends right and leads up a short distance to a dirt road[72]. The walk turns left and follows the road down for just a few metres to the 'Hammonds Road' sign, where the 'MacLean Lookout' arrow[73] points back along the road.
(4.48 km)
Int of GNW track and Hammonds Road
to
Int of GNW track and Wallis Creek Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.45 km
Time = 44 mins
Climb = 113 m
Descent = -214 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[74], this walk follows the 'Heaton Lookout' sign[75] downhill along the road a few metres, then veers left to follow the GNW arrow down the old trail[76]. The walk leads fairly steeply down for about 180m then passes around a timber barrier[77]. Here the track narrows and continues more steeply downhill[78] through forest for about 250m to a gully and creek crossing[79] (with many fallen dead trees[80]). Continue straight: This walk crosses the creek[81] and follows the track, while keeping the valley on your left. The walk follows the track steeply up for a short distance, then follows along the base of a cliff[82] for about 120m to pass through a long sandstone cave[83]. The rocky track leads steeply down through the dense rainforest for 700m, following a series of GNW arrow posts to the bottom of the gully beside Wallis Creek[84].
(5.93 km)
Int of GNW track and Wallis Creek
to
Int of GNW track and Barniers Road Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.02 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 143 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From here, the walk crosses Wallis Creek[85], and follows the GNW arrows south gently uphill along the track. The walk continues (crossing over a tree trunk[86] with carved steps) and after about 500m, comes to a creek and a tree trunk with a directional arrow carving[87]. Then the walk follows the track[88] for about 130m (crossing the creek a number[89] of times) to find the track leaving the creek[90]. The track is followed moderately steeply uphill[91] through forest for about 400m, until coming to a level four-way intersection[92] with a 'Barniers Road/Mt Faulk Road' sign on your right.
(6.95 km)
Int of GNW track and Barniers Road
to
Int of GNW track and Heaton Lookout Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.19 km
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 58 m
Descent = -115 m
Continue straight: From the intersection[93], this walk follows the GNW arrow east, directly away from the face of the 'Barniers Road' sign[94]. The walk continues along the old trail for about 450m to find an intersection[95] with a track (on the right). Here the walk turns right, following the 'The Great North Walk' sign[96] moderately steeply down the narrow track[97] for about 220m and then crosses a creek[98]. The walk continues moderately steeply uphill[99] around another gully and after about 500m, comes to a T-intersection[100] with Heaton trail and Heaton Lookout[101] directly ahead.
Heaton Lookout
Alt = 379 m
Heaton Lookout[102] is one of the larger lookouts located on Heaton Road. This fenced lookout faces south-east. There are wood fired barbecues[103], picnic tables[104] and a pit toilet[105]. Heaton Lookout is a great place to stop for a snack, and the amazing view[106] feels like a bonus. This lookout was named after Richard Heaton, a timber cutter who came to Australia as a convict[107]. There is a water tank here, due to vandalism in the area this is not a reliable water source.
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) 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
Region: Hunter & Mid North Coast Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Watagans National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Click Creek fire trail and Slippery Rock Road Click Creek fire trail is closed due to extensive storm damage. The trail will remain closed until maintenance works can be completed. Slippery Rock Road is closed due to eroded surfaces making conditions unsafe. The road will reopen, subject to conditions, once maintenance work is completed. Penalties apply for non-compliance For more information, please contact the NPWS Lakes area office on (02) 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Safety alerts: Access to park during inclement weather Roads in Watagans National Park are unsealed, and accessible by 2WD in dry conditions only. 4WD's should be used at all other times. Gates and roads may be temporarily closed to prevent damage when wet. Please contact the NPWS Lake Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000 for more information.
Heaton State Forest Boardering Watagan national Park, Heaton State forest is home to many great lookouts. There sre many highpoints with cliff edges giving great views across the Hunter valley and Lake Macquarie. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Awaba State Forest A large parcel of land west of the northern end of lake Macquarie, Awaba state forest lines the side of part of the Sydney - newcastle freeway. The park is home to mostly native forest Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
It might be worth mentioning that this one-way walk can be quite easily turned into a circuit by returning to the start via Watagan Forest Road. It's dirt-road walking, and therefore not nearly as scenic or varied as the outward leg, but it's pleasant enough, even allowing for the clouds of dust thrown up by occasional passing vehicles.
I'd guess the total round trip is about 14 or 15 km.
Julie - Completely lost at 2.29km
IP:115.64.126.xxx | 2013-06-02 03:46:35
I was there very late in the afternoon, around 3pm. Made it to the intersection, saw the GNW signpost and went down the gully, planning to do just a small loop via Glen Road. But I was very confused by the track notes "turn sharp right... while keeping the GNW arrow marker on your left" and especially the bit "descending moderately steeply into and out of a gully". I was confused because I wasn't sure 1) if I was meant to cross the gully or not; 2) was I meant to turn left or right? So, I back tracked and left.
admin - lost at 2.29
Super Administrator | 2013-06-02 08:45:23
Hi Julie
Thanks for leaving your feedback -- Sorry for the hassle. It sounds like a good thing that you turned around when you did it is likely you would have ran out of light if you kept going.
Sorry I am not sure where the confusion is - please give me a bit more info so I can fix up the notes for other people. From the intersection near mcleans lookout (2.29) you turn right and walk down the wide trail for just shy of 400m, where you will come to another intersection marked with a GNW arrow post. Turn sharp right here and into the gully - cross the gully and continue following the track up the other side.
Thanks again
Matt :)
alanm - Just what I expected! Great Wa
IP:101.170.42.xxx | 2013-12-16 02:20:45
Great walk with beautiful lookouts. The walk was somewhat indistinct down in the creek and I did get lost for a while until I found a marked tree (and I had already walked it the other way!) I found this to be probably the roughest part of the GNW - as in the least developed.
Enjoyed it and here is the video of the walk http://youtu.be/1Z-vqck1WXw
BTW Matt, the track notes at 3.71km say Continue Straight (the first one), but should be Turn Left - or am I missing something?
Paula - We got lost
IP:114.78.121.xxx | 2014-04-02 04:40:28
We have walked all GNW sections from Sydney to this walk over the past 18months without a problem. This was by far the toughest in regard to terrain. Poor signage & vague directions lead to us getting lost approx 2km out from the end at Heaton lookout where you cross over the creek several times.
We attempted to backtrack, but I slipped & fell approx 6m to the creekbed below and required to be evacuated by rescue chopper. Fortunately no major injuries. We have never got lost before on the GNW following your written notes & locating GNW sign postings along the walk. Perhaps slightly clearer postings or directions would be helpful for future Great North Walkers.
admin - re: We got lost
Super Administrator | 2014-04-02 04:54:08
Paula wrote:
....Perhaps slightly clearer postings or directions would be helpful for future Great North Walkers.
Hi Paula
Thanks for the message. Sorry to hear about the tough trip and trouble on the track.
I have read through the notes and looked at photos and can't see where I can improve things -- if you have any suggestions or know where in the notes to look.
I understand that there is a review of the main section of the GNW will be done over the next few months - this will include potential for improving signage in places. If we can work out the spot that I can see it is included in the review.
Feel free to email me matt@wildwalks.com
Thanks for taking the time.
Matt :)
Melissa
IP:110.20.231.xxx | 2014-09-25 09:55:36
We walked from Congewai East trackhead to Teralba last weekend. Having walked all sections from Sydney in weekend sections over the last 2 years, I'd agree that the 4km or so section before Heaton Lookout is the roughest section of track so far. There are numerous new (since Paula went thru, I'd guess) red arrow signs on trees where the track crosses the creek , and lots of orange painted markers, so although we still had to look carefully, we had no navigational problems. One suggestion though - there was quite a difficult (at least I found it difficult!) rock to climb up not far past the very large tree across the track. I slipped climbing up this and would love the Department of Lands to put a metal staple or two on that rock. Overall though, this was a great section of the walk, with spectacular lookouts and very varied scenery. We're a bit sad to be nearly at the end of the walk,,,
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)