Watagans cliff abseiling tours
Watagans National Park
Overview
Travel to outstanding cliffs and learn to abseil with professional guides from Walking Rivers in the beautiful natural setting of Watagans National Park.
- When
- Contact Walking Rivers for tour dates and times.
- Where
- Watagans National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Grade
- Medium. You must be able to walk over rough bush track.
- Price
- Contact Walking Rivers for pricing.
- Bookings
- Bookings required. Book online or email or call Walking Rivers on 0438 563 307.
Not far from Newcastle in the heart of Watagans National Park are fabulous cliffs, the starting point for an action-packed day of abseiling.
The friendly and professional staff of Walking Rivers will show you everything you need to know to take your first step over the edge. Your adventure begins on a smaller training cliff, to build your skills and confidence. When you’re ready for a bigger challenge, move onto the more exciting abseils off higher cliffs.
If all this fresh air and exercise makes you hungry, tuck into the marvellous barbecue lunch provided by Walking Rivers. Then sit back, relax and soak up the sights and sounds of this dramatic rainforest landscape.
Walking Rivers is a licensed commercial tour operator with a Parks Eco Pass.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/watagans-cliff-abseiling-tour/local-alerts
Operated by
Park info
- in Watagans National Park in the North Coast region
Watagans National Park is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather, roads closures or high fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Watagans cliff abseiling tours.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Contact Walking Rivers for directions.
Parking
Contact Walking Rivers for information on parking.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Learn more
Watagans cliff abseiling tours is in Watagans National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Blossoming rainforest
The area is rich in plant life, producing moist forests and a wealth of plant species. Mountain blue gums and blackbutt trees shelter the smaller brush cherry, climbing vines and tree ferns. Across late winter and into early spring, colourful orange-coloured banksias, brilliant purple happy wanderers, and the many hues of yellow wattle trees all flower in bright abundance.
- Circuit walking track Circuit walking track is a short walk near Newcastle. Plunging into rainforest, following the creek as it passes a dramatic moss-covered rock wall, this is a great place to visit.
- Great North walk - Watagans National Park The section of Great North walk in Watagans National Park features great scenic lookouts and wonderful birdwatching. It is best suited to experienced bushwalkers.
- Monkey Face lookout Monkey Face lookout provides excellent scenic views over the Martinsville Valley, with space for a picnic.
- The Narrow Place lookout For scenic views of Hunter Valley, you can't go past The Narrow Place lookout in Watagans National Park. Visit this historic lookout, near Cessnock, to go sightseeing or birdwatching.
Breathtaking views
From Monkey Face lookout, there are spectacular views down over Martinsville Valley, and 6km along Georges Road to the north, Narrow Place lookout provides a 180-degree panorama toward Cessnock, Hunter Valley and beyond the Barrington Ranges. There are so many ways to enjoy the scenery, whether by horse riding, 4WD touring in the wetter months, mountain bike riding or pulling into a shaded picnic area to cool down after a walk.
- Boarding House Dam picnic area A popular picnic spot with daytrippers in summer, Boarding House Dam picnic area offers all the amenities, as well as local history, paddling, and hiking opportunities.
Building a nation
Log chutes and old saw mill sites used during past forestry operations still stand among the plants as a testament to the region's rich settlement history. By the 1820s, a fertile timber industry had established itself, providing cedar and hardwood from the area to the building and growing coal mining industries. Increased timber production provided employment and wealth to the region, and you can still see relics from these operations throughout the park.
- Boarding House Dam picnic area A popular picnic spot with daytrippers in summer, Boarding House Dam picnic area offers all the amenities, as well as local history, paddling, and hiking opportunities.
- Turners walking track Steep and challenging, Turners walking track in Watagans National Park, near Cessnock, boasts rainforest views, historic heritage and superb birdwatching.
Fascinating Aboriginal landscapes
The park is of great importance to the Awabakal and Darkinjung People, and rare insights into art and engraving techniques have been found at over 40 recorded locations in the Watagan Range and surrounding lands. Given that there are only six known Aboriginal engraving sites in the wider Sydney region, this one is particularly noteworthy for its display of more than 100 abstract motifs carved into walls throughout the park.