The Narrow Place lookout
Watagans National Park
Overview
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.
- Type
- Lookouts
- Where
- Watagans National Park in North Coast
- Opening times
The Narrow Place lookout is always open, but may need to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- In summer, this section of the park can be subject to higher chance of bushfire and should be avoided during extreme fire danger.
- The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you're well-prepared for your visit.
- Please always supervise children at this attraction and ensure they stay behind the protective barrier
- There is limited mobile reception in this park
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching
This lofty vantage point was named by the local Hall family, long-established landowner graziers. They would use the steep narrow track to lead their horses up onto the escarpment from well below the lookout.
Today, the name has stuck, but there's no need to saddle up for a visit. It’s easily accessible by car and is popular with 4WD tourers, or it can be accessed on foot as part of Great North walk.
Positioned high amidst dry grassy woodland with prominent rocky outcrops and scree slopes below, The Narrow Place lookout offers scenic northern views over Hunter Valley towns including Quorrobolong, Paxton, Ellalong, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri.
A truly idyllic spot, it's a favourite with Watagans National Park visitors and offers inspiration for photographers, sightseers and trekkers alike.
Keep an eye out for wildlife when you visit, too. Endangered brush-tailed rock wallabies are known to sun themselves below the escarpment, and birdwatching is at its best in summer when mighty wedge-tailed eagles take to the skies.
Map
Map legend
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/lookouts/the-narrow-place-lookout/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
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 The Narrow Place lookout.
Getting there and parking
The Narrow Place lookout is in the far northern precinct of Watagans National Park. To get there:
From the north:
- Turn off Sandy Creek Road, at Quorrobolong, onto Heaton Road.
- Follow Heaton Road south, uphill past the cattle grid, to the top of the hill.
- Turn right onto Georges Road and follow this unsealed trail for 5.6km to the lookout
From the south:
- Turn off Freemans Drive, at Cooranbong, onto Mount Faulk Road and follow it uphill onto the gravel road.
- Veer left, past the turn-off to Heaton lookout.
- Continue past the junction of Watagan Forest Road, to the left and past the Old Watagan Forest headquarters, to the intersection of Georges Road.
- Turn left onto Georges Road and follow for 5.6km until you reach the lookout
If you're driving, please ensure you use caution when parking at this location as there is a steep vertical drop to the valley below.
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to The Narrow Place lookout can become slippery when it rains
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- 4WD required in wet weather
Parking
There is limited parking available at The Narrow Place lookout.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Watagans National Park.
Spring
Camp at Gap Creek or Bangalow campground and enjoy a campfire as the sun sets.
Summer
Cooling off at Boarding House Dam is especially popular during summer months Enjoy the moist and cool Circuit walking track .
Winter
Late winter sees the bloom of Illawara flame trees which can be seen across the valley from Gap Creek lookout Check out the views from the various lookouts, while the air is crisp and clean .
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
16°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
44°C
Winter temperature
Average
5°C and 16°C
Lowest recorded
-6.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
December
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
91.4mm
Facilities
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
The Narrow Place lookout 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.