Great North walk - Watagans National Park
Watagans National Park
Overview
The section of Great North walk in Watagans National Park features great scenic lookouts and wonderful birdwatching. It is best suited to experienced bushwalkers.
- Where
- Watagans National Park in North Coast
- Distance
- 10km one-way
- Time suggested
- 2 - 3hrs
- Grade
- Grade 5
- Trip Intention Form
-
It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water, snacks, binoculars
- Please note
- This park is in a remote location, so please ensure you’re well-prepared, bring appropriate clothing and equipment and advise a family member or friend of your travel plans.
- The walking opportunities in this park are suitable for experienced bushwalkers who are comfortable undertaking self-reliant hiking.
- It's a good idea to bring a topographic map and compass, or a GPS.
Great North walk is a much-loved, iconic bushwalk that was created in order to celebrate the Bicentennial year of 1988. It travels all the way from Sydney to Newcastle, following through not only Watagans National Park, but also Jilliby State Conservation Area and Brisbane Water National Park. Walkers can opt to enjoy short sections of it or do the entire thing in around 14 days.
The section that falls within the Watagans travels along Georges Road in the northern section of the park. Here, you can enjoy astonishing views to the north from Narrow Place lookout out over Quorrobolong to Ellalong, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri and a section of bushland alive with wonderful birdlife. The walk is best suited to experienced hikers.
A nearby campsite on private property, known as Barraba Trig, is available to walkers. Just be sure to bring your own firewood.
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/walking-tracks/great-north-walk-watagans-national-park/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 Great North walk - Watagans National Park.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
10km one-way
Time
2 - 3hrs
Quality of markings
Limited signage
Experience required
Very experienced bushwalkers
Gradient
Short steep hills
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Great North walk is on Georges Road in the northern precinct of Watagans National Park. To get there:
- Take Mount Faulk Road for approximately 8km from the park boundary
- Turn left onto Georges Road
Parking
Parking is limited, as Georges Road is a narrow road. The most appropriate access is via walking the broader Great North walk.
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
You'll need to bring your own drinking and cooking water
Maps and downloads
Permitted
You're encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves if you're planning to cook, especially in summer during fire season.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Firewood is not supplied and may not be collected from the park
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
Great North walk - Watagans National Park 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.