Mooney Mooney nature walk
Brisbane Water National Park
Overview
Enjoy a hiking adventure along Mooney Mooney nature walk, on the NSW Central Coast. Crossing Piles Creek, this walking track offers lots of lookouts and birdwatching opportunities.
- Distance
- 4.2km one-way
- Time suggested
- 2hrs 30min - 3hrs 30min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- Trip Intention Form
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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.
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- Opening times
The carpark at Girrakool picnic area is open daily from 7am to 8pm during daylight savings, and 7am to 6pm at other times. The carpark is locked at closing time.
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water, binoculars, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing, personal locator beacon
- Please note
- This walk involves creek crossings, and passes over and under rock platforms which can be slippery. Please take care and supervise children at all times.
- The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
Mooney Mooney nature walk links Mooney Mooney and Girrakool, leading through some of the most picturesque parts of Brisbane Water National Park. This challenging walk passes through diverse landscapes, including rainforest, grassy woodlands, waterfalls, casuarina forest and cave-like rocky overhangs.
Climbing steeply, perfectly positioned lookouts offer the chance to rest and take in the exquisite NSW Central Coast vistas. Crossing the scenic Piles Creek suspension bridge, pause to soak up serene views in all directions. In spring, you’ll see carpets of colourful wildflowers, including red darwinias, yellow acacias and orange banksias.
If you’re keen on birdwatching, you’ll love having the opportunity to see lyrebirds and kookaburras. Observant walkers may even spot a koala or two, along with native orchids clinging to moss-covered boulders.
You can also start this walk from the Girrakool end of the track.
Also see
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Girrakool picnic area
A great spot for a family picnic, Girrakool picnic area has barbecues, lots of green space to run around and a scenic walking track that features Aboriginal engravings.
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Girrakool loop track
A lovely way to finish a barbecue, the Girrakool loop track is a short and easy walk through bushland, featuring an Aboriginal rock engraving site and scenic waterfalls.
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Piles Creek loop
This short but challenging walk threads through dry eucalypt forest along Piles Creek, passing waterfalls and crossing a suspension bridge.
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Great North walk - Brisbane Water National Park
You’ll find the Wondabyne to Patonga and Patonga to Pearl Beach parts of the iconic Great North walk in Brisbane Water National Park. Take a short walk or overnight hike.
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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 Brisbane Water National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Two picnic areas in this park – Girrakool picnic area and Somersby Falls picnic area – are closed in the evening. They are open 7am to 8pm during daylight savings and 7am to 6pm at other times.
Other areas of Brisbane Water National Park will be open at all times, however may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. The park has pay machines that accept both card and coins, or you can pay via the Park'nPay app.
Other fees:
You will need a permit to hold a wedding or undertake commercial photography within the park.
Buy annual pass
What's nearby:
Things to do (44)
- Aboriginal culture (6)
- Adventure sports (1)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (15)
- Canoeing/paddling (2)
- Cycling (7)
- Educational activities (1)
- Fishing (1)
- Historic heritage (4)
- Horse riding (4)
- Other experiences (1)
- Photography (3)
- Picnics and barbecues (6)
- Sightseeing (23)
- Snorkelling and scuba (1)
- Swimming (2)
- Visitor centres (1)
- Walking (25)
- Waterfalls (5)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (7)