Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks

Towarri National Park

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Overview

Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks form a beautiful loop walk around Middle Brook, a gentle creek in Towarri National Park, near Scone. In summer, stop for a swim along the way at Washpools waterhole.

Where
Towarri National Park in Country NSW
Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Distance
1.2km loop
Time suggested
30min - 1hr
Grade
Grade 3
What to
bring
Drinking water, sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, snacks
Please note
  • If you’d like to extend your walk, follow Middlebrook walk 350m further downstream to Washpools campground, and then return back to Washpools picnic area, or continue on the Range View track.
  • Campers can start the walk from Washpools campground, following the Middlebrook walk upstream. 
  • There is no bridge across the creek, so you’ll need to rock hop or get your feet wet crossing the creek. 
  • Drinking water is not available in this area so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
  • There’s limited mobile reception in this park.

Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks offer a journey of contrasts along a tranquil creek in Towarri National Park. You’ll cover rough, rocky creek banks, grasslands, open woodlands, and go rock hopping.

Start at Washpools picnic area and walk 500m upstream along the creek’s rocky western bank. When you reach Washpools waterhole, reward yourself with a break and enjoy a dip at this popular swimming spot, if the brook is running. Or enjoy a lunch break in the shade of river oaks before crossing the creek. Follow Middlebrook walk downstream, winding through Poa tussock grasslands, rough-barked apple forests and regenerating eucalypt woodlands. Cross back over the creek (rock hop or get your feet wet) and loop back to the picnic area.

This 1.2km walk is ideal for adventurous families and fit bushwalkers. In some areas, you’ll be challenged by uneven surfaces, natural obstacles and slippery ground underfoot. But you’ll also enjoy the journey through narrow-leaved ironbarks and forest redgums, and the fresh earthy smell of the creek. If you visit in spring, you might see wattles in bloom, and in autumn you’ll enjoy a cool and quiet environment.

Birdwatchers will be kept busy by the array of birds that live here. See if you can spot glossy black cockatoos feeding on oak trees and flocks of grey-crowned babblers gliding through the canopy. Keep an eye out for threatened brown treecreepers, diamond firetails, black-chinned honeyeaters and speckled warblers.

You could also see lace monitors, pobblebonks (eastern banjo frogs) and hear rocky-river frogs croaking in the brook. If you’re visiting near dusk or dawn, you might see echidnas searching for ants and termites, or bare-nosed wombats grazing.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Nearby

  • Viewing platform set within river oak forest, Towarri National Park. Credit: John Spencer © DPE

    Washpools picnic area and viewing platform

    Set beside the tranquil Middle Brook, Washpools picnic area and nearby scenic lookout are ideal for spending a relaxing day of swimming and barbecues with friends and family.

  • A family enjoying the Washpools waterhole along the Middle Brook. Credit: John Spencer © DPE

    Washpools waterhole

    Only 500m along Middle Brook from Washpools picnic area and viewing platform is the shallow, naturally formed Washpools waterhole — great for a dip on a hot day. 

  • Campsites at Washpools campground. Credit: John Spencer © DPE

    Washpools campground

    Washpools campground is the place to enjoy a relaxing stay and refreshing dip in Towarri National Park. Situated beside Middle Brook, it’s easily accessed from Middlebrook Road.

  • View of the Liverpool Range from the lookout point at the end of Range View track in Towarri National Park. Photo: Scott Munro © DCCEEW

    Range View track

    Take a short, steep hike up Range View track in Towarri National Park, near Scone. You’ll journey past woodlands, caves and towering sandstone walls to the top of an outcrop with impressive views of the Liverpool Range.

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/washpools-and-middlebrook-walking-tracks/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks.

Track grading

Grade 3

Learn more about the grading system

Features of this track

Distance

1.2km loop

Time

30min - 1hr

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

Some bushwalking experience recommended

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

Occasional steps

Quality of path

Rough track, many obstacles

Getting there and parking

Washpools and Middlebrook walks are in the Washpools precinct of Towarri National Park. To get to the Washpools picnic area from Scone:

  • From the town centre, drive west on Liverpool Street for 1.5km.
  • Turn right at the roundabout onto Middlebrook Road.
  • Follow Middlebrook Road for 20.5km until you reach the picnic area entry on your right. Please note: this drive includes 2km of unsealed road.

From the New England Highway:

  • Turn west onto Cressfield Road off the New England Highway 12.5km north from Scone.
  • Drive for 7km then turn right on to Middlebrook Road at the intersection.
  • Follow Middlebrook Road for 4.5km until you reach the picnic area entry on your right. Please note: this drive includes 2km of unsealed road.

Road quality

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

There's a gravel carpark at Washpools picnic area and viewing platform.

Please don’t park at Washpools campground, as spaces are reserved for campers.

Facilities

There are no bins so you’ll need to take all rubbish away with you.

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets at Washpools picnic area and Washpools campground
  • There are accessible toilets for people with reduced mobility at Washpools picnic area and campground.

  • Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Gas/electric barbecues (free)
  • Fire rings (bring your own firewood)

Carpark

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

  • The Washpools section of the walk is along the rocky western bank of Middle Brook. It is uneven and slippery in parts, with many natural obstacles. Take care while walking on this section.
  • The Middlebrook leg is along the grassy flat upper banks of Middle Brook. However, there is no bridge across the creek, so you’ll need to rock hop or get your feet wet to cross the creek. Take care, as the creek bed is uneven and slippery, with loose rocks.
  • Be aware that tree branches can fall in this area.
  • Keep an eye out for snakes.

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - no wheelchair access

  • Not suitable for visitors with restricted mobility.
  • There are no seats or resting point on the walk. There are benches with back rests at Washpools picnic area and seats at Washpool campground.

Prohibited

Cycling

Gathering firewood

Horses

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

Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks is in Towarri National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Fabulous flowers and creatures of flight

    A pair of glossy-black cockatoos on tree branch. Photo: John Spencer/OEH.

    Towarri is inhabited by a range of birds and animals, many with a particularly distinctive call, appearance or ability that appears in their name. The powerful owl is as strong as it sounds, hunting and feeding on medium-sized mammals and marsupials including gliders, possums and wallabies. The glossy-black cockatoo is as self-explanatory as the red-tailed and yellow-tailed black cockatoos. The greater glider spreads itself out like a sheet of paper to change trees. The Liverpool Range sees the blending of many plant species. Towarri National Park is home to about 650 species. From the cassuarina forests along the creeklines to the majestic snow gum on the ridgeline, that are capped with snow on occasion. The miltant grass trees stand on the hills amongst the serene poa grasslands. The gully lines off the falls of sandstone play host to dry rainforest pockets providing habitat to many fauna species. The unique area is a floristic wonderland with many species at the edge of the range.

    • Range View track Take a short, steep hike up Range View track in Towarri National Park, near Scone. You’ll journey past woodlands, caves and towering sandstone walls to the top of an outcrop with impressive views of the Liverpool Range.
    • Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks form a beautiful loop walk around Middle Brook, a gentle creek in Towarri National Park, near Scone. In summer, stop for a swim along the way at Washpools waterhole.
    • Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks form a beautiful loop walk around Middle Brook, a gentle creek in Towarri National Park, near Scone. In summer, stop for a swim along the way at Washpools waterhole.

    Snow gums and spinifex

    Farm land and distant mountains, Towarri National Park. Photo: Brent Mail

    Three distinct bioregions meet in Towarri: the Sydney Basin, the Brigalow Belt South and North Coast. This means that the soil type, fertility and depth differ throughout the park. Throw in a variation in rainfall, elevation and geological features and the result is a mosaic of plant communities. Snow gums decorate the skyline above a snowgrass understorey on the high plateau areas of Mount Tinagroo and Bald Hill.

    • Range View track Take a short, steep hike up Range View track in Towarri National Park, near Scone. You’ll journey past woodlands, caves and towering sandstone walls to the top of an outcrop with impressive views of the Liverpool Range.
    • Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks form a beautiful loop walk around Middle Brook, a gentle creek in Towarri National Park, near Scone. In summer, stop for a swim along the way at Washpools waterhole.
    • Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks Washpools and Middlebrook walking tracks form a beautiful loop walk around Middle Brook, a gentle creek in Towarri National Park, near Scone. In summer, stop for a swim along the way at Washpools waterhole.

    The first people

    Mountains in Towarri National Park. Photo: Brent Mail

    The Wonnarua People (also spelt Wanaruah) were the first inhabitants of the Upper Hunter Valley. Their name means ‘people of the hills and plains’, describing their traditional lands from Merriwa in the west, Barrington Tops to the east, the sandstone escarpment at Wollombi to the south and the Liverpool Range mountains to the north. Towarri means ‘warrior’ in the Wonnarua language, whose people fought hard for their land after European settlement. There is an array of artefacts including stone flakes, scarred trees and hearths in the park and surrounds, demonstrating long cultural use and occupational of the area by the Traditional Custodians.

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