Watagans

This short but steep walk to the base of an attractive cliff is worthwhile. The walk travels through open forest with gum trees and Xanthorhoea trees to eventually follow timber steps steeply to the base of the Monkey Face cliff. This cliff is used by rock climbers and abseiling parties, so be aware that people may be above you. Spend some time exploring the base of cliff before returning the same way.

Total climbing: 65m

A gentle walk past the Boarding House dam and through moist rainforest to a long straight moss covered wall. Spend some time exploring the creek and pools beside the moss wall before retracing your steps back to the Boarding House dam picnic area and car park. A cool sheltered spot to relax, particularly on a hot summer day.

Total climbing: 22m

This summit walk to Mt Sugarloaf offers fabulous 360 degree views and is highly recommended. This short but steep walk follows a wide trail, which narrows to become fenced steps directly to the summit. From the summit, you can see across the surrounding plains, with the views of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the ocean which are quite spectacular. This walk is often enjoyed by families and children and is highly recommended.

Total climbing: 48m

This a cool walk on a on a hot day. Take your time exploring the rock formations along the creek, before finding the moss wall. Walk alongside the moss wall to its end, and then follow a track through moist rainforest back to the dam. A pleasant relaxed walk starting and finishing from the Boarding House Dam picnic area.

Total climbing: 36m

A must do if you’re in the area, this walk travels through particularly attractive forest as it circumnavigates the summit of Mt Sugarloaf. The side trip to the summit of Mt Sugarloaf would best be done first, followed by a leisurely walk along the track. There are many picnic options, either during or at the end of walk. Enjoy the views and attractive forest on this walk.

Total climbing: 43m

This short and scenic walk offers two lookouts and a forest walk. Gap Creek viewpoint gives views of dense forest, while the Monkey Face viewpoint gives views of forested farmland in the Gap Creek valley. The short forest walk between these two viewpoints is amongst large rocks and offers views of its own. The cliffs between the viewpoints are used by rock climbers and abseiling parties, so do not dislodge rocks from the top of the cliffs. This is a recommended and scenic walk.

Total climbing: 74m

This walk leads to one of the best waterfalls in the Hunter area and is highly recommended. The walk travels through dense rainforest, before descending to an inspiring amphitheatre of rock with the dramatic Gap Creek Falls. Spend some time looking around the base of the falls, particularly behind the falls on the narrow unfenced ledge. This walk is particularly good on a hot day, where the cooling spray off the waterfall is appreciated.

Total climbing: 162m

This is a good walk on a hot day. This walk leaves Muirs Lookout and descends through healthy blackbutt and blue gum forest to find a moist rainforest of ferns and mosses. A quiet sit and picnic within the rainforest would be lovely. This walk returns the same way you have come.

Total climbing: 130m

This walk takes you deep into moist rainforest and is well worthwhile. The walk is mostly flat and travels through a varied and healthy rainforest, with strangler fig vines, large older trees and lots of wildlife. If you are lucky, you could find the protected yabbies in the creek at the end of the walk. This walk is a must do, particularly on a hot day.

Total climbing: 111m

This short walk takes you into the moist forest around Dora Creek and is recommended. The walk visits a small waterfall and dammed pool then travels through forest, visiting the large open Pines picnic area before returning to the starting point. The section of this walk near Dora Creek is particularly pleasant on a hot day.

Total climbing: 56m

This longer walk travels though gentle forest, with many opportunities for picnics. Primarily in forest, this walk occasionally offers views out to the surrounding plains. The side trip to the western viewpoint (unfenced) is particularly recommended as the views are fabulous. This walk is mostly flat or gently undulating and therefore would be good for families. A recommended walk.

Total climbing: 73m

This walk spends time ambling through beautiful rainforest and is an excellent choice on a hot day. This walk descends into rainforest on a narrow track, with the track becoming indistinct midway through the walk. A recommended walk through attractive forest.

Total climbing: 160m

This walk takes you away from the Mt Sugarloaf summit, to visit a quieter viewpoint. This longer walk initially visits the western viewpoint, before traversing northward to eventually arrive at the northern viewpoint. From here, the walk gradually descends to the Lower Mt Sugarloaf car park and then gradually ascends back up to the Mt Sugarloaf car park. A walk for those with a little bit more time or wanting to find a quieter corner of Mt Sugarloaf.

Total climbing: 195m

This walk starts on Watagan Creek Road and soon crosses the lovely Watagan Creek. From this point, the walk leaves the Watagan valley and climbs steeply up the bush track through forest. The walk then travels on dirt road, passing a campsite and rest area, before arriving soon afterwards at the unfenced Flat Rock Lookout. Flat Rock Lookout is a natural rock platform that offers magnificent views across the Congewai Valley to the east and north. An enjoyable walk, offering pleasant walking through forest and an outstanding viewpoint.

Total climbing: 384m

This section of the Great North Walk start from grand views at Heaton Lookout in Heaton state forest and leads to the picnic area and motel at Heaton Gap. The first section of this walk follows the dirt road to a communication tower before passing another lookout and expansive valley views. Here you start the steep decent along a rocky track and passing a lovely grove of grass trees. From here you follow a grassy trail and powerlines before the narrow track leads down and across the road at Heaton Gap.

Total climbing: 153m

This circuit takes you through both dry and moist forest, using a combination of walking trails and wider tracks. The side trip to the dammed pool is recommended, to see the deep Aboriginal carved grooves by the pool. This walk travels through open forest with wild flowers (in season) to descend into a moist rainforest environment near Abbotts Falls. This is great place to cool off on a hot summer’s day.

Total climbing: 329m

This scenic walk includes dramatic lookouts and time spent in moist cool forest. The walk initially travels on dirt road past Hunter and MacLean’s Lookout, before descending into the Wallis Creek catchment. Here the walk traverses underneath many cliffs before crossing Wallis Creek and arriving at Heaton Lookout. A recommended walk with car access either end.

Total climbing: 571m

This section of the Great North Walk makes a good walk to a comfortable campsite, with the section along the Lyrebird Trail by the Wollombi Brook being particularly recommended. From the Cedar Brush track head, the walk winds up into the Olney State Forest through bushland (crossing over two moist gullies). Once most of your height is gained, this walk follows unsealed road before dropping down into the Wollombi Brook gully. From here, the walk follows bush tracks along Lyrebird Trail and to the Basin Campsite.

Total climbing: 590m

This varied walk travels north through the Watagans. Leaving the Basin campsite behind, the walk traverses the Wollombi Brook via the Lyrebird trail. The Wollombi Brook Pool is a great spot to stop (and take a swim) on a hot day. From the pool, the walk climbs into the Warrawolong Flora Reserve using a combination of bush tracks and dirt roads. Along the way, a side trip to Mt Warrawolong offers views on the way to the highest point in the area. This walk finishes by descending into the beautiful Watagan Valley.

Total climbing: 784m

Starting from the grand views of Flat Rock Lookout high on the range, you will walk down into the Congewai Valley below. On the first section of this walk, you will explore a little used dirt road to the Congewai Communication Tower. From here you follow a series of tracks that wind down, steeply in places, through the tall open forest with a scattering of grass trees to the bottom of the range. Now the walk guides you through open farmland before following Congewai Road along main valley to the trackhead near Brown Muir Farm.

Total climbing: 336m