BushwalkBushwalk
5 h to 5 h 30 min
| Start | (-33.4319388,151.2765593) |
| Mode | Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.) |
| Directions | From Pacific Motorway, M1
|
| Finish | (-33.4717141,151.2882325) |
| Mode (end) | Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.) |
| Turn map | Directions & comments |
|---|---|
  |
Girrakool Picnic Area (about 45 m back from the start).
 Girrakool Picnic Area
Girrakool Picnic Area
Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'.
+
-
Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'.
|
 |
|
 |
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Girrakool Loop Track & Piles Creek Loop) turn left, to head along Piles Creek Loop.
After another 40 m find the "Illoura Lookout" (on your right).
 Illoura Lookout
Illoura Lookout
Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place.
+
-
Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place.
|
 |
After another 20 m find the "Piles Creek Waterfall" (on your right).
 Piles Creek Waterfall
Piles Creek Waterfall
The large waterfall on Piles Creek is south of Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Water National Park. At the Piles Creek Loop track crossing at the top of the falls, there is a large rock platform. The cliff edge is unfenced and would be dangerous to approach for the view. The water falls down the large drop, into a big pool below. The 'Bundilla Lookout' on the other side of the valley provides the only square view onto the falls, but even this only witnesses the top half.
+
-
The large waterfall on Piles Creek is south of Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Water National Park. At the Piles Creek Loop track crossing at the top of the falls, there is a large rock platform. The cliff edge is unfenced and would be dangerous to approach for the view. The water falls down the large drop, into a big pool below. The 'Bundilla Lookout' on the other side of the valley provides the only square view onto the falls, but even this only witnesses the top half.
|
 |
|
 |
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Piles Ck Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. 
After another 150 m find the "Monolith Cave" (on your left).
 Monolith Cave
Monolith Cave
Monolith Cave is an informally named cave and interesting rock formation high on the ridge east of Piles Creek and North of Rat Gully in the Brisbane Water National Park. The cave is a fairly large sandstone overhang on the edge of the track. The cave provides shelter for walkers and is a great spot to rest and enjoy the area. This rock and the more Monolithic rock about 60m to the south are interesting to explore, and provide great views of the surrounding area. Take great care if exploring the rocks.
+
-
Monolith Cave is an informally named cave and interesting rock formation high on the ridge east of Piles Creek and North of Rat Gully in the Brisbane Water National Park. The cave is a fairly large sandstone overhang on the edge of the track. The cave provides shelter for walkers and is a great spot to rest and enjoy the area. This rock and the more Monolithic rock about 60m to the south are interesting to explore, and provide great views of the surrounding area. Take great care if exploring the rocks.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
After another 6 m find the "Kariong Brook Falls" (on your right).
 Kariong Brook Falls
Kariong Brook Falls
This tranquil spot of the Great North Walk is home to some lovely falls and a water hole. The eastern side of the creek has a tall sandstone cave and wall. After rain these falls can become very spectacular, other times is a cool place to rest. A great spot to stop for a snack.
+
-
This tranquil spot of the Great North Walk is home to some lovely falls and a water hole. The eastern side of the creek has a tall sandstone cave and wall. After rain these falls can become very spectacular, other times is a cool place to rest. A great spot to stop for a snack.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
About 15 m past the end is "Staples Lookout".
 Staples Lookout
Staples Lookout
Staples Lookout beside Woy Woy Road, is a fenced lookout providing good views east across the Central Coast, the Brisbane Water and out to the ocean. There is a large car park and picnic tables, with plenty of natural shade. The lookout was named as a tribute to Charles J Staples, a pioneer of route that Woy Woy Rd now follows. The lookout was constructed in 1955 by the Rotary Club of Woy Woy. An inscription at the lookout quotes 'and I shall meditate on your wondrous works' from Psalm 119:27.
+
-
Staples Lookout beside Woy Woy Road, is a fenced lookout providing good views east across the Central Coast, the Brisbane Water and out to the ocean. There is a large car park and picnic tables, with plenty of natural shade. The lookout was named as a tribute to Charles J Staples, a pioneer of route that Woy Woy Rd now follows. The lookout was constructed in 1955 by the Rotary Club of Woy Woy. An inscription at the lookout quotes 'and I shall meditate on your wondrous works' from Psalm 119:27.
|
|
|
Class 4/6 Hard track |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 km |
| Time | 5 h to 5 h 30 min |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) |
| Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Signage | Minimal directional signs (4/6) |
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) |
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) |
Toilet: There is one 50 m from the start.| Item | From Start | Name & link to notes |
|---|---|---|
Toilet
| 50 m | [toilet] |
{{title}} {{title}}{{title}}
Find the car park at the start.
There is a sign (about 7 m back from the start).
After another 60 m pass the BBQ (25 m on your left).
After another 1.4 km pass the "Scopas Peak" (25 m on your left).
After another 5 m veer left.
After another 195 m head through/around the gate.
About 25 m past the end is a picnic table.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.