BushwalkBushwalk
4 h to 4 h 30 min
| Start | At the intersection of Settlers Road & Old Great North Road (-33.375215,150.9848525) |
| Mode | Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Special (Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about $1 per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up from Gosford and drop off near Wisemans Ferry would be approximately $150 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374) |
| Directions | From Pacific Motorway, M1
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| Turn map | Directions & comments |
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At the intersection of Settlers Road & Old Great North Road Start heading along Old Great North Road (a vehicle track).
Find the Old Great North Road at the start.
 Old Great North Road
Old Great North Road
The historic Great North Road was built using convict labour between 1826 and 1836 (this section south of Wollombi was completed in 1832). The road formed a link between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle. There are visible remnants of the original work in bridges, retaining walls and other structures along the way. The 'Convict Trail Project' has member groups involved in the conservation of historical remnants along the road. The Convict Trail Project and the NPWS have erected information signs at various points to illustrate the history. The Convict Trail Project has an excellent website for further reading.
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The historic Great North Road was built using convict labour between 1826 and 1836 (this section south of Wollombi was completed in 1832). The road formed a link between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle. There are visible remnants of the original work in bridges, retaining walls and other structures along the way. The 'Convict Trail Project' has member groups involved in the conservation of historical remnants along the road. The Convict Trail Project and the NPWS have erected information signs at various points to illustrate the history. The Convict Trail Project has an excellent website for further reading.
After another 10 m find the "Hangmans Rock" (on your right).
 Hangmans Rock
Hangmans Rock
Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot.
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Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot.
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After another 6 m (at the intersection of Old Great North Road & Shepherds Gully Road) veer right, to head along Old Great North Road.
After another 105 m find the "Devines Hill" (on your right).
 Devines Hill
Devines Hill
Devines Hill is a historically significant area on the Old Great North Road, near present day Wisemans Ferry, NSW. There are substantial remnants visible here, including cuttings, retaining walls and quarry sites. There were 3 main road lines built at different times to climb the hills just north of Wisemans Ferry, starting with Finchs Line to the east, followed by the Devines Hill ascent and then Shepherds Gully, to the west. Information signs in the area provide some interesting historical background and the 'Convict Trail Project' has an excellent website for further reading.
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Devines Hill is a historically significant area on the Old Great North Road, near present day Wisemans Ferry, NSW. There are substantial remnants visible here, including cuttings, retaining walls and quarry sites. There were 3 main road lines built at different times to climb the hills just north of Wisemans Ferry, starting with Finchs Line to the east, followed by the Devines Hill ascent and then Shepherds Gully, to the west. Information signs in the area provide some interesting historical background and the 'Convict Trail Project' has an excellent website for further reading.
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Finchs Line Lookout. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. 
After another 1.2 km find the "Finchs Line viewpoint" (20 m on your right).
 Finchs Line viewpoint
Finchs Line viewpoint
This informal, unfenced (and unnamed) lookout is on the trail along the historic Finchs Line Rd near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. The viewpoint sits on a beautiful outcrop of boulders and provides stunning views down across the Hawkesbury river and Wisemans Ferry township.
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This informal, unfenced (and unnamed) lookout is on the trail along the historic Finchs Line Rd near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. The viewpoint sits on a beautiful outcrop of boulders and provides stunning views down across the Hawkesbury river and Wisemans Ferry township.
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At the intersection of Wisemans Ferry Road & Old Northern Road continue straight, to head along Wisemans Ferry Road.
Then find the "Thomas James Bridge" (5 m on your right).
 Thomas James Bridge
Thomas James Bridge
The historic Thomas James Bridge is on Wisemans Ferry Rd, NSW. This is the oldest in-use bridge on mainland Australia (Tasmania has older bridges) and is one of several convict built bridges along the Old Great North Road. The bridge was built during 1830 (the timber deck is more recent) and was named after the overseer of 'Road Party 25' which built the bridge.
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The historic Thomas James Bridge is on Wisemans Ferry Rd, NSW. This is the oldest in-use bridge on mainland Australia (Tasmania has older bridges) and is one of several convict built bridges along the Old Great North Road. The bridge was built during 1830 (the timber deck is more recent) and was named after the overseer of 'Road Party 25' which built the bridge.
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Class 3/6 Moderate track |
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| Length | 9.9 km |
| Time | 4 h to 4 h 30 min |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) |
| Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Signage | Directional signs along the way (3/6) |
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) |
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) |
Toilet: There is one 9.3 km from the start.| Item | From Start | Name & link to notes |
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Toilet
| 9.3 km | [toilet] |
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Find the gate at the start.
After another 60 m pass the car park (9 m on your left).
After another 15 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 45 m to the main route.
