BushwalkBushwalk
5 h 30 min, 8 h 30 min to 2 days
| Start | From the Congewai Road (near the Great North Walk information) (-32.9952377,151.3003893) |
| Mode | Car (There is free parking available.) |
| Directions | From Hunter Expressway, M15
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| Finish | (-32.9764175,151.4122318) |
| Mode (end) | Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.) |
| Turn map | Directions & comments |
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Crawford Tank and Hut. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
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After another 175 m find the "Old Loggers Hut" (8 m on your left).
 Old Loggers Hut
Old Loggers Hut
This Old Hut found beside Georges Rd, is in a state of disrepair. The corrugated iron and wooden hut has a dirt floor and a simple fire place. The hut's condition is poor and would not provide suitable shelter. Just south of the hut is a small dam. The hut was once used by loggers harvesting timber from these hills
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This Old Hut found beside Georges Rd, is in a state of disrepair. The corrugated iron and wooden hut has a dirt floor and a simple fire place. The hut's condition is poor and would not provide suitable shelter. Just south of the hut is a small dam. The hut was once used by loggers harvesting timber from these hills
After another 240 m find the "Georges Road Rest Area" (20 m on your right).
 Georges Road Rest Area
Georges Road Rest Area
This campsite is located above Wallaby Gully, off Georges Road. The clearing has a scattering of trees, and has awesome views of Wallaby Gully. There is room for a few tents and small campfire.
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This campsite is located above Wallaby Gully, off Georges Road. The clearing has a scattering of trees, and has awesome views of Wallaby Gully. There is room for a few tents and small campfire.
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After another 105 m find the "Barraba Campsite" (80 m on your left).
 Barraba Campsite
Barraba Campsite
Barraba campsite, near Georges Road on the Great North Walk, is quiet rest area where campers can stay the night and set up a campfire. The small, semi-secluded campsite is surrounded by lovely large grass trees. The campsite has a 'Walker register' book so you can note your intentions. The campsite has no facilities or water.
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Barraba campsite, near Georges Road on the Great North Walk, is quiet rest area where campers can stay the night and set up a campfire. The small, semi-secluded campsite is surrounded by lovely large grass trees. The campsite has a 'Walker register' book so you can note your intentions. The campsite has no facilities or water.
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After another 1.1 km find the "Saddle Rest Area" (8 m on your right).
 Saddle Rest Area
Saddle Rest Area
This rest area consists of a clearing on a saddle, with a small dam nearby. There is space for a number of tents and access to water after rain (treat before use).
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This rest area consists of a clearing on a saddle, with a small dam nearby. There is space for a number of tents and access to water after rain (treat before use).
Then find the "Great North Walk Rest Area" (9 m on your left).
 Great North Walk Rest Area
Great North Walk Rest Area
Located on George Road, this rest area is situated by a steep, unfenced drop with spectacular views. There is space for a few tents and a small campfire, there are no facilities or water here.
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Located on George Road, this rest area is situated by a steep, unfenced drop with spectacular views. There is space for a few tents and a small campfire, there are no facilities or water here.
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to 125r Lookout Rest Area. 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 1.4 km find the "Great North Walk Rest Area" (10 m on your right).
 Great North Walk Rest Area
Great North Walk Rest Area
This is a small rest area on the side of Georges Road, providing room to rest up and for a small campfire. There are also some nice views through the trees but be careful as this rest area is near a steep drop.
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This is a small rest area on the side of Georges Road, providing room to rest up and for a small campfire. There are also some nice views through the trees but be careful as this rest area is near a steep drop.
After another 1.6 km find the "Narrow Place Lookout" (25 m on your right).
 Narrow Place Lookout
Narrow Place Lookout
Narrow Place Lookout is perched high on an partially-fenced cliff and provides great views north over the farmland and bush towards Cessnock. The lookout is beside a dirt road and a fairly large clearing.
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Narrow Place Lookout is perched high on an partially-fenced cliff and provides great views north over the farmland and bush towards Cessnock. The lookout is beside a dirt road and a fairly large clearing.
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After another 60 m find the "Watagan Headquarters" (on your right).
 Watagan Headquarters
Watagan Headquarters
Watagan Headsquarters campsite (aka Forestry HQ) is located in the Heaton State Forest, beside Bakers Rd, near Heaton Rd. This campsite has wood fired barbecues, picnic tables and a garbage bin. The large, flat, cleared area allows plenty of room to pitch a tent. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so there is no longer water available.
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Watagan Headsquarters campsite (aka Forestry HQ) is located in the Heaton State Forest, beside Bakers Rd, near Heaton Rd. This campsite has wood fired barbecues, picnic tables and a garbage bin. The large, flat, cleared area allows plenty of room to pitch a tent. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so there is no longer water available.
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Class 4/6 Hard track |
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| Length | 17.1 km |
| Time | 5 h 30 min, 8 h 30 min to 2 days |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) |
| Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| 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) |
Campsite: There are 5 on route, on average they are 2.9 km apart with the largest gap of 11 km.
Toilet: There is one 740 m (plus an extra 225 m along side route) from the start.| Item | From Start | Name & link to notes |
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Campsite
| 740 m + 215 m | Crawford Tank & Hut |
Toilet
| 740 m + 225 m | [toilet] |
Campsite
| 4 km | Georges Road Rest Area |
Campsite
| 4.3 km | Barraba Campsite |
Entity|rest area
| 6.1 km | Saddle Rest Area |
Campsite
| 17 km | Watagan Headquarters |
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Find the Great North Walk at the start.
After another 10 m climb over the stile.
After another 40 m pass the picnic table (6 m on your right).
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 170 m to the main route.
