Great North Walk: Flat Rock to Congewai Valley East Track Head
4 h 45 min to 5 h
13.3 km
oneway
↑ 275 m ↓ -575 m
Hard track
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. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.View from Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.Behind Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2010.Langans Rd north of Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2010.Langans Rd Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.Wide clear roads Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.Old road signs in Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2008.GNW signage near the communication tower. | Photo by admin, 2010.Intersection with Cedar Ridge Rd. | Photo by admin, 2008.Congewai Communications Tower Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.Congewai Communications Tower. | Photo by admin, 2010.Steps in track east of communications tower. | Photo by admin, 2010.Open forest in Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.Ancient grass trees in Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.Wide trails in Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.Some dense forest in Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.Sign on track between Congewai Tower and Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.Walking along the ridge on the western side of Congewai Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.Pleasent grassy flat. | Photo by admin, 2010.Following the GNW arrow post. | Photo by admin, 2010.GNW sign post in Open forest on western side of Congewai Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.Walking through the open forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.Edge of farm land on the western side of Congewai Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.Great North Walk sign post in tall wooded forest. | Photo by admin, 2008.GNW heading through the open farm land. | Photo by admin, 2010.Remember to shut the gates as you walk across the farms. | Photo by admin, 2010.Walking across the farm on a sunny morning. | Photo by admin, 2010.Stile in Congewai Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.Dirt trail on farm in Congewai Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.Walking through farm land in Congewai Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.Friendly beast in Congewai Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.Walking through farm land in Congewai Valley. | Photo by admin, 2008.Near the Congewai Valley West trackhead. | Photo by admin, 2010.the congewai west track head. | Photo by admin, 2008.Congewai Valley Rd. | Photo by admin, 2008.Walking along the Congewai Valley Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.Gums lineing the Congewai Valley Rd. | Photo by admin, 2008.Road Bridge on Congewai Valley Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.Congewai Valley after good rain fall. | Photo by admin, 2010.Congewai Valley East Track head. | Photo by admin, 2010.Rainbow from Congewai Valley East trackhead. | Photo by admin, 2008.Looking over the lagoon from Congewai Valley East trackhead. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From 'Flat Rock Lookout', this walk follows the trail north west, initially keeping the lookout on your right. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 800m, to find a three-way intersection with 'Langans Road' (on the left). Here, this walk turns right and continues for about 3km (ignoring many side trails) to find a significant and wide intersection with 'Cedar Ridge Road'. ....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Flat Rock Lookout Start (a walking track).
Find the Flat Rock Lookout at the start.
After another 20 m turn right, to head along Langans Road.
After another 90 m find the "Flat Rock Lookout" (9 m on your right).
Flat Rock Lookout
Flat Rock Lookout
Flat Rock Lookout is a natural rock platform that offers magnificent views across the Congewai Valley to the east and north. There are, however, no fences or safety railings at the lookout, so walkers will need to exercise extra caution.
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Flat Rock Lookout is a natural rock platform that offers magnificent views across the Congewai Valley to the east and north. There are, however, no fences or safety railings at the lookout, so walkers will need to exercise extra caution.
After another 870 m (at the intersection of Cabans Road & Langans Road) turn right, to head along Cabans Road.
After another 370 m continue straight, to head along Cabans Road.
After another 1.3 km (at the intersection of Cabans Road & Turpentine Road) continue straight, to head along Cabans Road.
After another 860 m continue straight, to head along Cabans Road.
After another 550 m (at the intersection of Cabans Road & Cedar Ridge Road) continue straight, to head along Cabans Road.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Watagan Track & Cabans Road) continue straight, to head along Watagan Track (a vehicle track).
After another 90 m continue straight.
After another 3 km continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Lonely Goat Olives. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 40 m veer right, to head along Eglinford Lane.
After another 560 m continue straight, to head along Eglinford Lane.
After another 205 m continue straight, to head along Eglinford Lane.
After another 165 m (at the intersection of Congewai Road & Eglinford Lane) turn right, to head along Congewai Road (a residential road).
After another 690 m continue straight, to head along Congewai Road.
After another 1.4 km continue straight, to head along Congewai Road.
After another 265 m continue straight, to head along Congewai Road.
After another 2 km cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 65 m continue straight, to head along Congewai Road.
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Congewai Road.
After another 100 m continue straight, to head along Congewai Road.
After another 120 m continue straight, to head along Congewai Road.
After another 140 m continue straight, to head along Congewai Road.
After another 275 m come to "Great North Walk".
The end.
An optional side trip to Lonely Goat Olives.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start heading along Eglinford Lane.
After another 640 m turn left.
After another 280 m come to the end.
About 50 m past the end is "Lonely Goat Olives".
Lonely Goat Olives
Lonely Goat Olives
Lonely Goat Olives is a tranquil country cottage in Congewai Valley, about 900m from the GNW. The cottage has two separate bedrooms, both with en-suites. The bedrooms open on to a veranda with views over the gorgeous valley and the Tuscan style olive groves. The cottage has an outdoor BBQ kitchen and both rooms have a satellite TV, Wi-Fi Internet access, bar fridge, toaster and kettle. Rooms are from $202 a night including breakfast, meal packs are also available. A two night min. stay is normal, but chat with Keith about mid-week and other options. Your friendly host is also happy to pick you up or drop you off at Watagan Creek Rd for about $75. Ph 02 4998 1693
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Lonely Goat Olives is a tranquil country cottage in Congewai Valley, about 900m from the GNW. The cottage has two separate bedrooms, both with en-suites. The bedrooms open on to a veranda with views over the gorgeous valley and the Tuscan style olive groves. The cottage has an outdoor BBQ kitchen and both rooms have a satellite TV, Wi-Fi Internet access, bar fridge, toaster and kettle. Rooms are from $202 a night including breakfast, meal packs are also available. A two night min. stay is normal, but chat with Keith about mid-week and other options. Your friendly host is also happy to pick you up or drop you off at Watagan Creek Rd for about $75. Ph 02 4998 1693
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 930 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Great North Walk: Flat Rock to Congewai Valley East Track Head
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
13.3 km
Time
4 h 45 min to 5 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
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)
Some facilities on route
Accommodation: There is one 7.2 km (plus an extra 1 km along side route) from the start.
Bushwalk
4 h 45 min to 5 h
After another 90 m find the "Flat Rock Lookout" (9 m on your right).
Accommodation: There is one 7.2 km (plus an extra 1 km along side route) from the start.
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After another 370 m continue straight, to head along Cabans Road.
After another 2 km cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 275 m come to "Great North Walk".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 930 m to the main route.