Great North Walk: Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign along the narrowing gravel verge, keeping the Old Pacific Hwy just to your right. After about 200m, this walk comes to then crosses the concrete road bridge over Mooney Mooney Creek, enjoying the view of the wide creek below. Once on the other side, this walk heads past a detailed 'Risk Warning' sign suggesting you be sensible as you cross the bridge (hope it is not too late) to then come to an intersection with Karool Rd, just on the other side of the highway (on your right).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Old Pacific Highway Start heading along Old Pacific Highway (a highway\|primary). There is a car park (about 15 m back from the start). After another 225 m cross the bridge (about 75 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 50 m long) Then find the "Old Pacific Highway Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge" (on your left). Old Pacific Highway Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge The Sydney-Hawkesbury stretch of the Pacific Highway was built in the 1920s, replacing a route that had existed since the 1830s. The original Peats Ferry Road was cut by a settler named George Peat, making a track to his property on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. This road became the 'Old Pacific Highway' upon the opening of the F3, or Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, in the 1980s. This bridge is the smaller of two crossing Mooney Mooney Creek - the other, Mooney Mooney Bridge, is part of the F3 freeway and is the highest road bridge in Australia. After another 9 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
	After another 25 m (at the intersection of Karool Road & Old Pacific Highway) turn right, to head along Karool Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 830 m (from the Karool Road) continue straight, to head along Karool Road. After another 410 m head through/around the gate. After another 3.9 km cross the ford.
	From the Mooney Mooney Creek continue straight. After another 500 m continue straight. After another 620 m (from the Lower Mooney Mooney Creek Dam) continue straight. After another 100 m find the "Lower Mooney Dam" (30 m on your left). Lower Mooney Dam Lower Mooney Dam is located on the Mooney Mooney Creek, about 21 km upstream from the Hawkesbury River. In March 1938 the Gosford Mayor turned the tap to add the water from this dam into the small town water supply of the time. It is a concrete arch dam, with a capacity of 1,000 megalitres, and was superseded by the more than 4 times larger 'Upper Mooney Dam' in 1982. There is a set of timber steps and a faint track that leads down to the waters edge on the uphill side of the dam wall, the dam wall is fenced and is clearly out of bounds. A sign reminds visitors that swimming is not allowed. After another 1.5 km cross the ford. After another 490 m cross the ford. After another 235 m find the "Quarry Camping Area" (4 m on your left). Quarry Camping Area This is a small signposted campsite set among heath, grass tress, scribbly gums and aother eucalpyts. The clearing is flat and sandy and provides room to set up a few tents with and a small metal fireplace with hotplate. There is no water or other facilites here.
	After another 1.1 km continue straight.
	After another 95 m (from the Reservoir Road) continue straight. After another 1.9 km cross the ford. At the intersection of Hawkesbury Track & Robinson Creek continue straight, to head along Hawkesbury Track.
	After another 370 m (from the Hawkesbury Track) continue straight, to head along Hawkesbury Track (a vehicle track).
	After another 155 m (from the Hawkesbury Track) turn right, to head along Hawkesbury Track.
	After another 105 m (from the Hawkesbury Track) veer left, to head along Hawkesbury Track.
	After another 265 m (from the Hawkesbury Track) turn left, to head along Hawkesbury Track (a walking track).
	After another 370 m (at the intersection of Robinson Road & Hawkesbury Track) turn right, to head along Robinson Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 1.9 km (at the intersection of Wisemans Ferry Road & Silvesters Road) turn left, to head along Wisemans Ferry Road (a road). After another 550 m (at the intersection of Wisemans Ferry Road & Marabunga Road) continue straight, to head along Wisemans Ferry Road. After another 305 m come to "Somersby Store". Somersby Store Somersby Store offers a good place to have lunch or pick up the basic food supplies. The store serves hot food including burgers, chips, pies etc and cold drinks. Opening hours are 6am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 6.30am to 4pm on Saturdays (closed Sundays). There is a pay phone and a bus stop however services are limited to two buses a day. Contact details are (02)4372 1269, at 841 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby, NSW 2250. The store owners are happy for you to phone ahead. If you are a large group you can order ahead to save the stress. I always encourage people to use local stores like this on track, but since it is a small store it is worth phoning ahead to see what they have what you want in stock. About 55 m past the end is a car park. About 65 m past the end is a toilet.
	Continue another 0 m to find at the intersection of Wisemans Ferry Road & Smiths Road at the end.

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	16 km
Time	5 h 32 min to 8 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 (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Class 4/6
Hard track

Length

16 km

Time

5 h 32 min to 8 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 (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Experience Required

Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	16 km	[toilet]

Item

From Start

Name & link to notes

Toilet

16 km

[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Gosford Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Sunday 22 December
  
  Mostly clear.
  
  Mostly clear. The chance of a thunderstorm early this evening. Winds northeast to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  18°C → 30°C
  Mostly sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe in the morning and early afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and early afternoon. Winds west to northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h increasing to 45 km/h before turning southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon and evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 28 to 34.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Tuesday 24 December
  
  15°C → 24°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the late morning and early afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching 24 to 30.
  
  Wednesday 25 December
  
  15°C → 26°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning then becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 33.
  
  Thursday 26 December
  
  16°C → 29°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 38.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  19°C → 37°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Saturday 28 December
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Sunday 29 December
  
  18°C → 31°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Great North Walk Alerts
  Fire Season: The Great North Walk is automatically closed on days of Total Fire Bans (TOBAN); walkers are responsible for knowing the current fire danger and fire bans. The Great North Walk spans two fire regions. Greater Sydney fire region from Sydney to just north of Cedar Brush Trackhead. Hunter fire region from just north of Cedar Brush Trackhead to Newcastle. Total Fire bans are usually only declared the day before. Fire danger ratings are forecast 4 days ahead; if you see an Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating, a TOBAN will likely be declared, but it depends on many factors. Check the RFS website for current and forecast fire danger ratings and TOBANs. You can also see NPWS alerts on their website.
  The current status of the Great North Walk is;
  
  Berowra Vallery NP - Steele Bridge Closed 8th of October 2024 and the 30th of December 2024. There will be no access across Berowra Creek on the Great North Walk, Quarry Trail section in Hornsby between Simon Trail, Hornsby and Galston Gorge via Tunks Ridge. Detour via Simon Trail, Sydney Road, Galston Road, Montview Parade, Mckay Road and Mckay Trail in Hornsby Heights.
  
  Mooney Mooney North & South campgrounds Closed: These campsites are no longer to be used due to flood risk; the infrastructure and signage are being removed. The nearest alternative camping locations are Mt Wondabyne (or near Wondabyne Station) to the south and the Quarry Campsite to the north.
  
  Open to walkers between Cherry Lane, Kulnura to Newcastle, however:
  
  Some areas of GNW in the Watagans remain currently inaccessible by private vehicles and only accessible to walkers. Walkers must be self-sufficient and also be aware of local track damage from recent rain/flood events.
  
  Many forest roads (outside of closure notice https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/closures/olney-state-forest-partially-closed) are open and accessible. Access to the Watagan Forestry HQ Campsite and general areas is via Watagan Forest Road Only - Due to weather damage, there is no access from Quorrobolong, Cooranbong or Freemans Waterhole via Mount Faulk Road or Heatons Road. Visitors are to remain on alert for heavy vehicle movements, road grading and vegetation road edge maintenance.
  
  The following roads are accessible for 4WD only - they are damaged and not currently scheduled for upgrades:
  
  Hammonds Road
  
  Barniers Road
  
  Archery Road, Wakefield
  
  Gap Rd off Freemans Drive

Full Journey	Great North Walk
Start	From the Old Pacific Highway (-33.4380203,151.2519672)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Special (A bus service runs along Wisemans Ferry Rd passing Somersby store. The service runs between Gosford and Spencer only a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277. The bus only picks passengers up from Somersby to head to Gosford on the morning runs. More info)
Directions	From , Calga.
Finish	At the intersection of Wisemans Ferry Road & Smiths Road (-33.3580778,151.2902824)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.)

Weather Forecast

Alerts