Great North Walk: Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
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 There Transport options and directions

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 Turn on to Hart Road Offramp then drive for 510 m Keep left onto Hart Road Offramp and drive for another 790 m Keep left onto Hart Road and drive for another 175 m Turn slight left onto Sawyers Gully Road and drive for another 1.9 km Continue onto Cessnock Road, B68 and drive for another 10.8 km Continue onto Wollombi Road and drive for another 360 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Wollombi Road and drive for another 6.7 km Turn left onto Middle Road and drive for another 4 km Turn slight left onto Congewai Road and drive for another 12.5 km
Finish	(-32.9764175,151.4122318)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Congewai Valley east trackhead, this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign over the stile. Here the walk follows the track gently uphill through the open forest, leaving the Congewai Valley Road behind. ....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Congewai Road Start (a walking track). Find the Great North Walk at the start.
	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. After another 730 m continue straight.
	After another 2.9 km continue straight. After another 175 m find the "Old Loggers Hut" (8 m on your left). 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 After another 240 m find the "Georges Road Rest Area" (20 m on your right). 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.
	After another 170 m veer right. After another 105 m find the "Barraba Campsite" (80 m on your left). 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. After another 70 m continue straight. After another 10 m climb over the stile.
	After another 135 m turn left. After another 400 m continue straight.
	After another 20 m veer right. After another 1.1 km find the "Saddle Rest Area" (8 m on your right). 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). After another 700 m climb over the stile. Then find the "Great North Walk Rest Area" (9 m on your left). 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.
	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 1.3 km (from the Lookout Trail) turn left. After another 1.4 km find the "Great North Walk Rest Area" (10 m on your right). 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. After another 1.6 km find the "Narrow Place Lookout" (25 m on your right). 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.
	After another 1.5 km (from the Georges Road) veer right, to head along Georges Road. After another 275 m (from the Georges Road) continue straight, to head along Georges Road. After another 240 m (from the Georges Road) continue straight, to head along Georges Road.
	After another 2 km (from the Georges Road) continue straight, to head along Georges Road.
	After another 80 m (from the Georges Road) continue straight, to head along Georges Road. After another 610 m (at the intersection of Watagan Forest Road & Georges Road) veer right, to head along Watagan Forest Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 1 km (at the intersection of Watagan Forest Road & Bakers Road) continue straight, to head along Bakers Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 175 m (from the Bakers Road) continue straight. After another 60 m find the "Watagan Headquarters" (on your right). 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. After another 40 m pass the picnic table (6 m on your right).
	After another 9 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Crawford Tank and Hut.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 170 m come to "Crawford Tank & Hut". Crawford Tank & Hut This clearing is home to a water tank and hut on the 'Brown Muir' farm. The water tank was installed by LPMA in 2011 for walkers undertaking the Great North Walk. This farm and property have been in the owner's family since original land grants. You are welcome to camp here and use the hut as shelter. The hut is a simple structure with an earth floor, some tables, seating and some beds, although best to sleep in your tent. There is an old pit toilet on the side of the clearing. A sign reminds visitors not to light fires, this is a fuel stove only area. Wave and say hello to the owners Jill and Martin if you see them. About 10 m past the end is a toilet., not equiped with Handwashing basin.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 170 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 170 m come to "Crawford Tank & Hut".

Crawford Tank & Hut

This clearing is home to a water tank and hut on the 'Brown Muir' farm. The water tank was installed by LPMA in 2011 for walkers undertaking the Great North Walk. This farm and property have been in the owner's family since original land grants. You are welcome to camp here and use the hut as shelter. The hut is a simple structure with an earth floor, some tables, seating and some beds, although best to sleep in your tent. There is an old pit toilet on the side of the clearing. A sign reminds visitors not to light fires, this is a fuel stove only area. Wave and say hello to the owners Jill and Martin if you see them.

About 10 m past the end is a toilet., not equiped with Handwashing basin.

The end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 170 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to 125r Lookout Rest Area.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Lookout Trail Start heading along Lookout Trail (a vehicle track). After 870 m find the "125r Lookout" (8 m on your left). 125r Lookout The 125r Lookout, in the Watagan National Park, is located on a track off Georges Road. This unfenced clearing is on a cliff edge and has broad views o over the surrounding valleys. This small clearing has been used as a campsite.
	Continue another 20 m to find 125r Lookout at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 890 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Great North Walk: Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
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)

Some facilities on route

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.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
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

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Crawford Tank & Hut
This clearing is home to a water tank and hut on the 'Brown Muir' farm. The water tank was installed by LPMA in 2011 for walkers undertaking the Great North Walk. This farm and property have been in the owner's family since original land grants. You are welcome to camp here and use the hut as shelter. The hut is a simple structure with an earth floor, some tables, seating and some beds, although best to sleep in your tent. There is an old pit toilet on the side of the clearing. A sign reminds visitors not to light fires, this is a fuel stove only area. Wave and say hello to the owners Jill and Martin if you see them.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

125r Lookout
The 125r Lookout, in the Watagan National Park, is located on a track off Georges Road. This unfenced clearing is on a cliff edge and has broad views o over the surrounding valleys. This small clearing has been used as a campsite.

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.

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.

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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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Toronto Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  Clear.
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe in the early afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds westerly 30 to 45 km/h turning southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon and evening. Daytime maximum temperatures 28 to 34.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Tuesday 24 December
  
  14°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 → 27°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
  
  15°C → 30°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
  
  18°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Sunday 29 December
  
  17°C → 29°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Monday 30 December
  
  18°C → 29°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Watagans National Park alerts
  Safety alerts: High to Extreme fire danger
  NPWS is advising visitors to local national parks to take caution on Monday 23rd December 2024 due to high to extreme fire danger.
  A Total Fire Ban has been declared for Greater Hunter region.
  High temperatures are forecast and are likely to lead to dangerous conditions that may change quickly.
  Plan your visit to a national park carefully, take adequate water and remain hydrated.
  For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  NPWS recommends reviewing RFS information on Total Fire Bans, Fire Danger Ratings, and keep up to date using the Hazards Near Me app:
  https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans
  https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app
  
  Fire bans: Total Fire Ban
  A total fire ban has been declared by the NSW Rural Fire Service. The total fire ban applies for the entire 24-hour period. Total fire ban rules apply. This ban may be extended. Please continue to check this website. To find out where and when total fire bans are currently in effect, please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service.
  
  Closed areas: Campgrounds closed due to elevated fire danger
  Some parts of this park are closed from Sunday 22 December to 6am Wednesday 25 December due to elevated fire danger.
  The closed areas are:
  - Bangalow campground
  - Gap Creek campground
  Do not enter the closed areas. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact the NPWS on 1300 072 757 or visit the Rural Fire Service website.
  
  Fire bans: Park fire ban
  A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed. During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:
  
  They're under direct control of an adult
  
  The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  
  There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)
  
  If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.
  
  Closed areas: Areas closed due to extreme fire danger
  Some parts of this park are closed on Monday 23 December 2024 due to extreme fire danger. The closed areas are:
  
  The Great North Walk
  
  Informal walking track to Pindar Caves in Brisbane Water National Park
  
  Piles Creek Loop Walking Track, Brisbane Water National Park
  
  Hominy Creek, Mount Olive and 248 Walking Tracks, including Emerald Pools in Popran National Park
  
  Remote camping in Jilliby State Conservation Area, Palm Grove Nature Reserve and Watagans National Park
  
  Remote camping in Brisbane Water National Park, including Mt Wondabyne.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the National Parks contact centre on 1300 072 757 or visit the Rural Fire Service website.
  
  Other planned events: Watagan Road Repairs and Maintenance Work
  Planned road maintenance is scheduled for Watagan Road from Friday 13th December 2024 until Tuesday 24th December 2024.
  
  Heavy Plant and machinery will be operating from the intersection of Olssons Avenue along Watagan Road to the intersection of Georges Road and Heaton Road.
  
  Pedestrians and vehicle should take caution when accessing these areas.
  
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.
  
  Closed areas: Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road Closed Due to Landslip and Rockfall
  Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road is closed as it is no longer suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles due to risk of landslip and rockfall. This affects access from Watagans National Park to Quorrobolong.
  For further information, please contact NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.
  
  Closed areas: Gap Creek Forest Walk Closed
  Gap Creek Forest Walk is closed due to the risk of landslip and rockfall.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast office on 02 4972 9000
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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