Mt Sugarloaf Northern Track

1 h 30 min to 2 h 15 min

4.3 km
circuit

↑ 171 m
↓ -171 m

Moderate track
This walk takes you away from the Mt Sugarloaf summit, to visit a quieter viewpoint. This longer walk initially visits the western viewpoint, before traversing northward to eventually arrive at the northern viewpoint. From here, the walk gradually descends to the Lower Mt Sugarloaf car park and then gradually ascends back up to the Mt Sugarloaf car park. A walk for those with a little bit more time or wanting to find a quieter corner of Mt Sugarloaf. 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.
Show all
Pond at Mt Sugarloaf car park near Newcastle. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Picnic table and pond by the Mt Sugarloaf car park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Concrete feature near the Mt Sugarloaf car park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Concrete feature near the Mt Sugarloaf car park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Track marker on the red track near the summit of Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Timber steps near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Red track close to the summit of Mt Sugarloaf near Newcastle. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Hole in rock on the green track near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Sign on the green track near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Views from western side of Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Western viewpoint near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Flowers near the western viewpoint close to Newcastle. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
View from the western viewpoint near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Forest and views behind near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
View west near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Fungi near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Steps to Mt Sugarloaf picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Yellow stone monument near Mt Sugarloaf car park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Yellow stone monument near Mt Sugarloaf. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Picnic table at Mt Sugarloaf car park near Newcastle. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Information sign and map of Mt Sugarloaf near Newcastle. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Photo by admin, 2010.
Downloads GPX PDF
+
-
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 (-32.8908174,151.5394901)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Pacific Motorway, M1, West Wallsend.
  • Turn on to George Booth Drive Offramp then drive for 640 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto George Booth Drive and drive for another 1.8 km
  • Turn left onto Mount Sugarloaf Road and drive for another 3.5 km
+
-
Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park, this walk follows the road gently downhill out of the car park, while keeping the pond on your left. The road is followed for about 35m, until coming to a four-way intersection, with a yellow stone monument (on your right).....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 85 m veer left.
After another 225 m continue straight.
After another 610 m continue straight.
After another 75 m continue straight.
After another 80 m find the "Western viewpoint" (9 m on your left).
Western viewpoint
Western viewpoint

The western viewpoint at Mt Sugarloaf offers good views out to the surrounding inland plains and in the distance, to the Watagans on the Great Dividing range. This viewpoint is unfenced, although it has metal posts which are missing cable. This would be a great place to watch a sunset.
+
-
The western viewpoint at Mt Sugarloaf offers good views out to the surrounding inland plains and in the distance, to the Watagans on the Great Dividing range. This viewpoint is unfenced, although it has metal posts which are missing cable. This would be a great place to watch a sunset.

After another 520 m pass the toilet (75 m on your right).
After another 185 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Northern Viewpoint. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 220 m turn right.
After another 10 m continue straight.
After another 630 m come to the viewpoint (on your right).
After another 680 m turn left.
After another 35 m turn right.
After another 520 m turn right, to head along Sugarloaf Range Road.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Mount Sugarloaf Road & Sugarloaf Range Road) turn left, to head along Mount Sugarloaf Road (a highway|tertiary).
After another 50 m veer right, to head along Mount Sugarloaf Road.
After another 65 m continue straight, to head along Mount Sugarloaf Road.
After another 115 m pass the picnic table (50 m on your right).
Then pass the BBQ (30 m on your right).
After another 15 m veer left, to head along Mount Sugarloaf Road.
After another 70 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
After another 40 m veer left, to head along Mount Sugarloaf Road.
After another 40 m find the "Mount Sugarloaf Car Park" (on your left).
Mount Sugarloaf Car Park
Mount Sugarloaf Car Park

Mount Sugarloaf car park is located in West Wallsend (25km west of Newcastle) and offers fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. This car park is the starting point for many walks around Mount Sugarloaf. There is a pond, information sign and great views to the east.
+
-
Mount Sugarloaf car park is located in West Wallsend (25km west of Newcastle) and offers fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. This car park is the starting point for many walks around Mount Sugarloaf. There is a pond, information sign and great views to the east.

After another 10 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Northern Viewpoint.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 80 m come to the end.
About 10 m past the end is "Northern viewpoint".
Northern viewpoint
Northern viewpoint

The northern viewpoint is located on a steep rocky ridge (750m north of Mt Sugarloaf), where the ground drops away to the north. This is a quieter viewpoint than those closer to the Mount Sugarloaf summit.
+
-
The northern viewpoint is located on a steep rocky ridge (750m north of Mt Sugarloaf), where the ground drops away to the north. This is a quieter viewpoint than those closer to the Mount Sugarloaf summit.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 80 m to the main route.
+
-
Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mt Sugarloaf Northern Track


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 4.3 km
Time 1 h 30 min to 2 h 15 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)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.4 km apart with the largest gap of 2.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
1.6 km[toilet]
Toilet
4.2 km[toilet]
+
-
Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
+
-
Reviews & Feedback
Share your experience
+
-
Weather & Alerts
Check forecasts & closures
Show Full Weather
Alerts and Closures
Show all alerts
Show all alerts
Show all alerts
+
-
Other Journeys
Discover nearby and similar journeys
Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.