Monument Hill Circuit

Starting near the Trial Bay Gaol car park on Trial Bay Gaol Access Road, Arakoon, this walk takes you on a circuit around Monument Hill via the Monument Hill Walking Track, Powder Magazine Walking Track and the Bridle Trail. This moderately short and easy walk winds its way around Monument Hill within Arakoon National Park, offering spectacular coastal views, whale watching opportunities and glimpses into the area's history. The walk begins near the Trial Bay Gaol, which was once a public works prison, housing inmates building the local breakwall. Following the Monument Hill Walking Track, the walk initially climbs to the hill's summit, passing the German Monument, a stone obelisk built by German internees in honour of their companions who passed away in the gaol during WWI. Shortly ahead, the walk passes the Trial Bay Lookout, which offers panoramic views of Trial Bay Gaol and the Pacific Ocean. After reaching Little Bay Beach, the walk follows the Bridle Trail, then continues along the Powder Magazine Walking Track, passing the historic Powder Magazines before returning to the starting point. Many flannel flowers can be seen throughout the walk, planted by the Germans to remind them of home. This loop consists of wide and narrow walking trails with uneven natural surfaces, compacted natural surfaces, compacted gravel surfaces, sealed surfaces and short steep hills. Suitable for most fitness levels. 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.

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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 At the intersection of Monument Hill Walking Track & Trial Bay Gaol Access Road (-30.8774824,153.0719648)
Mode Bus Car
Directions From , Bellimbopinni.

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Trial Bay Gaol Access Road, climb the stone steps and head along the walking trail, passing a large 'Monument Hill Walk' informative sign. After about 180m, you'll reach a junction in the trail. From there, head left along the Monument Hill Walking Track and continue the Monument Hill Circuit (clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Monument Hill Walking Track & Trial Bay Gaol Access Road Start heading along Monument Hill Walking Track (a walking track). BBQ 9 (about 30 m back from the start). There is a shelter (about 25 m back from the start). Find the Trial Bay seafront amenities at the start. After another 45 m pass a "ASCA Seafront" (40 m on your left).
	After another 45 m (from the Monument Hill Walking Track) continue straight, to head along Monument Hill Walking Track.
	After another 50 m (at the intersection of Monument Hill Walking Track & Powder Magazine Walking Track) continue straight, to head along Monument Hill Walking Track. After another 370 m pass a "Mon Hill Track - 05" (on your right). After another 125 m pass a "Mon Hill Track - 03" (6 m on your right). After another 370 m pass a "Mon Hill Track - 02" (5 m on your left). After another 255 m pass a "Mon Hill Track - 01" (on your left). After another 130 m pass the "Little Bay amenities" (15 m on your right). After another 8 m pass the "LB Shelter Shed" (on your right). Then pass the "01" (40 m on your left).
	After another 4 m (from the Monument Hill Walking Track) turn right (a service road). Then pass the car park (6 m on your left). After another 20 m (from the Bridle Trail) turn right, to head along Bridle Trail (a walking track).
	After another 320 m (at the intersection of Powder Magazine Walking Track & Bridle Trail) turn sharp right, to head along Powder Magazine Walking Track. After another 130 m pass a "Powder Mag Track - 04" (on your left). After another 380 m pass a "Powder Mag Track - 03" (on your left). After another 180 m pass the "Trial Bay Kiosk" (70 m on your left). W:www.trialbaykiosk.com.au After another 70 m pass a "Powder Mag Track - 02" (on your left). After another 100 m pass a "Powder Mag Track - 01" (on your right).
	After another 5 m (at the intersection of Monument Hill Walking Track & Powder Magazine Walking Track) turn left, to head along Monument Hill Walking Track.
	After another 50 m (from the Monument Hill Walking Track) continue straight, to head along Monument Hill Walking Track.
	Continue another 130 m to find at the intersection of Trial Bay Gaol Access Road & Monument Hill Walking Track at the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Monument Hill Circuit

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	2.8 km
Time	45 min to 1 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one -27 m back from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 940 m apart with the largest gap of 1.4 km.

Seat: There are 9 on route, on average they are 280 m apart with the largest gap of 600 m.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	-27 m	[shelter]
Toilet	45 m	Trial Bay seafront amenities
Seat	90 m	ASCA Seafront
Seat	550 m	Mon Hill Track - 05
Seat	680 m	Mon Hill Track - 03
Seat	1 km	Mon Hill Track - 02
Seat	1.3 km	Mon Hill Track - 01
Toilet	1.4 km	Little Bay amenities
Seat	1.9 km	Powder Mag Track - 04
Seat	2.3 km	Powder Mag Track - 03
Seat	2.5 km	Powder Mag Track - 02
Seat	2.6 km	Powder Mag Track - 01

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| German Monument - NSW War Memorials Register | Trial Bay Gaol - Wikipedia | Monument Hill Walking Track | Monument Hill Walking Track - Map | Bridle Trail | Bridle Trail - Map | Powder Magazine Walking Track | Powder Magazine Walking Track - Map | Arakoon NP | Arakoon National Park - Map
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- South West Rocks Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Monday 28 April
  
  24°C
  Shower or two. Windy.
  50% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers in the south, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h decreasing to 15 to 20 km/h in the evening. Daytime maximum temperatures between 18 and 25.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:10am to 2:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 6 [High]
  
  Tuesday 29 April
  
  15°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. The chance of morning fog in the south. Medium chance of showers in the south, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending southeast to southwesterly in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 20 to 25.
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  14°C → 24°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog inland. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm near the coast. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching between 16 and 24.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  13°C → 21°C
  Showers. Windy.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 21.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  11°C → 21°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 25mm
  
  Showers.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  12°C → 22°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 20mm
  
  Showers.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  13°C → 23°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Showers.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Arakoon National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Temporary Closure of Boat Ramp and Sea Front at Trial Bay Gaol campground
  The road access to the Trial Bay Gaol campground boat ramp and sea front will be closed from Tuesday 15 April until mid-June 2025.
  
  This is as a result of growing safety concerns as a result of unauthorised vehicle movements and unlawful pedestrian access in the construction zone.
  
  There is alternative boat launching access available at Back Creek and Matty’s Flat in South West Rocks, and at Hat Head.
  
  Pedestrian access to the sea front will remain via the walking track from the Trial Bay Gaol carpark.
  
  NPWS apologises for any inconvenience caused, however, visitor, staff and contractor safety remain our highest priority.
  
  For more information about the closures, contact NPWS Hastings Macleay on 02 6561 6750 option 2 or trialbay.gaol@environment.nsw.gov.au.
  
  Closed areas: Area permanently closed - Mermaid Pools
  Access to Mermaid Pools is permanently closed including for swimming. Sudden large swells and tides create major waves that wash over the rocks and pools.
  Do not access this area. The severe conditions at this site have caused a number of significant injuries and deaths in the past.
  Mermaid Pools have never been a designated visitor site due to the extreme nature of the surf and tides at this location. There is no approved public access walking track to Mermaid Pools.
  For further information call the NPWS Verges Creek area office on 02 6561 6700.
  
  Closed areas: Trial Bay Gaol campground infrastructure upgrade
  Sections of Trial Bay Gaol campground will be closed for upgrades from Monday 10 February 2025 until late August 2025. The Bayview campsites and northern area will be closed.
  Open parts of the campground will be impacted by noise and machinery between Monday and Friday, 7am to 5pm. Access to parts of the campground will be impacted. Please refer to onsite maps for access information. Stay safe and follow directions on signage as well as instructions from staff.
  Find out more about the improvements planned for Trial Bay Gaol campground. For more information about the closure, contact the NPWS campground office at 02 6566 6168.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts