Abbotts Falls Walking Track

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Pines Camping area, this walk follows the track gently downhill (passing a 'Walking Track' sign on your left. Then this walk follows the track for about 30m to find a rotten timber footbridge. This walk crosses the footbridge and after about 10m, comes to a T-intersection with a track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the The Pines Camping Area at the start. Campsite managed byForestry Corporation of NSW. After 25 m pass the toilet (7 m on your right). After another 75 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long)
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Dammed Pool. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 5 m turn right, to head along The Pines Walking Trail.
	After another 450 m veer left, to head along Palmers Road. After another 40 m pass the toilet (6 m on your right). After another 40 m find the "Pines picnic area" (60 m on your left). Pines picnic area This large picnic area is often used by groups participating in Forests NSWâ€™s school and community programs. The area provides plenty of tree cover, as well as a number of picnic benches and tables. There is a large shelter built and reserved for the Forests NSWâ€™s programs, but is available for use at any other time. The area is surrounded by native plants and animals.
	After another 135 m veer right.
	After another 135 m turn left. After another 70 m continue straight. After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Abbotts Falls Walking Trail. After another 10 m cross the ford.
	After another 70 m (at the intersection of Abbotts Falls Walking Trail & Howes Road) veer right, to head along Abbotts Falls Walking Trail. After another 620 m cross the ford.
	After another 50 m (at the intersection of Abbotts Road & Abbotts Falls Walking Trail) turn left, to head along Abbotts Road (a vehicle track). After another 810 m find the "Abbotts Falls" (20 m on your left). Abbotts Falls Abbotts Falls in the Olney State Forest are located in a secluded valley on Dora Creek. Thick rainforest lines Dora Creek and these falls are a great place to visit on a hot, dry day in summer. The falls can be found along the Abbotts Falls walking track. Please note that the falls are unfenced and care should be taken. After another 9 m cross the ford. After another 105 m cross the ford. After another 290 m cross the ford.
	After another 460 m (at the intersection of German Point Road & Abbotts Falls Walking Trail) turn left, to head along German Point Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 2.6 km veer left. After another 80 m cross the ford.
	After another 140 m turn sharp right. After another 180 m find the "Casuarina Campsite" (20 m on your right). Casuarina Campsite The Casuarina Campsite is a small and secluded site, set amongst forest oaks and a variety of eucalypts. The Casuarina Camping Area can accommodate caravans and trailers as well as individual campsites. There are fireplaces, toilets, picnic tables and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). After another 65 m pass the toilet (5 m on your right). After another 60 m find the "Old Mill picnic area" (120 m on your left). Old Mill picnic area The Old Mill picnic area is set alongside Watagan Forest Road and is a great place for family sport, with a wide and flat grassed area surrounded by forest. Please note that this site is for day use only, with no camping allowed. The site has picnic tables and fireplaces.
	Turn left.
	After another 450 m continue straight. After another 55 m find the "Turpentine Campsite" (115 m on your right). Turpentine Campsite Turpentine camping area provides many sheltered sites amongst turpentine trees. It is an ideal spot for smaller groups or families. The campsite is spread out along the end of Turpentine Road, providing picnic benches, tables, fireplaces and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). Toilet facilities are located in the nearby Pines Camping or Casuarina Camping Areas. There is good access to a creek for cooling off in the summer. After another 30 m cross the bridge (about 6 m long) After another 60 m continue straight. After another 10 m find the "The Pines Camping Area" (15 m on your left). The Pines Camping Area The Pines Camping Area is large and popular, and positioned under large pine trees which provide excellent shade. These trees are remnants from trial plantings of different pine species, established in the 1920s and 1930s. The campsite has pit toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). There is access to the creek for cooling off in the summer.
	After another 15 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Dammed Pool.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 110 m turn left.
	After another 15 m come to the end. About 15 m past the end is "Dammed Pool on the Pines Walking track". Dammed Pool on the Pines Walking track The dammed pool by Dora Creek (on the Pine walking track) is surrounded by lovely moist eucalypt forest and has an attractive dammed pool. Then is also evidence of axe-sharpening rubbing grooves on damp rock shelves from historical aboriginal use. The dammed pool is on the Pines loop walk, which can be begun from either the Pines campsite or the Pines picnic area. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 130 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 110 m turn left.

After another 15 m come to the end.

About 15 m past the end is "Dammed Pool on the Pines Walking track".

Dammed Pool on the Pines Walking track

The dammed pool by Dora Creek (on the Pine walking track) is surrounded by lovely moist eucalypt forest and has an attractive dammed pool. Then is also evidence of axe-sharpening rubbing grooves on damp rock shelves from historical aboriginal use. The dammed pool is on the Pines loop walk, which can be begun from either the Pines campsite or the Pines picnic area.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 130 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Abbotts Falls Walking Track

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	7.2 km
Time	2 h 45 min to 3 h

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 (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There are 4 on route, on average they are 1.4 km apart with the largest gap of 6.5 km.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 1.8 km apart with the largest gap of 6 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	0 m	The Pines Camping Area
Toilet	25 m	[toilet]
Toilet	600 m	[toilet]
Campsite	6.5 km	Casuarina Campsite
Toilet	6.6 km	[toilet]
Campsite	7.1 km	Turpentine Campsite
Campsite	7.2 km	The Pines Camping Area

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

The Pines Camping Area
The Pines Camping Area is large and popular, and positioned under large pine trees which provide excellent shade. These trees are remnants from trial plantings of different pine species, established in the 1920s and 1930s. The campsite has pit toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). There is access to the creek for cooling off in the summer.

Dammed Pool on the Pines Walking track
The dammed pool by Dora Creek (on the Pine walking track) is surrounded by lovely moist eucalypt forest and has an attractive dammed pool. Then is also evidence of axe-sharpening rubbing grooves on damp rock shelves from historical aboriginal use. The dammed pool is on the Pines loop walk, which can be begun from either the Pines campsite or the Pines picnic area.

Pines picnic area
This large picnic area is often used by groups participating in Forests NSWâ€™s school and community programs. The area provides plenty of tree cover, as well as a number of picnic benches and tables. There is a large shelter built and reserved for the Forests NSWâ€™s programs, but is available for use at any other time. The area is surrounded by native plants and animals.

Abbotts Falls
Abbotts Falls in the Olney State Forest are located in a secluded valley on Dora Creek. Thick rainforest lines Dora Creek and these falls are a great place to visit on a hot, dry day in summer. The falls can be found along the Abbotts Falls walking track. Please note that the falls are unfenced and care should be taken.

Casuarina Campsite
The Casuarina Campsite is a small and secluded site, set amongst forest oaks and a variety of eucalypts. The Casuarina Camping Area can accommodate caravans and trailers as well as individual campsites. There are fireplaces, toilets, picnic tables and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable).

Old Mill picnic area
The Old Mill picnic area is set alongside Watagan Forest Road and is a great place for family sport, with a wide and flat grassed area surrounded by forest. Please note that this site is for day use only, with no camping allowed. The site has picnic tables and fireplaces.

Turpentine Campsite
Turpentine camping area provides many sheltered sites amongst turpentine trees. It is an ideal spot for smaller groups or families. The campsite is spread out along the end of Turpentine Road, providing picnic benches, tables, fireplaces and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). Toilet facilities are located in the nearby Pines Camping or Casuarina Camping Areas. There is good access to a creek for cooling off in the summer.

Get more information
Wildwalks
Videos

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Toronto Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Tuesday 8 October
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm about the Upper Hunter. Winds south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 9 October
  
  10°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 18.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:20am to 4:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High]
  
  Thursday 10 October
  
  10°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the early morning. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 6 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to high 20s.
  
  Friday 11 October
  
  11°C → 24°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to high 20s.
  
  Saturday 12 October
  
  12°C → 20°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching between 16 and 20.
  
  Sunday 13 October
  
  10°C → 21°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Monday 14 October
  
  10°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 15 October
  
  11°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Jilliby State Conservation Area alerts
  Safety alerts: Major Roadworks in Jilliby State Conservation Area - ongoing
  Major roadworks are ongoing in Jilliby State Conservation Area (Southern Precinct) and part of Ourimbah State Forest.
  Partial and intermittent road closures should be expected. The roads that will be affected are:
  
  Red Hill Road
  
  Prestons Ridge Road
  
  Bradleys Point Road
  
  Campbells Point Road and
  
  Tooheys Road.
  
  Visitors are asked to avoid the area (if possible). Otherwise, please be aware of trucks and machinery using and working on the above roads and to drive to the conditions. Warning signs and traffic control will be in place. Work is expected to be completed by December 2024. The work is funded as part of the Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) program aimed at providing safe and strategic fire trails for fire response and access.
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Closed areas: Muirs Lookout Picnic Area - Closed
  Muirs Lookout Picnic Area on Prickly Ridge Road has been closed due to ageing infrastructure, obstructed lookout views to the coast and very low public visitation. Alternative picnic facilities are located nearby in Olney State Forest and Watagans National Park. Further information on other places to visit can be obtained via the NPWS or Forestry Corporation websites.
  
  Safety alerts: Prickly Ridge Road 4WD only
  The section of Prickly Ridge Road between Watagan Forest Road and Cut-Rock Road is suitable for 4WD vehicles only.
  To prevent further damage to the road and to protect visitor safety, please avoid this area and other trails in the reserve that are still slippery and potentially hazardous.
  For further information, please contact the Central Coast Area Office at Lake Munmorah on 02 4972 9000.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts