Congewai Valley East Trackhead to Heaton Gap

This full day walk starts from the Congewai valley trackhead (east) and follows the Great North Walk up into the Watagan National Park. Winding east along Georges road for the most part, this walk also passes many great lookouts and gives the option of a side trip down to the 125r lookout, which provides a great view to the south and nice spot for lunch. Another lunch spot is Watagan Headquarters campsite, which has a fire place and a picnic table. Then follow the dirt road past Hunter and MacLean’s Lookout, before descending into the Wallis Creek catchment. Here the walk traverses underneath many cliffs before crossing Wallis Creek and arriving at Heaton Lookout. From grand views at Heaton Lookout in Heaton state forest walk past the picnic area and motel at Heaton Gap. Walk follows the dirt road to a communication tower before passing another lookout and expansive valley views. Here you start the steep decent along a rocky track and passing a lovely grove of grass trees. From here you follow a grassy trail and powerlines before the narrow track leads down and across the road at Heaton Gap. 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

Full Journey Great North Walk
Start (-32.9950781,151.3000086)
Mode Car
Directions From , Buchanan.
Finish (-32.9652881,151.4793367)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Congewai Road.
	After another 40 m turn left. After another 9 m pass the "Great North Walk" (on your right). After another 910 m pass the toilet (80 m on your right)., not equiped with Handwashing basin. Continue straight.
	After another 2.9 km veer right. After another 105 m find the "Old Loggers Hut" (45 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 105 m turn left.
	After another 470 m veer left.
	After another 400 m continue straight.
	After another 20 m veer right. After another 1.1 km find the "Saddle Rest Area" (7 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 830 m climb over the stile. Then find the "Great North Walk Rest Area" (8 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. Side trip to 125r Lookout, which is located on a track off Georges Road. This unfenced clearing is on a cliff edge and has broad views over the surrounding valleys. This small clearing has been used as a campsite. 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 turn left. After another 1.4 km find the "Great North Walk Rest Area" (9 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" (20 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 1.6 km veer right, to head along Georges Road. After another 275 m continue straight, to head along Georges Road. After another 2.2 km continue straight, to head along Georges Road.
	After another 80 m continue straight, to head along Georges Road.
	After another 610 m (at the intersection of Watagan Forest Road & Georges Road) continue straight, 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 Watagan Forest Road. After another 430 m find the "Watagan Headquarters" (30 m on your left). 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 25 m pass the picnic table (20 m on your left). At the intersection of Watagan Forest Road & Turners Road continue straight, to head along Watagan Forest Road.
	After another 550 m (at the intersection of Hammonds Road & Watagan Forest Road) turn left, to head along Hammonds Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 185 m (at the intersection of Hammonds Road & Hickory Road) turn left, to head along Hammonds Road.
	After another 50 m veer left, to head along Hammonds Road. After another 530 m continue straight, to head along Hammonds Road. After another 450 m (at the intersection of Hammonds Road & Rockey Point Road) continue straight, to head along Hammonds Road. After another 195 m (at the intersection of Hammonds Road & Hermitts Road) continue straight, to head along Hammonds Road.
	After another 400 m (at the intersection of Hammonds Road & Foresters Road) veer right, to head along Hammonds Road.
	After another 400 m (at the intersection of Great North Walk & Hammonds Road) turn sharp right, to head along Great North Walk (a walking track). After another 1.4 km cross the ford. After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Great North Walk. After another 290 m cross the ford. Then pass the sign.
	After another 760 m (at the intersection of Great North Walk & Barniers Road) continue straight, to head along Great North Walk. After another 1.2 km pass the picnic table (20 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Heaton Road & Great North Walk turn left, to head along Heaton Road (a vehicle track). After another 35 m find the "Heaton Lookout" (20 m on your right). Heaton Lookout Heaton Lookout is one of the larger lookouts located on Heaton Road. This fenced lookout faces south-east. There are wood fired barbecues, picnic tables and a pit toilet. Heaton Lookout is a great place to stop for a snack, and the amazing view feels like a bonus. This lookout was named after Richard Heaton, a timber cutter who came to Australia as a convict. There is a water tank here, due to vandalism in the area this is not a reliable water source. After another 55 m pass the toilet (7 m on your right).
	Continue straight.
	After another 25 m continue straight. After another 55 m head through/around the gate. After another 100 m pass the car park (40 m on your left).
	After another 85 m veer right.
	After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Heaton Loop Trail.
	After another 205 m (at the intersection of Heaton Road & Heaton Loop Trail) veer right, to head along Heaton Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 1.8 km (at the intersection of Heaton Road & Murrells Road) turn sharp right. After another 670 m find the "Heaton Gap Lookout" (10 m on your right). Heaton Gap Lookout Heaton Gap lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and catch your breath in Heaton State Forest. This unfenced lookout offers exhilarating views over the valleys towards Tuggerah Lake and Lake Macquarie. this unsignposted view, as with many features in the area, was named after Richard Heaton, a timber cutter who came to Australia as a convict. After another 920 m come to the viewpoint. After another 130 m come to "Watagan Forest Motel". Watagan Forest Motel Watagan Forest Motel is located on Branxton-Toronto Road. This retro-style motel is located right on the Great North Walk. The motel offers six rooms for around $99 per night - each with a double bed (four rooms also have twin singles), a television, bathroom with shower, air conditioning, and breakfast included. Room service is available. Adjoining the motel is a service station, which also offers dining room meals as well as a small grocery selection (bread, milk, bottled water, rice, pasta, etc), open until 8:30pm daily. A rest area is situated next to the motel, with covered picnic tables and garbage bins. For further information, phone (02)4938 0149. About 30 m past the end is a picnic table.
	The end.

Side trip to 125r Lookout, which is located on a track off Georges Road. This unfenced clearing is on a cliff edge and has broad views over the surrounding valleys. This small clearing has been used as a campsite.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Lookout Trail. 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

Congewai Valley East Trackhead to Heaton Gap

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	27.2 km
Time	9 h to 2 days

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

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There are 2 on route, on average they are 9.1 km apart with the largest gap of 11.2 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 9.1 km apart with the largest gap of 22.2 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	960 m	[toilet]
Entity\|rest area	5.9 km	Saddle Rest Area
Campsite	17 km	Watagan Headquarters
Toilet	23.2 km	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Toronto Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe. Light winds.
  
  Friday 1 November
  
  14°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm about the Lower Hunter in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 21 to 26.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 4:30pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]
  
  Saturday 2 November
  
  13°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, becoming less likely in the evening. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending northeast to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 21 to 27.
  
  Sunday 3 November
  
  13°C → 31°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.
  
  Monday 4 November
  
  18°C → 31°C
  Shower or two developing.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Winds northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 34.
  
  Tuesday 5 November
  
  15°C → 23°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Wednesday 6 November
  
  15°C → 26°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Thursday 7 November
  
  17°C → 30°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Watagans National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road Repairs and Maintenance Work
  Planned road maintenance is scheduled for Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road.
  Temporary closure may occur between Wednesday 26th October 2024 and Friday 29th November 2024.
  
  Heavy plant and machinery will be operating from the intersection of Heaton Road and Watagan Road, then west along Georges Road.
  Pedestrians and vehicles 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

Full Journey	Great North Walk
Start	(-32.9950781,151.3000086)
Mode	Car
Directions	From , Buchanan.
Finish	(-32.9652881,151.4793367)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car

Weather Forecast

Alerts