Gap Creek Falls Walk

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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 Bangalow Road & Gap Creek Falls Walking Track (-33.0132165,151.4306063)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Freemans Drive Exit then drive for 510 m Keep right and drive for another 45 m Turn right onto Freemans Drive and drive for another 4.6 km Turn right onto Mount Faulk Road and drive for another 4.9 km Keep left onto Bangalow Road and drive for another 2.8 km Turn slight right onto Bangalow Road and drive for another 1.8 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Gap Creek picnic area, this walk follows the track gently uphill (up steps initially), passing the 'Gap Creek Forest Walk' sign (on your left). The track is followed through moist rainforest for about 400m, until coming to a three-way intersection, with a large dead tree and a 'Gap Creek Fall/Gap Creek Forest Walk' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Bangalow Road & Gap Creek Falls Walking Track Start heading along Gap Creek Falls Walking Track (a walking track). There is a toilet (about 105 m back from the start). Gap Creek Campground (about 15 m back from the start). W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au This is a free campsite. Gap Creek picnic area (about 9 m back from the start). Gap Creek picnic area The Gap Creek picnic area is located at the end of Bangalow Road within the Watagans National Park. The picnic area has a barbeque and sheltered picnic tables. After another 30 m pass the BBQ (5 m on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to End of Forest Walk. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 335 m veer left, to head along Gap Creek Falls Walking Track.
	Continue another 295 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 680 m to get back to the start. About 35 m past the end is "Gap Creek waterfall". Gap Creek waterfall The Gap Creek waterfall, within the Watagans National Park, is arguably the best waterfall in the Hunter region. The Gap Creek waterfall used to be known as Brownie Falls, named after a pioneer saw-milling family in the Martinsville valley. The falls consists of a large amphitheatre of rock surrounded by rainforest. It is possible to walk across the drainage from the falls and then along an unfenced ledge to get behind the falling water of the waterfall. The waterfall is most spectacular after heavy rains, however it is wise to let the roads dry out before using them. A great spot to sit and relax at any time of the year.

An optional side trip to End of Forest Walk.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 500 m come to the end. About 50 m past the end is "Gap Creek Rainforest rest area". Gap Creek Rainforest rest area The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 500 m come to the end.

About 50 m past the end is "Gap Creek Rainforest rest area".

Gap Creek Rainforest rest area

The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Gap Creek Falls Walk

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.4 km
Time	50 min to 1 h

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

Camp site: There is one 15 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one -75 m back from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-75 m	[toilet]
Camp site	15 m	Gap Creek Campground

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Gap Creek picnic area
The Gap Creek picnic area is located at the end of Bangalow Road within the Watagans National Park. The picnic area has a barbeque and sheltered picnic tables.

Gap Creek Rainforest rest area
The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day.

Gap Creek waterfall
The Gap Creek waterfall, within the Watagans National Park, is arguably the best waterfall in the Hunter region. The Gap Creek waterfall used to be known as Brownie Falls, named after a pioneer saw-milling family in the Martinsville valley. The falls consists of a large amphitheatre of rock surrounded by rainforest. It is possible to walk across the drainage from the falls and then along an unfenced ledge to get behind the falling water of the waterfall. The waterfall is most spectacular after heavy rains, however it is wise to let the roads dry out before using them. A great spot to sit and relax at any time of the year.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Toronto Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Tuesday 24 December
  
  24°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Clear. Winds west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h decreasing to 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.
  
  Wednesday 25 December
  
  15°C → 27°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting east to southeasterly in the late morning and early afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 30.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Thursday 26 December
  
  15°C → 30°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon then becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 33.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  19°C → 37°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 38.
  
  Saturday 28 December
  
  18°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h during the morning then shifting south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 35 to 41.
  
  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
  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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