Hangmans Rock

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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 Settlers Road & Old Great North Road (-33.375215,150.9848525)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Special (Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about $1 per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up from Gosford and drop off near Wisemans Ferry would be approximately $150 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374)
Directions	From Peats Ridge Road Offramp Turn on to Wisemans Ferry Road Exit then drive for 235 m Keep right onto Wisemans Ferry Road Exit and drive for another 35 m Turn right onto Wisemans Ferry Road and drive for another 3 km Turn right onto George Downes Drive, 33 and drive for another 40 m Turn left onto Wisemans Ferry Road and drive for another 53.1 km Continue onto Settlers Road and drive for another 620 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park and intersection on Wisemans Ferry Rd (about 500m west of the car ferry), the walk passes around a gate, passes an information sign, and follows the 'Old Great North Road' up the hill. This section of the walk winds up the hill, passing numerous cuttings and retaining walls built with convict labour. There are several information signs on the way, making the walk more interesting. The walk then arrives at the signposted "Hangman's Rock".....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Settlers Road & Old Great North Road Start heading along Old Great North Road (a vehicle track). There is a car park (about 40 m back from the start). After 55 m head through/around the gate. After another 8 m find the "Old Great North Road" (on your left). Old Great North Road The historic Great North Road was built using convict labour between 1826 and 1836 (this section south of Wollombi was completed in 1832). The road formed a link between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle. There are visible remnants of the original work in bridges, retaining walls and other structures along the way. The 'Convict Trail Project' has member groups involved in the conservation of historical remnants along the road. The Convict Trail Project and the NPWS have erected information signs at various points to illustrate the history. The Convict Trail Project has an excellent website for further reading.
	After another 1.1 km continue straight, to head along Old Great North Road.
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.1 km to get back to the start. "Hangmans Rock". Hangmans Rock Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Hangmans Rock

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	2.2 km
Time	1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Wisemans Ferry
Wisemans Ferry village is on the banks of the Hawkesbury river, NSW. The town, and nearby car ferry, is named after Solomon Wiseman, a former convict who received a land grant in the area and established the ferry service. The town is a popular day trip and weekend destination from Sydney. There are several good spots to eat in town, including bistros at the Wisemans Ferry Inn and the Wisemans Ferry Bowling club, and takeaway food from Bush Bites cafe. The Riverbend Restaurant can be found in the 'Retreat at Wisemans' for finer dining. The area has some great walking and interesting history surrounding the convict built Old Great North Road.

Old Great North Road
The historic Great North Road was built using convict labour between 1826 and 1836 (this section south of Wollombi was completed in 1832). The road formed a link between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle. There are visible remnants of the original work in bridges, retaining walls and other structures along the way. The 'Convict Trail Project' has member groups involved in the conservation of historical remnants along the road. The Convict Trail Project and the NPWS have erected information signs at various points to illustrate the history. The Convict Trail Project has an excellent website for further reading.

Hangmans Rock
Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Gosford Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 25 October
  
  21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe inland. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Saturday 26 October
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then turning south to southeasterly in the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching the low 20s.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:00am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]
  
  Sunday 27 October
  
  10°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe in the morning and early afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 21.
  
  Monday 28 October
  
  14°C → 28°C
  Shower or two developing.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Tuesday 29 October
  
  13°C → 21°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Sunny morning. Medium chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 30.
  
  Wednesday 30 October
  
  12°C → 22°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  14°C → 23°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Dharug National Park alerts
  Fire bans: Dharug NP
  A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.
  However, the following campgrounds are exempt in Dharug National Park:
  
  Mill Creek
  
  Ten Mile Hollow
  
  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: Devines Hill closed
  Devines Hill, Old Great North Road will be closed from 06:00am Tuesday 22 October to 5:00pm Friday 25 October 2024 while conservation works are being undertaken.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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