Girrakool Loop Track

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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	(-33.4317118,151.2766347)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Wisemans Ferry Road Offramp then drive for 630 m Continue onto Wisemans Ferry Road Offramp and drive for another 55 m Turn right onto Wisemans Ferry Road, B83 and drive for another 390 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Old Pacific Highway, B83 and drive for another 1.5 km Turn left onto Quarry Road and drive for another 75 m Keep left onto Girrakool Road and drive for another 630 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Girrakool picnic area car park and information sign, this walk heads across the car park to the 'Girrakool Loop 2km' signpost on the other side. The walk then follows this sign and track into the bush, leaving the freeway noise behind. The track crosses a rock platform then heads down a series of steps, to come to a large rock platform with a pine log and 'Aboriginal Site' sign. The cliff edge around the rock is un-fenced.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the car park at the start. Then pass the toilet (40 m on your right). There is a sign (about 25 m back from the start). After 35 m find the "Girrakool Picnic Area" (10 m on your left). Girrakool Picnic Area Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'.
	After another 30 m veer left, to head along Girrakool Loop Track. After another 175 m find the "Girrakool Aboriginal Engravings site" (8 m on your left). Girrakool Aboriginal Engravings site This rock platform has a log and 'Aboriginal Site' sign. Make an effort to not walk on the the engravings as this will only fade the engraving further. The engraving on this rock have faded but with a bit of effort you can make out a man and kangaroo.
	After another 70 m turn right, to head along Girrakool Loop Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Piles Creek Cascades. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 175 m turn right, to head along Girrakool Loop Track. After another 95 m find the "Broula Lookout" (on your left). Broula Lookout Broula Lookout is fenced and a fairly short walk down from the Girrakool picnic area. Over time, the trees in the area have grown, filtering what would otherwise be a great vantage point for the Piles Creek waterfall. Broula is an Aboriginal word referring to a place of trickling water.
	Turn left, to head along Girrakool Loop Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Piles Creek Waterfall. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 40 m (at the intersection of Girrakool Loop Track & Piles Creek Loop) continue straight, to head along Girrakool Loop Track. After another 40 m find the "Illoura Lookout" (on your right). Illoura Lookout Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place.
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of Girrakool Loop Track & Piles Creek Loop) continue straight, to head along Girrakool Loop Track.
	After another 430 m turn right, to head along Girrakool Loop Track. After another 15 m pass the waterfall (20 m on your left). Then find the "Andamira Lookout" (on your left). Andamira Lookout The fenced Andamira Lookout is on a platform, overlooking Leaskes Creek waterfall on the Girrakool Loop walk. The waterfall is in a sandstone and ferny amphitheatre with a sandy base. Prior to reaching the waterfall, this creek has just passed under the F3 freeway, which can be heard a short distance away. Trees have grown up over the years and the view of the water if filtered through the leaves. After another 35 m find the "Boondi Lookout" (10 m on your right). Boondi Lookout Boondi Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout on the Girrakool Loop track, in Brisbane Water National Park. The view is mostly of the trees in the valley, with some glimpses of Leaskes Creek to the right. 'Boondi' is a word used by the Darkinjung people meaning 'Club-headed weapon'.
	After another 245 m veer right, to head along Girrakool Road. After another 40 m come to a car park.
	The end.

An optional side trip to Piles Creek Cascades.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 30 m come to the end. About 15 m past the end is "Piles Creek Cascades". Piles Creek Cascades Piles Creek Cascades are an informally named set of cascades on a wide rock platform and Piles Creek, in Brisbane Water National Park. The creek, at this point, flows across a rock platform with many interesting sink holes, small water holes and cascades. this is a nice spot to explore. Care is needed as the rocks are slippery, with unfenced drops, and the area may not be passable after rain. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 30 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 30 m come to the end.

About 15 m past the end is "Piles Creek Cascades".

Piles Creek Cascades

Piles Creek Cascades are an informally named set of cascades on a wide rock platform and Piles Creek, in Brisbane Water National Park. The creek, at this point, flows across a rock platform with many interesting sink holes, small water holes and cascades. this is a nice spot to explore. Care is needed as the rocks are slippery, with unfenced drops, and the area may not be passable after rain.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 30 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Piles Creek Waterfall.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Girrakool Loop Track & Piles Creek Loop Start heading along Piles Creek Loop (a walking track).
	After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Piles Creek Loop.
	After another 20 m come to the end. "Piles Creek Waterfall". Piles Creek Waterfall The large waterfall on Piles Creek is south of Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Water National Park. At the Piles Creek Loop track crossing at the top of the falls, there is a large rock platform. The cliff edge is unfenced and would be dangerous to approach for the view. The water falls down the large drop, into a big pool below. The 'Bundilla Lookout' on the other side of the valley provides the only square view onto the falls, but even this only witnesses the top half. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Girrakool Loop Track

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.4 km
Time	30 min to 45 min

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	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one -25 m back from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-25 m	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Girrakool Picnic Area
Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'.

Girrakool Aboriginal Engravings site
This rock platform has a log and 'Aboriginal Site' sign. Make an effort to not walk on the the engravings as this will only fade the engraving further. The engraving on this rock have faded but with a bit of effort you can make out a man and kangaroo.

Piles Creek Cascades
Piles Creek Cascades are an informally named set of cascades on a wide rock platform and Piles Creek, in Brisbane Water National Park. The creek, at this point, flows across a rock platform with many interesting sink holes, small water holes and cascades. this is a nice spot to explore. Care is needed as the rocks are slippery, with unfenced drops, and the area may not be passable after rain.

Broula Lookout
Broula Lookout is fenced and a fairly short walk down from the Girrakool picnic area. Over time, the trees in the area have grown, filtering what would otherwise be a great vantage point for the Piles Creek waterfall. Broula is an Aboriginal word referring to a place of trickling water.

Illoura Lookout
Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place.

Piles Creek Waterfall
The large waterfall on Piles Creek is south of Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Water National Park. At the Piles Creek Loop track crossing at the top of the falls, there is a large rock platform. The cliff edge is unfenced and would be dangerous to approach for the view. The water falls down the large drop, into a big pool below. The 'Bundilla Lookout' on the other side of the valley provides the only square view onto the falls, but even this only witnesses the top half.

Andamira Lookout
The fenced Andamira Lookout is on a platform, overlooking Leaskes Creek waterfall on the Girrakool Loop walk. The waterfall is in a sandstone and ferny amphitheatre with a sandy base. Prior to reaching the waterfall, this creek has just passed under the F3 freeway, which can be heard a short distance away. Trees have grown up over the years and the view of the water if filtered through the leaves.

Boondi Lookout
Boondi Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout on the Girrakool Loop track, in Brisbane Water National Park. The view is mostly of the trees in the valley, with some glimpses of Leaskes Creek to the right. 'Boondi' is a word used by the Darkinjung people meaning 'Club-headed weapon'.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Gosford Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Friday 14 March
  
  Mostly clear.
  
  Mostly clear. Light winds.
  
  Saturday 15 March
  
  20°C → 32°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  The chance of fog in the early morning. Mostly sunny day. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 36.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 4:30pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]
  
  Sunday 16 March
  
  23°C → 35°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Winds north to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h becoming northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 22 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s.
  
  Monday 17 March
  
  17°C → 23°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h shifting south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 16 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Tuesday 18 March
  
  16°C → 24°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower near the coast, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning then becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Wednesday 19 March
  
  16°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Thursday 20 March
  
  18°C → 30°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Friday 21 March
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Brisbane Water National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Brieses fire trail partial closure
  The section of Brieses fire trail between Mooney Mooney Creek and Old Mooney Dam trail is closed until further notice due to a landslip, making it unsafe for vehicles.
  Signs are in place around closed areas. This area will re-open as soon as it is safe and repair works have been completed.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.
  
  Closed areas: Warrah Trig Road closed to vehicles
  Warrah Trig Road is closed to vehicles due to an increase in illegal activities throughout the area.
  The road will remain closed until investigations are completed and further recommendations are made.
  The road is open to pedestrians and cyclists.
  
  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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