Emerald Pool Circuit from Ironbark Rd

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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 Ironbark Road & Pipeline Trail (-33.3715915,151.1953003)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Peats Ridge Road Offramp then drive for 8.6 km Keep left onto Wisemans Ferry Road Exit and drive for another 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 8.2 km Turn left onto Ironbark Road and drive for another 6.9 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
Starting from the car park at the end of the 'Pipeline Trail', the walk follows the gravel Ironbark Rd south, initially keeping the 'Pipeline Trail' gate to your left (not following the 'Pipeline Trail'). The gravel road passes between some houses with prominent 'private property' signs so stick to the road along here. The walk eventually comes to the car park and picnic area at the end of the road. Vehicles with reasonable ground clearance could be driven along this section, to the car park at the end of the road.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Ironbark Road & Pipeline Trail Start heading along Ironbark Road (a vehicle track). After 970 m pass the car park (7 m on your left).
	After another 720 m (from the Ironbark Road) continue straight, to head along Ironbark Road. Then pass the toilet (10 m on your left). After another 7 m pass a seat (5 m on your left). Then head through/around the gate. Then find the "Ironbark Rd Picnic area" (6 m on your left). Ironbark Rd Picnic area This picnic area is located at the end of Ironbark Rd, on the edge of Popran National Park. While this is not a special spot for a picnic, there are good facilities if you are doing a walk in the area. There is a picnic table, pit toilet (with a small rainwater tank for handwashing), information signs and track arrows at this point. Some of the tracks starting from this point are also horse trails. A section of Ironbark Rd may not be suitable for 2WD vehicles so you may have to walk the last section of road. Then pass the sign (10 m on your left).
	After another 3 m (from the Mount Olive Trail) continue straight, to head along Mount Olive Trail.
	After another 305 m (at the intersection of 248 Trail & Mount Olive Trail) turn right, to head along 248 Trail.
	After another 350 m (at the intersection of Mailman Walking Track (western) & 248 Trail) continue straight, to head along 248 Trail.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to End of 248 Trail. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1.2 km (at the intersection of 248 Trail & Hominy Creek Trail) continue straight, to head along Hominy Creek Trail. After another 1.3 km cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
	After another 390 m (from the Hominy Creek Track) continue straight, to head along Hominy Creek Track. After another 15 m cross the ford.
	After another 910 m (at the intersection of Mount Olive Trail & Hominy Creek Trail) continue straight, to head along Mount Olive Trail.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Top of Mt Olive. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 2.4 km (from the Mount Olive Trail) continue straight, to head along Mount Olive Trail.
	After another 25 m (at the intersection of Mount Olive Trail & 248 Trail) turn right, to head along Mount Olive Trail.
	After another 305 m (from the Mount Olive Trail) continue straight, to head along Mount Olive Trail. After another 10 m (from the Ironbark Road) continue straight, to head along Ironbark Road.
	After another 1.7 km come to the end.

An optional side trip to End of 248 Trail.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of 248 Trail & Hominy Creek Trail Start heading along 248 Trail (a walking track).
	After another 610 m come to the end. "End of 248 Trail lookout". End of 248 Trail lookout This informal lookout is located at the end of the 248 trail in Popran National Park. The lookout offers some nice views into the surrounding valleys. The rocky outcrops in the area have some nice shapes and textures. Be careful to avoid damaging some faint Aboriginal carvings on these rocks. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 610 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

At the intersection of 248 Trail & Hominy Creek Trail Start heading along 248 Trail (a walking track).

After another 610 m come to the end.

"End of 248 Trail lookout".

End of 248 Trail lookout

This informal lookout is located at the end of the 248 trail in Popran National Park. The lookout offers some nice views into the surrounding valleys. The rocky outcrops in the area have some nice shapes and textures. Be careful to avoid damaging some faint Aboriginal carvings on these rocks.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 610 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Top of Mt Olive.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Mount Olive Trail Start (a walking track).
	After another 120 m (from the Mailmans Walking Track) turn left. After another 60 m come to a viewpoint.
	Turn around. Then pass the "Mount Olive" (15 m on your left). "Mt Olive". Mt Olive Mt Olive is a low-rising hill in Popran National Park. The views from the top, across the surrounding national park, in all directions, are very nice. The nice cliffs around the base of Mt Olive also add to the scenery. There are remnants of a couple of old trig points at the top.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 180 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Emerald Pool Circuit from Ironbark Rd

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	10.6 km
Time	3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min

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, 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

Toilet: There is one 1.7 km from the start.

Seat: There is one 1.7 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	1.7 km	[toilet]
Seat	1.7 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Ironbark Rd Picnic area
This picnic area is located at the end of Ironbark Rd, on the edge of Popran National Park. While this is not a special spot for a picnic, there are good facilities if you are doing a walk in the area. There is a picnic table, pit toilet (with a small rainwater tank for handwashing), information signs and track arrows at this point. Some of the tracks starting from this point are also horse trails. A section of Ironbark Rd may not be suitable for 2WD vehicles so you may have to walk the last section of road.

End of 248 Trail lookout
This informal lookout is located at the end of the 248 trail in Popran National Park. The lookout offers some nice views into the surrounding valleys. The rocky outcrops in the area have some nice shapes and textures. Be careful to avoid damaging some faint Aboriginal carvings on these rocks.

Emerald Pool
Emerald Pool is a beautiful spot on Hominy Creek in Popran National Park. This deep pool has crystal clear water with an emerald/green tinge. There is a nice little cascade falling into the pool and it is a great spot for lunch while doing one of the walks in the area.

Mt Olive
Mt Olive is a low-rising hill in Popran National Park. The views from the top, across the surrounding national park, in all directions, are very nice. The nice cliffs around the base of Mt Olive also add to the scenery. There are remnants of a couple of old trig points at the top.

Get more information
Wildwalks | Mount Olive Trail | Mount Olive Trail - Map | Hominy Creek Walking Track | Hominy Creek Walking Track - Map | Mount Olive Lookout | Mount Olive Lookout - Map | Ironbark Picnic Area | Ironbark Picnic Area - Map | Popran NP | Popran NP - Map | Emerald Pool | Emerald Pool Falls | The 8 best swimming holes on the Central Coast
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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
- Popran National Park alerts
  Safety alerts: Ironbark Road access to picnic area - last 850m 4WD only
  The last 850m of Ironbark Road (Crown Road) to access Ironbark picnic area is currently limited to 4WD vehicles only.
  This section is not suitable for conventional 2WD vehicles due to a severely eroded hill along the Crown Road.
  Visitors to this section of the park travelling by conventional 2WD vehicles will need to walk the last 850 metres to access the park and Ironbark picnic area.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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