BushwalkBushwalk
4 h to 2 days
| Start | (-33.4920793,151.2569295) |
| Mode | Train |
| Finish | At the intersection of Old Pacific Highway & Mooney Trail (-33.4379972,151.2520678) |
| Mode (end) | Car (There is free parking available.) |
| Turn map | Directions & comments |
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Wondabyne (about 55 m back from the start).
 Wondabyne
Wondabyne
Wondabyne is situated in Brisbane Waters National Park on the banks of Mullet River, which feeds into the Hawkesbury River north of Brooklyn. The area is defined by the National Park's flora and fauna, the quarry, railway station and a few houses sitting above the water around the river. The quarry produced sandstone building materials, used in the construction of the National War Memorial in Canberra. More recently, in 2000, the quarry was re-opened for restoration of St Mary's Cathedral spire in Sydney. Wondabyne Station, named after the nearby Mt Wondabyne, was built in 1889 and exclusively used for the quarry - it was then known as Mullet Creek Station. The station is one of the smallest on the line and one of very few railway stations in a NSW National Park. When you catch the train to Wondabyne, let the guard know you want to get off at Wondabyne Station, otherwise the train will not stop. Travel in the last carriage as the platform is very short. To catch the train from Wondabyne, wave to the driver.
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Wondabyne is situated in Brisbane Waters National Park on the banks of Mullet River, which feeds into the Hawkesbury River north of Brooklyn. The area is defined by the National Park's flora and fauna, the quarry, railway station and a few houses sitting above the water around the river. The quarry produced sandstone building materials, used in the construction of the National War Memorial in Canberra. More recently, in 2000, the quarry was re-opened for restoration of St Mary's Cathedral spire in Sydney. Wondabyne Station, named after the nearby Mt Wondabyne, was built in 1889 and exclusively used for the quarry - it was then known as Mullet Creek Station. The station is one of the smallest on the line and one of very few railway stations in a NSW National Park. When you catch the train to Wondabyne, let the guard know you want to get off at Wondabyne Station, otherwise the train will not stop. Travel in the last carriage as the platform is very short. To catch the train from Wondabyne, wave to the driver.
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Camp Kariong. Only for scouts who have registered to stay. 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 1.2 km (at the intersection of Piles Creek Loop & The Great North Walk) turn left, to head along Piles Creek Loop.
After another 25 m find the "Phil Houghton Bridge" (on your left).
 Phil Houghton Bridge
Phil Houghton Bridge
The Phil Houghton Bridge is a metal suspension bridge that crosses Piles Creek. It is part of the Great North Walk and replaces an older bridge, with part still visible upstream. The bridge can hold up to 8 people and feels very stable. There are great views both up and downstream half way across this bridge. There is a clearing on the northern side that people have used for camping.
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The Phil Houghton Bridge is a metal suspension bridge that crosses Piles Creek. It is part of the Great North Walk and replaces an older bridge, with part still visible upstream. The bridge can hold up to 8 people and feels very stable. There are great views both up and downstream half way across this bridge. There is a clearing on the northern side that people have used for camping.
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After another 260 m find the "Old Pacific Highway Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge" (30 m on your left).
 Old Pacific Highway Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge
Old Pacific Highway Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge
The Sydney-Hawkesbury stretch of the Pacific Highway was built in the 1920s, replacing a route that had existed since the 1830s. The original Peats Ferry Road was cut by a settler named George Peat, making a track to his property on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.
This road became the 'Old Pacific Highway' upon the opening of the F3, or Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, in the 1980s. This bridge is the smaller of two crossing Mooney Mooney Creek - the other, Mooney Mooney Bridge, is part of the F3 freeway and is the highest road bridge in Australia.
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The Sydney-Hawkesbury stretch of the Pacific Highway was built in the 1920s, replacing a route that had existed since the 1830s. The original Peats Ferry Road was cut by a settler named George Peat, making a track to his property on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.
This road became the 'Old Pacific Highway' upon the opening of the F3, or Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, in the 1980s. This bridge is the smaller of two crossing Mooney Mooney Creek - the other, Mooney Mooney Bridge, is part of the F3 freeway and is the highest road bridge in Australia.
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Class 4/6 Hard track |
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| Length | 9.9 km |
| Time | 4 h to 2 days |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) |
| Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Signage | Minimal directional signs (4/6) |
| 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) |
Campsite: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.4 km apart with the largest gap of 9 km.| Item | From Start | Name & link to notes |
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Campsite
| 7.4 km + 1.6 km | Camp Kariong |
Camp site
| 7.6 km | [camp site] |
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After another 195 m head up the steps (about 30 m long)
After another 315 m continue straight, to head along Rifle Range Firetrail.
After another 650 m pass the sign (on your right).
After another 155 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 1.1 km pass the "Scopas Peak" (25 m on your right).
After another 25 m head down the 18 metal steps (about 9 m long)
After another 245 m come to a gate.
Then to find the car park.
Find the ford at the start.
After another 195 m find the "Monolith Cave" (on your left).
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.9 km to the main route.