Hunter Lookout and Great North Walk loop

2 h 15 min to 3 h

5.4 km
circuit

↑ 277 m
↓ -277 m

Hard track
This loop track starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area and follows the Great North Walk around the edge of the ridge via the Macleans Lookout, Rocky Creek gully and the cliffs around the eastern edge of the ridge. This walk provides great views across the valley and much of the Hunter to the north. On the return, the walk takes a leisurely stroll along the dirt roads, passing the pines plantation area and the rocky creek camping area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Hunter Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Hunter Lookout picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Bakers road. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Macleans Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.
View from track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Great North Walk bushtrack. | Photo by admin, 2008.
View from bushtrack. | Photo by admin, 2008.
looking out across a gully. | Photo by admin, 2008.
track heading under a long rock overhang. | Photo by admin, 2008.
path heading up out of the gully. | Photo by admin, 2008.
end of Hammonds road. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Hammonds road. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Pines plantation. | Photo by admin, 2008.
rocky creek. | Photo by admin, 2008.
rocky creek camping area. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-32.9623348,151.4138597)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Pacific Motorway, M1
  • Turn on to Palmers Road Exit then drive for 570 m
  • Turn right onto Palmers Road Exit and drive for another 290 m
  • Turn slight left onto Palmers Road and drive for another 3.1 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Freemans Drive, B82 and drive for another 7.9 km
  • Turn sharp left onto Sandy Creek Road and drive for another 9.6 km
  • Turn left onto Heaton Road and drive for another 6.6 km
  • Keep left onto Bakers Road and drive for another 175 m
  • Turn left onto Bakers Road and drive for another 930 m
  • Continue onto Bakers Road and drive for another 700 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the picnic area, this walk heads north, past the metal gate to the intersection of Bakers Road.
Veer left: From the Hunter Lookout picnic area (on Bakers Road), this walk follows Bakers Road north and gently downhill, while keeping Hunter Lookout on your left. The walk continues for about 400m until coming to a Y-intersection (Bakers Road loop).
Continue straight: From the intersection (Bakers Road Loop), this walk follows the track gently uphill, while keeping the other end of Bakers Road Loop to your right, gently downhill. The walk follows the road for about 130m until coming to Macleans Lookout.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the picnic table at the start.
There is a car park (about 20 m back from the start).
After another 35 m head through/around the gate.
After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Bakers Road.
After another 440 m continue straight, to head along Bakers Road.
After another 285 m to find the car park.
Continue straight, to head along Bakers Road.
After another 20 m find the "Mcleans Lookout" (45 m on your left).
Mcleans Lookout
Mcleans Lookout

McLeans Lookout offers magnificent views of the valleys in Heaton State Forest. Located on Bakers Road, this fenced lookout also has picnic facilities including tables with seats and open grassy areas.
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McLeans Lookout offers magnificent views of the valleys in Heaton State Forest. Located on Bakers Road, this fenced lookout also has picnic facilities including tables with seats and open grassy areas.

Then pass the picnic table (10 m on your left).
After another 40 m continue straight.
After another 600 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your left).
At the intersection of Watagan Track & Glen Road continue straight, to head along Watagan Track.
After another 780 m veer right.
After another 320 m veer right, to head along Great North Walk.
After another 410 m (at the intersection of Great North Walk & Hammonds Road) turn right, to head along Hammonds Road (a vehicle track).
After another 400 m (at the intersection of Foresters Road & Hammonds Road) veer left, to head along Hammonds Road.
After another 400 m (at the intersection of Hermitts Road & Hammonds Road) continue straight, to head along Hammonds Road.
After another 195 m (at the intersection of Rockey Point Road & Hammonds Road) turn right, to head along Rockey Point Road.
After another 430 m (at the intersection of Hermitts Road & Rockey Point Road) turn left, to head along Rockey Point Road.
After another 105 m find the "Rocky Creek Campsite" (8 m on your left).
Rocky Creek Campsite
Rocky Creek Campsite

This campsite provides ample room for a few tents and a campfire, and there is a small creek a short distance away, which often provides opportunity to boil up some drinking water (may dry out at times).
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This campsite provides ample room for a few tents and a campfire, and there is a small creek a short distance away, which often provides opportunity to boil up some drinking water (may dry out at times).
After another 430 m (at the intersection of Bakers Road & Rockey Point Road) turn right, to head along Bakers Road.
After another 400 m (at the intersection of Glen Road & Bakers Road) continue straight, to head along Bakers Road.
After another 180 m continue straight.
After another 20 m head through/around the gate.
After another 90 m pass the toilet (6 m on your right).
About 10 m past the end is "Hunter Lookout".
Hunter Lookout
Hunter Lookout

Hunter Lookout can be found on Bakers Road, along the Great North Walk. This fenced lookout has everything you will need snack-stop, including toilets, picnic tables, chairs and wood-fired barbecues. This lookout has fantastic views over much of the Hunter region. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so water is no longer available at Hunter Lookout.
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Hunter Lookout can be found on Bakers Road, along the Great North Walk. This fenced lookout has everything you will need snack-stop, including toilets, picnic tables, chairs and wood-fired barbecues. This lookout has fantastic views over much of the Hunter region. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so water is no longer available at Hunter Lookout.

The end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Hunter Lookout and Great North Walk loop


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 5.4 km
Time 2 h 15 min to 3 h
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 (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Campsite: There is one 4.3 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 5.4 km from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Campsite
4.3 kmRocky Creek Campsite
Toilet
5.4 km[toilet]
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Hunter Lookout
Hunter Lookout can be found on Bakers Road, along the Great North Walk. This fenced lookout has everything you will need snack-stop, including toilets, picnic tables, chairs and wood-fired barbecues. This lookout has fantastic views over much of the Hunter region. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so water is no longer available at Hunter Lookout.
Mcleans Lookout
McLeans Lookout offers magnificent views of the valleys in Heaton State Forest. Located on Bakers Road, this fenced lookout also has picnic facilities including tables with seats and open grassy areas.
Rocky Creek Campsite
This campsite provides ample room for a few tents and a campfire, and there is a small creek a short distance away, which often provides opportunity to boil up some drinking water (may dry out at times).
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