This is a cool walk on a hot day. Take your time exploring the rock formations along the creek, before finding the moss wall. Walk alongside the moss wall to its end, and then follow a track through moist rainforest back to the dam. A pleasant relaxed walk starting and finishing from the Boarding House Dam picnic area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Awabakal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Boarding House Dam Picnic area near Watagan Forest Rd in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Large tree stump at Board House Dam near Watagans Forest Rd in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Track towards Boarding House Dam near Watagans Forest Rd in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2008.Looking at Boarding House Dam Picnic area near Watagans Forest road in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Boarding House Dam near Watagans Forest Rd in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2008.Creek near Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2008.Boarding House Dam Picnic area in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Boarding House dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Boarding House Dam near Watagans Forest Rd in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Creek and rock formations in Boarding House Creek in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Boarding House dam creek and timber bridge in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2008.Timber bridge across creek at Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Rock formations and creek in the Boarding House Creek in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Small waterfall in the Boarding House Dam Creek in the Watagans.. | Photo by admin, 2010.Rock with creek beyond near Watagan Forest Rd. | Photo by admin, 2008.Rock formations and a small waterfall near the Boarding House Dam picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2008.Track near Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Timber track marker near the moss wall in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Moist forest near the Moss Wall in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Forest near the Moss Wall close to Watagan Forest Rd in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Moss Wall near the Board House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Timber bridge near the Moss Wall in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Timber bridge in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2008.Close up of moss on the moss wall near Boarding House Dam near Watagan Forest Road in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Timber bridge near the creek and moss wall in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2008.Creek and pool underneath the moss wall in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Timber bridge over the Boarding House Creek near the Watagan Forest Rd in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Timber steps close to Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.Timber steps and bridge near the Moss Wall in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2010.View of Boarding House Dam from bridge. | Photo by admin, 2008.Rock formations and creek near Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2008.Timber bridge near Boarding House Dam in the Watagans. | Photo by admin, 2008.
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.
Turn on to Freemans Drive Exit then drive for 510 m
Keep right and drive for another 45 m
Turn right onto Freemans Drive and drive for another 4.6 km
Turn right onto Mount Faulk Road and drive for another 10.6 km
Continue onto Heaton Road and drive for another 205 m
Continue onto Watagan Forest Road and drive for another 2.7 km
Turn sharp right onto Boarding House Dam Road and drive for another 630 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the boarding house dam picnic area, this walk follows the track gently up timber steps, keeping the very large tree stump and dam on your right. This walk follows the track (with a concrete dam on the right) for about 45m, before descending gently on a track and timber steps for about 30m, until coming to a three-way intersection, with a track (on the left) and footbridge (on the right).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 35 m find the "Boarding House Dam Picnic Area" (15 m on your left).
Boarding House Dam Picnic Area
Boarding House Dam Picnic Area
The boarding house dam picnic area in the Watagans National Park offers a relaxed spot to have a picnic amongst large gum trees, combined with a walk to the dam and moss wall. The picnic area is surrounded by a wide, sleepy creek that has been widened by the dam. There are a number of sheltered picnic tables, barbeques, a toilet, and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable).
The dam was built in 1952 for fire fighting and recreational use. The area was established in the 1850s as a logging camp, as part of the Barnier Timber Lease. Now it is a great picnic area,
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The boarding house dam picnic area in the Watagans National Park offers a relaxed spot to have a picnic amongst large gum trees, combined with a walk to the dam and moss wall. The picnic area is surrounded by a wide, sleepy creek that has been widened by the dam. There are a number of sheltered picnic tables, barbeques, a toilet, and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable).
The dam was built in 1952 for fire fighting and recreational use. The area was established in the 1850s as a logging camp, as part of the Barnier Timber Lease. Now it is a great picnic area,
After another 70 m turn left.
After another 280 m find the "Moss Wall" (15 m on your right).
Moss Wall
Moss Wall
This 120m-long stretch of moss-covered rock wall overlooks Boarding House Creek (close to Watagans Forest Rd) and is well worth the walk. The moss wall and surrounding creek side is an enchanting spot to explore, particularly on a hot summer's day.
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This 120m-long stretch of moss-covered rock wall overlooks Boarding House Creek (close to Watagans Forest Rd) and is well worth the walk. The moss wall and surrounding creek side is an enchanting spot to explore, particularly on a hot summer's day.
After another 220 m turn right.
After another 500 m turn right.
After another 500 m continue straight.
After another 105 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Boarding House Dam Circuit
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
1.7 km
Time
30 min to 45 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
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
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Bushwalk
30 min to 45 min
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After 35 m find the "Boarding House Dam Picnic Area" (15 m on your left).
