Great North Walk: Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Greta Road
Awabakal Country

5 h to 6 h

14.9 km
oneway

↑ 615 m
↓ -328 m

Hard track
This pleasant walk explores the rural valleys and a beautiful section of Jilliby State Conservation Area. Starting at Ourimbah Valley Trackhead you walk into Hidden valley along the dirt road, to then follow a trail beside Ourimbah Creek to Stringy Bark Point. This is a pleasant mossy area with many ferns and near a wide sandy section of Ourimbah Creek. A bit further on you cross Ourimbah Creek then walk up the ridge to the dirt Tooheys Road. After turning off the old Tooheys Rd the Great North Walk leads along a narrow track and across the mossy and delightful Dead Horse Creek. The track then meanders through a heath and scribbly gum forest to Cherry Lane. After about a 1.5km road slog this walk leads you to a GNW trackhead on Great Rd. 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. 
Show all
Ourimbah Valley Trackhead sign on the north side of Palm Grove NR. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ourimbah Valley Trackhead sign on Ourimbah Creek Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Bridge on Ourimbah Creek Road Near Palm Grove NR. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along Ourimbah Creek Road beside Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Hidden valley ranch. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Crossing the Creek near at Wombats End. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Enjoying the open farm land along Ourimbah Creek Road beside Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
A horse at Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Horses at Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Y-intersection and gate near Platapus Creek Ln. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the Ourimbah Creek Road Trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection at Forty Acers. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Cabage Palms on trail beside Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tall trees near Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ourimbah Creek beside the trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Formal Campsite near Sringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Forest at Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Campsite near bridge at Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Bridge over small creek at Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Fern tree and steep gully near Stringy Bark Point campsite. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the old trail west of Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Stone steps near the old trail west of Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing Ourimbah Creek west of Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Dense forest north of Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Mossy rocks and tall forest north of or Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Livistona australis. | Photo by admin, 2010.
The wide track in the tall forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking up the side of the hill. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection with Tooheys Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along Tooheys Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tooheys Road winding through the tall eucalypt forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Archers Campsite. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection of the GNW and Tooheys Rd. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Walking along the GNW west of Tooheys Rd. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Pleasant forest west of Tooheys Rd. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Thick forest just east of Dead Horse Creek. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Dead Horse Creek. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Dead Horse Creek. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Fungus growing near Dead Horse Creek. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Walking along the Dead Horse Creek valley. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Life at the macro level near Dead Horse Creek. | Photo by admin, 2012.
The GNW on the western side of Dead Horse Creek. | Photo by admin, 2012.
West of Dead Horse Creek. | Photo by admin, 2012.
High tension powerline tower west of Dead Horse Creek. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Walking through the scribbly gum forest east of Cherry Lane on the Great North Walk. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Fringe Lilly on the GNW east of Cherry Ln. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Enjoying the wildlife on the GNW east of Cherry Lane. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Great North walk in open heath east of Cherry Lane. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Myrtle Rust infestation on the GNW. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Walking behind some farm land just east of Cherry Ln. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Passing an open paddock. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Small bridge over creek just east of Cherry Ln. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Walking along Cherry Ln. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Farm land along Cherry Ln. | Photo by admin, 2012.
Intersection of Cherry Ln and Greta Rd. | Photo by admin, 2012.
GNW beside Greta Rd. | Photo by admin, 2012.
GNW trackhead at the top of the hill on Greta Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.
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 (-33.3175746,151.301194)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Pacific Motorway, M1
  • Turn on to Pacific Highway Offramp then drive for 360 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Pacific Highway and drive for another 245 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Pacific Highway and drive for another 500 m
  • Turn right onto Ourimbah Creek Road and drive for another 9.4 km
Finish (-33.2395466,151.2484143)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car   (There is free parking available.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the 'Ourimbah Valley Trackhead' (on Ourimbah Creek Rd), this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign downhill along the dirt road. The road soon leads down and across a flat timber vehicle bridge then the road mostly flattens out, winding among the rural properties for almost 300m to pass a 'Palm Grove Nature Reserve' sign and a few 'Hidden Valley' signs. The walk continues along the road for about 700m then comes to the intersection in front of the Hidden Valley property (on your left, not far before another road bridge). This walk continues straight, gently downhill along the wide dirt road to almost immediately pass 'Wombats End' (private road) then cross the flat timber road bridge. After about 400m, the road leads under some high tension power lines then after another 150m of winding past the rural properties, this walk passes a timber 'Hidden Valley' private property shelter and water tank (on your right). A further 100m along the road past this shelter, the walk veers left (ignoring 'Platypus Creek La') to come to a locked gate with a 'Road Closed' sign.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 120 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 65 m pass the "Great North Walk" (on your left).
After another 560 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 180 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 270 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 560 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Platypus Creek Lane & Ourimbah Creek Road) continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road (a vehicle track).
After another 90 m head through/around the gate.
After another 750 m cross the ford.
After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Ourimbah Creek Road & Cedar Brush Walk) turn left, to head along Cedar Brush Walk (a walking track).
After another 1.9 km find the "Tooheys Road campsite" (8 m on your left).
Tooheys Road campsite
Tooheys Road campsite

This is a small camping area on the side of Tooheys Road, with room for a small number of tents but providing no facilities.
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This is a small camping area on the side of Tooheys Road, with room for a small number of tents but providing no facilities.

After another 630 m find the "Stringy Bark Point" (on your left).
Stringy Bark Point
Stringy Bark Point

This campsite is in a small clearing at Stringy Bark Point, just on the southern side of the bridge. This campsite provides room for a small campfire and a few tents. Water is usually available from the creek running by the campsite, please treat before drinking.
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This campsite is in a small clearing at Stringy Bark Point, just on the southern side of the bridge. This campsite provides room for a small campfire and a few tents. Water is usually available from the creek running by the campsite, please treat before drinking.

Then cross the ford.
After another 1.3 km (at the intersection of Tooheys Road & Cedar Brush Walk) veer left, to head along Tooheys Road (a vehicle track).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Archers Campsite. 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 2.3 km turn left.
After another 185 m find the "Campsite" (20 m on your right).
Campsite
Campsite

A basic clearing for an overnight stay, providing room for a fire and small number of tents. There is no water at this campsite so you will need to carry sufficient.
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A basic clearing for an overnight stay, providing room for a fire and small number of tents. There is no water at this campsite so you will need to carry sufficient.

After another 1.6 km continue straight.
After another 200 m turn left.
After another 75 m continue straight.
After another 660 m continue straight.
After another 610 m turn right, to head along Cherry Lane.
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Greta Road & Cherry Lane) turn right, to head along Greta Road (a highway|tertiary).
After another 100 m continue straight, to head along Greta Road.
After another 310 m turn left.
After another 95 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Archers Campsite.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Tooheys Road.
After another 180 m come to the end.
About 20 m past the end is "Archers Campsite".
Archers Campsite
Archers Campsite

This informally named campsite is found in Jilliby State Conservation Area, and is used regularly by members of the Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club. This is a basic campsite with a water tank and shed used for hanging shower water bags. The large open camping area has a few existing fire scars and a few flat grassy areas. (There are other facilities 150m further north along the dirt trail at the club house.)
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This informally named campsite is found in Jilliby State Conservation Area, and is used regularly by members of the Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club. This is a basic campsite with a water tank and shed used for hanging shower water bags. The large open camping area has a few existing fire scars and a few flat grassy areas. (There are other facilities 150m further north along the dirt trail at the club house.)

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 180 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Great North Walk: Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Greta Road


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 14.9 km
Time 5 h to 6 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 Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route
Campsite: There are 4 on route, on average they are 3.2 km apart with the largest gap of 5.8 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Campsite
5.8 kmTooheys Road campsite
Campsite
6.4 kmStringy Bark Point
Campsite
9.7 km + 570 mArchers Campsite
Campsite
9.9 kmCampsite
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Articles
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Weather & Alerts
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