Piles Creek Loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

4.2 km Circuit

306 m

Moderate track

Starting from the Girrakool picnic area, this walk takes you on a round trip through part of the stunning Brisbane Water National Park. The walk explores both sides of Piles Creek, rewarding you with its waterfall and lookouts. Girrakool picnic area also has barbeques and toilets.

Path between picnic area and Illoura Lookout

Eriostemon australasius (Pink Wax Flower) and bee

Bearded Heath flowers (Leucopogon ericoides)

Walking past grass tree and rock formations

Large boulders along much of this section of track

Eriostemon australasius (Pink Wax Flower) in spring

Track south of Piles Creek and Girrakool

Girrakool Picnic Area

Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'. More info.

(0km) Girrakool picnic area car park → Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks

230 m

5 mins

-27m Easy track

From the lower side of the car park, this walk follows the 'To The Great North Walk' sign down the path to the lower picnic area. The walk passes the toilet block (on the left) and comes to another picnic area. The path passes through this picnic area to turn right following the 'Piles Creek Loop Track' sign down the steps. The footpath then leads to an intersection with the Broula Lookout track (on the left) and a 'car park' sign pointing back up the hill.

(0km) Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks → Broula Lookout

30 m

1 mins

-2m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk leaves the main footpath and follows the rocky track to the signposted 'Broula Lookout' a short distance away. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Broula Lookout

Broula Lookout is fenced and a fairly short walk down from the Girrakool picnic area. Over time, the trees in the area have grown, filtering what would otherwise be a great vantage point for the Piles Creek waterfall. Broula is an Aboriginal word referring to a place of trickling water.

(0km) Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks → Illoura Lookout

40 m

1 mins

-6m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Girrakool Loop' sign down along the stone path. The path soon heads down some steps and comes to a fenced and signposted 'Illoura Lookout'.

Illoura Lookout

Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place.

(0km) Illoura Lookout → Int of Bundilla Lookout and Piles Creek tracks

140 m

4 mins

-10m Moderate track

Turn right: From Illoura Lookout, this walk follows the 'Girrakool Loop' sign keeping the green fence to the left. The track leads up some steps to soon come to a 'Y' intersection and a sign pointing back to 'Girrakool Car Park'.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Piles Creek Loop' sign down the rocky steps (keeping the valley to the right). The track soon crosses Leask Creek on a narrow concrete footbridge. The track continues to wind gently through the bush, soon coming to an intersection with a track which heads down to Bundilla Lookout (on the left).

(0km) Int of Bundilla Lookout and Piles Creek tracks → Bundilla Lookout

10 m

-1m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track downhill to the fenced and signposted Bundilla Lookout (which is visible). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left .

Bundilla Lookout

Bundilla Lookout provides a good (but filtered) view from the southern side of the Leask and Piles Creeks junction. From the fenced lookout, you can see the top part of Piles Creek waterfall and much of the surrounding bushland. Bundilla is an Aboriginal word meaning 'meeting of waters'.

(0km) Int of Bundilla Lookout and Piles Creek tracks → Western Piles Creek Caves

240 m

5 mins

-17m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track down the hill keeping the valley (and lookout) to the left. The track soon heads down some rocky steps to pass a large rock wall on the right and further down hill the track comes close to a water hole on Piles Creek. The track then heads up the hill to pass more stone boulders and down some steps next to another rock wall. The track passes a couple of metal arrows markers to soon come to a large rock overhang at the top of a set of stairs.

Western Piles Creek Caves

The Western Piles Creek Caves are series of sandstone caves, not formally named, on the north western side on Piles Creek. The Piles Creek loop passes at the base of a cliff helping find these sandstone caves. Each overhang providing a cool sheltered spot for walkers to rest and enjoy the surrounding bushland. Some are very tall and others much shorter, but all fairly narrow.

(1km) Western Piles Creek Caves → Phil Houghton Bridge

1.3 km

33 mins

65m

-138m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the cave, this walk heads down the stairs keeping the cave wall to the right. The track winds through the bush for a while, passing another rock wall and crossing over 3 small foot bridges. The track then passes a couple more caves and a rock wall and then some distant views to the left. After passing another cave the track crosses a creek using a hand railing and passes a section of track with a steep drop to the left. Soon the track heads down a long set of steps with an old hand rail then winds down the hill to come to a large clearing and the Phil Houghton suspension 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.

(2km) Phil Houghton Bridge → Int of Patonga Ferry and Girrakool tracks

220 m

9 mins

47m

-17m Moderate track

Turn left: From the clearing, this walk heads up the stairs[5] and across the Phil Houghton suspension footbridge[6], enjoying the views of the tidal Piles Creek[7]. On the other side, the walk heads down the stairs and turns left, passing the old bridge[8], where the track bends right to head uphill. The rocky track winds steeply uphill[9] for about 170m to come to a well signposted three-way intersection[10] beside a small intermittent creek[11].

(2km) Int of Patonga Ferry and Girrakool tracks → Rat Gully Lookout

290 m

8 mins

33m

-14m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk crosses the small creek and then follows the 'Girrakool' sign along the bush track. The track winds up the side of the hill to soon head back down hill into Rat Gully. The track heads under a large fallen tree and crosses the boulder field and creek. There are steps cut in the rock to help the crossing. The walk then passes the old bridge and heads into the bush again. The track then does a right hand switch back (at the 'Girrakool' sign) and climbs a small hill to an un-signposted but fenced lookout.

(2km) Rat Gully Lookout → Monolith Cave

220 m

7 mins

29m

-13m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk heads up the hill initially keeping the large gully to the right. The track soon turns left and heads to the top of the hill and passes a large and interesting monolithic rock. About 60m after this rock the track leads to another similar rock with a large cave just to the left of the track.

Monolith Cave

Monolith Cave is an informally named cave and interesting rock formation high on the ridge east of Piles Creek and North of Rat Gully in the Brisbane Water National Park. The cave is a fairly large sandstone overhang on the edge of the track. The cave provides shelter for walkers and is a great spot to rest and enjoy the area. This rock and the more Monolithic rock about 60m to the south are interesting to explore, and provide great views of the surrounding area. Take great care if exploring the rocks.

(3km) Monolith Cave → Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks

80 m

2 mins

-16m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the cave, this walk heads north through the cleft in the rock. The clear track soon passes another rock wall then comes to an intersection at the base of the timber staircase.

(3km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Piles Ck Lookout

20 m

1 mins

-8m Moderate track

Turn left: With the stairs to the right, this walk follows the short track to the fenced lookout. There are a few steps that then lead down the the lookout platform. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Piles Creek Lookout

Piles Creek lookout (not formally named), Brisbane Water National Park, sits high on the ridge, east of Piles Creek and north of Rat Gully. This lookout provides views over the Piles Creek valley and can be enjoyed from behind a fence. The valley is surprisingly steep at this point and the views downstream are quite extensive.

(3km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Girrakool picnic area car park

1.4 km

33 mins

116m

-47m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads up the wooden staircase and along the track for a little while, until it comes to a three-way intersection and a 'Girrakool' sign.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Girrakool' sign along the bush track. After a short time the track passes under four sandstone caves (overhangs) and then crosses a few small tributaries. The caves provide good shelter and a great spot to rest. The track continues through the thick scrub and soon opens up on an unfenced rock platform at the top of Piles Creek Waterfall.
Veer right: From the top of the waterfall, the walk crosses the creek using the concrete stepping stones (the creek may be impassable after rain) and heads up the wooden steps to soon come to Illoura Lookout.
Turn right: From Illoura Lookout, this walk follows 'Girrakool Loop' sign up the stone steps directly away from the lookout. The walk follows the footpath up the stone steps to soon come to the intersection with the Broula Lookout track and another 'Girrakool Loop' sign pointing back down the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'car park' arrow up the few steps and along the stone footpath. The path heads through the bush, up some more steps to come to the lower Girrakool picnic area. The walk then heads through the picnic tables and past the BBQ up the straight path to the large car park passing the toilet block (on the right).

Maps for the Piles Creek Loop walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Piles Creek Loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Piles Creek Loop

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	4.2 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 2.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 2km has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 3.4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 700m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 3.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 930m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 3km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 970m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 2.7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Piles Creek Loop walk.

Eastern Girrakool Loop

803 m Circuit, 20 mins

This walk explores the eastern branch of the Girrakool Loop track. Starting from the car park, this walk first visits the Aboriginal Engraving site. Before reaching Broula Lookout, there is an optional side trip to a lovely section of Piles Creek. There is a second optional side trip, to Illoura

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

Western Girrakool Loop

1.1 km Circuit, 30 mins

This walk explores the western half of the Girrakool Loop track. From the picnic area, this walk heads down the footpath to Illoura Lookout, with views down over Piles Creek (there is an optional side trip to the top of the waterfall). The walk then has another optional trip to Bundilla Lookout, p

Total climbing: 43m

Moderate track

Girrakool Loop track

1.4 km Circuit, 45 mins

Starting at the well-established Girrakool picnic area, this walk visits four lookouts and an Aboriginal engravings site. The walk offers a couple of side trips, visiting some nice spots on Piles Creek. The views from each of the lookout are filtered through trees, but still worth the visit. The wa

Total climbing: 55m

Moderate track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station

9.5 km One way, 4 hrs

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses some long rock flats and climbs to the top of Scopas Peak, providing views spanning right across the park. The walk then continues down to Wondabyne station, and provides an

Total climbing: 438m

Hard track

Wondabyne to Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead

10.1 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

Starting with a steep climb from Wondabyne Train station you will explore a series of large rock platforms with wide views over the Brisbane Water National Park and visit Scopas Peak. After Scopas walk you cross a few pleasant rocky gullies before crossing Piles Creek on the Phil Houghton suspension

Total climbing: 484m

Hard track

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

12.3 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds down alongside Piles creek, before climbing up through the Brisbane Waters National Park to Scopas peak, and then on to the lovely Kariong brook falls. The walk finishes at the Staples Lookout. This walk mostly follows a section of the Grea

Total climbing: 697m

Hard track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station via Pindar caves

18.1 km One way, 7 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, following Piles creek into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses over Scopas Peak and continues down to Pindar caves, passing the Pindar lookout and Pindar Pool on the way. From the caves the walk backtracks some distance

Total climbing: 741m

Experienced only

Somersby & Mooney Mooney Creek Loop

20 km Circuit, 7 hrs 30 mins

<b>**Closed**</b> The link track west of Somerby Falls is closed, an alternate route is been sought. This loop walk takes you through the Brisbane Waters National Park, starting from the Girrakool picnic area and exploring Piles Creek down to the Mooney Mooney Creek Junction. The walk meanders back

Total climbing: 744m

Moderate track

Girrakool to Woy Woy station via Mt Wondabyne

20.7 km One way, 8 hrs 30 mins

This long day-walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and works its way south, alongside Piles creek and through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs over Scopas Peak and passes the Kariong brook falls, before winding to the top of Mt Wondabyne and finishing at the Woy Woy train st

Total climbing: 870m

Hard track

Girrakool to Patonga

24.8 km One way, 10 hrs

This walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. As the track approaches the southern edge of Brisbane

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Girrakool to Patonga Overnight

24.8 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. Much of this walk follows the Great North Wal

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Wondabyne station to Somersby Store

26.2 km One way, 10 hrs

This walk, following a section of the Great North Walk, starts from the Wondabyne train station and winds north, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs all the way up to the top of Scopas Peak, and down to the Phill Haughton bridge, then follows the Mooney Mooney Creek north, windin

Total climbing: 1164m

Hard track

Wondabyne station to Somersby Store overnight

26.2 km One way, 2 Days

This walk, following a section of the Great North Walk, starts from the Wondabyne train station and winds north, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs to the top of Scopas Peak, and down to the Phill Haughton bridge. The walk heads through the bush to the Somersby general store, wh

Total climbing: 1164m

Hard track

Patonga to Somersby

41.5 km One way, 3 Days

This three day walk follows the Great North Walk from Patonga, through Brisbane Waters National Park, to the Somersby General Store. The two campsites can be found near the summit of Mt Wondabyne, and along the banks of the Mooney Mooney Creek. Water is available from Kariong Brook and often from tr

Total climbing: 1811m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Piles Creek Loop walk.

Girrakool Aboriginal Engravings track

378 m Return, 10 mins

This short walk takes you from the Girrakool picnic area to the Aboriginal Engravings site, located on a large rock platform. From the picnic area, the walk follows a well-maintained track to the signposted site. The engravings have faded but with a bit of time, it is still possible to see the eng

Total climbing: 21m

Easy track

Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby

16.1 km One way, 6 hrs

This enjoyable walk starts from where the old Pacific Hwy where you walk along dirt roads and trails for while alongside the wide Mooney Mooney Creek, and under the huge F3 Mooney Mooney bridge. The wide track continues upstream, passing a few campsites before crossing the wide creek at a pleasant l

Total climbing: 680m

Hard track

Bulgandry Engravings

800 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk follows a footpath to a large rock platform with some well-preserved Aboriginal engravings. Named after Bulgandry man, an ancestral hero and one of the more detailed engravings at the site, this is clearly a special place. The footpath gently winds through the bush before following

Total climbing: 19m

Very easy

Somersby Falls

426 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk starts from the Somersby Falls picnic area and follows the series of waterfalls along Floods Creek. The picnic area provides barbeques, picnic tables, toilets and ample parking. This walk could make part of a great family day out in the area. The main falls drop onto a large rock pl

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

White St firetrail

991 m One way, 30 mins

A surprisingly nice fire trail walk. A lot of the forest scenery along this walk is really beautiful. Much of it is very moist forest, filled with ferns. You also get a glimpse of an old quarry at Cappers Gully, adding a little historic interest to the walk.

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate track

White St Rainforest loop

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

A very nice loop walk in the lower part of the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The walk includes a section of road but spends most time in very nice forest scenery, including pockets of the beautiful rainforest in the reserve. This walk has substantially fewer steps than some of the other walks in the r

Total climbing: 76m

Moderate track

Rainforest Walk

3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

A great walk through some beautiful pockets of rainforest in the Rumbalara Reserve. Parts of the track are quite steep, although the well-formed track with plenty of steps makes the walking easier. As well as the beautiful rainforest scenery, this walk includes some glimpses into an old quarry at Ca

Total climbing: 192m

Hard track

Rainforest walk to Nurrunga picnic area

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

An extended version of the Rumbalara Reserve Rainforest Walk. After walking through some beautiful pockets of rainforest, this walk continues to the upper section of the reserve, enjoying some great views across Gosford and the surrounding areas. The sheer variety in the vegetation from the start of

Total climbing: 196m

Hard track

John Whiteway Dr to Tottenham Pl

3 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

An excellent walk, crossing the Rumbalara Reserve and covering plenty of the scenic highlights of the reserve. This walk goes through beautiful pockets of rainforest as well as the drier ridgetop forest, showcasing the great variety of scenery in Rumbalara. There is some steep walking along the way,

Total climbing: 228m

Hard track

Ouraka Point loop

2.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

A beautiful walk, taking in some of the scenic highlights of the lower section of the Rumbalara Reserve. The walk covers a great variety of vegetation, from quite dry eucalypt forest through to rainforest. The tracks are well formed, with a lot of steps in the steeper sections, making the walking a

Total climbing: 141m

Hard track

Rumbalara Explorer

6.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

Pretty well the grand tour of the Rumbalara Reserve, this walk takes in much of the great scenery the reserve has to offer. The walk covers both the lower and upper sections of the reserve and passes through the great variety of forest on show. The walk also passes three of the four bronze sculpture

Total climbing: 326m

Hard track

Gosford to Lisarow

11.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the ridge-top bushland between Gosford and Lisarow. Passing through Rumbalara and Katandra Reserves, there are several picnic area, lookouts and other facilities scattered along the way. At times you will forget you are anywhere near houses, and at other points

Total climbing: 479m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Piles Creek Loop walk starts and ends at the Girrakool picnic area car park (gps: -33.431680, 151.27660)

Car. Parking fees apply in the area.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Brisbane Water National Park

Brisbane Waters National Park is situated south west of Gosford perched on the Hawkesbury River. The park is characterised by sandstone features, Aboriginal engravings, flowery heaths, bird life and spectacular water views. Brisbane Waters NP has many bushwalks through the are with the Great North Walk passing through the middle of the park.

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