Pindar Cave

Download & Print Map and Notes

6 hrs

11.5 km Return

493 m

Experienced only

This great walk goes to some amazing places. Pindar Lookout, Pool and Cave are the greatest features of the walk, with each feature deserving of its own unique track. The walk takes off from the tiny Wondabyne Station to climb onto the plateau and continues along the ridge line to Mt Pindar. The walk passes over rocky terrain with many spider webs across the track. Unless you come by water, the only access is by train, you cannot drive to the start of this walk.

* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

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.

(0km) Wondabyne Station → Clearing above Wondabyne Station

440 m

13 mins

100m

-15m Hard track

From the north-bound platform of Wondabyne Station, this walk follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[1] off the southern the end of the platform[2], keeping the train lines (and water) to your left. The track soon leads past a strangler fig[3] and a large boulder[4] then bends right and heads up a timber staircase[5] with a metal landing at the top. The track winds steeply uphill, up a series of timber[6] and rock steps[7] for just over 200m to pass a filtered view of the cranes[8] (right), down at the old Gosford Quarry. Here the walk continues a bit more steeply uphill for another 150m, up a series of rock steps[9], and then, soon after passing up the carved steps in a cleft in a rock[10], the track flattens out[11] and comes to a clearing at the end of a management trail[12], marked with a 'Brisbane Water National Park' sign[13].

(0km) Clearing above Wondabyne Station → Eastern end of the Pindar Cave Track

1 km

19 mins

72m

-3m Hard track

Continue straight: From the clearing[14], this walk follows the wide management trail uphill past the 'Brisbane Water National Park' sign[15]. The trail leads up quite steeply[16] for about 250m, where the trail bends right then leads gently uphill[17] for about 600m. Here the trail leads up a short but quite steep hill[18], to then bend left and, about 150m later, come to an intersection with the Pindar Cave track (that leads over a rock platform[19], on your left), marked with a GNW arrow post[20] (on your right).

(1km) Int. Rifle Range Service Track and Pindar Cave Track → Mt Pindar Lookout

3.5 km

1 hr 12 mins climb

129m

-129m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide track to the west, keeping the large rocky outcrop to the right. The trail soon narrows to become an overgrown track and undulates for some time, through some rocky and dense scrub. Eventually, the track swings around to the north and arrives at the Mt Pindar Lookout, indicated by arrows marked in the surface that lead to the lookout, with views of Mooney Mooney, and Mooney Mooney Creek.

Mt Pindar lookout

From the rocky perch of Mt Pindar, Brisbane Waters National Park, you can enjoy views over Mullet Creek, Dangar Island and the Hawkesbery River. This is an informal lookout, with no fencing or other facilities.

(5km) Mt Pindar Lookout → Pool

480 m

9 mins

-25m Experienced only

Turn right: From the lookout, the walk follows the bush track north, around the edge of the ridge around a few rocks. The track then descends north-west into the valley below, continuing through areas of thick vegetation, until emerging onto a small clearing next to a pool of water.

Pindar Pool

The pool between Mt Pindar and Pindar Cave is an ephemeral (short-lived, unreliable) waterhole. The pool is a refreshing place for a swim when full, with many birds enjoying the area too. The pool is a 10m by 5m tub which is quite deep. Being ephemeral, it is not always full of water.

(5km) Pool → Pindar Cave

320 m

6 mins

12m

-6m Experienced only

Turn left: From the pool, the walk follows the bush track west, into a small sandy clearing. The track then turns right, below a rocky outcrop on the left, and follows the rocky outcrop for approximately 100m to the large overhang of rock, Pindar Cave.

Pindar Cave

Pindar Cave, Brisbane Waters National Park, is a large expanse of overhanging rock. The cave is made by a sandstone overhang of 15m, which spans approximately 50m along the hillside. The floor of the cave is a good spot for a sleep, while the roof of the cave is black from many campfires. Access to water is relatively good, however the waterfall and nearby pool are ephemeral (transient) streams with irregular and unreliable water patterns.

(6km) Pindar Cave → Waterfall

570 m

12 mins

10m

-57m Very experienced only

Continue straight: From Pindar Cave, this walk heads north-west, parallel to a rocky outcrop. After following the cliff line for a little while, the track bends slightly to the right, and heads north-west, crossing several rocky outcrops, going down towards the creek line. The track then drops down some rockshelves to the waterfall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left .

Pindar Waterfall

Pindar Waterfall, Brisbane Waters National Park, is a rocky outcrop from which a vegetation enclosed stream runs over and through. The waterfall is not a picturesque spot, with the water running through dense vegetation and cracks in the boulders to pools out-of-sight. The waterfall is fed by an ephemeral stream which will does not guarantee it as a source of water. From the rocky outcrop of the waterfall, views over the valley below can be observed.

Maps for the Pindar Cave 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.

Gunderman	1:25 000 Map Series	91313S GUNDERMAN	NSW-91313S
Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Pindar Cave bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Pindar Cave

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	11.5 km
		Time	6 hrs
		.
Grade 5/6 Experienced only	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
		Signs	No directional signs (5/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 5km of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 320m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

3.5km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 1km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 800m follows a rough unclear track and the remaining 440m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

3.5km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 1.5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (800m) Has no directional signs.

Experience Required

4.5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 800m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (440m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

4.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (440m) 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 Pindar Cave walk.

Wondabyne station to Kariong Brook falls

8.1 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This return walk starts from Wondabyne train station, winding up into the Brisbane Waters National Park, and follows a section of the Great North Walk to the beautiful Kariong Brook falls. Starting from the isolated train station, the walk explores an area of the park not accessible by road. Since

Total climbing: 489m

Hard 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

Wondabyne to Woy Woy

15.4 km One way, 6 hrs

This walk starts at a small isolated train station, and takes in some great scenery on the way to Woy Woy station. The walk gets most of the climbing out of the way quickly. Once up on the main ridge there are great views along the Hawkesbury River and Mooney Mooney creek. Highlights of the walk i

Total climbing: 646m

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

Patonga to Wondabyne station via Mt Wondabyne

19.5 km One way, 7 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores some grand views, pleasant cascades, varied bushland and remote areas of Brisbane Waters National Park. From Patonga you will walk up the ridge and take a short side trip to enjoy the wonderful views from Warrah Lookout, before following a series of dirt roads and management trail

Total climbing: 861m

Hard track

Wondabyne to Woy Woy station via Pindar Caves

24 km One way, 8 hrs 30 mins

This full day walk is for the fit and keen bushwalker, exploring some of the Brisbane Waters National Park's great destinations like the Pindar caves, the Kariong Brook falls and Mt Wondabyne. The walk offers a few optional side trips to key locations including Pindar falls and the Mt Wondabyne Peak

Total climbing: 949m

Experienced only

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 Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves overnight

28.1 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight hike starts from Patonga beach and winds along a section of the Great North Walk, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs up and around the Warra reserve headland, continuing to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves. The overnight stay is at the Mt Wondabyne campsite. The

Total climbing: 1164m

Experienced only

Cowan to Wondabyne station via Patonga rest area

33.4 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Cowan train station and wanders past the majestic Jerusalem Bay then through to Brooklyn. After a ferry ride to Patonga, this walk climbs to the top of the ridge, reaching even more great views. Day 2, the track heads over the scenic Mt Wondabyne and

Total climbing: 1523m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Pindar Cave walk.

Staples Lookout to Kariong Brook

5.8 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk gives the shortest access to Kariong Brook waterfall, one of the nicest falls in the area. Starting from Staples Lookout, on Woy Woy Rd, most of the walking is along the Thommos Loop management trail, except for the last descent into Kariong Brook. The waterfall is a nice and cool place

Total climbing: 261m

Hard track

Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop

10.8 km Circuit, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts and finishes at Staples Lookout, on Woy Woy Rd. The walk follows sections of the Great North Walk around Mount Wondabyne and the old Bulls Hill Quarry. There are a few options for short side trips, one leading to the tranquil Kariong Brook falls and the other to the peak of Mount

Total climbing: 337m

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

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

Patonga to Pearl Beach

4.3 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk explores a section of Brisbane Water National Park between the villages of Patonga and Pearl Beach. From Patonga, this walk takes you up a track following the Great North Walk route, and then a wider trail brings you to a short (and very worthwhile) side trip to Warrah Lookout. From here

Total climbing: 189m

Moderate 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

Patonga to Staples Lookout

17 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This great walk explores much of the main ridge ridge running through Brisbane Water National Park. The walk visits a number of great lookouts and has two worthy side trips, one up to the top of Mt Wondabyne and another to the falls in Kariong Brook. The walk requires a bit of planning for transpo

Total climbing: 702m

Hard track

Patonga to Warrah Trig Station

4.3 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk explores part of the ridge heading out of Patonga. The walk visits two great lookouts, with great views of Lion Island, West Head and Palm beach. Warrah trig is not that interesting, but it is a high point in the area with more views. Make a day of it by catching the ferry from Palm bea

Total climbing: 240m

Moderate track

Patonga to Woy Woy

15.5 km One way, 5 hrs 45 mins

This walk explores a variety of environments from the shore line and coastal cliffs near Patonga, to the dry, rocky and open ridge line. The last part of the walk skirts around the edge of Woy Woy tip, but most of the walk offers great views of the water systems around the park. You can catch the

Total climbing: 497m

Hard track

McKell Park Loop

931 m Circuit, 30 mins

This is a great walk to take the kids on, with a fenced playground, a swimming area and pelicans. For mum and dad, there is parking, a Federation interpretive display, picnic and toilet facilities and views over the Hawkesbury River from Flat Rock Point above. This short walk complements a fresh sea

Total climbing: 24m

Moderate track

McKell Park to Flat Rock Point

1.4 km Return, 30 mins

This short track is excellent walk for those with young children. The track passes the fantastic McKell Park playground facilities, which stand next to the Federation Interpretive Display. For the warmer months, enclosed beach pool is right next to the track. The views of the Hawkesbury River are qu

Total climbing: 29m

Very easy

Mt Ettalong Lookout

1.4 km Return, 30 mins

This lovely short walk takes you from the large water tank, along an old trail and track to two fantastic fenced lookout platforms. There are a few unfenced views along this shaded walk. A picnic table among the Sydney Red Gums, just before the two main lookouts, makes a wonderful spot for a snack

Total climbing: 34m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Pindar Cave walk starts and ends at the Wondabyne Station (gps: -33.492083, 151.25696)

Train. (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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