Somersby & Mooney Mooney Creek Loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

7 hrs 30 mins

20 km Circuit

744 m

Moderate track

**Closed** 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 up to the spectacular Somersby Falls, following sections of the Great North Walk.

Old Pacific Highway Mooney Mooney Bridge

Int of Old Pacific Highway and Karool rd

Private Property - Stay on Great North Walk

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 → Illoura Lookout

270 m

6 mins

-33m 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.
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'.

(0km) Illoura Lookout → Int of Girrakool and Camp Kariong tracks

970 m

23 mins

44m

-65m Moderate track

Turn left: From Illoura Lookout, the walk follows the left-hand 'Piles Creek' and GNW arrow down the wooden steps (keeping the valley to the right). The track soon passes a 'Caution Low Water Level Crossing Only' sign and crosses Piles Creek using the concrete stepping stones (the creek may be impassable after rain). The track then opens up on an unfenced rock platform, at the top of the waterfall.
Veer left: From the top of Piles Creek waterfall, this walk follows the track heading south away from the waterfall (keeping the big valley to the right). The clear track winds through the thick bush crossing a few small tributaries and though four sandstone caves. The caves provide good shelter and a great spot to rest. The track then flattens out and comes to a 3-way intersection and a 'Girrakool' sign.

(1km) Int of Girrakool and Camp Kariong tracks → Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks

140 m

4 mins

-18m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads south along the wide track in the opposite direction of the 'Girrakool' sign. Soon the track heads down a short wooden staircase to the intersection at the bottom (Piles Creek Lookout visible to the right).

(1km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Piles Ck Lookout

20 m

1 mins

-8m Moderate track

Turn right: 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 right.

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.

(1km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Monolith Cave

80 m

2 mins

16m

0m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the steps and lookout to soon pass a rock wall. A short time later the track leads through the cleft in a rock to reveal a cave on the right.

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.

(1km) Monolith Cave → Rat Gully Lookout

220 m

7 mins

13m

-29m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the cave, this walk heads south following the track away from the rock to soon come to another large and interesting monolithic rock. Soon after this large rock the track starts to head down the hill to come to an old fenced lookout, looking over Rat Gully.

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

290 m

8 mins

14m

-33m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lookout, the track follows the bush track heading downhill. The track soon does a sharp left hand switch back (at the 'Girrakool' sign) and continues down to Rat Gully. The track then crosses the creek and boulder field following the cut steps (and passing the old bridge). On the other side the track heads right, under the fallen tree and then climbs up the hill. After a short meander through the bush the track drops down and crosses another gully (passing a sign pointing back to 'Girrakool') and coming to a 'Great North Walk' signpost and intersection.

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

220 m

9 mins

17m

-47m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Piles Creek' sign[2] down the track (keeping the valley to the right). The rocky track heads steeply downhill[3] for about 170m to Piles Creek[4]. Just past the old bridge[5], this walk climbs up the stairs[6] to cross the Phil Houghton suspension footbridge[7], enjoying the views of the tidal Piles Creek[8]. On the other side, this walk climbs down the stairs[9] to an intersection[10] beside a large clearing[11] (and campsite, on your left).

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 → Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead

2.3 km

47 mins

88m

-68m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection on the northern end of the 'Phil Houghton Bridge', this walk follows the 'Mooney Creek' arrow[12] through the large clearing and campsite[13], keeping Piles Creek to your left[14]. The track leads under a large dead tree[15] then winds past some cliffs[16] and among large boulders[17] for about 1km then crosses a short timber bridge with handrails[18]. Just past this bridge, this walk heads over a short flat timber bridge[19], then about just shy of 150m later, heads along a section of timber boardwalk[20]. From this tall eucalypt forest, this track contours around the side of the hill for about 500m, alongside Piles Creek[21], then starts to climb passing among the grass trees[22] before heading down a handful of timber steps and coming to a three-way intersection marked with a 'Brisbane Waters National Park' sign[23], just before Mooney Mooney Creek.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[24] directly away from the face of the 'Brisbane Waters National Park' sign[25] along the clear track[26], keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to your left. After about 100m, this walk crosses a green timber footbridge[27], then about 200m later comes to a small clearing and intersection just before the road bridge[28]. Here the walk turns right, following the old management trail uphill through the tall forest[29] for about 200m then heading around a locked gate[30]. Just past the gate, this walk turn left and heads up the short steep bank[31] to come to a T-intersection with the old Pacific Hwy, at a large gravel car park[32] marked with 'Mooney Mooney Creek' Trackhead[33] (just east of the Mooney Mooney Creek bridge).

(5km) Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead → Int of Karool Rd and Old Pacific Highway

320 m

7 mins

12m

-25m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign[34] along the narrowing gravel verge[35], keeping the Old Pacific Hwy just to your right. After about 200m, this walk comes to then crosses the concrete road bridge[36] over Mooney Mooney Creek, enjoying the view of the wide creek[37] below. Once on the other side, this walk heads past a detailed 'Risk Warning'[38] sign suggesting you be sensible as you cross the bridge (hope it is not too late) to then come to an intersection with Karool Rd[39], just on the other side of the highway (on your right).

Old Pacific Highway Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge

The Sydney-Hawkesbury stretch of the Pacific Highway was built in the 1920s, replacing a route that had existed since the 1830s. The original Peats Ferry Road was cut by a settler named George Peat, making a track to his property on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. This road became the 'Old Pacific Highway' upon the opening of the F3, or Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, in the 1980s. This bridge is the smaller of two crossing Mooney Mooney Creek - the other, Mooney Mooney Bridge, is part of the F3 freeway and is the highest road bridge in Australia.

(5km) Int of Karool Rd and Old Pacific Highway → Int under Mooney Mooney Bridge

820 m

14 mins

11m

-21m Very easy

Turn right: From the intersection[42], this walk follows the gravel 'Karool Road'[43] gently downhill, keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to your right[44]. This road leads past a few homes for about 600m to then pass a notable houseboat house[45]. About 250m past this house, this walk come to a Y-intersection[46], marked with a 'The Great North Walk' sign[47], just before the tall concrete Mooney Mooney Bridge[48].

(6km) Int under Mooney Mooney Bridge → Footbridge

2 km

38 mins

58m

-54m Moderate track

Veer left: From the 'Y' intersection[49], this walk follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[50] along the upper dirt road to pass under the Mooney Mooney (F3 freeway) Bridge[51]. Just over 250m after passing under the tall bridge, this walk leads up to a large turning area[52] just before the locked gate[53], marked with a 'Brisbane Water National Park' sign[54].
Continue straight: From the end of the dirt road[55] (that branches of Karool Rd, just north of the Mooney Mooney Bridge), this walk heads uphill along the trail and around the locked gate[56] next to the timber 'Brisbane Water National Park' sign[57]. The trail leads uphill for about 200m to where the trail bends left to pass over the crest of the hill (passing a faint track on your left[58]). Here the trail leads down the other side, still keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to your right[59] for another 400m to come to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow post[60], beside a large grassy clearing[61] (no camping).
Veer right: From the intersection[62] just above the clearing, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[63] down along the track, keeping the clearing and campsite[64] to the right. The track soon leads over a small flat timber bridge[65] then over the next 60m, the track heads under the high tension power lines (past the caution sign[66]) and then along a short section of timber boardwalk[67]. About 20m later, this walk veers right at a Y-intersection[68], then continues along the mostly flat track beside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 300m, to cross a small rocky tidal creek[69]. The track then continues through the tall forest[70] beside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 600m, passing a couple of she-oak stands[71] before the track then bends left and comes to an indistinct intersection[72] beside a timber and metal footbridge[73].

(8km) Footbridge → Ausburn Creek crossing

1.5 km

27 mins

34m

-24m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the timber and metal footbridge[74] over a tidal, unnamed creek[75] to then turn right and follow the track which soon bends left. Keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to the right[76], this track passes a small cliff[77] and then follows the mostly flat track through the tall forest[78] for about 170m to come to a large clearing with tall blue gums[79]. (This was once a campsite, camping is not safe and not permitted)
Continue straight: From the campsite[80], this walk follows the clear track north, keeping the wide Mooney Mooney Creek to your right. The clear, wide and mostly flat track leads alongside the creek[81] for about 1.2km to come to the southern bank of Ausburn Creek[82] (about 130m past a rock wall[83], on your left), a few metres above its confluence with Mooney Mooney Creek[84]

(9km) Ausburn Creek crossing → Lower Mooney Mooney Dam

2.1 km

50 mins

135m

-98m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the south bank of Ausburn Creek, this walk crosses the narrow rock platform and creek[85], then follows the track fairly steeply uphill[86] for about 200m. At the top of this climb, the track gently undulates[87] alongside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 700m before heading down to find a large rock platform[88] on the western bank of Mooney Mooney Creek. This large rock platform is a natural ford of the perennial Mooney Mooney Creek[89] and is home to a scattering of small and large waterholes[90].
Continue straight: From the bank of Mooney Mooney Creek, this walk crosses the wide rock platform[91] and creek[92] to find the track again on the other side[93]. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. Here the walk turns left and follows the rocky track that leads gently up alongside the creek through the pleasant forest[94]. After a little over 1km, the walk comes into view of the tailwater of the dam[95] and then past a fenced cutting[96] (on your right), the site of an old pump house[97]. About 60m past this fenced area, the walk leads up along the now widening track to find the edge of the fenced lower Mooney Mooney Dam wall[98].

(11km) Lower Mooney Mooney Dam → Int of the dam trail and the old Somersby Falls track

1.7 km

40 mins

143m

-25m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lower Mooney Mooney Dam[99], this walk heads uphill along the old trail[100], initially keeping the water on your left. The trail leads up, enjoying the occasional glimpse of water[101] (on your left) for about 400m to pass a washed-out section of the old trail[102]. From here, the walk continues up along the trail for about 1.3km, getting steeper as it climbs, and comes to a three-way intersection marked with a 'Mooney Creek' sign[103] pointing back downhill.

Lower Mooney Dam

Lower Mooney Dam is located on the Mooney Mooney Creek, about 21 km upstream from the Hawkesbury River. In March 1938 the Gosford Mayor turned the tap to add the water from this dam into the small town water supply of the time. It is a concrete arch dam, with a capacity of 1,000 megalitres, and was superseded by the more than 4 times larger 'Upper Mooney Dam' in 1982. There is a set of timber steps and a faint track that leads down to the waters edge on the uphill side of the dam wall[107], the dam wall is fenced and is clearly out of bounds[108]. A sign reminds visitors that swimming is not allowed[109].

(13km) Int of Great North Walk and Somersby Falls track → Int of Great North Walk and Somersby Falls GNW track head

700 m

16 mins

45m

-19m Moderate track

Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Somersby Falls' sign up along the bush track, passing a 'private property' sign and running parallel to a barbed-wire fence, which it eventually crosses (using the stiles) to the road.

(14km) Int of Great North Walk and Somersby Falls GNW track head → Somersby Falls picnic area entrance

1.6 km

29 mins

26m

-47m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow along the road, keeping the large horse paddock to the right. The walk continues past a four-way intersection with another dirt road, and heads down and across a stream as the road bends around a corner. From here, the walk keeps following the road to the intersection with Somersby Falls Road, just outside the entrance to the Somersby Falls Picnic Area.

Somersby Falls Picnic Area

Somersby Falls Picnic Area is located at the end of Somersby Falls Rd, inside Brisbane Water National Park. There is parking (and coach parking), gas BBQ's, picnic tables and bench seats, toilets (include wheelchair accessible) garbage bins, recycling bins, tap water (not for drinking) and information signs. This is a great and popular spot to enjoy a picnic lunch and the waterfalls. A national Park entry fee applies for cars driving in.

(15km) Somersby Falls picnic area entrance → Bottom of Bottom Falls

340 m

7 mins

-45m Moderate track

Turn right: From the entrance gate at the entrance to Somersby Falls picnic area, this walk follows the driveway past the bus parking area to the main picnic area and car park. (Alternatively, the walk can follow the Great North walk track into the picnic area, that starts a short distance to the north).
Turn right: From the information board at Somersby Falls Picnic area (at the end of Somersby Road), this walk follows the 'To the Falls' sign down the stone, then timber stairs. At the bottom of the timber staircase the walk comes to an intersection with a short path leading to the 1st Fall Lookout.
Veer left: From the bottom of the stairs, this walk follows the stone stairs down the hill (keeping the valley to the right). The track passes through some pleasant bush, past a metal arrow post to come to a faint 'T' intersection with a dirt track.
Veer right: From the bottom of the stone steps, this walk follows the timber steps and track down the hill. The track soon leads to a 'Y' intersection with a 'Top Fall / Bottom Fall' sign.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bottom Falls' sign down the hill (keeping the main valley on the right). The track soon heads along a sandstone platform (passing a metal arrow) and down the stone steps to come to a timber platform. The walk follows the platform and heads down the staircases. At the bottom of the timber staircases, the walk turns sharply right to follows the stone steps down to the creek (On the way the track passes over a slippery unfenced rock ledge, care is needed). Just before the creek there is a 'No Track Beyond this point' sign. The steps then lead to the rock platform at the base of the falls. (The rock platform can be slippery and there is an unfenced cliff) At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Somersby Falls (top)

The main Somersby Fall is signposted at 'top falls' in the Brisbane Water National Park. The water cascades steeply down the jagged rock face onto a large rock platform. The unfenced rock platform at the base of the falls is interesting to explore. The water continues its flow across the rock and over another ledge to form the 'bottom falls', then down to Mooney Mooney Creek.

(15km) Somersby Falls picnic area entrance → Int of Pile Rd and Old Pacific Highway

3 km

55 mins

63m

-75m Easy track

Turn left: From the entrance to the picnic area, this walk heads up Somersby Falls Road to the intersection with Vittasalos Road, where it turns right and continues along Somersby Falls Road, through to the roundabout at the intersection with Pile Road.
Turn right: From the roundabout, the walk heads south along Pile Road to the end, where it meets the Old Pacific Highway.

(18km) Int of Pile Rd and Old Pacific Highway → Int of Girrakool and Quarry Rds

1.1 km

21 mins

14m

-41m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads south-west along the Old Pacific Highway, down the long hill to the intersection of the Old Pacific Highway and Girrakool Road.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows Girrakool Road down the hill for a short distance to the intersection with Quarry Rd.

(19km) Int of Girrakool and Gosford Quarries Rds → Girrakool picnic area car park

610 m

11 mins

-25m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down through the Girrakool picnic area gates. The road then leads under the F3 Freeway (through a tunnel) and continues down along the road, winding past a couple of National Park buildings to come to the picnic area car park and some information signs.

Maps for the Somersby & Mooney Mooney 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.

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 Somersby & Mooney Mooney Creek Loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Somersby & Mooney Mooney Creek Loop

Altitude analysis for Somersby & Mooney Mooney 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	20 km
		Time	7 hrs 30 mins
		.
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

12km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 4.7km has short steep hills. The remaining (2.8km) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

8km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 7km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (6km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 11km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 9km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 15km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 5km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 18km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.8km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 18km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Somersby & Mooney Mooney Creek Loop walk.

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

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

Piles Creek Loop

4.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

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.

Total climbing: 306m

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

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

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

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 Somersby & Mooney Mooney 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

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

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

Ironbark Loop

643 m Circuit, 30 mins

A short, interesting walk in the Rumbalara Reserve, near Gosford. This short circuit walk takes in some nice scenery and a couple of the interesting bronze sculptures found in the reserve. Some short deviations from the walk take you to viewpoints with great views over Gosford and the surrounding ar

Total climbing: 29m

Moderate track

Red Gum Walk

1.4 km Circuit, 45 mins

At the time of writing, some or all of the southern leg of the Red Gum Track was closed. The walk described here returns along the road instead. Despite these changes, this is still a worthwhile walk with some nice scenery along the way. Wannagan Lookout has some great views over North Gosford and s

Total climbing: 81m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Somersby & Mooney Mooney 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.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

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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