Devines Hill and Finchs Line circuit

Download & Print Map and Notes

4 hrs 30 mins

9.9 km Circuit

547 m

Moderate track

A great walk with a mixture of historic remnants of the Old Great North Rd, and some beautiful views over the Hawkesbury river and other valleys. Most of this walk follows parts of the convict built road, and a number of information signs along the way give a good insight into the construction and history of the road, making the walk more interesting. The last section of the walk, along Wisemans Ferry Rd, has some great views of the cliffs above. The historic Thomas James bridge, just before the end of the walk, is the oldest in-use bridge on mainland Australia.

The Wisemans ferry end of the Old Great North Road

High retaining wall on the Devines Hill ascent.

Old rock drill marks on the Old Great North Road

Old quarry site on the Old Great North Road

Retaining wall near the top of Devines Hill

Low retaining wall on Finchs Line of road

Abandoned building stones on Finchs Line road

Views from Finchs Line over Wisemans Ferry

Viewpoint on a rock outcrop along Finchs Line

Wisemans Ferry

Wisemans Ferry village is on the banks of the Hawkesbury river, NSW. The town, and nearby car ferry, is named after Solomon Wiseman, a former convict who received a land grant in the area and established the ferry service. The town is a popular day trip and weekend destination from Sydney. There are several good spots to eat in town, including bistros at the Wisemans Ferry Inn and the Wisemans Ferry Bowling club, and takeaway food from Bush Bites cafe. The Riverbend Restaurant can be found in the 'Retreat at Wisemans' for finer dining. The area has some great walking and interesting history surrounding the convict built Old Great North Road. More info.

Old Great North Road

The historic Great North Road was built using convict labour between 1826 and 1836 (this section south of Wollombi was completed in 1832). The road formed a link between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle. There are visible remnants of the original work in bridges, retaining walls and other structures along the way. The 'Convict Trail Project' has member groups involved in the conservation of historical remnants along the road. The Convict Trail Project and the NPWS have erected information signs at various points to illustrate the history. The Convict Trail Project has an excellent website for further reading. More info.

(0km) Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR → Hangmans Rock

1.1 km

31 mins

127m

-49m Moderate track

From the car park and intersection on Wisemans Ferry Rd (about 500m west of the car ferry), the walk passes around a gate, passes an information sign, and follows the 'Old Great North Road' up the hill. This section of the walk winds up the hill, passing numerous cuttings and retaining walls built with convict labour. There are several information signs on the way, making the walk more interesting. The walk then arrives at the signposted "Hangman's Rock".

Hangmans Rock

Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot. More info.

(1km) Hangmans Rock → Int of OGNR and Finchs Line

1.1 km

27 mins

94m

-16m Moderate track

Continue straight: From Hangman's Rock, the walk follows the management trail gently up the hill. The trail bends back and forth as it gently climbs. Another information sign indicates the probable site of a stockade to hold the "more troublesome convicts". A little further along, the walk passes around a gate and reaches the intersection with "Shepherd's Gully Road". There is another information sign at this intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Finchs Line 500m' arrow along the management trail, soon passing a culvert information display. The trail continues further up the gentle hill to reach the signposted intersection with the 'Finchs Line'.

(2km) Int of OGNR and Finchs Line → Finchs Line Lookout Int

1.8 km

39 mins

82m

-74m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Finchs Line' arrow along the management trail. This long meandering section is quite interesting with a nice variety of forest scenery and remnants of the road construction. There are also frequent glimpses of the Hawkesbury river and Wisemans Ferry township through the trees. The walk eventually comes to an unmarked intersection with a bush track (with the management trail bending to the left).

(4km) Finchs Line Lookout Int → Finchs Line Lookout

50 m

3 mins

-39m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track gently down the hill a very short distance to arrive at an informal, unfenced lookout with stunning views across Wisemans Ferry and the Hawkesbury river. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.

Finchs Line lookout

This informal, unfenced (and unnamed) lookout is just off the walking track along the historic Finchs Line Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. There are beautiful views down across the Hawkesbury river and Wisemans Ferry township from here.

(4km) Finchs Line Lookout Int → Finchs Line Sth viewpoint

1.2 km

27 mins

40m

-97m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail steeply up the hill. This section of walk meanders for a while, passing an information sign about the 'Abandoned' works on the Finchs Line, before coming to a series of spots on the right with beautiful views down across the Hawkesbury river and Wisemans Ferry township. The walk continues along these viewing spots to the large rock outcrop, on the right, just as the trail bends to the left and heads away from the cliff line.

Finchs Line viewpoint

This informal, unfenced (and unnamed) lookout is on the trail along the historic Finchs Line Rd near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. The viewpoint sits on a beautiful outcrop of boulders and provides stunning views down across the Hawkesbury river and Wisemans Ferry township.

(5km) Finchs Line Sth viewpoint → Walk Bikes Signpost

970 m

25 mins

79m

-63m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the rock outcrop, the walk follows the management trail away from the cliff line. The trail switches to the other side of the ridge and offers some beautiful views across the valleys behind. The trail starts to drop reasonably steeply and arrives at a junction with a bush track, marked with a sign indicating bikes must be walked.

(6km) Walk Bikes Signpost → Int of Finchs Line and Wisemans Ferry Rd

1.2 km

32 mins

42m

-189m Moderate track

Turn left: From the signpost, the walk follows the bush track as it zigzags down a steep hill, along the path of Finchs Line road. There are some beautiful views away from the track and a lot of ferns, grasstrees and vines surrounding the track. After winding down the hill for quite a while the walk arrives at the intersection with Wisemans Ferry Rd, signposted with 'Finchs Line Walking Track' (about 1.8km east of the car ferry).

(7km) Int of Finchs Line and Wisemans Ferry Rd → Thomas James Bridge

2.4 km

46 mins

80m

-40m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection (about 1.8km east of the car ferry), the walk follows Wisemans Ferry Rd, immediately passing a noticeable sandstone gateway to the left. The road continues, with the Hawkesbury river to the left, and some great views of the cliffs to the right, for quite a while before reaching the northern end of the car ferry (Wisemans Ferry), signposted as the 'Gosford Approach'.
Continue straight: From the northern end (Gosford approach) of Wisemans Ferry, the walk follows Wisemans Ferry Rd, keeping the river to the left. The walk soon arrives at the historic Thomas James Bridge.

Thomas James Bridge

The historic Thomas James Bridge is on Wisemans Ferry Rd, NSW. This is the oldest in-use bridge on mainland Australia (Tasmania has older bridges) and is one of several convict built bridges along the Old Great North Road. The bridge was built during 1830 (the timber deck is more recent) and was named after the overseer of 'Road Party 25' which built the bridge. More info.

(10km) Thomas James Bridge → Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR

100 m

3 mins

-16m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the bridge, the walk follows Wisemans Ferry Rd gently up the hill for a very short distance and arrives at the car park and intersection with The Old Great North Road (about 500m west of Wisemans Ferry crossing).

Maps for the Devines Hill and Finchs Line circuit 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
Lower Portland	1:25 000 Map Series	90312S LOWER PORTLAND	NSW-90312S
St Albans	1:25 000 Map Series	90312N ST ALBANS	NSW-90312N
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131
St Albans	1:100 000 Map Series	9031 ST ALBANS	9031

Cross sectional view of the Devines Hill and Finchs Line circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Devines Hill and Finchs Line circuit

Altitude analysis for Devines Hill and Finchs Line circuit

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	9.9 km
		Time	4 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	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		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

5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 3km has short steep hills. The remaining (1.8km) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.5km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (1.2km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 4.7km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 9km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 10km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2.4km 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 Devines Hill and Finchs Line circuit walk.

Hangmans Rock

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

A relatively short walk with some really nice scenery and some of the historic highlights of the Old Great North Road. This walk climbs part of the well formed Devines Hill ascent. The remnants of the convict built road are impressive and there are good information signs along the trail. The visible

Total climbing: 176m

Moderate track

Devines Hill

3.6 km Return, 2 hrs

A great walk with some really nice scenery and plenty of history. This walk follows the well formed Devines Hill ascent portion of the Old Great North Road. The convict built road is impressive and there are good information signs along the trail. The visible remnants of the Old Great North Road inc

Total climbing: 257m

Moderate track

Shepherds Gully and Devines Hill

4 km One way, 2 hrs

A great one-way walk which offers some beautiful scenery in the moist and shaded parts of Shepherds Gully, some bigger views on Devines Hill and plenty of Old Great North Road history. There are plenty of information signs along the way giving some good background on the convict build roads, making

Total climbing: 257m

Moderate track

Shepherds Gully

4.3 km Return, 2 hrs

The long, gentle climb along Shepherd's Gully has some beautiful scenery and some historic remnants of the Old Great North Road. While the remnants of the road construction are not as impressive as those on the main Devines Hill ascent, they are still interesting. The optional side trip to Hangmans

Total climbing: 244m

Moderate track

Finchs Line viewpoint

4.4 km Return, 2 hrs 15 mins

This pleasant walk follows part of the historic Finchs Line road, the original route for the Great North Road up the hills just north of Wisemans Ferry. The walk starts in moist, fern covered scenery and climbs to drier forest and some stunning views over the Hawkesbury river and Wisemans Ferry area

Total climbing: 373m

Moderate track

Great North Road and Dubbo Gully

27.3 km One way, 2 Days

This walk follows a section of the Old Great North Road along the borders of the rugged Yengo and Dharug National Parks, to then visit more historic sites in Dubbo Gully. This is more of a historic journey than you typical bushwalk. There is a campsite at Ten Mile Hollow providing a comfortable pla

Total climbing: 1372m

Hard track

Bus. Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about $1 per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up from Gosford and drop off near Wisemans Ferry would be approximately $150 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374 (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Dharug National Park

Named after the traditional custodians (the Darug People), this park has much history and some great sandstone formations. The wildflowers in spring add a wonderful touch of colour to the bushland. The Old Great North Road including its quarries, bridges and other features improves access and provides a great deal of interest for visitors. Close to Sydney and Gosford, it feels like stepping back in time when visiting this park.

Yengo National Park

Yengo National park is a large and seemingly remote park. The park stretches from Wisemans Ferry to near Singleton. The park is bound by Putty Rd (and Wollemi NP) on the west. The park has been subject to logging in the past, particularly around Mount Yengo. Much of the park is difficult to access, increasing the sense of wilderness. Yengo NP is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area and is home to sections of the Old Great North Road.

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