Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters

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7 hrs

17.2 km One way

973 m

Hard track

This full day walk starts from the Congewai valley trackhead (east) and follows the Great North Walk up into the Watagan National Park. Winding east along Georges road for the most part, this walk also passes many great lookouts and gives the option of a side trip down to the 125r lookout, which provides a great view to the south and nice spot for lunch. The walk finishes at the Watagan Headquarters campsite, which has a fire place and a picnic table.

Great North Walk Path in Congewai Valley

Congewai Valley Trail on The Great North Walk

Track on the Great North Walk in Congewai Valley

Georges Road trail on The Great North Walk

View from the Great North Walk Rest Area

Great North Walk sign on Barkers Road Forestry Head Quarters

(0km) Congewai Valley east trackhead → Property Gate

760 m

17 mins

54m

-12m Hard track

From the Congewai Valley east trackhead[1], this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign[2] over the stile[3]. Here the walk follows the track gently uphill[4] through the open forest, leaving the Congewai Valley Road behind. After about 500m, this walk comes to a stile[5] (with farmland[6] and a fence on the left).
Continue straight: From here[7], this walk climbs over the fence using the stile and follows the track gently uphill[8], keeping the more open farmland[9] on your left. The walk continues for about 300m to an intersection with a wide dirt trail, just before a vehicular gate[10], marked with a GNW arrow post.

(1km) Property Gate → Crawford Tank AND Hut

180 m

5 mins

21m

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Drinking Water' sign[11] up along the wide trail, away from the gate. The trail leads gently uphill for about 150m before coming to a large clearing[12] with a hut[13] and water tank[14]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Crawford Tank & Hut

This clearing is home to a water tank[15] and hut[16] on the 'Brown Muir' farm. The water tank[17] was installed by LPMA in 2011 for walkers undertaking the Great North Walk. This farm and property have been in the owner's family since original land grants. You are welcome to camp here and use the hut as shelter. The hut is a simple structure with an earth floor[18], some tables[19], seating and some beds[20], although best to sleep in your tent. There is an old pit toilet on the side of the clearing[21]. A sign reminds visitors not to light fires[22], this is a fuel stove only area. Wave and say hello to the owners Jill and Martin if you see them.

(1km) Property Gate → Int on GNW bushtrack

1.2 km

31 mins

125m

-1m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide trail gently downhill and through the gate[23], and into the signposted 'Edwin Crawford Conservation Area'. The trail bends right, then starts to lead gently uphill[24] for about 1.2km, until coming to a faint three-way intersection[25] with a track[26] (on the right), marked with a couple of GNW arrow posts[27].

(2km) Int on GNW bushtrack → Old Loggers Hut

1.9 km

54 mins

239m

-44m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection[28], this walk follows the GNW arrow post uphill[29][30]. After about 700m, the track becomes narrower and much steeper as it climbs up to, then follows, the main ridge line. After about 600m of mostly steep climbing, the track then leads more gently uphill[31], enjoying the views through trees (on the right). The walk continues gently up this section for another 400m, then heads over a small rise and comes down to a T-intersection[32] with the dirt Georges Road marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign.
Turn right: From the intersection[33], this walk follows the GNW arrow marker gently downhill[34] along the dirt road. After 80m, this walk passes a small dam[35] and comes to an old tin hut[36] (on the left).

Old Loggers Hut

This Old Hut found beside Georges Rd, is in a state of disrepair. The corrugated iron[37] and wooden[38] hut has a dirt floor[39] and a simple fire place. The hut's condition is poor and would not provide suitable shelter. Just south of the hut is a small dam[40]. The hut was once used by loggers harvesting timber from these hills

[41]

(4km) Old Loggers Hut → Georges Rd rest area

300 m

5 mins

-2m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the old loggers hut[42], this walk follows the dirt road north-east along the top of the ridge, initially keeping the hut to your left. After about 300m, the trail leads to a large clearing with great views on the left, Georges Road rest area[43][44].

Georges Road Rest Area

This campsite is located above Wallaby Gully, off Georges Road. The clearing has a scattering of trees[45], and has awesome views of Wallaby Gully[46]. There is room for a few tents and small campfire[47].

(4km) Georges Rd rest area → Barraba Campsite

320 m

6 mins

13m

-3m Moderate track

Continue straight: From Georges Road rest area[48], this walk follows the dirt road gently uphill[49], initially keeping the rest area on your left. The walk continues for about 200m until coming to a three-way intersection[50], marked with a GNW arrow marker.
Continue straight: From the intersection[51], this walk follows the 'Barraba Trig Rest Area' sign[52] north-east, gently uphill along the trail[53]. Following a few GNW arrow markers over about 90m, this trail then comes to a large flat clearing[54][55] signposted as 'Barraba campsite'[56], with some lovely large grass trees[57].

Barraba Campsite

Barraba campsite[58], near Georges Road on the Great North Walk, is quiet rest area where campers can stay the night and set up a campfire[59]. The small, semi-secluded campsite is surrounded by lovely large grass trees[60]. The campsite has a 'Walker register' book so you can note your intentions. The campsite has no facilities or water.

(4km) Barraba Campsite → Saddle Rest Area

1.8 km

43 mins

78m

-164m Hard track

Continue straight: From the Barraba campsite, this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign[61] east, downhill along the grassy trail. After about 220m, the walk heads past the 'Barraba Trig Rest Area' sign[62] (pointing back uphill) to then climb the fence using the stile[63] (beside the gate[64]).
Continue straight: From the locked gate[65], this walk heads downhill along the wide dirt trail, directly away from the 'Barraba Trig' sign[66]. The trail leads down for about 400m, moderately steeply for a while. As the trail mostly flattens out, the walk climbs over another fence beside a locked gate[67] using the stile[68]. The walk continues down along this trail for almost 200m to pass 'The Barbara Lowes Conservation area' sign[69]. Here, the walk climbs over the fence using the stile[70] beside the vehicular gate[71]. There are filtered valley views to your left[72].
Continue straight: From the locked gate[73], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[74], while keeping the views on your left (and ignoring the trail on your left). This walk undulates gently up and down the side of the hill for about 1 km, until coming to a saddle[75], with views on the left and dam[76] on the right.

Saddle Rest Area

This rest area consists of a clearing[77] on a saddle, with a small dam nearby[78]. There is space for a number of tents and access to water after rain (treat before use).

(6km) Saddle Rest Area → Int of Georges Rd AND Watagans National Park boundary gate

730 m

17 mins

36m

-57m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the saddle, this walk follows the trail gently uphill, initially keeping the views on your left and fire dam on your right. The walk continues with the cliffs[79] on your right for just shy of 300m then after another 400m, just past the 'Private Property/Walkers Only' sign[80], this walk heads over the fence using a stile[81] beside the gate. There are wide valley views[82] from here, and a clearing on the left[83].

Great North Walk Rest Area

Located on George Road, this rest area is situated by a steep, unfenced drop[84] with spectacular views[85]. There is space for a few tents and a small campfire[86], there are no facilities or water here.

(7km) Int of Georges Rd AND Watagans National Park boundary gate → Top of the 125r Lookout trail

1.3 km

33 mins

99m

-53m Hard track

Continue straight: From the locked gate[87], this walk follows the dirt Georges Road moderately steeply downhill[88] at first, keeping the views[89] on your left. The walk undulates, moderately steeply in a couple of places, winding around the side of a few hills for about 1km, and then heads around a sharp left-hand bend (passing a faint roadside clearing[90], on the right). The walk continues for another 500m along the dirt road to come to a three-way intersection, with 125r trail and '125r Lookout' sign[91] (on the right).

(8km) Top of the 125r Lookout trail → 125r Lookout Rest Area

860 m

17 mins

15m

-50m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection[92], this walk follows the '125r Lookout' sign[93] south gently downhill[94] along the grassy trail. The walk continues through forest[95] for about 900m, until coming to the end of the road[96] and an unfenced lookout with wide valley views[97]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

125r Lookout

The 125r Lookout, in the Watagan National Park, is located on a track off Georges Road[98]. This unfenced clearing[99] is on a cliff edge and has broad views o over the surrounding valleys[100][101]. This small clearing has been used as a campsite[102].

(8km) Top of the 125r Lookout trail → Northern rest area

1.3 km

31 mins

76m

-68m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection[103], this walk follows the GNW arrow marker east along Georges Road as it first bends left, initially keeping the 125r Lookout track on your right. After about 400m, the road leads down and across a flat saddle, then leads moderately steeply up[104] for about 400m, where the trail mostly flattens out then comes to the top of the hill. There are views[105] from the unfenced cliff here, on the left.

Great North Walk Rest Area

This is a small rest area on the side of Georges Road, providing room to rest up and for a small campfire. There are also some nice views through the trees but be careful as this rest area is near a steep drop.

(10km) Northern rest area → Narrow Place Lookout

1.5 km

33 mins

57m

-90m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the rest area, this walk follows the dirt George Road east, initially keeping the views on your left. The road gently undulates along the ridge for about 1.5km, coming to the unsignposted Narrow Place Lookout[106], where there is a short metal post fence[107] and wide valley (on the left).

Narrow Place Lookout

Narrow Place Lookout is perched high on an partially-fenced[108] cliff and provides great views north over the farmland and bush towards Cessnock[109]. The lookout is beside a dirt road and a fairly large clearing[110].

(11km) Narrow Place Lookout → Int of Georges AND Heaton Rds

4.8 km

1 hr 32 mins climb

134m

-153m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the Narrow Place lookout[111], this walk follows Georges Road east gently downhill[112], initially keeping the views to your left. The road leads through forest for about 1.8km, ignoring a few smaller side trails until coming to a three-way intersection[113] (with the Congewai Creek track, on the right), marked with a GNW arrow post[114].
Continue straight: From the intersection[115][116], this walk follows the GNW arrow post east along the dirt Georges Road as it leads gently downhill[117], initially keeping the main valley to your left. The road leads along the ridge among the tall trees, past a few small clearings and side tracks for about 2.2km to pass a gate and timber fence[118] (on your left). The walk continues along this main road for another 600m, coming to a T-intersection[119] with the dirt Heaton Road, marked with a 'Watagans National Park' sign[120].

(16km) Int of Georges & Heaton Rds → Forestry H.Q campsite

1.2 km

25 mins

60m

-7m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection[121], this walk follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign gently uphill along the dirt Heaton Rd[122]. The road leads up along the ridge through the tall forest for about 1.1km, until coming to a Y-intersection[123] with Bakers Rd and a large sign with many names[124].
Veer left: From the intersection[125], this walk follows the 'Hunters Lookout' sign[126] gently uphill along Bakers Road[127]. The walk continues along this road for a bit over 150m, coming to a three-way intersection[128], just in front of the signposted 'Watagan Headquarters' campsite[129].

Watagan Headquarters

Watagan Headsquarters campsite[130] (aka Forestry HQ) is located in the Heaton State Forest, beside Bakers Rd, near Heaton Rd. This campsite has wood fired barbecues[131], picnic tables[132] and a garbage bin[133]. The large, flat, cleared area[134] allows plenty of room to pitch a tent. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so there is no longer water available.

Maps for the Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters 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.

Quorrobolong	1:25 000 Map Series	91322S QUORROBOLONG	NSW-91322S
Cessnock	1:50 000 Map Series	91322 CESSNOCK	CW-91322
Cessnock	1:100 000 Map Series	9132 CESSNOCK	9132

Cross sectional view of the Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters

Altitude analysis for Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters

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	17.2 km
		Time	7 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		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

6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 6km has short steep hills. The remaining (4.8km) is very steep.

Quality of track

11km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 6km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (440m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 17km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 170m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 13km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4.5km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 17km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 16km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.1km 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 Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters walk.

Georges Road Rest Area to 125r Lookout

4.4 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This return walk starts from a nice rest area on Georges Road and follows the road along the ridge, passing several great lookout points across the valley, to the quiet little 125r lookout, which provides a nice open clearing that just screams lunch time. Please note that Watagan and Georges Roads a

Total climbing: 209m

Moderate track

Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite

29.7 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Congewai Valley east track head and heads north up into the Watagan National Park, climbing up to the ridgeline and following the management trails and bush tracks heading east all the way to the Forestry HQ campsite. On day two, the walk continue

Total climbing: 1702m

Hard track

The Basin Campsite to Heaton Gap

60.5 km One way, 4 Days

This four day walk starts at the Basin Campsite, in the Olney State Forest, and follows the Great North Walk, heading north. The walk passes through to the Watagan State Forest and into the Congewai Valley, continuing east into the Watagan National Park and all the way through to Heaton Gap. The thr

Total climbing: 3206m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters walk.

Flat Rock to Congewai Valley East Track Head

13.8 km One way, 5 hrs

Starting from the grand views of Flat Rock Lookout high on the range, you will walk down into the Congewai Valley below. On the first section of this walk, you will explore a little used dirt road to the Congewai Communication Tower. From here you follow a series of tracks that wind down, steeply i

Total climbing: 336m

Hard track

Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley East Track Head

17.8 km One way, 7 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Watagan Creek Road and heads north, up the side of the valley then along the dirt roads to the Congewai communications tower. From the tower, you follow a bush track and wind down into the valley, through some farmland and along to the Congewai west

Total climbing: 720m

Hard track

Watagan Creek Road to Flat Rock

4.1 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk starts on Watagan Creek Road and soon crosses the lovely Watagan Creek. From this point, the walk leaves the Watagan valley and climbs steeply up the bush track through forest. The walk then travels on dirt road, passing a campsite and rest area, before arriving soon afterwards at the un

Total climbing: 384m

Hard track

Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West)

12.6 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Watagan Creek Road and winds north across the valley and up into the Watagan State Forest, following the ridge lines around the Flatrock Lookout and down into the Congewai Valley before finishing at the track head at Congewai Valley Road. There ar

Total climbing: 649m

Hard track

Boarding House Dam Circuit

718 m Circuit, 30 mins

This a cool walk on a on a hot day. Take your time exploring the rock formations along the creek, before finding the moss wall. Walk alongside the moss wall to its end, and then follow a track through moist rainforest back to the dam. A pleasant relaxed walk starting and finishing from the Boardi

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

Moss Wall Walk

516 m Return, 15 mins

A gentle walk past the Boarding House dam and through moist rainforest to a long straight moss covered wall. Spend some time exploring the creek and pools beside the moss wall before retracing your steps back to the Boarding House dam picnic area and car park. A cool sheltered spot to relax, parti

Total climbing: 22m

Moderate track

Watagan Forestry HQ campsite to Heaton Gap

12.5 km One way, 6 hrs

This walk starts from the Watagan Forestry HQ campsite and follows the Great North Walk through the Watagan State Forest. The walk then heads out to Heaton lookout and down the long descent into Heaton Gap, passing several more fantastic lookouts and picnic areas on the way. The walk finishes at He

Total climbing: 729m

Hard track

Watagan Headquarters to Heaton Lookout

8.1 km One way, 4 hrs

This scenic walk includes dramatic lookouts and time spent in moist cool forest. The walk initially travels on dirt road past Hunter and MacLean’s Lookout, before descending into the Wallis Creek catchment. Here the walk traverses underneath many cliffs before crossing Wallis Creek and arriving at

Total climbing: 571m

Hard track

Gap Creek Falls Walk

1.5 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk leads to one of the best waterfalls in the Hunter area and is highly recommended. The walk travels through dense rainforest, before descending to an inspiring amphitheatre of rock with the dramatic Gap Creek Falls. Spend some time looking around the base of the falls, particularly behind

Total climbing: 162m

Moderate track

Gap Creek Rainforest Walk

1.7 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk takes you deep into moist rainforest and is well worthwhile. The walk is mostly flat and travels through a varied and healthy rainforest, with strangler fig vines, large older trees and lots of wildlife. If you are lucky, you could find the protected yabbies in the creek at the end of the

Total climbing: 111m

Hard track

Monkey Face Cliff Walk

406 m Return, 30 mins

This short but steep walk to the base of an attractive cliff is worthwhile. The walk travels through open forest with gum trees and Xanthorhoea trees to eventually follow timber steps steeply to the base of the Monkey Face cliff. This cliff is used by rock climbers and abseiling parties, so be awa

Total climbing: 65m

Hard track

Abbotts Falls Walking Track

7.3 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This circuit takes you through both dry and moist forest, using a combination of walking trails and wider tracks. The side trip to the dammed pool is recommended, to see the deep Aboriginal carved grooves by the pool. This walk travels through open forest with wild flowers (in season) to descend i

Total climbing: 329m

Hard track