Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite

Download & Print Map and Notes

4 hrs 30 mins

9.7 km One way

590 m

Hard track

This section of the Great North Walk makes a good walk to a comfortable campsite, with the section along the Lyrebird Trail by the Wollombi Brook being particularly recommended. From the Cedar Brush track head, the walk winds up into the Olney State Forest through bushland (crossing over two moist gullies). Once most of your height is gained, this walk follows unsealed road before dropping down into the Wollombi Brook gully. From here, the walk follows bush tracks along Lyrebird Trail and to the Basin Campsite.

Shady trail north of Cedar Brush track head

Steep hill but gentle track north of Cedar Brush track head

Moist gully north of Cedar Brush track head

Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii)

Cooler creek crossing south of Kingtree Ridge Fire Road

Dende forest south of Kingtree Ridge Fire Road

GNW sign south of Kingtree Ridge Fire Road

Wide trail south of Kingtree Ridge Fire Road

Walkers rest area on Kingtree Ridge Fire Road

Intersection of Kingtree Ridge and Walkers Ridge Roads

Walkers Rest Area sign at Walkers Ridge Road

Meeting an unsealed trail on Walkers Ridge Road

An unsealed trail meets Walkers Ridge Road

Following GNW arrow posts Olney State Forest

Crossing a rocky trail east of Wollombi Brook

Rocky tracks and fallen branches east of Wollombi Brook

Dense forest heading south alongside Wollombi Brook

Fallen tree across trail alongside Wollombi Brook

Intriguing landscapes alongside Wollombi Brook

Meandering track alongside Wollombi Brook

False Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea)

Walking through a tree west of Wollombi Brook

Intersection of Lyrebird and Rock Lilly Trails

Sign at junction of Lyrebird and Rock Lilly Trails

A small bridge east of the Basin campsite

(0km) Cedar Brush Track Head → Int of GNW track & Kingtree Ridge Fire Road

2 km

58 mins

266m

-38m Hard track

From the signposted 'Cedar Brush Creek Trackhead'[1][2] (on Brush Creek Road[3]), this walk crosses the stile[4] and follows the track gently downhill[5], while following the 'Newcastle' sign[6]. The walk continues for about 220m then crosses a timber and metal bridge[7]. On the other side of the bridge, the walk heads gently uphill[8], past the 'Please keep on track' sign[9], then about 100m later this walk comes to 'The Great North Walk Walkers Register' book on a post[10] - a good place to note your intentions. Now in a denser forest, the track begins to wind moderately steeply uphill[11] (crossing over two moist gullies[12][13]) for about 1.5km until coming to a three-way intersection[14][15] with Kingtree Ridge Road.

(2km) Int of GNW track & Kingtree Ridge Fire Road → GNW rest area

120 m

3 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[16][17], this walk follows the GNW arrow post gently uphill along the dirt Kingtree Ridge Road [18]. The walk heads north along the dirt road for about 130m, coming to a flat GNW rest area with a couple of simple bench seats[19][20] (on your left).

Walkers Rest Area

This GNW walkers rest area (signposted) is located beside King Ridge Road, and consists of two benches[21], a campfire and enough room for four or five tents on a grassy level surface[22]. There is no water is available.

(2km) GNW rest area → Int of Kingtree Ridge & Walkers Ridge Roads

3.4 km

1 hr 4 mins climb

115m

-44m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the GNW rest area[23][24], this walk follows the dirt Kingtree Ridge Road gently uphill[25], whilst initially keeping the rest area on your left. The walk follows the series of GNW arrow markers, ignoring a few side roads[26] for about 3.4km, until coming to a T-intersection[27][28][29] with the dirt Walkers Ridge Road, marked with a 'Walkers Rest Area 3.4 km' sign[30] pointing back along the road.

(5km) Int of Kingtree Ridge and Walkers Ridge Roads → Int of GNW & an unsealed road

740 m

15 mins

23m

-25m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads along Walkers Ridge Road, following the Great North Walk arrow west over the hill, past Bobs Point Rd (on the left) and coming down the other side to the signposted intersection on the Great North Walk.
Veer right: From the intersection[31][32], this walk follows 'The Great North Walk' sign[33] and GNW arrow marker north east along the dirt road. The walk continues through forest (ignoring side roads[34]) as it leads over a gentle rise for about 400m, then comes to a three-way intersection[35][36] with a trail (on the left) marked with 'The Great North Walk' sign[37].

(6km) Int of GNW AND an unsealed road → Int of GNW AND Lyrebird trail

1.3 km

34 mins

49m

-200m Hard track

Turn left : From the intersection[38][39], this walk follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[40] south-west, gently downhill[41] along the fairly wide trail. The walk continues down for about 400m, becoming moderately steep partway [42], to come to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow marker[43] (pointing right)[44][45].
Turn right: From the intersection[46][47], this walk follows the GNW arrow post east along the narrow track, which soon bends left and crosses the trail (just below the last intersection). Here, this walk follows the GNW arrow post moderately steeply downhill[48] along the track, and down some stone steps for about 50m. The walk continues for about 700m along the side of the hill. Here the track leads steeply downhill, down a series of timber[49] and rock steps[50] for another 150m, to find a T-intersection[51][52] with the 'Lyrebird Trail', also marked with a 'Basin camping area' sign[53].

(7km) Int of GNW tracks AND Lyrebird Trail → Int of Rock Lilly AND Lyrebird trails

1.9 km

47 mins

125m

-139m Moderate track

Turn sharp left: From the intersection[54], this walk follows the 'Basin Camping Area' sign[55] along the track, while keeping Wollombi Brook on your right. The walk continues through dense vine and mossy forest as the track gently undulates along the side of the gully. Over the first 700m, the track leads past a few sandstone caves[56][57] and crosses over several small creeks. The walk then continues for another 1.2km, where the track enters a more open forest on a saddle[58][59]. At the edge of this saddle is an intersection with the Rock Lilly trail (signposted 'The Basin Camping Area' sign[60] on the right) and a GNW arrow marker[61] pointing directly ahead (also leading to the Basin campsite).

(9km) Int of Rock Lilly and Lyrebird trails → Basin Campsite

340 m

7 mins

-41m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection on the saddle[62][63], this walk follows the GNW arrow marker gently downhill[64] heading west[65] (directly away from 'The Basin Camping Area' sign[66]). The walk continues through tall open forest[67][68] for about 300m, until coming to the large open clearing and Basin campsite[69][70].

Basin Campsite

This large campsite sits by Wollombi Brook on the Great North Walk[71] and is accessible by car. The campsite provides a range of facilities such as a pit toilet[72], picnic tables and chairs[73], wood BBQs[74] and fireplaces[75]. Water is usually available from the water tank[76] or the nearby creek[77] - treat before use.

Maps for the Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite 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.

Murrays Run	1:25 000 Map Series	91314N MURRAYS RUN	NSW-91314N
Dooralong	1:25 000 Map Series	91311S DOORALONG	NSW-91311S
Morisset	1:25 000 Map Series	91311N MORISSET	NSW-91311N
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite

Altitude analysis for Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite

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	9.7 km
		Time	4 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		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 (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

3.7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 3.1km has short steep hills. The remaining (2.9km) is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 4.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 370m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 4.9km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

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

Infrastructure

8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 910m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (340m) 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 Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite walk.

Cedar Brush track head to the Basin Campsite

9.7 km One way, 4 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Cedar Brush track head and winds up into the Olney State Forest, following bushtracks and service trails down into the Wollombi Brook gully. From here, the walk heads south along the Lyre Bird trail to the Basin Campsite. The Basin Campsite provi

Total climbing: 590m

Hard track

Basin Campsite to Watagan Creek Road

13 km One way, 6 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Basin campsite in the Olney State Forest and winds north into the Watagans, via the Warrawolong Flora Reserve. This walk also offers a side trip from Turners Road up to the top of Mt Warrawolong, which is the highest point along the Great North Wa

Total climbing: 784m

Hard track

Basin campsite to Watagan Valley

13 km One way, 6 hrs

This varied walk travels north through the Watagans. Leaving the Basin campsite behind, the walk traverses the Wollombi Brook via the Lyrebird trail. The Wollombi Brook Pool is a great spot to stop (and take a swim) on a hot day. From the pool, the walk climbs into the Warrawolong Flora Reserve us

Total climbing: 784m

Hard track

Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite

33.7 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Yarramalong general store and follows the roads to the Cedar Brush track head. From here the walk heads north through the Olney State Forest to the Basin Campsite. On day two, the walk continues north, through the State Forest, to Mt Warrawolong,

Total climbing: 1615m

Hard track

Somersby to the Basin Campsite

47.4 km One way, 3 Days

This three day walk starts at the Somersby General Store and follows the Great North Walk, heading north, into the the Jilliby State Conservation Area where the first nights campsite is at Stringy Bark Point. The walk continues north, out of the Conservation Area, to Yarramalong for the second night

Total climbing: 2032m

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 Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite walk.

Yarramalong to Cedar Brush

11 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

Starting at the quaint Yarramalong township, this walk follows a couple of rural roads to the Cedar Brush Trackhead. This is the longest road stretch on the Great North Walk. Some people see this is a road slog and either grab a lift or power walk it, others see it as an opportunity to stroll throu

Total climbing: 241m

Easy track

Greta road to Cedar Brush track head

17 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows the Great North Walk from Greta road to the Cedar Brush track head, via the Bumble Hill Dray track and the Yarramalong General Store. While most of this walk is on the road, it does provide a good, mostly level bushwalk and a great stroll along a quiet country road, through a pleas

Total climbing: 547m

Hard track

Bumble Hill Dray track (Greta Rd to Forest Road to Yarramalong)

5.6 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This section of the Great North Walk explores a section of the historic Bumble Hill Dray track. You will walk along the edge of ridge mostly through an open dry eucalypt forests and occasionally through moist ferny gullies as well as alongside the base of a tall rock wall. Bumble Hill Dray track was

Total climbing: 277m

Hard track

Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk

1.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk spends time ambling through beautiful rainforest and is an excellent choice on a hot day. This walk descends into rainforest on a narrow track, with the track becoming indistinct midway through the walk. A recommended walk through attractive forest.

Total climbing: 160m

Hard track

Muirs Rainforest Walk

1.5 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a good walk on a hot day. This walk leaves Muirs Lookout and descends through healthy blackbutt and blue gum forest to find a moist rainforest of ferns and mosses. A quiet sit and picnic within the rainforest would be lovely. This walk returns the same way you have come.

Total climbing: 130m

Moderate track

Forest Road to Yarramalong

8.1 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Great North Walk explores the rural area of Kulnura as you walk along the roads before heading along the historic Bumble Hill Dray track. This track leads you along the edge of ridge mostly through an open dry eucalypt forests and occasionally through moist ferny gullies as well

Total climbing: 336m

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

Pines Circuit Walk

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

This short walk takes you into the moist forest around Dora Creek and is recommended. The walk visits a small waterfall and dammed pool then travels through forest, visiting the large open Pines picnic area before returning to the starting point. The section of this walk near Dora Creek is particu

Total climbing: 56m

Moderate 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

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

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