Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

4.3 km One way

153 m

Hard track

This section of the Great North Walk start from grand views at Heaton Lookout in Heaton state forest and leads to the picnic area and motel at Heaton Gap. The first section of this walk follows the dirt road to a communication tower before passing another lookout and expansive valley views. Here you start the steep decent along a rocky track and passing a lovely grove of grass trees. From here you follow a grassy trail and powerlines before the narrow track leads down and across the road at Heaton Gap.

Walking along the road north of Heaton Lookout

Signpost for the Heaton Loop trail beside the Great North Walk

Walking along the road between Heaton Lookout and Tower

The Great North Walk near Mt Heaton Communications tower

View from platform near Heaton Gap Lookout

Walkers Register box near Heaton Gap Lookout

Looking down the track near Heaton Gap Lookout

Grass trees on the Great North Walk below Heaton Gap Lookout

Steep section of trail between Heaton Gap Lookout and Heaton Gap

Looking down powerline clearing near Heaton Gap

GNW track leading through the forest above Heaton Gap

Grassy area beside motel and petrol staion

Heaton Lookout

Heaton Lookout[1] is one of the larger lookouts located on Heaton Road. This fenced lookout faces south-east. There are wood fired barbecues[2], picnic tables[3] and a pit toilet[4]. Heaton Lookout is a great place to stop for a snack, and the amazing view[5] feels like a bonus. This lookout was named after Richard Heaton, a timber cutter who came to Australia as a convict. There is a water tank here, due to vandalism in the area this is not a reliable water source.

(0km) Heaton Lookout. → Heaton Communications Tower

2.4 km

54 mins

144m

-54m Moderate track

From 'Heaton Lookout'[7], this walk follows the 'Heaton Gap' sign[8] gently uphill along the dirt Heaton Rd[9], past the toilet[10]. After about 250m, the road leads past the 'Heaton Loop Trail' side track[11], then about 250m later (staying left at the Y-intersection) the road passes another section of the same signposted track[12] as the road bends left, enjoying the views over the clearing (on your right). The road now leads gently uphill[13] for about 1.7km, ignoring a series of side tracks until coming to a clear three-way intersection[14] just past the brick building[15] and fenced communication tower[16] (on the right, and a small dam on the left).

(2km) Heaton Communications Tower → Heaton Gap Lookout

620 m

13 mins

-69m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[17], this walk follows the GNW arrow marker[18] off the main road, heading east along the wide trail, initially keeping the fenced tower[19] on your right. The trail follows the power lines[20]. The unsignposted and unfenced clearing[21] has wide, uninterrupted views to the south.

Heaton Gap Lookout

Heaton Gap lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and catch your breath in Heaton State Forest. This unfenced lookout[22] offers exhilarating views over the valleys towards Tuggerah Lake and Lake Macquarie[23]. this unsignposted view, as with many features in the area, was named after Richard Heaton, a timber cutter who came to Australia as a convict. More info.

(3km) Heaton Gap Lookout → Int of GNW and Freemans Drive tracks

860 m

22 mins

-190m Hard track

Continue straight: From Heaton Gap Lookout[25], this walk follows the track east, moderately steeply downhill, initially keeping the view from Heaton Gap Lookout[26] on your right. After about 60m, the track leads to a timber platform with more views[27], underneath the power lines. The walk continues past some handrailing for about 20m to come to the 'Great North Walk Walker Register' post[28]. After noting your intentions, the walk continues steeply downhill[29] with stone and timber steps[30] and sections for handrail for about 200m, past the rock boulders and grass trees where the track widens into a narrow grassy trail. Here the walk follows this trail and the power lines downhill, steeply[31] in places, for about 600m, until coming to a level unsignposted three-way intersection[32] with the Freemans Drive trail[33] (on the right).

(4km) Int of GNW track and Freemans Drive trail → Heaton Gap Track Head

360 m

10 mins

-82m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection[34], this walk follows the GNW arrow post and power lines[35] steeply downhill[36] along the trail. The walk continues for about 180m to find a three-way intersection[37], with a GNW arrow marker on the right (where the power line trail bends left). The walk turns right, leaving the power lines and following the GNW arrow marker steeply down a narrower forested track[38]. The track winds down some timber steps, towards the sound of traffic for about 160m then down a timber staircase[39] to the edge of Freemans Drive. Here the walk crosses Freemans Drive[40] (busy road, please be careful to look and listen for traffic) and comes to the Watagan Forest Motel[41], petrol station (on the left), picnic area[42] and signposted 'Heaton Gap Track Head'[43] (on the right).

Watagan Forest Motel

Watagan Forest Motel[44] is located on Branxton-Toronto Road. This retro-style motel is located right on the Great North Walk. The motel offers six rooms[45] for around $99 per night - each with a double bed[46] (four rooms also have twin singles), a television[47], bathroom with shower[48], air conditioning[49], and breakfast included. Room service is available. Adjoining the motel is a service station[50], which also offers dining room meals as well as a small grocery selection (bread, milk, bottled water, rice, pasta, etc), open until 8:30pm daily. A rest area is situated next to the motel, with covered picnic tables and garbage bins[51]. For further information, phone (02)4938 0149.

Maps for the Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap 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 Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap

Altitude analysis for Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap

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	4.3 km
		Time	2 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	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 3.1km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 1.2km is very steep.

Quality of track

2.4km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 980m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (860m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

This whole walk, 4.3km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 4.3km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 4.3km 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 Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap walk.

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

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 Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap walk.

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

Heaton Gap to Teralba station

14.8 km One way, 6 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Heaton Gap near the Watagan Forest Motel, and winds east, towards Newcastle. The walk passes through the Awaba State Forest and past the Sugarloaf range, down into Wakefield and on to Teralba, a pleasant town on the edge of Lake Macquarie. Accommodati

Total climbing: 460m

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

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

The Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap ends at the Heaton Gap Track Head (gps: -32.965275, 151.47939)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Heaton State Forest

Boardering Watagan national Park, Heaton State forest is home to many great lookouts. There sre many highpoints with cliff edges giving great views across the Hunter valley and Lake Macquarie.

Awaba State Forest

A large parcel of land west of the northern end of lake Macquarie, Awaba state forest lines the side of part of the Sydney - newcastle freeway. The park is home to mostly native forest

Comments

Download PDF

Open in App

Short URL: http://wild.tl/hlthg