Monkey Face Circuit

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.3 km Circuit

74 m

Moderate track

This short and scenic walk offers two lookouts and a forest walk. Gap Creek viewpoint gives views of dense forest, while the Monkey Face viewpoint gives views of forested farmland in the Gap Creek valley. The short forest walk between these two viewpoints is amongst large rocks and offers views of its own. The cliffs between the viewpoints are used by rock climbers and abseiling parties, so do not dislodge rocks from the top of the cliffs. This is a recommended and scenic walk.

Gap Creek Viewpoint off Monkey Face road in the Watagans

Gap Creek Viewpoint on a cloudy day off Monkey Face Road in the Watagans

Rock cliffs at Gap Creek Viewpoint off Monkey Face road in the Watagans

Distant view from Gap Creek Viewpoint off Monkey Face Road in the Watagans

Track in forest near Gap Creek Viewpoint in the Watagans

Track and rock near Gap Creek viewpoint in the Watagans

Track and track marker near Gap Creek viewpoint in the Watagans

Attractive tree near Gap Creek Viewpoint in the Watagans

Rocks and forest near Gap Creek Viewpoint in the Watagans

Forest track near Gap Creek viewpoint in the Watagans

Track amongst forest near Gap Creek viewpoint in the Watagans

Wide track near Gap Creek viewpoint in the Watagans

Wide track near Monkey Face viewpoint in the Watagans

Intersection near Monkey Face Viewpoint in the Watagans

Sign to Gap Creek Lookout near Monkey Face Viewpoint in the Watagans

Sign showing Monkey Face Picnic Area near Monkey Face viewpoint in the Watagans

Management trail near Monkey Face viewpoint in the Watagans

Afternoon view from Monkey Face viewpoint in the Watagans

View from Monkey Face Lookout in the Watagans

Monkey Face road near Gap Creek viewpoint in the Watagans

Undulating Monkey Face road near Gap Creek viewpoint in the Watagans

Intersection on Monkey Face road near Gap Creek viewpoint in the Watagans

Sign showing Gap Creek Lookout and Monkey Face Lookout on Monkey Face road in the Watagans

Intersection to Gap Creek viewpoint and Monkey Face viewpoint in the Watagans

Looking at intersection on Monkey Face road with Gap Creek viewpoint behind in the Watagans

Gaps Creek Viewpoint

The Gap Creek viewpoint, just off Monkey Face Road, is within the Watagans National Park. This lookout offers good views of the densely forested hill country[1] of the Martinsville Valley. A short walk from the end of the car park allows more attractive views through gumtrees at an unfenced section of the lookout[2].

(0km) Gaps Creek Viewpoint → Int of Monkey Face Rd AND Viewpoint Track

520 m

12 mins

30m

-33m Moderate track

From Gaps Creek Viewpoint[3], this walk follows the track gently downhill[4], while keeping the cliff on your right. The track continues through rocky scrubby forest (always keeping the cliff on your right) for about 500m, until coming to a three-way intersection with Monkey Face Rd.

(1km) Int of Monkey Face Rd & Viewpoint Track → Monkey Face Viewpoint

80 m

2 mins

-19m Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection[5], this walk follows the management trail south and gently uphill, keeping the 'Gap Creek Lookout 600m sign[6] on your right. The trail is followed for about 90m, until coming to the end of Monkey Face Rd[7] and Monkey Lookout[8].

Monkey Face Viewpoint

Monkey Face viewpoint, at the end of Monkey Face Road[9] is within the Watagans National Park. This lookout offers good views of the densely forested hill country of the Martinsville Valley[10]. Monkey Face lookout is named after an old lead bullock from the timber-getting days. More info.

(1km) Monkey Face Viewpoint → Int of Monkey Face Rd & Viewpoint Track

80 m

2 mins

19m

0m Easy track

Turn around: From the end of Monkey Face Rd[12], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[13] and directly away from the lookout[14]. The trail continues for about 90m, until coming to a three-way intersection, with a track and 'Gap Creek Lookout 600m' sign[15] on the left.

(1km) Int of Monkey Face Rd & Viewpoint Track → Int of Monkey Face Rd & Gap Creek Viewpoint Trail

500 m

10 mins

23m

-12m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection[16], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[17] and directly away from 'Monkey Face Picnic Area' sign[18]. The trail heads for about 300m, then continues gently uphill[19] for about 300m more, until coming to a three-way intersection with the 'Gap Creek Lookout/Monkey Face Lookout' sign[20] (on your left).

(1km) Int of Monkey Face Rd & Gap Creek Viewpoint Trail → Gap Creek Viewpoint

120 m

3 mins

-11m Easy track

Turn sharp left: From the intersection[21], this walk follows the trail gently downhill, passing the 'Gap Creek Lookout/Monkey Face Lookout' sign[22] (on your left). The trail then continues for about 110m, until coming to Gap Creek Viewpoint[23] with metal posts[24].

Maps for the Monkey Face 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.

Morisset	1:25 000 Map Series	91311N MORISSET	NSW-91311N
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Monkey Face Circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Monkey Face Circuit

Altitude analysis for Monkey Face 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	1.3 km
		Time	45 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

Around 790m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 520m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 790m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 520m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 790m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 520m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 790m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 520m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 790m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 520m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Monkey Face Circuit walk.

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

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

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

Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap

4.3 km One way, 2 hrs

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

Total climbing: 153m

Hard 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

Hunter Lookout and Great North Walk loop

5.6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This loop track starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area and follows the Great North Walk around the edge of the ridge via the Macleans Lookout, Rocky Creek gully and the cliffs around the eastern edge of the ridge. This walk provides great views across the valley and much of the Hunter to the no

Total climbing: 336m

Hard track

Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This loop walk starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area. The walk provides great views across the valley and winds around the edge of the ridge line, passing Macleans lookout, also with great views. The walk continues along a short section of the Great North Walk, through an open forest to the en

Total climbing: 138m

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

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