Great North Walk: Watagan Creek Road to Flat Rock

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 unfenced Flat Rock Lookout. Flat Rock Lookout is a natural rock platform that offers magnificent views across the Congewai Valley to the east and north. An enjoyable walk, offering pleasant walking through forest and an outstanding viewpoint. Let us begin by acknowledging the Awabakal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Watagan Creek Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.

'Laguna' gate on Watagan Creek Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Passing through farmland south of Watagan Creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2010.

GNW gate and electric fence box south of Watagan Creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Crossing Watagan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Farmland near Watagan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Watagan Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Please shut the gate north of Watagan Creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Tree-covered bank near farmland Watagan Creek valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Meandering track Watagan Creek valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Clear track on north slope of Watagan Creek valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Timber steps on a steep hill Watagan Creek valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Grass tree (Xanthorrhoea sp) south of Langans Rd Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Langans Rd Watagan State Forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Langans Rd meets Cabans Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Walkers Rest Area Langans Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.

BBQ at Walkers Rest Area Langans Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Langans Rd south of Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2010.

Valley views from Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2010.

View from Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.

The fenced-off cliffs near Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.

Watagan Creek valley to the north-east Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.

Flat Rock Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Full Journey	Great North Walk
Start	From the Watagan Creek Road (near the Mt Warrawolong Campsite camp_site) (-33.0284246,151.2734063)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Mandalong Road Off - Ramp then drive for 460 m Keep left and drive for another 1.7 km Turn right onto Deaves Road and drive for another 3.8 km Turn left onto Freemans Drive and drive for another 970 m Turn left onto Martinsville Road and drive for another 4.5 km Turn left onto Watagan Road and drive for another 7.1 km Turn slight right onto Watagan Forest Road and drive for another 3.5 km Keep left onto Wollombi Forest Road and drive for another 3.6 km Turn right onto Wollombi Forest Road and drive for another 7.9 km
Finish	Flat Rock Lookout (-33.0032757,151.2720173)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes

Getting started
From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow along the dirt Watagans Creek Road over the small rise, while keeping the main valley to your right. The road soon come to an intersection, marked with a GNW arrowpost with a track and paddock gate (with 'Laguna' sign) on the right.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post down the short but steep road embankment, and passes through the paddock gate (with a 'Laguna' sign on it). The walk continues gently downhill across farmland for about 200m, until coming to, and heading through, a paddock gate with a 'Great North Walk' sign (and a yellow electric fence box).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Watagan Creek Road Start (a walking track). Watagan Creek Campsite (about 130 m back from the start). Watagan Creek Campsite Watagan Creek Campsite This is a Great North Walk signposted campsite, with plenty of room for a few tents but providing minimal facilities ie. no water, toilets or tables. There is, however, a bench and room for a fire. + - This is a Great North Walk signposted campsite, with plenty of room for a few tents but providing minimal facilities ie. no water, toilets or tables. There is, however, a bench and room for a fire. After 140 m pass the "Great North Walk". After 205 m pass the "Great North Walk". After another 1.1 km pass the "Great North Walk". After another 930 m pass the "Great North Walk" (on your right).
	From the Harris Trail continue straight. After another 800 m (at the intersection of Langans Road & Hearns Road) continue straight, to head along Langans Road. After another 560 m pass the "Great North Walk" (5 m on your left). Then pass a seat (8 m on your left). After another 80 m find the "Great North Walk Campsite" (10 m on your left). Great North Walk Campsite Great North Walk Campsite This neat little signposted campsite consists of a brick fireplace with a couple of basic wooden seats and some room for a few tents. There is no water available at this campsite. + - This neat little signposted campsite consists of a brick fireplace with a couple of basic wooden seats and some room for a few tents. There is no water available at this campsite.
	After another 210 m (from the Langans Road) turn right (a walking track). After another 10 m find the "Flat Rock Lookout" (45 m on your left). Flat Rock Lookout Flat Rock Lookout Flat Rock Lookout is a natural rock platform that offers magnificent views across the Congewai Valley to the east and north. There are, however, no fences or safety railings at the lookout, so walkers will need to exercise extra caution. + - Flat Rock Lookout is a natural rock platform that offers magnificent views across the Congewai Valley to the east and north. There are, however, no fences or safety railings at the lookout, so walkers will need to exercise extra caution. After another 9 m come to "Flat Rock Lookout".
	Continue another 0 m to find Flat Rock Lookout at the end.

Terrain

Great North Walk: Watagan Creek Road to Flat Rock

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	3.8 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 2 h

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.3 km apart with the largest gap of 3.6 km.

Seat: There is one 3.5 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Campsite	-132 m	Watagan Creek Campsite
Seat	3.5 km	[seat]
Campsite	3.6 km	Great North Walk Campsite

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