Great River Walk: Wisemans Ferry to Sugee Bag Creek

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
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 Transport options and directions

Start From the Old Northern Road (-33.3804113,150.9876515)
Mode Car
Directions From
Finish From the Oyster Shell Road (-33.3733504,151.1380684)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the parking area on the west side of the Wisemans Ferry on Old Northern Road, wait until the ferry arrives and the vehicles have unloaded. Then, following instructions, walk down to board the vehicle ferry (no charge), which will take you across the Hawkesbury River. On the other side, walk off the ferry and turn left to walk along the side of Settlers Road for 650m to the signposted intersection with Old Northern Road (on your right).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Old Northern Road Start heading along Old Northern Road (a highway\|primary). There is a BBQ (about 75 m back from the start). There is a shelter (about 75 m back from the start). Wisemans Ferry Park (about 9 m back from the start). Find the Convict Road Kiosk at the start. Mo-Fr 10:00-15:00 Sa, Su 11:00-17:00 Find the toilet at the start. Find the car park at the start. After another 300 m find the "Wisemans Ferry" (on your right). Wisemans Ferry Wisemans Ferry is a car ferry, crossing the Hawkesbury river near the town of Wisemans Ferry in NSW. This is apparently the oldest, still operating, ferry crossing in NSW, possibly Australia. The ferry is named after Solomon Wiseman, a former convict who became a wealthy landowner in the area and established the ferry crossing. The original crossing (est. 1827) was about 2km downstream from the present site (est. 1829). The free ferry operates 24hrs/7days with maintenance closures from 10am to midday on the first Thursday of each month. Then pass the toilet (25 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Wisemans Ferry Road & Old Northern Road turn left, to head along Wisemans Ferry Road. After another 560 m find the "Thomas James Bridge" (on your left). Thomas James Bridge The historic Thomas James Bridge is on Wisemans Ferry Rd, NSW. This is the oldest in-use bridge on mainland Australia (Tasmania has older bridges) and is one of several convict built bridges along the Old Great North Road. The bridge was built during 1830 (the timber deck is more recent) and was named after the overseer of 'Road Party 25' which built the bridge.
	After another 90 m (at the intersection of Old Great North Road & Settlers Road) veer right, to head along Old Great North Road (a vehicle track). After another 20 m head through/around the gate. Then find the "Old Great North Road" (on your left). Old Great North Road The historic Great North Road was built using convict labour between 1826 and 1836 (this section south of Wollombi was completed in 1832). The road formed a link between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle. There are visible remnants of the original work in bridges, retaining walls and other structures along the way. The 'Convict Trail Project' has member groups involved in the conservation of historical remnants along the road. The Convict Trail Project and the NPWS have erected information signs at various points to illustrate the history. The Convict Trail Project has an excellent website for further reading.
	After another 1.1 km find the "Hangmans Rock" (on your right). Hangmans Rock Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot.
	After another 345 m (from the Old Great North Road) continue straight, to head along Old Great North Road. After another 360 m head through/around the gate.
	At the intersection of Old Great North Road & Shepherds Gully Road veer right, to head along Old Great North Road. After another 90 m find the "Devines Hill" (on your left). Devines Hill Devines Hill is a historically significant area on the Old Great North Road, near present day Wisemans Ferry, NSW. There are substantial remnants visible here, including cuttings, retaining walls and quarry sites. There were 3 main road lines built at different times to climb the hills just north of Wisemans Ferry, starting with Finchs Line to the east, followed by the Devines Hill ascent and then Shepherds Gully, to the west. Information signs in the area provide some interesting historical background and the 'Convict Trail Project' has an excellent website for further reading.
	After another 330 m (at the intersection of Old Great North Road & Finchs Line) continue straight, to head along Old Great North Road.
	After another 9.5 km (at the intersection of Old Great North Road & Western Commission Track) continue straight, to head along Old Great North Road.
	After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Old Great North Road & Eight Mile Trail) veer right, to head along Old Great North Road.
	After another 790 m (at the intersection of Old Great North Road & Wat Loop Trail) continue straight, to head along Old Great North Road.
	After another 1.4 km find the "Wat Buddha Dhamma" (15 m on your left). Wat Buddha Dhamma The Wat Buddha Dhamma is a Monastery about 600m south of Ten Mile Hollow Campsite, on the Old Great North Road. The Monks provides a water tank and toilet for people passing by. The monks welcome guests and requests that visitors dress modestly (no shorts or revealing clothing), and that visitors are encouraged to share in the life with the monks.
	After another 570 m (at the intersection of Simpsons Track & Old Great North Road) veer right, to head along Simpsons Track.
	After another 60 m come to the "Ten Mile Hollow" (35 m on your right). W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au This is a free campsite. After another 10 m pass the toilet (35 m on your right).
	After another 4.7 km (at the intersection of Simpsons Track & Ten Mile Hollow Road) veer right, to head along Simpsons Track. After another 15 m find the "Convict Trail plaque and log book" (5 m on your left). Convict Trail plaque and log book In a large clearing at the end of of Ten Mile Hollow Creek is a boulder with a 'Convict Trail' plaque. The inscription provides information on the area and the historic old Great North Road and Simpson's Track. Behind the boulder is a metal box housing a log book, waiting for your entry. After another 1.7 km find the "Inn of the Damned" (10 m on your left). Inn of the Damned Just near this rusty old car is the site of 'Ghost House' used in the film 'Inn of the Damned (1975)'. With the tag-line "Murder... Mystery... Madness..." this movie is a western come horror flick about "mysterious vanishing of guests from a hostel deep in the Australian rain forests of Gippsland, Victoria in 1896, run by the Straulles, an Austrian couple". You will probably enjoy the walk more than the movie :)
	After another 490 m (from the Simpsons Track) continue straight, to head along Simpsons Track. After another 15 m find the "Mangrove Creek bore field" (10 m on your left). Mangrove Creek bore field The Mangrove Creek bore field is a large series of clearings beside Mangrove Creek near the Weir. The bores are part of a series of 7 groundwater systems providing over 9 million litres of drinking water to the Gosford and Wyong communities. The Mangrove Creek Bore field supplies about 1.27 million litres a day. For visitors, the bore fields are an open flat and grassy area with chaged bores and a reminder to take special care to avoid contamination of the environment. After another 4.3 km cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
	Continue another -0 m to find from the Oyster Shell Road at the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Great River Walk: Wisemans Ferry to Sugee Bag Creek

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	27.8 km
Time	8 h to 2 days

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
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	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There is one 16.6 km from the start.

Shelter: There is one -73 m back from the start.

Toilet: There are 3 on route, on average they are 7 km apart with the largest gap of 16.3 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	-73 m	[shelter]
Toilet	0 m	[toilet]
Toilet	340 m	[toilet]
Camp site	16.6 km	Ten Mile Hollow
Toilet	16.6 km	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Gosford Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  19°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm near the coast. Winds south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 15 and 20.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 2:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 5 [Moderate]
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  13°C → 21°C
  Showers easing.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers near the coast, medium chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm near the coast. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching between 16 and 21.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  13°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Medium chance of showers along the coastal fringe, slight chance elsewhere. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 22.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  13°C → 23°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 23.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  14°C → 23°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Tuesday 6 May
  
  13°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Wednesday 7 May
  
  13°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
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