Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls
Download & Print Map and Notes5 hrs 30 mins
697 m
Hard track
Girrakool Picnic Area
(0km) Girrakool picnic area car park → Illoura Lookout
270 m
6 mins
0m
-33m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool Loop’ sign down along the stone path. The path soon heads down some steps and comes to a fenced and signposted ‘Illoura Lookout’.
Illoura Lookout
(0.27km) Illoura Lookout → Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks
1.1 km
27 mins
47m
-83m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the top of Piles Creek waterfall, this walk follows the track heading south away from the waterfall (keeping the big valley to the right). The clear track winds through the thick bush crossing a few small tributaries and though four sandstone caves. The caves provide good shelter and a great spot to rest. The track then flattens out and comes to a 3-way intersection and a ‘Girrakool’ sign.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads south along the wide track in the opposite direction of the ‘Girrakool’ sign. Soon the track heads down a short wooden staircase to the intersection at the bottom (Piles Creek Lookout visible to the right).
(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Piles Ck Lookout
20 m
1 mins
0m
-8m
Moderate track
Piles Creek Lookout
(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Monolith Cave
80 m
2 mins
16m
0m
Moderate track
Monolith Cave
(1.46km) Monolith Cave → Rat Gully Lookout
220 m
7 mins
13m
-29m
Moderate track
(1.68km) Rat Gully Lookout → Tributary Crossing
1 km
29 mins
96m
-81m
Hard track
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Patonga Ferry’ sign[3] up the side of the gully, keeping the intermittent creek[4] to your left. The track leads past a ‘Patonga’ sign then winds steeply up the hill for about 130m, through a cleft in the rock[5] and past a few rock walls, and then the track mostly flattens out with some filtered distant views[6]. The track continues gently uphill for another 300m, becoming progressively flatter[7] before passing along the side of a long rock wall[8], with a tall sandstone overhang[9]. The track then crosses a small gully and leads past another overhang, where the track begins to lead downhill. The rocky track winds steeply downhill for about 130m to then cross an intermittent creek which flows over the solid sandstone platform[10].
(2.69km) Tributary Crossing → Scopas Peak
2.4 km
57 mins
189m
-33m
Hard track
(5.11km) Scopas Peak → South end of Scopas Peak Track
1.2 km
23 mins
14m
-80m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the Great North Walk intentions book[29], after leaving your comments, this walk heads south, gently downhill[30] along the clear track. After about 150m, the walk comes to a T-intersection[31] with the Gosford Rifle Range trail – At this intersection is a ‘Girrakool’ sign[32], pointing back along the track.
(6.27km) Int of GNW and Gosford Rifle Range trail → Myron Brook crossing
2.7 km
58 mins
76m
-205m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Patonga’ sign[41] heading east down along the rocky track[42]. The track soon bends right and heads around a rock outcrop[43] then continues down through the heath and scribbly gums[44] for about 400m to come to a flat rock platform[45]. Here the track continues downhill over several more rock platforms, becoming progressively steeper[46] for just over 1km to head into the cool valley and come to the bank beside Myron Brook[47].
(8.96km) Myron Brook crossing → Kariong Brook crossing
400 m
11 mins
28m
-33m
Hard track
Kariong Brook Falls
(9.36km) Kariong Brook crossing → Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail
690 m
24 mins
122m
-21m
Hard track
(10.05km) Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail → Int of Great North Walk and Thommos Loop service trail
1.2 km
24 mins
48m
-19m
Moderate track
(11.26km) Rock platform → Int of Great North Walk and Woy Woy Road
620 m
13 mins
35m
-3m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill following the service trail, past the National Park gate to the intersection of Woy Woy Road.
(11.88km) Int of Thommos Trail and Woy Woy Road → Staples Lookout
370 m
7 mins
13m
0m
Easy track
Staples Lookout
Maps for the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls 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.
Gunderman | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91313S GUNDERMAN | NSW-91313S |
Gosford | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91312S GOSFORD | NSW-91312S |
Gosford | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9131 GOSFORD | 9131 |
Cross sectional view of the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls
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 | 12.3 km | ||
Time | 5 hrs 30 mins | ||
. | |||
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 | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
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
6km of this walk is very steep and another 3km has short steep hills. Whilst another 2.7km has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 130m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 4.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (2.6km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 3.5km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (2.2km) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 11km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3.5km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls walk starts at the Girrakool picnic area car park (gps: -33.43168, 151.2766)Your main transport option to Girrakool picnic area car park is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)
The Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls ends at the Staples Lookout (gps: -33.471741, 151.2883)
Your main transport option to Staples Lookout is by;
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)
Fire Danger
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.Weather Forest
This walk starts in the Hunter weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.Forecast snapshot
Park Information & Alerts
Short URL = http://wild.tl/gtslvkbf
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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