Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

Download & Print Map and Notes

5 hrs 30 mins

12.3 km One way

697 m

Hard track
This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds down alongside Piles creek, before climbing up through the Brisbane Waters National Park to Scopas peak, and then on to the lovely Kariong brook falls. The walk finishes at the Staples Lookout. This walk mostly follows a section of the Great North Walk. Depending what time you start, either Scopas Peak or Kariong Brook can make great lunch and rest stops.

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

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls walk.

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

Comments

 


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 🙂