Great North Road and Dubbo Gully
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 Days
27.3 km One way
1372 m
Hard track
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. More info.
(0km) Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR → Hangmans Rock
1.1 km
31 mins
127m
-49m
Moderate track
From the car park and intersection on Wisemans Ferry Rd (about 500m west of the car ferry), the walk passes around a gate, passes an information sign, and follows the ‘Old Great North Road’ up the hill. This section of the walk winds up the hill, passing numerous cuttings and retaining walls built with convict labour. There are several information signs on the way, making the walk more interesting. The walk then arrives at the signposted “Hangman’s Rock”.
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. More info.
(1.09km) Hangmans Rock → Int of OGNR and Shepherds Gully Rd
720 m
18 mins
69m
-12m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From Hangman’s Rock, the walk follows the management trail gently up the hill. The trail bends back and forth as it gently climbs. Another information sign indicates the probable site of a stockade to hold the “more troublesome convicts”. A little further along, the walk passes around a gate and reaches the intersection with “Shepherd’s Gully Road”. There is another information sign at this intersection.
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. More info.
(1.81km) Int of OGNR and Shepherds Gully Rd → Int of OGNR and Finchs Line
400 m
9 mins
25m
-4m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Finchs Line 500m’ arrow along the management trail, soon passing a culvert information display. The trail continues further up the gentle hill to reach the signposted intersection with the ‘Finchs Line’.
(2.2km) Int of OGNR and Finchs Line → Hair-pin bend
5.5 km
1 hr 57 mins
237m
-212m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the Old Great North Road east, gently uphill in the opposite direction to the ‘Devines Hill’ sign[1], keeping the valley to the left. The trail soon narrows a bit and meanders along the top of the ridge, bending left to head north east. The trail continues to wind along the top of the ridge until about 180m passed a rock platform (above and to the left of the old road) the trail comes to a three way intersection with the 3 Mile Trail (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the old Great North Road east, initially keeping the valley to the right as the trail narrows significantly. The trail bends around a spur then widens and narrows a few times before crossing a flat rock platform 600m from 3 Mile trail. About 300m past the rock platform the trail bears right (ignoring the faint trail to the left, marked with a square boulder) and winds around the side of the hill for just shy of 400m to come to the other end of the same faint trail (overgrown on the left). Here the rocky trail heads up the hill to come to soon come to a large clearing. On the other side of the clearing the trail narrows again and cross a few particularly narrow saddles to then head down another short and fairly steep rocky section of trail just after a right hand bend. Here the trail narrows again and is fairly flat for about 400m will valley views to the left. The trail then bends right and heads down hill coming to a distinct left hand hair-pin bend part way down the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the old Great North Road east, initially keeping the valley to the right as the trail narrows significantly. The trail bends around a spur then widens and narrows a few times before crossing a flat rock platform 600m from 3 Mile trail. About 300m past the rock platform the trail bears right (ignoring the faint trail to the left, marked with a square boulder) and winds around the side of the hill for just shy of 400m to come to the other end of the same faint trail (overgrown on the left). Here the rocky trail heads up the hill to come to soon come to a large clearing. On the other side of the clearing the trail narrows again and cross a few particularly narrow saddles to then head down another short and fairly steep rocky section of trail just after a right hand bend. Here the trail narrows again and is fairly flat for about 400m will valley views to the left. The trail then bends right and heads down hill coming to a distinct left hand hair-pin bend part way down the hill.
(7.71km) Hair-pin bend → Int of WCT and OGNR
4.1 km
1 hr 31 mins
215m
-168m
Hard track
Turn left: From the bend, this walk heads downhill along the Old Great North Road initially keeping the valley to the right. As the trail rounds the gully it starts to climb and heads alongside a wire fence marking a short re-vegetation detour that crosses over the ridge. Now with the valley on the left the trail works its way along the side of the hill as it widens and narrows a few times, as well as passing a couple of short rocky section. About 1km from the end of the detour, the trail comes up to a pair-pin bend (up to the right, with some nice valley views to the left). Here the walk follows the old road around the sharp bend and up the hill. Now with the valley on the right, the narrow trail winds through the tall trees along the ridge and soon after crossing a wide saddle to the other side of the ridge the trail comes to a ‘Dharug National Park No Camping or Fires’ sign[2]. From this sign the trail continues up along the ridge for about 1km passing a few rocky sections, (and a faint trail to the right) to come to clearly signposted intersection with ‘Western Commission trail’ on the right. There is also ‘Welcome to The Old Great North Road’ information sign[3].
(11.77km) Int of WCT and OGNR → Eastern end of Eight Mile Trail
1.1 km
21 mins
27m
-35m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Old Great North Rd’ arrow east, downhill along the clear trail. The trail meanders for a while, passing some lovely rock formations and some old road guttering. The walk then comes to an intersection with a clear but unsignposted management trail (on the left).
(12.85km) Eastern end of Eight Mile Trail → Southern end of the Wat Trail
780 m
16 mins
25m
-41m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the OGNR as it head downhill, bending to the right (keeping the valley on the right). Soon, there are some nice views to the left and the trail heads uphill. Near the top of the hill, this walk ignores the ‘144-147’ trail (on the right) and heads across the sandstone cutting. As the trail bends around the gully, there are some cuttings in the rock on the right. Where the trail bends sharply right, there is an intersection with the gated Wat track (on the left).
(13.63km) Southern end of the Wat Trail → Wat Buddha Dhamma
1.3 km
25 mins
17m
-84m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the OGNR trail downhill, following the ‘142.3’ sign (keeping the valley on the left). The trail levels out as it passes a ‘Severe Bends’ sign, facing the other way. About 200m past this sign, the walk comes to a ‘Drinking Water’ tank and the ‘Wat Buddha Dhamma’ Monastery.
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. More info.
(14.94km) Wat Buddha Dhamma → Ten Mile Hollow
620 m
11 mins
2m
-23m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the ‘Drinking Water’ tank, this walk heads north east along the OGNR, initially keeping the monastery to the left. Soon the trail passes a couple of other driveways for the monastery and heads past a small pine plantation (on the left). Before long, the trail leads to a ‘Y’ intersection with the ‘Simpson Track’ at the ‘Ten Mile Hollow’ campground.
Ten Mile Hollow
This large, open campsite is found next to the Old Great North Road, at the top of the Simpson Track. The campsite is great for people walking or cycling in the area. There is fairly new hybrid toilet, a few fire circles and plenty of places to pitch some tents. There is a water tank next to the toilet – if this is empty, there is sometimes water in Ten Mile Hollow creek a short distance north along the OGNR (otherwise the Wat Buddha Dhamma, about 600m south along the OGNR, provide a water tank for visitors). Treat water before drinking.
The area was formally a stockade (a camp) for the convicts who built the road in c.1830. Later the area was named ‘Snodgrass Valley’ and plans to build a town were developed, neither the name nor the town proved popular (even at 2 pounds an acre). Solomon Wiseman (of Wisemans Ferry fame) was given 100 acres to build an inn, however it is not clear if the inn was ever built. More info.
End of day 1
This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 1, happy camping.
(15.55km) Ten Mile Hollow → Clares Bridge
1.2 km
22 mins
33m
-6m
Moderate track
Veer left: From Ten Mile Hollow, this walk follows the ‘Clares Bridge’ sign[5] along the OGNR, as it soon bends to the left. The trail narrows and comes to an old bridge (with a timber base). The walk crosses the bridge (and Ten Mile Hollow Creek) and heads around the gate. The walk follows the overgrown management trail through the bush for a while, coming to a white wooden barricade. Heading around the barricade, the walk comes to a clearing and signpost just before Clare’s Bridge[6].
Clares Bridge
Clare’s Bridge, on the Old Great North Road, is about 1km north of Ten Mile Hollow camping area. This, and a number of other bridges, were built during the construction of the old road. Clare’s Bridge is the most visually spectacular of the bridges. The second oldest bridge on mainland Australia (The oldest being Thomas James Bridge), it is built of sandstone blocks and has a wonderful, sweeping retaining wall. The sweeping design gives full view of the craftsmanship to those passing by. Much work has been done by NPWS and Gosford Council to restore the bridge. There is no deck on the bridge, however it is still an impressive structure and a fascinating piece of history. More info.
(16.76km) Clares Bridge → Int of the OGNR and Donnys track
790 m
21 mins
75m
-27m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the ‘Clare’s Bridge’ information sign[7], this walk follows the track down to cross the gully, keeping Clare’s Bridge to the right. On the other side of the gully, the track rises to meet the management trail again. The walk continues along the OGNR up the hill, away from the old bridge. The track winds around the hill and comes to an intersection with the Wat track (on the left, signposted with ‘125,126 142-168’).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the OGNR up the gentle hill, keeping the valley to the right. Soon, the trail leads to a large clearing and four-way intersection, with a sign pointing back to ‘Clare’s Bridge’[8].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the OGNR up the gentle hill, keeping the valley to the right. Soon, the trail leads to a large clearing and four-way intersection, with a sign pointing back to ‘Clare’s Bridge’[8].
(17.56km) Int of the OGNR and Donny’s track → Donny’s View
3.9 km
1 hr 27 mins
136m
-217m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Donny’s Track’ sign[9] along the only trail that heads steeply downhill. The trail soon bends right and starts to flatten out, then after a left-bend, the trail straightens out for about 700m. Soon after passing an overgrown trail (on the right), the main trail bends left and crosses a wide gully and often-dry creek. The trail then bends right and starts to wind up the hill, passing a few cuttings. About 300m after passing under the power lines, the trail comes to an intersection with the signposted ‘138 137’ track (on the left) and a view to the power lines. Here, the main trail bends right and continues uphill more gently. Soon, the trail crosses a saddle and starts to head down the other side of the ridge. The trail then heads down through a sharp left then right bends, then comes to another right-hand bend and an unfenced rock platform with views into the valley, Donny’s view.
Donny’s View
Donny’s View is an informally named vantage point partway up Donny’s Track. The unfenced rock slabs provide a view over Chaselings Run valley and swamp, down to the old Ten Mile Hollow Road. Found on the bendy section of the management trail, this view provides a good excuse to stop and take a break. To the north is a view of the high tension power lines that span this section of the park
(21.44km) Donny’s View → Int of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Donny’s track
1.5 km
43 mins
53m
-170m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From Donny’s view, this walk follows the old road down the hill, keeping the filtered views of ‘Chaselings Run’ to the left. The trail passes the base of some high-cut cliffs (on the right) and some rusty guard rails and soon comes to a locked gate. The walk passes around the locked gate and the ‘Dharug National Park’ sign[10], then follows a rusty guard rail to a right-hand bend. The trail then winds down the hill and, soon after passing between two old fence posts, the trail bends sharply left and passes to two more old gate posts. The trail then gently winds down the hill and comes to an intersection with the old Ten Mile Hollow Road and a sign pointing back up ‘Donny’s Track’[11].
(22.98km) Int of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Donnys track → Fairview Homestead
930 m
18 mins
29m
-24m
Moderate track
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the hill. The walk soon passes around a gate and continues a little further, passing around a swampy area to the left and immediately arriving at an intersection near a gate. The trail behind the gate leads to an old abandoned house and shed, which could provide some shelter.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk passes around the gate and follows the management trail steeply up the hill. The trail soon arrives at an old, abandoned house. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk passes around the gate and follows the management trail steeply up the hill. The trail soon arrives at an old, abandoned house. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Fairview
Fairview (550 Ten Mile Hollow Rd, Mangrove Creek) is a property with a homestead, built in 1922 by Alfred Andrews. The homestead and adjoining slab hut are now fenced to protect them, however the large corrugated iron shed on the south side is still open. The homestead was once a popular rest area for people traveling the North Road, via the Simpson track. The home was privately owned until 1973 when Gosford City Council acquired the land to protect the catchment area. The home was rented until 2002, when the tenants moved due to the threat of bushfires. The building is now in poor condition and the ‘Friends of Fairview’ are exploring ways to save the building and restore the history of the valley. Save Fairview More info.
(22.98km) Int of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Donnys track → Upper Mangrove cemetery
740 m
15 mins
21m
-27m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail up the hill. After a short distance, the walk passes a large grassy clearing to the right and a swampy area to the left. The trail meanders along the valley for some time before arriving at a historic cemetery, on the right.
Upper Mangrove Cemetery
The Upper Mangrove Cemetery is on the western bank of Mangrove Creek, near the junction with Newmans Creek. The cemetery was part of St Thomas’ Church of England, however the church building was destroyed in the 2002 bushfires. Exploring the cemetery gives a glimpse into the history of the valley. You will find the stone remembering Alfred and Amanda Andrews who built ‘Fairview’ in 1922 and read of the loss of Leslie Starkey’s parents in 1913. On the other side of the road, up the hill, is the remains of of the old St Thomas’ Church building[13]. More info.
(23.72km) Upper Mangrove cemetery → Int of Dubbo Gully Rd and Upper Mangrove Creek Rd
1.1 km
22 mins
33m
-36m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the cemetery, the walk follows the management trail (Ten Mile Hollow Rd) up the hill, leaving the cemetery on the right, and soon passes under some high voltage power lines. The walk then meanders along the road for some time, passing some old orange trees on the right and an old ‘134’ sign on the left. Some distance later, the walk crosses an old timber bridge and arrives at the signposted intersection with the ‘Upper Mangrove Creek Rd’ (with a shorter bridge to the left).
(24.83km) Int of Dubbo Gully Rd and Upper Mangrove Creek Rd → Dubbo Gully Rd car park
2.5 km
1 hr 2 mins
277m
-104m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail up the hill (now Dubbo Gully Rd). The trail winds up the hill for a long while through some beautiful scenery, including some great rock formations and overhangs. The walk then passes around a gate and continues a little further up the hill to reach a small car park on the left (on Dubbo Gully Rd, a short distance off Waratah Rd, about 4km west of Mangrove Mountain).
Maps for the Great North Road and Dubbo Gully 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.
| Mangrove | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91313N MANGROVE | NSW-91313N |
| Lower Portland | 1:25 000 Map Series | 90312S LOWER PORTLAND | NSW-90312S |
| St Albans | 1:25 000 Map Series | 90312N ST ALBANS | NSW-90312N |
| Gosford | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9131 GOSFORD | 9131 |
| St Albans | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9031 ST ALBANS | 9031 |
Cross sectional view of the Great North Road and Dubbo Gully bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Great North Road and Dubbo Gully
Daily actual walking time estimates
| Day | Walking Time | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 hrs 39 mins | 15.6 km |
| 2 | 4 hrs 50 mins | 12.7 km |
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 | 27.3 km | ||
| Time | 2 Days | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) | ||
| 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
15km of this walk has short steep hills and another 8km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (3.9km) is very steep.
Quality of track
Around 18km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 9km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
12km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 10km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (6km) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
15km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 10km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (2.3km) requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 27km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 16km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 12km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
2.2 km Return
1 hr 15 mins
Moderate track
3.6 km Return
2 hrs
Moderate track
4 km One way
2 hrs
Moderate track
4.3 km Return
2 hrs
Moderate track
7.2 km Return
3 hrs 15 mins
Moderate track
9.9 km Circuit
4 hrs 30 mins
Moderate track
24.3 km Circuit
2 Days
Hard track
28.3 km One way
2 Days
Moderate track
Other Nearby walks
4.4 km Return
2 hrs 15 mins
Moderate track
8.2 km Circuit
4 hrs 15 mins
Hard track
4.5 km Return
2 hrs 15 mins
Hard track
1.7 km Circuit
1 Hr
Moderate track
8.3 km Return
3 hrs 15 mins
Moderate track
10.8 km Circuit
4 hrs 15 mins
Hard track
10.1 km Return
4 hrs 15 mins
Hard track
4.4 km Return
2 hrs
Hard track
426 m Return
20 mins
Moderate track
6 km One way
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
21.1 km One way
8 hrs
Hard track
47.4 km One way
3 Days
Hard track
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Great North Road and Dubbo Gully walk starts at the Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR (gps: -33.375218, 150.98486)Your transport options to Int of Wisemans Ferry Rd and OGNR are by;
Bus. Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up from Gosford and drop off near Wisemans Ferry would be approximately 0 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374 (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The Great North Road and Dubbo Gully ends at the Dubbo Gully Rd car park (gps: -33.293017, 151.15119)
Your main transport option to Dubbo Gully Rd car park is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/gnradg
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 🙂
Comments