Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Congewai trackhead (east) to Forestry HQ campsite hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Congewai trackhead (east) to Forestry HQ campsite
Time:
8 Hrs
5.6 km S of Paxton
Length:
17 km
Watagans National Park
Climb:
1459 m
Style:
One way
This full day walk starts from the Congewai valley trackhead (east) and follows the Great North Walk up into the Watagan National Park. Winding east along Georges road for the most part, this track also passes many great lookouts and gives the option of a side trip down to the 125r lookout which provides a great view to the south and nice spot for lunch. The walk finnishes at the Forestry HQ campsite which has a fire place and a picnic table, as well as a rain water tank (may be empty don't rely on it)
(0 km) Congewai Valley west trackhead to Congewai Valley east trackhead Alternative Entry: Walk: Easy - road ( Show detail)
Distance = 5.2 km
Time = 1 Hrs 30 mins
Climb = 86 m
Descent = -75 m
From the track head the track follows the dirt road south following along the partially eucalypt lined Congewai road through rural properties coming to another small road bridge at 4.5km with a short sealed section of road afterwords and continuing through the valley and along the dirt road to the Congewai Valley east trackhead at 5.3km signposted at the styles crossing the fence.
(0 km) Congewai Valley east trackhead to Brown Muir Farm Optional Side Trip: Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -1 m
The track follow the Muir farm sign east along Congawai Rd to the first drive way. At the crawford letter box the track turns left and heads up the hill towards the house. The water tank is on the left of the carport there is a tap makred with a GNW sign on the north side.
Water Tank
Alt = 154
The farm near Congewai Valley east trackhead has a water tank installed by Lands department to provide water to people walking the Great North walk. The water tank is on the left of the carport and has a tap with a GNW sign (the north side). There is a second tap on the house wall, this uses the farmers water and is not there for walkers (but he is gnereally happy for walkers to use it). Walter the farmer is a very friendly fellow, say G'day if you see him. The land been in family from the orignal land grants and provides a great view across the valley.
(0 km) Congewai Valley east trackhead to Property Gate Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 53 m
Descent = -10 m
From the track head the track crosses over the fence at the styles following the Barraba Trig arrow across the paddock following the Great North Walk arrows to the fence line, which it follows all the way to the end of the property where it crosses another fence at some styles. From the styles the track follows the bushtrack past the Great North Walk arrows and through the eucalypt lined track to the intersection of the service trail at the metal gate.
(0.78 km) Property Gate to Great North Walk bushtrack Track: Hard - Service Trail
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 127 m
Descent = -4 m
From the gate the track follows the service trail down the hill and up the other side winding steeply along the rocky trail to the top where it comes to the intersection of the Great North Walk bushtrack.
(1.94 km) Great North Walk bushtrack to Int of Georges road Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.6 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 252 m
Descent = -46 m
From the intersection the track follows the Great North Walk signs as the track winds all the way along and up the hill to the ridge line where it continues past the Great North Walk arrows up the hill, around the rocky outcrops and along the bushtrack, coming down to the intersection of Georges road.
(3.56 km) Int of Georges road to Berraba Campsite Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -15 m
From the intersection the track follows the Great North Walk arrows along the service trail heading down the hill and passing an old delapidated shed and the next two turn offs to a rest area at a clearing 20m from the north side of the road a short while later. From the rest area the track heads east along Georges road following the ridge line through thick wooded gum forest, until it comes to the intersection of the Berraba Trig Station track. From the intersection the track follows the Great North Walk Berraba Trig Station sign up the hill and along the service trail to the Berraba Campsite.
Berraba Campsite
Alt = 511
Lined with large grass trees, this campsite is a popular spot for those walking the Great North Walk to stay the night as it provides ample shade, plenty of room for pitching tents as well as having a nice camp fire to sit around.
(4.32 km) Berraba Campsite to Watagan National Park boundary Track: Hard - Service Trail
Distance = 2.5 km
Time = 55 mins
Climb = 113 m
Descent = -219 m
From the intersection the track follows the Watagan Forestry H.Q sign east along the Great North Walk down the hill and along the bushtrack, heading around a fence and back onto georges road From the intersection the track follows the service trail down the hill until it bends around and continues steeply to the bottom, flattening out at the gate where it crosses the fence at some styles. From the styles the track heads along the service trail down the hill and around the north side of a knole, continuing into a saddle and around the south side of the next knole, winding back around to the north side of the last knole and coming back onto the ridge line meeting a Private Property gate where it crosses the fence at some styles.
(6.8 km) Watagan National Park boundary to Int of Georges road and 125r Lookout track Track: Hard - Service Trail
Distance = 1.3 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 100 m
Descent = -106 m
From the styles the track follows the service trail down the hill to the bottom, flattening out and heading up the other side winding around the ridge line and continuing steeply up the service trail until it flattens out a little as it bends around to the north east, coming to a rest area on the corner. From the rest area the track heads up to the top of the hill and along the ridgeline coming down the to the intersection of 125r lookout track
(8.14 km) Int of Georges road and 125r Lookout track to 125r Lookout Rest Area Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 266 m
Descent = -249 m
From the intersection the track follows the 125r lookout sign down the long straight service trail which winds along the spur all the way to the end where there is a rest area and a bush track leading to the lookout which is an unfenced clearing on the tip of the spur.
125 r Lookout
Alt = 418
This lookout is an unfenced clearing with across the south of the Congewai Valley. There is also a nice rest area here, providing a flat clearing and room for a small campfire.
(8.14 km) Int of Georges road and 125r Lookout track to Rest Area Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 1.3 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 140 m
Descent = -80 m
From the intersection the track follows the Great North Walk arrow along the service trail down the hill all the way to the bottom and along the ridgeline, climbing back up the other side and winding to the top, where it comes to the rest area on the north side of the track.
(9.46 km) Rest Area to Rest Area Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 35 mins
Climb = 460 m
Descent = -477 m
From the rest area the track heads east along Georges road undulating along the ridge until it passes to a short, fenced off cliff section of track and comes to another rest area on the north side of the road shortly after.
(11.22 km) Rest Area to Int of Georges road and Congewai Creek track Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 1.6 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 55 m
Descent = -56 m
From the rest area the track follows Georges road east along the ridge as it undulates all the way to the intersection of the Congewai creek track.
(12.85 km) Int of Georges road and Congewai Creek track to Int of Georges and Watagan roads Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 2.9 km
Time = 55 mins
Climb = 84 m
Descent = -117 m
From the intersection the track heads east along Georges road winding along the ridge through thick wooded gum forest, and passing all the intersections of service trails all the way to the end of Georges road at the intersection of Watagan road.
(15.73 km) Int of Georges and Watagan roads to Forestry H.Q campsite Track: Moderate - road
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 60 m
Descent = -7 m
From the intersection the track heads east along Watagan road, climbing up the hill to the top and coming down the other side, flattening out continuing to the intersection of Bakers hill road. From the intersection the track follows the Great North Walk arrow along Bakers road for a short while until it comes to the Forestry H.Q campsite.
Forestry H.Q campsite
Alt = 0
This large campsite sits between Watagan and Bakers roads, providing ample room for pitching a tent as well as a water tank, picnic chairs and tables, camp barbeque plates and a garbage bin making it an ideal point for those camping and hiking to stop for the night.
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