Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Watagan Forestry HQ campsite to Heaton Gap hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Watagan Forestry HQ campsite to Heaton Gap
Time:
6 Hrs
12.2 km N of Cooranbong
Length:
12.1 km
Heaton State Forest
Climb:
628 m
Style:
One way
This walk starts from the Watagan Forestry HQ campsite and winds east around the edge of the ridge, following the Great North Walk through the Watagan State Forest. The track then heads out to Heaton lookout down the long descent into Heaton Gap, passing several more fantastic lookouts and picnic areas on the way. This walk finnishes at Heaton Gap on Freemans drive, just opposite the Watagan Forest Motel.
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.
(0 km) Forestry H.Q campsite to Int of Rocky Creek and Bakers road Track: Moderate - road
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -21 m
From the intersection the track heads north east along Bakers road down the hill and up the other side, continuing along the long and gentle hill to the intersection of Rocky Creek road.
(0.95 km) Int of Rocky Creek and Bakers road to Hunters Lookout picnic area Track: Moderate - road, bushtrack
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -17 m
From the intersection the track heads north along bakers road passing a large clearing that looks like an old rest area on the left and coming to the intersection of Glen road. From the intersection the track heads north along Bakers road heading down hill until it comes to the intersection of Hunter Lookout picnic area track. From the intersection the track heads off the road and up the hill following the Hunter lookout picnic area sign, past the wooden gate and past the public toilet to the picnic area area and the lookout.
Hunter Lookout
Alt = 435
This lookout doubles as a large picnic area, providing toilets, picnic tables and chairs, camp barbeque plates and a fenced view across the valley and much of the Hunter region to the north
(1.62 km) Hunters Lookout picnic area to Mcleans Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack, road, road
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -33 m
From the picnic area the track heads north, past the metal gate to the intersection of Bakers road. From the intersection the track heads north east along Bakers road continuing all the way along until it comes to the Bakers road Loop intersection. From the intersection the track heads up bakers road through the heavily wooded gum forest to the mcleans lookout.
Macleans Lookout
Alt = 451
This lookout provides picnic tables and chairs, as welll as a fenced view right across the valley to the north
(2.22 km) Mcleans Lookout to Int of Bakers road and the Great North Walk Track: Moderate - road
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the lookout the track heads south east along bakers road down the hill for a short distnce until it comes to the signposted intersection of Bakers road and the Great North Walk.
(2.28 km) Int of Bakers road and the Great North Walk to Int of Great North Walk and Glen road Track: Hard - servicetrail, bushtrack
Distance = 0.5 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -75 m
From the intersection the track follows the Heaton Lookout sign east along the Great North Walk service trail following the edge of the ridge down a steep hill through thick forest to the end of the trail at the start of the signposted bush track. From the intersection the track heads down the steep hill following the bushtrack through the thick bush to the bottom where it crosses a creek and winds steeply up the other side to the edge of the ridge continuing around to the intersection of Glen road and the Great North Walk.
(2.82 km) Int of Great North Walk and Glen road to Int of Great North Walk and Forsters road south Track: Moderate - servicetrail, bushtrack, servicetrail, servicetrail
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 85 m
Descent = -69 m
From the intersection the track follows the Great North Walk arrow south east along the service trail running through thick bush down gentle hill all the way to the intersection of the Great North Walk bushtrack. From the intersection the track follows the Great North Walk arrow down through the bush winding steeply all the way to the bottom meeting a creek which it follows for a short while until the track heads very steeply up the side following the Great North Walk arrow up and around through the thick green bush, coming down to a long rock overhang which it passes through and down a short hill on the other side, continuing up and winding along the side of the hill until it reaches the intersection of Fosters road. From the intersection the track follows the rocky service trail up the hill flattening out and heading along to the intersection of the Great North Walk. from the intersection the track heads east following the barniers road sign along the Great North Walk service trail to the intersection of Fosters road south.
(3.95 km) Int of Great North Walk and Forsters road south to Int of Hammonds road and Great North Walk bushtrack Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 55 m
Descent = -69 m
From the intersection the track heads steeply down along a wide trail through thick overgroan forest, turning off onto a bushtrack which continues steeply down to the bottom crossing the gully and heading straigh up other side winding all the way up to the top at the intersection of Hammonds road.
(4.35 km) Int of Hammonds road and Great North Walk bushtrack to Int of Great North Walk and Wallis Creek Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.4 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 83 m
Descent = -189 m
From the intersection the track follows the Heaton lookout sign past the Great North Walk arrow and along the bushtrack, heading down the hill which becomes quite steep as it passes through a wooden gate and winds all the way to the bottom of the gulley at the creek which is almost entirely covered with fallen trees. From the creek the track heads south steeply up the side of the gulley and along the side of the hill winding up and down along the bottom of cliffs and passing undernieth rock overhangs, all the way down through the thick bush into a gulley meeting Wallis creek.
(5.79 km) Int of Great North Walk and Wallis Creek to Int of Great North Walk and Barniers road Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 138 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection the track heads south east straight up the bushtrack running alongside the gully and following the Great North Walk arrows and the arrows painted on trees, crossing over a large fallen tree with foot holes cut into it and coming down and acrossthe gully to the other side, following the arrows up the hill as the track undulates up and down the side of the gully, coming down creek at a 'Y' junction. From here the track heads right and crosses the creek, winding up the steep hill following the Great North Walk arrow along the side of the gully and back down to the creek which it follows for a short distance and crosses, winding up and down the gully and crossing the creek three more times before continuing quite steeply up the hill all the way to the intersection of Barniers road.
(6.72 km) Int of Great North Walk and Barniers road to Int of Great North Walk and Heaton road at Heaton Lookout Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -98 m
From the intersection the track heads straight across Barniers road following the Great North Walk arrow along the trail and turning right at the Great North Walk sign, heading through the bush winding down the hill all the way to the bottom where it crosses straight over a stream and continues steeply up the other side, flattening out around the side of the hill and heading down into another gulley and up the other side of the hill to the intersection of Heaton road.
Heaton Lookout
Alt = 379
This large lookout provides picnic tables and chairs, toilets, a water tank, camp fires and a fenced view right across the valley to Lake Macquarie and the Eraring Power Station.
(7.92 km) Int of Great North Walk and Heaton road at Heaton Lookout to Int of Heaton communications tower Track: Hard - road
Distance = 2.4 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 137 m
Descent = -51 m
From the intersection the track heads north along Heaton road following the Heaton Gap sign up the hill passing the toilets and continuing along the road, down the long hill and bending around coming up the other side steeply and winding up the hill all the way to the top at the base of the communtcations tower where it comes to the intersection of the Great North Walk.
(10.32 km) Int of Heaton communications tower to Heaton Gap Lookout Track: Hard - Service Trail
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -73 m
From the intersection the track follows the Great North Walk arrow past the communications tower and along the trail, following the powerlines down the long hill until it breaks away from the powerlines and comes to a lookout.
Heaton Gap Lookout
Alt = 415
This small lookout is an unfenced clearing along the Great North Walk providing good views south east all the way from Lake Macquarie and the Eraring Power Station to the south side of the Watagan State Forest range
(10.93 km) Heaton Gap Lookout to Int of Great North Walk and Freeman drive Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -269 m
From the lookout the track heads east down the hill, following the Heaton Gap arrow along the bushtrack crossing back under the powerlines and continuing steeply downhill, winding around via wooden stairs and rock steps back to the powerlines which it follows along a service trail down to the intersection of the Great North Walk and Freeman drive trail, marked at a Great North Walk arrow. From the intersection the track continues down the hill following the power lines, until it breaks away following the Great North Walk arrows down through the bush winding steeply to the intersection of Freemans drive opposite the Watagans Forest Motel.
Watagan Forest Motel
Alt = 142
This Motel is provides parking, fuel, hot food, a small dining area, and can acommidate with six rooms, all with televisions, bedrooms, bathrooms including a shower, air conditioners and breakfast provided with a $77 single per night stay rate. Their contact details are (02)4938 0149 and they are at 1549 Leggetts Dr, Brunkerville NSW 2323.
Catch the bus from Int of Great North Walk and Freeman drive
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info And use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip home from the end of the walk.
Boardering Watagan national Park, Heaton State forest is home to many great lookouts. There sre many highpoints with cliff edges giving great views across the Hunter valley and Lake Macquarie.
Hiking near Sydney 
5 km
