Girrakool Loop track

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.4 km Circuit

55 m

Moderate track

Starting at the well-established Girrakool picnic area, this walk visits four lookouts and an Aboriginal engravings site. The walk offers a couple of side trips, visiting some nice spots on Piles Creek. The views from each of the lookout are filtered through trees, but still worth the visit. The walk is especially nice in late winter and early spring, when the wildflowers are blooming. A good walk when picnicking at Girrakool.

Track leading to smaller upper picnic area

Path between picnic area and Illoura Lookout

Eriostemon australasius (Pink Wax Flower) and bee

Girrakool Picnic Area

Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'. More info.

(0km) Girrakool Picnic Area → Aboriginal Engravings site

190 m

4 mins

-20m Easy track

From the Girrakool picnic area car park and information sign, this walk heads across the car park to the 'Girrakool Loop 2km' signpost on the other side. The walk then follows this sign and track into the bush, leaving the freeway noise behind. The track crosses a rock platform then heads down a series of steps, to come to a large rock platform with a pine log and 'Aboriginal Site' sign. The cliff edge around the rock is un-fenced.

Girrakool Aboriginal Engravings site

This rock platform has a log and 'Aboriginal Site' sign. Make an effort to not walk on the the engravings as this will only fade the engraving further. The engraving on this rock have faded but with a bit of effort you can make out a man and kangaroo. More info.

(0km) Aboriginal Engravings site → Int of Girrakool Loop and Piles Creek Access track

310 m

6 mins

-16m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the Aboriginal Engraving Site, this walk heads down the stairs that lead through the crack a the lower end of the rock platform. The track then winds through the bush for a little while. Soon after passing a glimpse of Piles Creek, the track comes to a 'T' intersection, marked with a small arrow sign post.

(0km) Int of Girrakool Loop and Piles Creek Access track → Piles Creek Cascades

50 m

1 mins

-5m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track in the opposite direction to the arrow, down the hill. The track passes over the rocks, through a small crack and around the red gum tree, to come to the rocky creek bed of Piles Creek. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Piles Creek Cascades

Piles Creek Cascades are an informally named set of cascades on a wide rock platform and Piles Creek, in Brisbane Water National Park. The creek, at this point, flows across a rock platform with many interesting sink holes, small water holes and cascades. this is a nice spot to explore. Care is needed as the rocks are slippery, with unfenced drops, and the area may not be passable after rain.

(0km) Int of Girrakool Loop and Piles Creek Access track → Broula Lookout

50 m

1 mins

-3m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow along the wide track (keeping the valley to the left). The track tends left to soon lead to Broula Lookout.

Broula Lookout

Broula Lookout is fenced and a fairly short walk down from the Girrakool picnic area. Over time, the trees in the area have grown, filtering what would otherwise be a great vantage point for the Piles Creek waterfall. Broula is an Aboriginal word referring to a place of trickling water.

(1km) Broula Lookout → Illoura Lookout

70 m

2 mins

-6m Easy track

Turn right: From Broula Lookout, this walk follows the clearer track heading directly away from the cliff to soon come to the a 'T' intersection with the 'Girrakool Loop' footpath.
Turn left: 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

Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place.

(1km) Illoura Lookout → Piles Creek Waterfall

70 m

2 mins

-10m Moderate track

Turn left: From Illoura Lookout, the walk follows the left-hand 'Piles Creek' and GNW arrow down the wooden steps (keeping the valley to the right). The track soon passes a 'Caution Low Water Level Crossing Only' sign and crosses Piles Creek using the concrete stepping stones (the creek may be impassable after rain). The track then opens up on an unfenced rock platform, at the top of the waterfall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

Piles Creek Waterfall

The large waterfall on Piles Creek is south of Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Water National Park. At the Piles Creek Loop track crossing at the top of the falls, there is a large rock platform. The cliff edge is unfenced and would be dangerous to approach for the view. The water falls down the large drop, into a big pool below. The 'Bundilla Lookout' on the other side of the valley provides the only square view onto the falls, but even this only witnesses the top half.

(1km) Illoura Lookout → Andamira intersection

450 m

10 mins

26m

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From Illoura Lookout, this walk follows the 'Girrakool Loop' sign keeping the green fence to the left. The track leads up some steps to soon come to a 'Y' intersection and a sign pointing back to 'Girrakool Car Park'.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Girrakool Loop' sign (in the opposite direction to the 'Girrakool Car Park' sign), up the rocky track to soon pass the old 'lookout' sign. The track soon cross a small timber footbridge and continues to wind through the bush for a little while before crossing another footbridge with a handrail. A short time later, the walk crosses a longer timber bridge, then leads up the hill to an intersection with Andamira Lookout (unsignposted), a short distance to the left.

(1km) Andamira intersection → Andamira Lookout

10 m

0m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk crosses the small bridge and climbs the stairs to the fenced Andamira Lookout platform. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

Andamira Lookout

The fenced Andamira Lookout is on a platform, overlooking Leaskes Creek waterfall on the Girrakool Loop walk. The waterfall is in a sandstone and ferny amphitheatre with a sandy base. Prior to reaching the waterfall, this creek has just passed under the F3 freeway, which can be heard a short distance away. Trees have grown up over the years and the view of the water if filtered through the leaves.

(1km) Andamira intersection → Boondi Lookout

20 m

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the track and timber steps (away from Andamira Lookout and the freeway noise). At the top of the steps, the track comes to the fenced and signposted 'Boondi Lookout'.

Boondi Lookout

Boondi Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout on the Girrakool Loop track, in Brisbane Water National Park. The view is mostly of the trees in the valley, with some glimpses of Leaskes Creek to the right. 'Boondi' is a word used by the Darkinjung people meaning 'Club-headed weapon'.

(1km) Boondi Lookout → Girrakool Picnic Area

350 m

7 mins

15m

-10m Moderate track

Turn left: From 'Boondi Lookout', this walk heads up the stairs, following the main track. The track soon flattens and gently winds through the bush, across a rock platform and across a small wooden bridge. Soon after leaving the power lines, the track comes to a fence and the top of Girrakool Picnic area. The walk heads through the picnic area, tending left to the par park and large information sign.

Maps for the Girrakool Loop track 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.

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 Loop track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Girrakool Loop track

Altitude analysis for Girrakool Loop track

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	1.4 km
		Time	45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 1.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 20m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 1.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 290m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 790m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 630m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.4km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Girrakool Loop track walk.

Girrakool Aboriginal Engravings track

378 m Return, 10 mins

This short walk takes you from the Girrakool picnic area to the Aboriginal Engravings site, located on a large rock platform. From the picnic area, the walk follows a well-maintained track to the signposted site. The engravings have faded but with a bit of time, it is still possible to see the eng

Total climbing: 21m

Easy track

Eastern Girrakool Loop

803 m Circuit, 20 mins

This walk explores the eastern branch of the Girrakool Loop track. Starting from the car park, this walk first visits the Aboriginal Engraving site. Before reaching Broula Lookout, there is an optional side trip to a lovely section of Piles Creek. There is a second optional side trip, to Illoura

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

Western Girrakool Loop

1.1 km Circuit, 30 mins

This walk explores the western half of the Girrakool Loop track. From the picnic area, this walk heads down the footpath to Illoura Lookout, with views down over Piles Creek (there is an optional side trip to the top of the waterfall). The walk then has another optional trip to Bundilla Lookout, p

Total climbing: 43m

Moderate track

Piles Creek Loop

4.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

Starting from the Girrakool picnic area, this walk takes you on a round trip through part of the stunning Brisbane Water National Park. The walk explores both sides of Piles Creek, rewarding you with its waterfall and lookouts. Girrakool picnic area also has barbeques and toilets.

Total climbing: 306m

Moderate track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station

9.5 km One way, 4 hrs

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses some long rock flats and climbs to the top of Scopas Peak, providing views spanning right across the park. The walk then continues down to Wondabyne station, and provides an

Total climbing: 438m

Hard track

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

12.3 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

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 Grea

Total climbing: 697m

Hard track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station via Pindar caves

18.1 km One way, 7 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, following Piles creek into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses over Scopas Peak and continues down to Pindar caves, passing the Pindar lookout and Pindar Pool on the way. From the caves the walk backtracks some distance

Total climbing: 741m

Experienced only

Somersby & Mooney Mooney Creek Loop

20 km Circuit, 7 hrs 30 mins

<b>**Closed**</b> The link track west of Somerby Falls is closed, an alternate route is been sought. This loop walk takes you through the Brisbane Waters National Park, starting from the Girrakool picnic area and exploring Piles Creek down to the Mooney Mooney Creek Junction. The walk meanders back

Total climbing: 744m

Moderate track

Girrakool to Woy Woy station via Mt Wondabyne

20.7 km One way, 8 hrs 30 mins

This long day-walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and works its way south, alongside Piles creek and through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs over Scopas Peak and passes the Kariong brook falls, before winding to the top of Mt Wondabyne and finishing at the Woy Woy train st

Total climbing: 870m

Hard track

Girrakool to Patonga

24.8 km One way, 10 hrs

This walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. As the track approaches the southern edge of Brisbane

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Girrakool to Patonga Overnight

24.8 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. Much of this walk follows the Great North Wal

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Girrakool Loop track walk.

Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby

16.1 km One way, 6 hrs

This enjoyable walk starts from where the old Pacific Hwy where you walk along dirt roads and trails for while alongside the wide Mooney Mooney Creek, and under the huge F3 Mooney Mooney bridge. The wide track continues upstream, passing a few campsites before crossing the wide creek at a pleasant l

Total climbing: 680m

Hard track

Bulgandry Engravings

800 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk follows a footpath to a large rock platform with some well-preserved Aboriginal engravings. Named after Bulgandry man, an ancestral hero and one of the more detailed engravings at the site, this is clearly a special place. The footpath gently winds through the bush before following

Total climbing: 19m

Very easy

Somersby Falls

426 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk starts from the Somersby Falls picnic area and follows the series of waterfalls along Floods Creek. The picnic area provides barbeques, picnic tables, toilets and ample parking. This walk could make part of a great family day out in the area. The main falls drop onto a large rock pl

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

White St firetrail

991 m One way, 30 mins

A surprisingly nice fire trail walk. A lot of the forest scenery along this walk is really beautiful. Much of it is very moist forest, filled with ferns. You also get a glimpse of an old quarry at Cappers Gully, adding a little historic interest to the walk.

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate track

White St Rainforest loop

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

A very nice loop walk in the lower part of the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The walk includes a section of road but spends most time in very nice forest scenery, including pockets of the beautiful rainforest in the reserve. This walk has substantially fewer steps than some of the other walks in the r

Total climbing: 76m

Moderate track

Rainforest Walk

3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

A great walk through some beautiful pockets of rainforest in the Rumbalara Reserve. Parts of the track are quite steep, although the well-formed track with plenty of steps makes the walking easier. As well as the beautiful rainforest scenery, this walk includes some glimpses into an old quarry at Ca

Total climbing: 192m

Hard track

Rainforest walk to Nurrunga picnic area

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

An extended version of the Rumbalara Reserve Rainforest Walk. After walking through some beautiful pockets of rainforest, this walk continues to the upper section of the reserve, enjoying some great views across Gosford and the surrounding areas. The sheer variety in the vegetation from the start of

Total climbing: 196m

Hard track

John Whiteway Dr to Tottenham Pl

3 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

An excellent walk, crossing the Rumbalara Reserve and covering plenty of the scenic highlights of the reserve. This walk goes through beautiful pockets of rainforest as well as the drier ridgetop forest, showcasing the great variety of scenery in Rumbalara. There is some steep walking along the way,

Total climbing: 228m

Hard track

Ouraka Point loop

2.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

A beautiful walk, taking in some of the scenic highlights of the lower section of the Rumbalara Reserve. The walk covers a great variety of vegetation, from quite dry eucalypt forest through to rainforest. The tracks are well formed, with a lot of steps in the steeper sections, making the walking a

Total climbing: 141m

Hard track

Rumbalara Explorer

6.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

Pretty well the grand tour of the Rumbalara Reserve, this walk takes in much of the great scenery the reserve has to offer. The walk covers both the lower and upper sections of the reserve and passes through the great variety of forest on show. The walk also passes three of the four bronze sculpture

Total climbing: 326m

Hard track

Gosford to Lisarow

11.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the ridge-top bushland between Gosford and Lisarow. Passing through Rumbalara and Katandra Reserves, there are several picnic area, lookouts and other facilities scattered along the way. At times you will forget you are anywhere near houses, and at other points

Total climbing: 479m

Hard track

Ironbark Loop

643 m Circuit, 30 mins

A short, interesting walk in the Rumbalara Reserve, near Gosford. This short circuit walk takes in some nice scenery and a couple of the interesting bronze sculptures found in the reserve. Some short deviations from the walk take you to viewpoints with great views over Gosford and the surrounding ar

Total climbing: 29m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Girrakool Loop track walk starts and ends at the Girrakool Picnic Area (gps: -33.431679, 151.27660)

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Brisbane Water National Park

Brisbane Waters National Park is situated south west of Gosford perched on the Hawkesbury River. The park is characterised by sandstone features, Aboriginal engravings, flowery heaths, bird life and spectacular water views. Brisbane Waters NP has many bushwalks through the are with the Great North Walk passing through the middle of the park.

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