Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge)

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 Days

24.3 km Circuit

1117 m

Hard track

This two day (or ten hour) walk follows several historic roads, now closed to traffic. Starting with a walk down to Dubbo Gully and past an old cemetery, you will then explore some old farms before coming to Simpsons Track. Here, head up the hill to come to the Ten Mile Hollow Campsite. The next day you will follow the Old Great North Road to Clare's Bridge (second oldest bridge on mainland Australia). A bit further along the Old Great North Road, you then head down Donny's track and return to the start via Dubbo Gully. A great way to explore the history and beauty of the area.

An old timber bridge on Ten Mile Hollow Rd

A clearing from earlier days of settlement

Intersection of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Donny's track

Locked gate on the old Ten Mile Hollow Rd

Cossing the lower end of Ten Mile Hollow Creek

Clearing and plaque at the Int of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Simpsons track

Clearing and powerlines near top of Simpson Track

Ten Mile Hollow Campsite (top of Simpson Track)

Old fire place at Ten Mile Hollow Campsite

Toilet and water tank at Ten Mile Hollow Campsite

Old Building Foundations at Ten Mile Hollow Campsite

Overgrown section of the Old Great North Road

Old Great North Road North of Clare's Bridge

Steep sides make for interesting vegetation

Intersection of the OGNR and Donnys track

sign at the nt of the OGNR and Donnys track

Looking down on clearing at Chaselings Run

(0km) Dubbo Gully Rd car park → Upper Mangrove cemetery

3.6 km

1 hr 24 mins climb

140m

-310m Moderate track

From the car park (a small clearing about 450m along the unsignposted Dubbo Gully Rd. Dubbo Gully Rd is found a by turning left off Waratah Rd when it becomes unsealed[1], about 4km from Mangrove Mountain shops), the walk follows the management trail down the hill and soon passes around a gate. There are some beautiful rock overhangs and scenery along this section of the walk. The walk continues to wind down the hill for a long while and eventually reaches the signposted intersection with the 'Upper Mangrove Creek Rd' (just before a bridge).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail (now Ten Mile Hollow Rd) and immediately crosses the longer bridge (leaving the shorter bridge with a gate to the right). The walk meanders along the trail for some time, passing an old '134' sign to the right and a few old orange trees to the left. Soon after passing under some high voltage power lines, the walk arrives at a historic cemetery.

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[3]. More info.

(4km) Upper Mangrove cemetery → Int of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Donnys track

740 m

15 mins

27m

-21m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the cemetery, the walk follows the management trail down the hill, leaving the cemetery to the left. The trail meanders along the valley for some time, passing a swampy area to the right and a large grassy clearing to the left. A short distance later, the walk reaches the signposted intersection with 'Donny's Track'[4].

(4km) Int of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Donnys track → Int below Fairview Homestead

810 m

15 mins

19m

-22m Moderate track

Continue straight: 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.

(5km) Int below Fairview Homestead → Fairview Homestead

120 m

3 mins

10m

-2m Moderate track

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 Turn right.

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.

(5km) Int below Fairview Homestead → Int of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Simpsons track

2.5 km

47 mins

60m

-66m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, leaving the gate to the right and keeping the swampy area to the left. After passing a grassy clearing and old trail to the left, the walk soon passes a 'Heritage Road Wall AND Culvert Protection' signpost[5]. Allow some time to look at the old road retaining wall sections along here. The walk continues to meander close to the creek, passing amongst some nice trees and some large clearings. The walk then passes a smaller clearing, to the left, with a padlocked steel 'Monitoring Well'. Soon after this, the walk passes through another long clearing with the remains of an old wooden fenced cattle yard. The walk then crosses a small creek and passes through to another clearing, passing a couple of boulders on the left with 'Convict Trail' information signs[6][7] and a visitors book, to arrive at the intersection with the Simpson track, marked with a National Parks walkers signpost[8].

Convict Trail plaque and log book

In a large clearing at the end of of Ten Mile Hollow Creek is a boulder with a 'Convict Trail' plaque[9]. The inscription provides information on the area and the historic old Great North Road and Simpson's Track[10]. Behind the boulder is a metal box housing a log book, waiting for your entry[11].

(8km) Int of Ten Mile Hollow Rd and Simpsons track → Simpsons Cave

2.4 km

49 mins

135m

-70m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the NPWS arrow post west along the flat trail (Simpsons Track), further up the Ten Mile Hollow gully. The trail leaves the large clearing and soon passes a series of smaller clearings. After crossing a few creeks, the trail enters the thicker bush. About 1.7km from the large clearing, the trail enters the signposted 'Dharug National Park'. From here, the walk continues up the trail and, after about 750m and a distinct change in vegetation, the trail comes to the base of a large cliff and a couple of caves, up the hill on the left.

Simpsons Cave

Simpsons Cave is an informal name given to a sandstone overhang on the Simpson Track, about 2.5km east of the junction with the Old Great North Road. The cave is perched high on the side of the old road and looks north over Ten Mile Hollow valley. The cave has an outward sloping floor and is best viewed from the track.

(10km) Simpsons Cave → Ten Mile Hollow

2.5 km

47 mins

108m

-39m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the caves, this walk follows the management trail (Simpsons Track) up the hill keeping the valley to the right. After winding up the hill for quiet some time, the trail leads under some high-tension power lines in a large clearing. About 200m past this clearing, the main trail comes to a signposted intersection with the Old Great North Road at Ten Mile Hollow and a 'Simpsons Track' sign[12] pointing back along the trail.

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.

(13km) Ten Mile Hollow → Clares Bridge

1.2 km

22 mins

33m

-6m Moderate track

Turn right: From Ten Mile Hollow, this walk follows the 'Clares Bridge' sign[14] 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[15].

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.

(14km) 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[16], 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'[17].

(15km) Int of the OGNR and Donny's track → Donny's View

3.9 km

1 hr 27 mins climb

136m

-217m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Donny's Track' sign[18] 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

(18km) Donny's View → Dubbo Gully Rd car park

5.9 km

2 hrs 22 mins climb

384m

-337m 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[19], 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'[20].
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.
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).
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 Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge) 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
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge)

Altitude analysis for Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge)

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	24.3 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	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		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

11km of this walk has short steep hills and another 9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (3.9km) is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 23km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 1.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 18km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 7km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 23km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 24km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 12km 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

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge) walk.

Dubbo Gully to Upper Mangrove Cemetery

7.2 km Return, 3 hrs 15 mins

An interesting walk with some great scenery, going to the small and interesting, historic cemetery at Upper Mangrove. Evidence of Aboriginal activity in the area stretches back at least 5000 years. Early European settlement in the area was concerned with timber, and produce farming, before the area

Total climbing: 450m

Moderate track

Great North Road and Dubbo Gully

27.3 km One way, 2 Days

This walk follows a section of the Old Great North Road along the borders of the rugged Yengo and Dharug National Parks, to then visit more historic sites in Dubbo Gully. This is more of a historic journey than you typical bushwalk. There is a campsite at Ten Mile Hollow providing a comfortable pla

Total climbing: 1372m

Hard track

Western Commission Track to Dubbo Gully

28.3 km One way, 2 Days

This two day walk follows a series of historic roads along clear and wide management trails. This walk explores the great views from Western Commission Track, the sandstone handicraft on the Old Great North Road and the farming history of Ten Mile Hollow, and also offers a side trip to Clare's Bridg

Total climbing: 1249m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge) walk.

Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Forest Road

11.2 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This pleasant walk explores the rural valleys and a beautiful section of Jilliby State Conservation Area. Starting at Ourimbah Valley Trackhead you walk into Hidden valley along the dirt road, to then follow a trail beside Ourimbah Creek to Stringy Bark Point. This is a pleasant mossy area with many

Total climbing: 528m

Hard track

Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Greta Road

15 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

Hard track

248 Track

8.3 km Return, 3 hrs 15 mins

A nice walk through Popran National Park with good views along the way. The optional side trip to Mt Olive adds some great views and scenery. If you have a car with good ground clearance, you could drive to Ironbark picnic area and start the walk from there.

Total climbing: 255m

Moderate track

Emerald Pool circuit from Ironbark Rd

10.8 km Circuit, 4 hrs 15 mins

A great circuit walk in Popran National Park, to the beautiful Emerald Pool. This walk passes through a variety of vegetation and offers some great views along the way. Emerald Pool is a really beautiful spot and it is well worth spending some time exploring around the creek. The optional side trips

Total climbing: 344m

Hard track

Ironbark Rd to Glenworth Valley

10.1 km Return, 4 hrs 15 mins

This walk, mostly in Popran National Park, passes through a great variety of scenery and beautiful views. The early part of the walk, along a ridgetop, is through relatively dry forest with some great views, while the steep but beautiful descent to Glenworth Valley is through moist, fern filled fore

Total climbing: 492m

Hard track

Mt Olive

4.4 km Return, 2 hrs

A very nice walk to a viewpoint on top of Mt Olive, in Popran National Park. The walk passes through nice forest, and offers good views over Popran National Park from the top of Mt Olive. If you have a car with good ground clearance, you could drive to the picnic area, making the walk shorter.

Total climbing: 151m

Hard track

Bumble Hill Dray track (Greta Rd to Forest Road to Yarramalong)

5.6 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This section of the Great North Walk explores a section of the historic Bumble Hill Dray track. You will walk along the edge of ridge mostly through an open dry eucalypt forests and occasionally through moist ferny gullies as well as alongside the base of a tall rock wall. Bumble Hill Dray track was

Total climbing: 277m

Hard track

Forest Road to Yarramalong

8.1 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Great North Walk explores the rural area of Kulnura as you walk along the roads before heading along the historic Bumble Hill Dray track. This track leads you along the edge of ridge mostly through an open dry eucalypt forests and occasionally through moist ferny gullies as well

Total climbing: 336m

Hard track

Greta road to Cedar Brush track head

17 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows the Great North Walk from Greta road to the Cedar Brush track head, via the Bumble Hill Dray track and the Yarramalong General Store. While most of this walk is on the road, it does provide a good, mostly level bushwalk and a great stroll along a quiet country road, through a pleas

Total climbing: 547m

Hard track

Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite

33.7 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Yarramalong general store and follows the roads to the Cedar Brush track head. From here the walk heads north through the Olney State Forest to the Basin Campsite. On day two, the walk continues north, through the State Forest, to Mt Warrawolong,

Total climbing: 1615m

Hard track

Yarramalong to Cedar Brush

11 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

Starting at the quaint Yarramalong township, this walk follows a couple of rural roads to the Cedar Brush Trackhead. This is the longest road stretch on the Great North Walk. Some people see this is a road slog and either grab a lift or power walk it, others see it as an opportunity to stroll throu

Total climbing: 241m

Easy track

Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead

6 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

Starting with a walk through the streets of urban Somerbsy, you soon leave the farms and head into Palm Grove Nature Reserve. First you will follow the signposted track down the open dry ridge to the dense rainforest. In this valley you can explores the moist rainforest with towering Eucalypts, Str

Total climbing: 194m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge) walk starts and ends at the Dubbo Gully Rd car park (gps: -33.293017, 151.15119)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

Park Information

Dharug National Park

Named after the traditional custodians (the Darug People), this park has much history and some great sandstone formations. The wildflowers in spring add a wonderful touch of colour to the bushland. The Old Great North Road including its quarries, bridges and other features improves access and provides a great deal of interest for visitors. Close to Sydney and Gosford, it feels like stepping back in time when visiting this park.

Mcpherson State Forest

Mcpherson State Forest is a forest found west of Wyong on the NSW central Coast. The forest surrounds Mangrove Creek, just south of the Dam and boarders with Yengo National Park.

Yengo National Park

Yengo National park is a large and seemingly remote park. The park stretches from Wisemans Ferry to near Singleton. The park is bound by Putty Rd (and Wollemi NP) on the west. The park has been subject to logging in the past, particularly around Mount Yengo. Much of the park is difficult to access, increasing the sense of wilderness. Yengo NP is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area and is home to sections of the Old Great North Road.

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