Boarding House Dam Circuit

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

718 m Circuit

36 m

Moderate track

This a cool walk on a on a hot day. Take your time exploring the rock formations along the creek, before finding the moss wall. Walk alongside the moss wall to its end, and then follow a track through moist rainforest back to the dam. A pleasant relaxed walk starting and finishing from the Boarding House Dam picnic area.

Boarding House Dam Picnic area near Watagan Forest Rd in the Watagans

Large tree stump at Board House Dam near Watagans Forest Rd in the Watagans

Track towards Boarding House Dam near Watagans Forest Rd in the Watagans

Looking at Boarding House Dam Picnic area near Watagans Forest road in the Watagans

Boarding House Dam near Watagans Forest Rd in the Watagans

Creek near Boarding House Dam in the Watagans

Boarding House Dam Picnic area in the Watagans

Creek and rock formations in Boarding House Creek in the Watagans

Boarding House dam creek and timber bridge in the Watagans

Timber bridge across creek at Boarding House Dam in the Watagans

Rock formations and creek in the Boarding House Creek in the Watagans

Small waterfall in the Boarding House Dam Creek in the Watagans.

Rock with creek beyond near Watagan Forest Rd

Rock formations and a small waterfall near the Boarding House Dam picnic area

Track near Boarding House Dam in the Watagans

Timber track marker near the moss wall in the Watagans

Moist forest near the Moss Wall in the Watagans

Forest near the Moss Wall close to Watagan Forest Rd in the Watagans

Moss Wall near the Board House Dam in the Watagans

Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans

Timber bridge near the Moss Wall in the Watagans

Close up of moss on the moss wall near Boarding House Dam near Watagan Forest Road in the Watagans

Timber bridge near the creek and moss wall in the Watagans

Creek and pool underneath the moss wall in the Watagans

Timber bridge over the Boarding House Creek near the Watagan Forest Rd in the Watagans

Timber steps close to Moss Wall near the Boarding House Dam in the Watagans

Timber steps and bridge near the Moss Wall in the Watagans

Rock formations and creek near Boarding House Dam in the Watagans

Timber bridge near Boarding House Dam in the Watagans

Boarding House Dam Picnic Area

The boarding house dam picnic area in the Watagans National Park offers a relaxed spot to have a picnic amongst large gum trees[1], combined with a walk to the dam and moss wall. The picnic area is surrounded by a wide, sleepy creek that has been widened by the dam. There are a number of sheltered picnic tables, barbeques, a toilet[2], and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). The dam was built in 1952 for fire fighting and recreational use. The area was established in the 1850s as a logging camp, as part of the Barnier Timber Lease. Now it is a great picnic area,

(0km) Boarding House Dam Picnic Area → Int of Boarding House Dam loop

100 m

2 mins

-4m Easy track

From the boarding house dam picnic area[4], this walk follows the track gently up timber steps[5], keeping the very large tree stump[6] and dam[7] on your right. This walk follows the track (with a concrete dam[8] on the right) for about 45m, before descending gently on a track and timber steps[9] for about 30m, until coming to a three-way intersection[10], with a track (on the left) and footbridge[11] (on the right).

(0km) Int of Boarding House Dam loop → Moss Wall Bridge

360 m

9 mins

25m

-22m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[12], this walk follows the track down steps and over the footbridge[13], crossing the creek. The walk continues through moist forest for about 50m then crosses a timber footbridge[14]. The track continues gently downhill for about 180m, to find another timber track marker[15] and footbridge[16] (on the left).

Moss Wall

This 120m-long stretch of moss-covered rock wall[17] overlooks Boarding House Creek (close to Watagans Forest Rd) and is well worth the walk. The moss wall and surrounding creek side[18] is an enchanting spot to explore, particularly on a hot summer's day.

(0km) Moss wall Bridge → Boarding House Dam Picnic Area

260 m

6 mins

-14m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection[19], this walk follows the track (at the base of the moss wall[20]) north, with the moss wall on your right. After about 100m, the walk comes to the end of the moss wall. This walk continues to follow the track gently uphill (with the creek on the left and passing a timber track marker[21]) for about 90m, until descending timber steps[22] to a three-way intersection, with a bridge[23] on your left.
Continue straight: From the intersection[24], this walk follows the track gently up timber steps[25], with the creek and dam on your left. This walk follows the track (up timber steps[26] at one stage) for about 30m, to find a high point and views into the dam. This walk continues gently downhill[27] (with occasional timber steps) for about 45m, until coming to the boarding house dam picnic area[28] and car park.

Maps for the Boarding House Dam Circuit 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.

Quorrobolong	1:25 000 Map Series	91322S QUORROBOLONG	NSW-91322S
Morisset	1:25 000 Map Series	91311N MORISSET	NSW-91311N
Cessnock	1:50 000 Map Series	91322 CESSNOCK	CW-91322
Cessnock	1:100 000 Map Series	9132 CESSNOCK	9132
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Boarding House Dam Circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Boarding House Dam Circuit

Altitude analysis for Boarding House Dam Circuit

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	718 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		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

This whole walk, 720m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 520m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 200m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 560m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 160m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 560m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 160m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 720m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 360m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 360m 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 Boarding House Dam Circuit walk.

Moss Wall Walk

516 m Return, 15 mins

A gentle walk past the Boarding House dam and through moist rainforest to a long straight moss covered wall. Spend some time exploring the creek and pools beside the moss wall before retracing your steps back to the Boarding House dam picnic area and car park. A cool sheltered spot to relax, parti

Total climbing: 22m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Boarding House Dam Circuit walk.

Watagan Forestry HQ campsite to Heaton Gap

12.5 km One way, 6 hrs

This walk starts from the Watagan Forestry HQ campsite and follows the Great North Walk through the Watagan State Forest. The walk then heads out to Heaton lookout and down the long descent into Heaton Gap, passing several more fantastic lookouts and picnic areas on the way. The walk finishes at He

Total climbing: 729m

Hard track

Watagan Headquarters to Heaton Lookout

8.1 km One way, 4 hrs

This scenic walk includes dramatic lookouts and time spent in moist cool forest. The walk initially travels on dirt road past Hunter and MacLean’s Lookout, before descending into the Wallis Creek catchment. Here the walk traverses underneath many cliffs before crossing Wallis Creek and arriving at

Total climbing: 571m

Hard track

Gap Creek Falls Walk

1.5 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk leads to one of the best waterfalls in the Hunter area and is highly recommended. The walk travels through dense rainforest, before descending to an inspiring amphitheatre of rock with the dramatic Gap Creek Falls. Spend some time looking around the base of the falls, particularly behind

Total climbing: 162m

Moderate track

Gap Creek Rainforest Walk

1.7 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk takes you deep into moist rainforest and is well worthwhile. The walk is mostly flat and travels through a varied and healthy rainforest, with strangler fig vines, large older trees and lots of wildlife. If you are lucky, you could find the protected yabbies in the creek at the end of the

Total climbing: 111m

Hard track

Monkey Face Cliff Walk

406 m Return, 30 mins

This short but steep walk to the base of an attractive cliff is worthwhile. The walk travels through open forest with gum trees and Xanthorhoea trees to eventually follow timber steps steeply to the base of the Monkey Face cliff. This cliff is used by rock climbers and abseiling parties, so be awa

Total climbing: 65m

Hard track

Monkey Face Circuit

1.3 km Circuit, 45 mins

This short and scenic walk offers two lookouts and a forest walk. Gap Creek viewpoint gives views of dense forest, while the Monkey Face viewpoint gives views of forested farmland in the Gap Creek valley. The short forest walk between these two viewpoints is amongst large rocks and offers views of

Total climbing: 74m

Moderate track

Heaton Lookout to Heaton Gap

4.3 km One way, 2 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk start from grand views at Heaton Lookout in Heaton state forest and leads to the picnic area and motel at Heaton Gap. The first section of this walk follows the dirt road to a communication tower before passing another lookout and expansive valley views. Here you

Total climbing: 153m

Hard track

Hunter Lookout and Great North Walk loop

5.6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This loop track starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area and follows the Great North Walk around the edge of the ridge via the Macleans Lookout, Rocky Creek gully and the cliffs around the eastern edge of the ridge. This walk provides great views across the valley and much of the Hunter to the no

Total climbing: 336m

Hard track

Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This loop walk starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area. The walk provides great views across the valley and winds around the edge of the ridge line, passing Macleans lookout, also with great views. The walk continues along a short section of the Great North Walk, through an open forest to the en

Total climbing: 138m

Hard track

Georges Road Rest Area to 125r Lookout

4.4 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This return walk starts from a nice rest area on Georges Road and follows the road along the ridge, passing several great lookout points across the valley, to the quiet little 125r lookout, which provides a nice open clearing that just screams lunch time. Please note that Watagan and Georges Roads a

Total climbing: 209m

Moderate track

Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite

29.7 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Congewai Valley east track head and heads north up into the Watagan National Park, climbing up to the ridgeline and following the management trails and bush tracks heading east all the way to the Forestry HQ campsite. On day two, the walk continue

Total climbing: 1702m

Hard track

Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters

17.2 km One way, 7 hrs

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 walk also passes many great lookouts and gives the option of a side trip down to the 125r lookout, which pro

Total climbing: 973m

Hard track