Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

1.9 km Circuit

160 m

Hard track

This walk spends time ambling through beautiful rainforest and is an excellent choice on a hot day. This walk descends into rainforest on a narrow track, with the track becoming indistinct midway through the walk. A recommended walk through attractive forest.

Start to Muirs Walking Track near Cooranbong

Looking up to Muirs Mookout car park near Cooranbong

Walking trail sign near Muirs Lookout Cooranbong

Moist rainforest and track near Muirs Lookout

No. 16 timber post in rainforest near Muirs Lookout

Rainforest with large tree trunks near Muir Lookout in the Watagans

Large ferns close to Muirs Lookout in the Watagans

Timber post and track close to Muirs Lookout in the Watagans

Timber post and railing close to Muirs Lookout near Muirs Lookout

Muirs Lookout

Muirs Lookout[1] on Prickly Ridge Road, in the Jilliby State Conservation Area, offers scenic views from Lake Macquarie to Tuggerah Lakes. The picnic area is supplied with fireplaces, firewood, picnic tables[2], toilets[3] and water[4] (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). The lookout is surrounded by blackbutt and bluegum trees[5]. More info.

(0km) Muirs Lookout → No.16 timber post

770 m

19 mins

18m

-112m Moderate track

From Muirs Lookout[6] and car park, this walk follows the track moderately steeply downhill[7], passing a 'Muirs Lookout Walking Track' sign[8](on your left) and walking between timber posts. Then this walk continues to follow the track through blackbutt and bluegum forest[9] for about 800m, until coming to a No.16 timber post[10] and moist rainforest gully[11].

Rainforest at No.16 timber post

At the No. 16 timber post[12] (along the Muirs walking trail), you are in a beautiful rainforest gully surrounded by a lush moist forest of cycads[13], ferns and mosses, with towering blackbutt[14] and bluegum trees above. This cool moist spot is a great place to spend time on a hot dry day.

(1km) No.16 Timber Post → Int of Muirs Track AND Muirs Lookout Rd

1 km

32 mins

141m

-46m Hard track

Continue straight: From the No. 16 timber post[15], this walk follows the mostly level, indistinct track north[16], keeping the hill up on your right. Then this walk continues to follow the indistinct track[17] through dense rainforest for about 400m (passing timber posts no.24[18] and no.26[19] on the way). This walk then continues to follow the indistinct track gently uphill for about 600m, out of the rainforest and into blackbutt and bluegum forest (passing no.31 timber post), until coming to a T-intersection[20] with a management trail.

(2km) Int of Muirs Track & Muirs Lookout Rd → Muirs Lookout

100 m

2 mins

-3m Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection[21], this walk follows the management trail gently uphill[22] and away from the back of the 'Muirs Lookout Picnic Area' sign[23]. Then this walk continues to follow the trail for about 100m, until coming to Muirs Lookout[24] and car park[25].

Maps for the Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk 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.

Morisset	1:25 000 Map Series	91311N MORISSET	NSW-91311N
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk

Altitude analysis for Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk

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	1.9 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 1.8km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 100m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

1km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 770m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (100m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

1km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 770m has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (100m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

1km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience and another 770m requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (100m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 870m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 770m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (100m) 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 Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk walk.

Muirs Rainforest Walk

1.5 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a good walk on a hot day. This walk leaves Muirs Lookout and descends through healthy blackbutt and blue gum forest to find a moist rainforest of ferns and mosses. A quiet sit and picnic within the rainforest would be lovely. This walk returns the same way you have come.

Total climbing: 130m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk walk.

Abbotts Falls Walking Track

7.3 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This circuit takes you through both dry and moist forest, using a combination of walking trails and wider tracks. The side trip to the dammed pool is recommended, to see the deep Aboriginal carved grooves by the pool. This walk travels through open forest with wild flowers (in season) to descend i

Total climbing: 329m

Hard track

Pines Circuit Walk

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

This short walk takes you into the moist forest around Dora Creek and is recommended. The walk visits a small waterfall and dammed pool then travels through forest, visiting the large open Pines picnic area before returning to the starting point. The section of this walk near Dora Creek is particu

Total climbing: 56m

Moderate track

Basin Campsite to Watagan Creek Road

13 km One way, 6 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Basin campsite in the Olney State Forest and winds north into the Watagans, via the Warrawolong Flora Reserve. This walk also offers a side trip from Turners Road up to the top of Mt Warrawolong, which is the highest point along the Great North Wa

Total climbing: 784m

Hard track

Basin campsite to Watagan Valley

13 km One way, 6 hrs

This varied walk travels north through the Watagans. Leaving the Basin campsite behind, the walk traverses the Wollombi Brook via the Lyrebird trail. The Wollombi Brook Pool is a great spot to stop (and take a swim) on a hot day. From the pool, the walk climbs into the Warrawolong Flora Reserve us

Total climbing: 784m

Hard track

The Basin Campsite to Heaton Gap

60.5 km One way, 4 Days

This four day walk starts at the Basin Campsite, in the Olney State Forest, and follows the Great North Walk, heading north. The walk passes through to the Watagan State Forest and into the Congewai Valley, continuing east into the Watagan National Park and all the way through to Heaton Gap. The thr

Total climbing: 3206m

Hard track

Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite

9.7 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Great North Walk makes a good walk to a comfortable campsite, with the section along the Lyrebird Trail by the Wollombi Brook being particularly recommended. From the Cedar Brush track head, the walk winds up into the Olney State Forest through bushland (crossing over two moist

Total climbing: 590m

Hard track

Cedar Brush track head to the Basin Campsite

9.7 km One way, 4 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Cedar Brush track head and winds up into the Olney State Forest, following bushtracks and service trails down into the Wollombi Brook gully. From here, the walk heads south along the Lyre Bird trail to the Basin Campsite. The Basin Campsite provi

Total climbing: 590m

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

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

Boarding House Dam Circuit

718 m Circuit, 30 mins

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 Boardi

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track