Yengo National Park

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesWiseman's Inn Hotel
FinishWollombi
DifficultyDifficulty 2/5
Suitable ForAWD Motorbike 
Distance134.74 km
Minimum Days1
Average Speed31.59 km/hr
Travel Time4 hrs 15 mins
Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

Whilst this trek’s central theme is Yengo National Park, there is much more the visitor can experience as you make your way from Wiseman’s Ferry, crossing the Hawkesbury River by ferry, before arriving at St Alban’s. St Alban’s is an historic settlement where the Settlers Arms Inn is the focal point for most visitors. As you leave St Alban’s take the time to have a stroll through the cemetery which is well kept and not far from the Inn.

After St Alban’s the road meanders through the St Alban’s common before climbing towards Mogo camping area near where you can view sections of the old convict road.

The trek takes you on a short trip down the bitumen to Yango Creek Road, just before the village of Laguna, and this will eventually lead you into the Park proper with the trek doing a circuitous route taking in the Burragurra Aboriginal Site and Finchley Aboriginal Site before taking you past some horse studs and vineyards before arriving at Wollombi.

For those not wanting to commence the trek at Wiseman’s Ferry it is possible to travel up the F3 Freeway from Sydney, taking the Peat’s Ridge turn-off and starting the trek at the Yango Creek Road turn-off. If you are returning to Sydney this is the quickest route especially if you have done the trek in one day.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

Environment

Yengo is a wilderness of steep gorges and rocky ridges. There are several rock types scattered throughout the park, the oldest being Narrabeen sandstone. Geologists think it formed when sand particles began washing down from mountains in northern NSW about 230 million years ago. Hawkesbury sandstone then formed on top. The youngest and rarest rock type in the park is Wianamatta shale. Because shale areas are very fertile they have mostly been used for farming. Areas in their natural state like those in the park are now quite scarce.

History

According to local Aboriginal lore, Mt Yengo is the place where Biamie departed to the skies after finishing his creative tasks during the Dreamtime. The mountain top was flattened when he stepped on it. Aboriginal people have probably live in the area for about 13,000 years. Yengo is criss-crossed with Aboriginal routes used by highland and coastal tribes, where reciprocal visits were often arranged to exploit seasonally abundant food. The path of the historic Old Great North Rd was probably an Aboriginal travelling route shown to surveyors by local people.

The land and waterways, and the plants and animals that live in them, feature in all facets of Aboriginal culture – including recreational, ceremonial, and spiritual and as a main source of food and medicine. They are associated with dreaming stories and cultural learning that is still passed on today. We work with local Aboriginal communities to protect this rich heritage.

To find out more about Aboriginal heritage in the park, you can get in touch with the local Aboriginal community. Contact the park office for more details.

The Old Great North Road, which runs along the park's south-east border, was one of the most important civil engineering feats of the early years of the colony of New South Wales. It was built using convict labour over the period 1826–1836 to provide a route from Sydney to the Hunter Valley. Today you can see spectacular and beautifully preserved examples of convict-built stonework including buttresses, culverts, bridges and 12 m high retaining walls. Unlike most major roads of the period, the Old Great North Road has survived in its original form because it fell into disuse almost before it was completed. Steamers between Sydney and Newcastle became the preferred mode of transport in the 1830s and an alternative road to the Hunter also became more popular.

TrekID: 66

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
Whilst this is not a difficult four-wheel drive trek, the standard recovery gear should be carried, along with a supply of water. Whilst water is sometimes available at Mogo camping area, there is none available at the Finchley camping area and campers will need to be self-sufficient.

Permits

No permits are required to visit the region, but overnight camping attracts a fee within the park and is based on an honour system. Please respect the private access roads within the region.

Fuel Usage

Wiseman’s Ferry. No fuel is available at Wollombi. There is fuel available if you head back to Sydney along the George Downes Drive.
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 19 litres4cyl 22 litres4cyl 27 litres
6cyl 21 litres6cyl 24 litres6cyl 24 litres
8cyl 21 litres8cyl 22 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

This trek can be undertaken all year round, however it would be best to avoid the area if wet.

Closest Climatic Station

Mangrove Mountain Aws
Distance from Trek Mid Point 19.69km SE
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C26.926.424.621.618.415.815.117.320.322.424.125.9
Mean Min. °C16.817.015.112.19.27.36.06.79.411.413.715.3
Mean Rain mm105.3152.6123.685.092.0113.246.656.668.971.492.584.4
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Wiseman's Inn Hotel to Webbs Creek Car Ferry (East Bank)
Driving: 0.46 km
Heading: 229°
Avg Speed: 22.17 km/hr
EST Time: 01:14
Webbs Creek Car Ferry (East Bank) to Settlers Arms Inn
Driving: 20.43 km
Heading: 354°
Avg Speed: 33.56 km/hr
EST Time: 36:31
Settlers Arms Inn to St Albans
Driving: 0.54 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 40.55 km/hr
EST Time: 00:47
St Albans to St Alban's Cemetery
Driving: 3.65 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 22.71 km/hr
EST Time: 09:38
St Alban's Cemetery to Mogo Creek
Driving: 20.19 km
Heading: 39°
Avg Speed: 45.52 km/hr
EST Time: 26:36
Mogo Creek to Mogo Campground
Driving: 4.81 km
Heading: 46°
Avg Speed: 39.97 km/hr
EST Time: 07:13
Mogo Campground to Bucketty Wall
Driving: 6.39 km
Heading: 47°
Avg Speed: 41.16 km/hr
EST Time: 09:18
Bucketty Wall to Yallambie
Driving: 11.23 km
Heading: 358°
Avg Speed: 57.93 km/hr
EST Time: 11:37
Yallambie to Yango
Driving: 5.2 km
Heading: 317°
Avg Speed: 47.42 km/hr
EST Time: 06:34
Yango to Burragurra Aboriginal Site
Driving: 18.57 km
Heading: 207°
Avg Speed: 27.16 km/hr
EST Time: 41:01
Burragurra Aboriginal Site to Boree Rd & Boree Track
Driving: 7.77 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 21.41 km/hr
EST Time: 21:46
Boree Rd & Boree Track to Boree Rd & Yango Track
Driving: 2.6 km
Heading: 27°
Avg Speed: 38.57 km/hr
EST Time: 04:02
Boree Rd & Yango Track to Finchley Campground
Driving: 10.18 km
Heading: 328°
Avg Speed: 30.6 km/hr
EST Time: 19:57
Finchley Campground to Finchley Aboriginal Area
Driving: 0.32 km
Heading: 354°
Avg Speed: 13.06 km/hr
EST Time: 01:28
Finchley Aboriginal Area to Finchley Trig Lookout
Driving: 1.15 km
Heading: 86°
Avg Speed: 22.46 km/hr
EST Time: 03:04
Finchley Trig Lookout to Upper Yango Creek Rd & Boree Rd
Driving: 11.19 km
Heading: 109°
Avg Speed: 31.46 km/hr
EST Time: 21:20
Upper Yango Creek Rd & Boree Rd to Yango
Driving: 0.27 km
Heading: 56°
Avg Speed: 11.69 km/hr
EST Time: 01:23
Yango to Wollombi Tavern
Driving: 9.72 km
Heading: 25°
Avg Speed: 42.05 km/hr
EST Time: 13:52
Wollombi Tavern to Wollombi
Driving: 0.07 km
Heading: 87°
Avg Speed: 10.69 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

This is an area that ranges from rugged sand-stone cliffs to picturesque farms alongside the water courses making it a photographers paradise.

There are a number of stand-out attractions within this region, one of which is the aboriginal rock carvings that can be viewed within Yengo National Park. The area also has a link to Australia’s early settlement with some settlers in the region having links to our convict past. Visitors can also view sections of the Great North Road that was built with convict labour.

Watching the sun set over Yengo National Park from the Burragurra Aboriginal site is a peaceful experience, especially if you are lucky to be there by yourself.

Facilities

Where to Stay

There is camping available at Mogo camping area, which is a picturesque area that has wood fire places, a camp shelter and a pit toilet. Mogo camp area also has bollards in place making it difficult for those with camper trailers. Finchley camping are is more basic, but also has a pit toilet and wood fire places, but is camper trailer friendly.

Accommodation is plentiful at Wiseman’s Ferry, ranging from a Caravan Park to Resort style accommodation. The Settlers Arms Inn at St Alban’s also has overnight accommodation available and there are numerous B & B alternatives available at Wiseman’s, St Alban’s and Wollombi.

Services & Supplies

Wiseman’s Ferry has a range of shops at which most supplies can be purchased.

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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