Watagan Mountains

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesWyong
FinishSydney Newcastle Freeway (F3)
DifficultyDifficulty 1.5/5
Suitable For2WD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance106.3 km
Minimum Days1
Average Speed24.35 km/hr
Travel Time4 hrs 21 mins
Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

This is a really good trek if you are just getting into 4WDing. The driving is easy but the region is beautiful and there are some great camping, walking and swimming spots. Not far from Sydney, this trek can be done over a weekend or even on one day! If it's been raining, the tracks can be slippery and can even become impassable if the falls have been consistently heavy.

There are some great campsites such as The Basin Camping area which is 4.5km away and is a lovely spot for a weekend camp. You may see wombats, wallabies and various birds. The camping is on both sides of the track and is well equipped with bbqs, tables, toilets, grassy campsites, walking trails and creek water. The Rock Lily and Lyrebird walking trails from the Basin wind through walls of moss in a rainforest habitat, you may even see the Wollombi Creek.

After crossing the causeway at the Basin, keep to the right and continue along the main track passing the turnoffs to Murrays Forest Road, Glider Point Road, the Great North Walk and Wollombi Forest Road. You are now approaching The Pines Camping Area. There are a few other nice spots here too; the Water Tower and Old Mill Picnic areas and the Turpentines and Casuarina camping areas - all have bbqs, toilets, tap water, walking trails and have wide open grassy sites. Make sure if you go off for the day that your tent is secured and foodstuffs locked away tightly. Cheeky possums in the area have been spotted raiding food left unattended! The Pines Track from the Pines Forest Reserve comes to a picturesque fern-lined creek. If you're lucky enough to be doing this trek in Spring, make sure you do the Wildflower Track for spectacular native blooms.

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

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TrekID: 17

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.

Permits

No permits are needed for this trek note.

Fuel Usage

There is also fuel available at: Yarramalong and Laguna (not shown on this trek note).
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 15 litres4cyl 11 litres *4cyl 21 litres
6cyl 16 litres6cyl 19 litres6cyl 19 litres
8cyl 16 litres8cyl 18 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 travelled all year round, although it may be wise to avoid the area after heavy rains.

Closest Climatic Station

Norah Head Aws
Distance from Trek Mid Point 18.02km SE
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C25.825.924.822.820.018.017.218.820.922.423.524.7
Mean Min. °C19.620.018.715.813.010.99.710.512.814.716.718.3
Mean Rain mm78.5108.9105.8127.1153.1144.397.369.166.853.989.167.5
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Wyong to Jilliby Watagans Entry
Driving: 5.65 km
Heading: 307°
Avg Speed: 53.89 km/hr
EST Time: 06:17
  • Drive northeast on Pacific Highway. for: 0.04 km time: 00:03
  • Turn left onto Anzac Avenue. for: 0.12 km time: 00:15
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Anzac Avenue for: 0.13 km time: 00:17
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Anzac Avenue for: 0.15 km time: 00:20
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Anzac Avenue for: 0.23 km time: 00:28
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Alison Road for: 1.54 km time: 01:41
  • Turn right onto Hue Hue Road. for: 1.75 km time: 01:35
  • Turn left onto Jilliby Road. for: 1.6 km time: 01:23
  • Turn left onto Watagan Forest Drive. for: 0.1 km time: 00:16
Jilliby Watagans Entry to Jerrys Point
Driving: 7.1 km
Heading: 294°
Avg Speed: 25.21 km/hr
EST Time: 16:53
  • Drive west on Watagan Forest Drive. for: 5.88 km time: 13:23
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Watagan Forest Road for: 1.2 km time: 02:53
  • Make a sharp right onto Jerrys Point Road. for: 0.02 km time: 00:37
Jerrys Point to Stoney Ridge Picnic Area
Driving: 14 km
Heading: 13°
Avg Speed: 24.6 km/hr
EST Time: 34:08
  • Drive west on Jerrys Point Road. for: 0.02 km time: 00:30
  • Turn right onto Watagan Forest Road. for: 6.53 km time: 15:43
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Watagan Forest Road for: 0.04 km time: 00:07
  • Turn right to stay on Watagan Forest Road. for: 7.41 km time: 17:48
Stoney Ridge Picnic Area to Bar Lookout
Driving: 21.31 km
Heading: 318°
Avg Speed: 21.66 km/hr
EST Time: 59:01
  • Drive north on Watagan Forest Road. for: 11.17 km time: 26:31
  • Bear left onto Wollombi Forest Road. for: 3.6 km time: 06:00
  • Bear left onto Walkers Ridge Road. for: 5 km time: 07:56
  • Turn right onto Murrays Forest Road. for: 1.02 km time: 02:47
  • Turn right onto Bar lookout Road. for: 0.31 km time: 09:18
  • Keep right to stay on Bar lookout Road. for: 0.22 km time: 06:31
Bar Lookout to The Basin Campground
Driving: 10.62 km
Heading: 215°
Avg Speed: 18.39 km/hr
EST Time: 34:38
  • Drive northwest on Bar lookout Road. for: 0.52 km time: 15:41
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Murrays Forest Road for: 1.02 km time: 02:45
  • Turn right onto Walkers Ridge Road. for: 7.79 km time: 12:39
  • Turn right onto Basin Forest Road. for: 1.29 km time: 03:34
The Basin Campground to Bar Lookout
Driving: 10.62 km
Heading: 35°
Avg Speed: 19.22 km/hr
EST Time: 33:09
  • Drive east on Basin Forest Road. for: 1.29 km time: 03:32
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Walkers Ridge Road for: 7.79 km time: 11:08
  • Turn left onto Murrays Forest Road. for: 1.02 km time: 02:40
  • Turn right onto Bar lookout Road. for: 0.31 km time: 09:18
  • Keep right to stay on Bar lookout Road. for: 0.22 km time: 06:31
Bar Lookout to The Pines Campground
Driving: 8.77 km
Heading: 94°
Avg Speed: 49.94 km/hr
EST Time: 10:32
The Pines Campground to Sandy Knob
Driving: 5.38 km
Heading: 55°
Avg Speed: 11.14 km/hr
EST Time: 28:58
  • Drive west. for: 0.59 km time: 17:45
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Watagan Forest Road for: 4.79 km time: 11:14
Sandy Knob to Heaton Lookout
Driving: 13.34 km
Heading: 51°
Avg Speed: 10.53 km/hr
EST Time: 01:16:00
  • Drive northeast on Watagan Forest Road. for: 11.72 km time: 27:16
  • Turn left onto Heaton Road. for: 1.62 km time: 48:44
Heaton Lookout to Sydney Newcastle Freeway (F3)
Driving: 9.51 km
Heading: 162°
Avg Speed: 8.9 km/hr
EST Time: 01:04:06
  • Drive south on Heaton Road. for: 1.62 km time: 48:43
  • Turn left onto Mount Faulk Road. for: 7.89 km time: 15:23
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

There are beautiful forest drives, lookouts, walking trails, as well as great bush camping and picnic spots.

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

There are also supplies and facilities available at: Yarramalong, Laguna and Wollombi (not shown on this trek note).

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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