Great North Walk
Encyclopedia
The Great North Walk is a walking track which runs from Sydney
to Newcastle
in New South Wales
, Australia
. The main track, 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) in length, runs between the Obelisk in Macquarie Place
in Sydney to Queens Wharf Tower in Bicentennial Park in Newcastle and is well sign-posted. There are many "side tracks" which conveniently link the track to populated areas along the length of the walk. The walk includes a huge variety of wildlife and scenery.
A 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) section at the northern, Newcastle end, is also known as the Yuelarbah Track. This section runs from the Teralba
railway station to the Queens Wharf on Newcastle
Harbour. At Kahibah Station, the Great North Walk uses a short section of The Fernleigh Track
and passes along the northern side of Glenrock Lagoon
to get to the coast.
to Newcastle, with access to many linking tracks. Today's Great North Walk is quite true to the original trail. Celebrating its 21st birthday this year, the Great North Walk is mature enough to have books written around it.
The original name for the Great North Walk was the 'Sydney to Hunter Project'. The name 'the Great North Walk' was derived from the first road from the Hunter Valley to Sydney, called the 'Great North Road'.
The track began construction in 1987 and was completed less than a year later in early 1988, in time for the bicentennial celebration year. Asian workers from several countries including China
, Thailand
and Vietnam
were hired by the N.S.W. State Government to complete the track by 1988. A small amount of local controversy followed as the Asian labourers won the contract to construct the track over a local landscaping and environmental businesses. Claim was made that the Asians only won the contract because they cost as much as three times less than the local workers.
The company, "Ning-Pow Australia", who were responsible for providing the labourers for the project, were heavily scrutinized for slow construction and poor treatment of their workers. The track was eventually finished but was of very poor quality. Following the bicentennial year, the N.S.W. State Government handed over maintenance responsibility to each sections respective land owners, mainly N.S.W. National Parks and Wildlife Service
and State Forests. Under new responsibility, the track was significantly upgraded to higher quality then that which had been left by the Asian workers. In several places the track had to be re-constructed taking completely different routes, because the original had been so terribly built. Eventually, the track was completed to a decent standard and remains well maintained in most places.
, where there are many heritage homes, then arrives at the Lane Cove River
. It follows the river through the Lane Cove National Park
to Thornleigh
, then follows Berowra Creek. Further north, the track crosses over to the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
before proceeding to Brooklyn
, on the Hawkesbury River
. The river can be crossed either by train or boat, after which the track proceeds north through Brisbane Water National Park
and the Ourimbah Valley before reaching the Watagan State Forest. Further north, the track veers east in the vicinity of Brunkerville and follows the Myall Range for some distance before reaching Teralba
, on the southern fringes of Newcastle. It then proceeds to its official finishing point in Newcastle.
In addition to the main track between Sydney and Newcastle, there is an extension that goes north to the Hunter Valley
. The extension departs from the main track in the vicinity of Brunkerville, and proceeds along a country road to the village of Paxton, passing abandoned coal mines along the way. From Paxton it proceeds north and follows the Mount View Range, where there are extensive views in the direction of Cessnock
. The track then descends the northern end of the range before terminating in the wine-making area of Pokolbin
.
The total walk from Sydney to Newcastle takes around 14 days to complete, with popular camp sites at designated spots along the way. Many of these sites are on ridge tops with no available water supply. Where natural standing water is available, it is not necessarily safe to drink and should be treated before use.
It is not necessary to do the walk in one go; individual sections can be completed easily as day walks. The track is often close to the railway line
, providing convenient rail access at a number of points. Some early sections in Sydney
are through local suburbs on sealed roads. There are more than a dozen ancient Aboriginal rock art sites along the route. The best time to take this walk is late autumn, winter and spring. Summer is extremely hot and should be avoided, particularly if bushfire risk is high.
(click on the image to find the high res version with more detail)
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
to Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The main track, 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) in length, runs between the Obelisk in Macquarie Place
Macquarie Place
Macquarie Place is a small triangular park in downtown Sydney, Australia. It is located at the corner of Bridge Street and Loftus Street, and is named after Governor Lachlan Macquarie.- History :...
in Sydney to Queens Wharf Tower in Bicentennial Park in Newcastle and is well sign-posted. There are many "side tracks" which conveniently link the track to populated areas along the length of the walk. The walk includes a huge variety of wildlife and scenery.
A 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) section at the northern, Newcastle end, is also known as the Yuelarbah Track. This section runs from the Teralba
Teralba, New South Wales
Teralba is a town and suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, located between the towns of Cardiff and Toronto on the northern shoreline of Lake Macquarie. The town first came into being with the construction of the Homebush to Waratah Railway in the early 1880s.-...
railway station to the Queens Wharf on Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
Harbour. At Kahibah Station, the Great North Walk uses a short section of The Fernleigh Track
The Fernleigh Track
The Belmont railway line is an abandoned coal haulage and passenger rail line from Adamstown, New South Wales to Belmont, New South Wales. This was a private railway, being the property of the New Redhead Estate and Coal Company and was generally known as the Belmont Branch...
and passes along the northern side of Glenrock Lagoon
Glenrock Lagoon
Glenrock Lagoon is located south-west of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The catchment area is bounded by the following catchment areas, Murdering Gully to the north east, Throsby Creek, Hunter Valley to the north and north west, Winding Creek, Lake Macquarie to the west, Dicks Creek and...
to get to the coast.
History
The Great North Walk was initiated by Gary McDougall and Leigh Shearer-Heriot. They both planned and marked the original route from SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
to Newcastle, with access to many linking tracks. Today's Great North Walk is quite true to the original trail. Celebrating its 21st birthday this year, the Great North Walk is mature enough to have books written around it.
The original name for the Great North Walk was the 'Sydney to Hunter Project'. The name 'the Great North Walk' was derived from the first road from the Hunter Valley to Sydney, called the 'Great North Road'.
The track began construction in 1987 and was completed less than a year later in early 1988, in time for the bicentennial celebration year. Asian workers from several countries including China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
were hired by the N.S.W. State Government to complete the track by 1988. A small amount of local controversy followed as the Asian labourers won the contract to construct the track over a local landscaping and environmental businesses. Claim was made that the Asians only won the contract because they cost as much as three times less than the local workers.
The company, "Ning-Pow Australia", who were responsible for providing the labourers for the project, were heavily scrutinized for slow construction and poor treatment of their workers. The track was eventually finished but was of very poor quality. Following the bicentennial year, the N.S.W. State Government handed over maintenance responsibility to each sections respective land owners, mainly N.S.W. National Parks and Wildlife Service
National Parks and Wildlife Service (New South Wales)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Office of Environment and Heritage - the main government conservation agency in New South Wales, Australia....
and State Forests. Under new responsibility, the track was significantly upgraded to higher quality then that which had been left by the Asian workers. In several places the track had to be re-constructed taking completely different routes, because the original had been so terribly built. Eventually, the track was completed to a decent standard and remains well maintained in most places.
Description
After its official start in Macquarie Place, the walk continues through the suburb of Hunters HillHunters Hill, New South Wales
Hunters Hill is a suburb in Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hunters Hill is located 9 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the Municipality of Hunter's Hill.Hunters Hill is situated on a...
, where there are many heritage homes, then arrives at the Lane Cove River
Lane Cove River
The Lane Cove River is a tributary of the Parramatta River, Sydney, Australia. Its lower reaches form an arm of Sydney Harbour.-Description:...
. It follows the river through the Lane Cove National Park
Lane Cove National Park
Lane Cove National Park is a small national park located within metropolitan Sydney. The park islocated about ten kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD...
to Thornleigh
Thornleigh, New South Wales
Thornleigh is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Thornleigh is located north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Hornsby Shire...
, then follows Berowra Creek. Further north, the track crosses over to the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Ku-ring-gai Chase is a national park in New South Wales, Australia, 25 km north of Sydney located largely within the Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Warringah and Pittwater municipal areas. Ku-ring-gai Chase is also officially classed as a suburb by the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales...
before proceeding to Brooklyn
Brooklyn, New South Wales
Brooklyn is a small suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Brooklyn is located 51 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Hornsby Shire and is part of the North Shore region...
, on the Hawkesbury River
Hawkesbury River
The Hawkesbury River, also known as Deerubbun, is one of the major rivers of the coastal region of New South Wales, Australia. The Hawkesbury River and its tributaries virtually encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney.-Geography:-Course:...
. The river can be crossed either by train or boat, after which the track proceeds north through Brisbane Water National Park
Brisbane Water National Park
Brisbane Water National park is a national park in New South Wales, , 47 km north of Sydney.The park has many pleasant and interesting walks that can vary from mild to rugged. One walk that can be easily accessed via public transport, is the walk to Pindar Cave on the escarpment above...
and the Ourimbah Valley before reaching the Watagan State Forest. Further north, the track veers east in the vicinity of Brunkerville and follows the Myall Range for some distance before reaching Teralba
Teralba, New South Wales
Teralba is a town and suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, located between the towns of Cardiff and Toronto on the northern shoreline of Lake Macquarie. The town first came into being with the construction of the Homebush to Waratah Railway in the early 1880s.-...
, on the southern fringes of Newcastle. It then proceeds to its official finishing point in Newcastle.
In addition to the main track between Sydney and Newcastle, there is an extension that goes north to the Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley
The Hunter Region, more commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales, Australia, extending from approximately to north of Sydney with an approximate population of 645,395 people. Most of the population of the Hunter Region lives within of the coast, with 55% of the entire...
. The extension departs from the main track in the vicinity of Brunkerville, and proceeds along a country road to the village of Paxton, passing abandoned coal mines along the way. From Paxton it proceeds north and follows the Mount View Range, where there are extensive views in the direction of Cessnock
Cessnock, New South Wales
Cessnock is a city in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about by road west of Newcastle. It is the administrative centre of the Cessnock City Council LGA and was named after an 1826 grant of land called Cessnock Estate, which was owned by John Campbell...
. The track then descends the northern end of the range before terminating in the wine-making area of Pokolbin
Pokolbin, New South Wales
Pokolbin is a rural locality in the Hunter Region of New South Wales Australia. It is part of the Singleton Shire Council Local Government Area and the city of Cessnock. The area is the centre of the Lower Hunter Valley wine region...
.
The total walk from Sydney to Newcastle takes around 14 days to complete, with popular camp sites at designated spots along the way. Many of these sites are on ridge tops with no available water supply. Where natural standing water is available, it is not necessarily safe to drink and should be treated before use.
It is not necessary to do the walk in one go; individual sections can be completed easily as day walks. The track is often close to the railway line
Northern railway line, Sydney
The Northern Line is part of the metropolitan rail network in Sydney known as CityRail. It serves the northern suburbs of Sydney and the Lower North Shore, along with parts of the Inner West and the Hills District. The line utilises the Epping to Chatswood Line and parts of the Main Northern Line,...
, providing convenient rail access at a number of points. Some early sections in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
are through local suburbs on sealed roads. There are more than a dozen ancient Aboriginal rock art sites along the route. The best time to take this walk is late autumn, winter and spring. Summer is extremely hot and should be avoided, particularly if bushfire risk is high.
Terrain Profile
The terrain profile of the Great North Walk as of the end of 2010.(click on the image to find the high res version with more detail)
Record Attempts
On the June long weekend in 2009 Andrew Vize, Darrel Robins and Terry Coleman traversed the GNW in its entirety between Newcastle and Sydney in 66 hours and 36 minutes. They left the Obelisk in the Newcastle Bicentennial Park at Midnight Friday June 5 and arrived at the Obelisk in Macquarie Place Sydney at 6.36pm on Monday June 8, 2009.External links
- NSW Department of Lands - The Great North Walk Discovery Kit
- Detailed Track notes and Topo Maps for Great North Walk - Free download A Google Earth fly over of the whole Great North Walk
- EveryTrail Great North Walk Guide Downloadable E-Trails for Great North Walk