Gap Creek Falls Walk

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Bangalow Road & Gap Creek Falls Walking Track (-33.0132165,151.4306063)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Freemans Drive Exit then drive for 510 m Keep right and drive for another 45 m Turn right onto Freemans Drive and drive for another 4.6 km Turn right onto Mount Faulk Road and drive for another 4.9 km Keep left onto Bangalow Road and drive for another 2.8 km Turn slight right onto Bangalow Road and drive for another 1.8 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Gap Creek picnic area, this walk follows the track gently uphill (up steps initially), passing the 'Gap Creek Forest Walk' sign (on your left). The track is followed through moist rainforest for about 400m, until coming to a three-way intersection, with a large dead tree and a 'Gap Creek Fall/Gap Creek Forest Walk' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Bangalow Road & Gap Creek Falls Walking Track Start heading along Gap Creek Falls Walking Track (a walking track). There is a toilet (about 105 m back from the start). Gap Creek Campground (about 15 m back from the start). W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au This is a free campsite. Gap Creek picnic area (about 9 m back from the start). Gap Creek picnic area The Gap Creek picnic area is located at the end of Bangalow Road within the Watagans National Park. The picnic area has a barbeque and sheltered picnic tables. After another 30 m pass the BBQ (5 m on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to End of Forest Walk. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 335 m veer left, to head along Gap Creek Falls Walking Track.
	Continue another 295 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 680 m to get back to the start. About 35 m past the end is "Gap Creek waterfall". Gap Creek waterfall The Gap Creek waterfall, within the Watagans National Park, is arguably the best waterfall in the Hunter region. The Gap Creek waterfall used to be known as Brownie Falls, named after a pioneer saw-milling family in the Martinsville valley. The falls consists of a large amphitheatre of rock surrounded by rainforest. It is possible to walk across the drainage from the falls and then along an unfenced ledge to get behind the falling water of the waterfall. The waterfall is most spectacular after heavy rains, however it is wise to let the roads dry out before using them. A great spot to sit and relax at any time of the year.

An optional side trip to End of Forest Walk.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 500 m come to the end. About 50 m past the end is "Gap Creek Rainforest rest area". Gap Creek Rainforest rest area The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 500 m come to the end.

About 50 m past the end is "Gap Creek Rainforest rest area".

Gap Creek Rainforest rest area

The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Gap Creek Falls Walk

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.4 km
Time	50 min to 1 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There is one 15 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one -75 m back from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-75 m	[toilet]
Camp site	15 m	Gap Creek Campground

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Gap Creek picnic area
The Gap Creek picnic area is located at the end of Bangalow Road within the Watagans National Park. The picnic area has a barbeque and sheltered picnic tables.

Gap Creek Rainforest rest area
The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day.

Gap Creek waterfall
The Gap Creek waterfall, within the Watagans National Park, is arguably the best waterfall in the Hunter region. The Gap Creek waterfall used to be known as Brownie Falls, named after a pioneer saw-milling family in the Martinsville valley. The falls consists of a large amphitheatre of rock surrounded by rainforest. It is possible to walk across the drainage from the falls and then along an unfenced ledge to get behind the falling water of the waterfall. The waterfall is most spectacular after heavy rains, however it is wise to let the roads dry out before using them. A great spot to sit and relax at any time of the year.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Toronto Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Sunday 3 November
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Partly cloudy. Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h tending northerly in the evening.
  
  Monday 4 November
  
  19°C → 30°C
  Shower or two. Possible storm.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, possibly severe. Winds north to northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h tending northwest to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 28 to 33.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]
  
  Tuesday 5 November
  
  15°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers decreasing to slight chance about the Upper Hunter, most likely in the morning and early afternoon. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 13 and 17 with daytime temperatures reaching 22 to 29.
  
  Wednesday 6 November
  
  15°C → 29°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm about the Upper Hunter in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 13 and 16 with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 35.
  
  Thursday 7 November
  
  16°C → 35°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 17 with daytime temperatures reaching 33 to 38.
  
  Friday 8 November
  
  15°C → 29°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Saturday 9 November
  
  16°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Sunday 10 November
  
  16°C → 25°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Watagans National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road Repairs and Maintenance Work
  Planned road maintenance is scheduled for Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road.
  Temporary closure may occur between Wednesday 26th October 2024 and Friday 29th November 2024.
  
  Heavy plant and machinery will be operating from the intersection of Heaton Road and Watagan Road, then west along Georges Road.
  Pedestrians and vehicles should take caution when accessing these areas.
  
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.
  
  Closed areas: Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road Closed Due to Landslip and Rockfall
  Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road is closed as it is no longer suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles due to risk of landslip and rockfall. This affects access from Watagans National Park to Quorrobolong.
  For further information, please contact NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.
  
  Closed areas: Gap Creek Forest Walk Closed
  Gap Creek Forest Walk is closed due to the risk of landslip and rockfall.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast office on 02 4972 9000
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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