BRISBANE WATER
NATIONAL PARK

BRISBANE WATER
NATIONAL PARK

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This spectacular park borders the Hawkesbury River 40km north of Sydney and a little west of Gosford. It covers 12,000ha of rugged sandstone country with magnificent views of the Hawkesbury River, Brisbane Water and Broken Bay.

Photo by Christopher Yardin 

Photo by neeravbhatt 

There are a number of lookouts in the park including Staples Lookout on Woy Woy Road with views over Brisbane Water and Warra Trig off Patonga Road and Tony Doyle Lookout both with great views over Broken Bay.

The park has fabulous wildflower displays from late winter to early spring. The flowers include boronias, Christmas bells, grevillea, and waratahs.

Photo by Arthur Chapman 

Photo by Doug Beckers 

Photo by Happy days 09 

It has a rich diversity of native animals and has populations of threatened species such as tiger quolls and koalas.

The spot is just off the Pacific Highway opposite the entrance to the Reptile Park and has gas BBQs, picnic tables and large grassed areas. There is a fee to use this and other park facilities.

Somersby Falls, Brisbane Water National Park Photo Poidabro

Somersby Falls Picnic Area
A great spot for a picnic where you can view the falls from the top. There is a steep track to a lookout platform halfway down the falls. Facilities include free gas BBQs, picnic tables and toilets.

Bulgandry Aboriginal Site
This spot has outstanding examples of Aboriginal sandstone rock engravings. A boardwalk covers the site for easy viewing of axe-grinding grooves and engravings of animals and figures. The best viewing times are early morning and late in the day as the low sun causes better shadows to highlight the engravings. The boardwalk starts at the end of a 250m gravel track that leads from the car park. Access is off Woy Woy road approximately 2km from the Kariong turn off.

The Great North Walk
This walk passes through Brisbane Water National Park. It is a 250km walking track between Sydney and Newcastle. It was established in 1988 as part of Australia’s  Bicentennial Celebrations. More information

Walks in the Brisbane Water National Park
Please note that the car park opens at 8am and is closed and locked at 8pm during daylight savings and 5pm other times.

Somersby Falls Walking Track
A steep track with many steps. Excellent views of falls and rainforest from observation platforms. Duration 10 minutes. Difficulty hard, due to large number of steps.

Piles Creek Loop
Start and finish from Girrakool picnic area. It follows the deep gorge of Piles Creek and has many nice picnic spots. Distance 5km. Difficulty medium.

Girrakool Loop Track
A short and easy walk starts and finishes from Girrakool picnic area. It has scenic views over waterfalls and during late winter and early spring is a great place to see colourful wildflowers. Aboriginal rock engravings can be seen at the start of the walk and we recommend that you stop at for photos at Illoura Lookout and the shady waterfall at Andamira Lookout. Distance 2km. Difficulty easy.

Patonga to Pearl Beach
This walk follows the Great North Walk through Brisbane Water National Park. As this walk begins and ends at a beach having you swimmers and a towel is a great idea. Starting from the end of Patonga Beach you follow the signs to the national park. follow the trail past Warrah lookout with commanding views of the Hawkesbury River and the Pacific Ocean. Then follow the Peal Beach signs past sandstone caves, native hanging ferns and all the while you sould be on the lookout for bush turkeys and kookaburras. The exit is marked at Crystal Avenue which you take to Pearl Beach. Distance 4.2km. Difficulty medium.

Photo by neeravbhatt 

Photo by Christopher Yardin 

More information about Brisbane Water National Park

National Parks and Wildlife
Suites 36-38, 207 Albany Street North, Gosford NSW 2250
Ph 02 4320 4200
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

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Main photo © Cealan Macdonnell