Great North Walk: Wondabyne to Somersby Overnight

[solohiker]

Hi, I have just completed the Wondabyne to Somersby leg of the great north walk and I highly recommend it! I completed it as my final walk in Caro Ryan's 30 days to overnight hiking challenge, where my personal challenge was to camp in a wooded area with the critters and also to set a realistic walking distance for each day that avoids strains and a prolonged recovery period. Achieved both!
My full account and lots of pictures are in the link below.
https://solohikerblog.wordpress.com/201 ... overnight/

[nath4n77]

Great blog enjoyed the report and photos thanks

[solohiker]

Thank you!

[michael_p]

Good report Solohiker. Looking forward to reading about the rest of the walk.

[solohiker]

Thank you Michael. Trying to figure out a slot in the diary. Might just do the rest as a thru hike!

[Rosscodj]

I'm thinking of doing this soon as my first solo overnighter, except I'll probably just camp at mooney creek, and head back to Wondabyne the next day, so I don't have to work out car logistics, or ask my partner to drive down from Newcastle for a pickup. Love reading your blog!

Last edited by Rosscodj on Sat 15 Jul, 2017 8:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

[solohiker]

Yeah the transport thing is a pain. You could start at Somersby on Saturday morning catching the one bus that leaves Gosford then walk to wondabyne, southbound. That could work. Otherwise wondabyne to Mooney Mooney creek return would be nice as it cover the big Rock platforms near scopas peak. It's a fantastic walk and I was surprised this section was so good. I was worried about the freeway noise but it really wasn't an issue.
Thanks for reading my blog! I really do enjoy writing it- it feels part of my ritual now when hiking. Hike, write, hike, write. Glad you are enjoying it. I'm itching to get out on another long hike, just need a weekend without commitments!

[Rosscodj]

I ended up popping down to Wondabyne yesterday, walked through to Scopas peak, then back tracked and did the track past Kariong brook falls, up around Mt Wondabyne, and then down to Woy Woy. Had plans on spending the night near Mt Wondabyne, but the campsite (and the cave on the way up to the peak) looked like it was frequented by the type of people I'd rather not run into in the bush at night, on my own. Would be a shame to have a bad experience on my first solo night out put me off doing it again. Loved the walk though, some decent climbs and descents broken up with some easier fire trail walking and rather impressive views. 24ks is making me feel it today, have a nice blister on my left foot!

[wildwanderer]

........ Had plans on spending the night near Mt Wondabyne, but the campsite (and the cave on the way up to the peak) looked like it was frequented by the type of people I'd rather not run into in the bush at night, on my own. Would be a shame to have a bad experience on my first solo night out put me off doing it again.....

I was contemplating camping at Mt Wondabyne for a solo trip.

What did you encounter ? A few beer bottles lying around perhaps indicating some local youths (or even messy hikers) were getting on the turps wouldn't really worry me. On the other hand if there were needles or other drug paraphernalia etc, id likely not want to visit.

[Rosscodj]

What did you encounter ? A few beer bottles lying around perhaps indicating some local youths (or even messy hikers) were getting on the turps wouldn't really worry me. On the other hand if there were needles or other drug paraphernalia etc, id likely not want to visit.

Yeah, mostly some beer cans and a fire ring full of cigarette butts at the actual campsite. Halfway up the summit path there's a cave/overhang that was full of half melted coke bottles and various other trash, as well as some graffiti. Didn't really see any needles, etc, but I didn't look that closely up there. Just had a funny vibe about the whole thing, and given it was going to be a Friday night, decided it just wasn't to be a place I wanted to be. Probably wouldn't have minded if I wasn't solo, or it wasn't a weekend, or it wasn't my first night out.

[solohiker]

I was also glad I didn't have plans to camp there. It wasn't dirty but it was summer and there were some decent ant mounds. What looks like lots of room drops to only a couple of usable tent sites. It was clean though when I was there.

[Rosscodj]

Yeah, I think if I was to do this as an overnighter again, I'd stay at Thommos campsite instead, or possibly look for a suitable point off the side of mullet creek firetrail - except the train might be a bit noisy!

[solohiker]

There did seem to be quite a few places you could set up the tent. Some even had the remains of campfires.
I loved the views though so well worth it.

[jitubisht]

Thanks for sharing the pictures! Enjoyed reading the blog

[solohiker]

Thank you jitubisht!

[Rob Gosford]

or possibly look for a suitable point off the side of mullet creek firetrail - except the train might be a bit noisy!

@ "Rosscodj"
hi. your Avatar.....
Kariong Brook waterfall ?

oh yes, but its fun standing on top of the tunnel !

[Rosscodj]

Yeah, thats Kariong Brook Falls.

Hahaha, I bet it would!

[Rob Gosford]

Yeah, thats Kariong Brook Falls.

uHaaaaaaa !
haven't been down there, must be, 4 years ?
will do so, when this dry spell ends and we get some good pissistant rain
its a most relaxing spot during a walk.......
cherihoo

EDIT:

oh yes, but its fun standing on top of the tunnel !

oh yes, but its fun standing on top of the tunnel ENTRANCE !

[Rob Gosford]

Hahaha, I bet it would!

my video, when I was there a few years back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8QXhqZ7Rvo