Starting from the car park on Gloucester Tops Road, Barrington Tops National Park, this walk takes you on a circuit around Gloucester Tops via the Antarctic Beech Forest, Gloucester Falls and River walking tracks. This moderately challenging loop winds its way around Gloucester Tops, combining three popular walks in the eastern section of Barrington Tops National Park. The walk begins along the Antarctic Beech Forest Walking Track, descending through sub-alpine snow gum woodland, then continues through prehistoric Gondwana rainforest with a dense canopy of Antarctic beech, leading to the rocky gorge with a beautiful cascade. After crossing the creek, the walk climbs steeply back to the snow gum forest and heads down to the Andrew Laurie Lookout, which offers expansive views of the surrounding mountains. Continuing along the Gloucester Falls Walking Track, the walk descends steeply to a lookout above Gloucester Falls, then follows the mostly flat River Walking Track alongside the Gloucester River, leading to a car park. From there, the walk briefly follows Gloucester Tops Road, then rejoins the track and continues following the river before veering away and returning to the main car park. This loop consists of wide and narrow, mostly flat walking trails with uneven natural surfaces, compacted natural surfaces, boardwalk sections, short steep hills and creek crossings. Suitable for average fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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 started From the car park on Gloucester Tops Road, Barrington Tops National Park, head along the trail on the eastern side of the road, marked with a green 'Beech Forest Walk' sign. Follow the trail ahead and continue the Gloucester Tops Circuit (clockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Beech Forest Walk & River Walk Start heading along Beech Forest Walk (a walking track).
After 65 m pass the sign (on your left).
From the Beech Forest Walk turn left, to head along Beech Forest Walk.
After another 80 m (at the intersection of Beech Forest Walk & Beech Forest Walk (Short Loop)) continue straight, to head along Beech Forest Walk.
After another 130 m (at the intersection of Beech Forest Walk & Beech Forest Walk (Short Loop)) veer left, to head along Beech Forest Walk.
After another 5 m pass the "Long/Short loop walk sign" (on your right).
After another 280 m head up the steps (about 6 m long)
After another 10 m cross the ford.
From the Beech Forest Walk (Long Loop) continue straight, to head along Beech Forest Walk (Long Loop).
After another 600 m (from the Beech Forest Walk (Long Loop)) turn left, to head along Beech Forest Walk (Long Loop).
After another 50 m pass the waterfall (8 m on your right).
Then cross the stepping stones (about 7 m long)
Then head up the steps (about 20 m long)
After another 320 m pass the sign (on your right).
At the intersection of Beech Forest Walk & Beech Forest Walk (Long Loop) turn sharp left.
After another 1.2 km pass the sign (on your left).
From the Gloucester Falls Track turn left, to head along Gloucester Falls Track.
After another 210 m come to the "Andrew Laurie Lookout".
After another 360 m (from the Gloucester Falls Track) continue straight.
After another 40 m come to the "Gloucester Falls Lookout".
After another 15 m (from the Gloucester Falls Track) veer left, to head along Gloucester Falls Track.
After another 215 m pass the waterfall (20 m on your left).
After another 230 m (at the intersection of River Walk & Gloucester Falls Track) continue straight, to head along River Walk.
After another 10 m pass the sign (6 m on your right).
After another 55 m cross the stepping stones.
From the River Walk continue straight, to head along River Walk.
After another 820 m pass the sign (about 9 m ahead).
At the intersection of Gloucester Tops Road & River Walk turn right, to head along Gloucester Tops Road (a vehicle track).
Then pass the picnic table (7 m on your left).
After another 125 m (at the intersection of River Walk & Gloucester Tops Road) veer left, to head along River Walk (a walking track).
After another 20 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 85 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
After another 100 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 710 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long)
After another 300 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
After another 370 m come to a sign.
A car park.
Continue another 0 m to find at the intersection of River Walk & Gloucester Tops Road at the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Gloucester Tops Circuit
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
6.5 km
Time
2 h to 3 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Bushwalk
2 h to 3 h
1 h to 1 h 30 min
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After 65 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 280 m head up the steps (about 6 m long)
Then cross the stepping stones (about 7 m long)
Then pass the picnic table (7 m on your left).
After another 85 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long)
A car park.
