Starting from the car park at the end of Saddleback Mountain Road, Saddleback Mountain, this walk takes you to Mount Noorinan and back via the Hoddles Track. This moderately challenging walk heads west from Saddleback Mountain and follows the ridge up the escarpment to Mount Noorinan, located west of Kiama, following a historic fire track marked by green posts. Named and created by pioneer surveyor Robert Hoddle in 1830, the track was originally used to transport produce to Kiama and at one point, continued west to Bowral. The walk begins with short side trips to Saddleback Mountain Lookout's northern and southern viewing platforms, as well as the Rotary Lookout, then descends steeply and meanders through the remnant rainforest that once covered the area's coastal plain. Upon entering the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, the walk climbs steeply to the top of Mount Noorinan, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. A variety of native birds can be seen along the way, including crimson rosellas, eastern bristlebirds and golden whistlers. There's a car park and toilet facilities at the summit of Saddleback Mountain, as well as a plaque telling the track's story. This walk consists of wide and narrow fire tracks and walking trails, with uneven natural surfaces, compacted natural surfaces, rocky sections and steep hills, suitable for moderate 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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start
From the Saddleback Mountain Road (near the Saddleback Mountain Viewing Platform viewpoint) (-34.6981979,150.7936841)
Getting started From the car park at the end of Saddleback Mountain Road, Saddleback Mountain, head along the road towards the cell towers, passing an optional side-trip to Saddleback Mountain Lookout's northern viewing platform (to your right) and an information shelter (to your left). Further ahead, you'll pass an optional side-trip to Saddleback Mountain Lookout's southern viewing platform (to your left). After visiting both viewing platforms, head to the Rotary Lookout, located beyond the cell towers near a picnic table. From there, head along the wide fire track to the right of the picnic table and continue the Hoddles Track.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Saddleback Mountain Road Start heading along Saddleback Mountain Road (a vehicle track).
Find the Saddleback Mountain northern viewing platform at the start.
Saddleback Mountain northern viewing platform
Saddleback Mountain northern viewing platform
This viewpoint offers spectacular views from Cronulla to Milton.
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This viewpoint offers spectacular views from Cronulla to Milton.
Find the seat at the start. , has a backrest.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 20 m pass the car park (on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Saddleback Mountain Lookout's southern viewing platform, which offers stunning views from Gerringong to Shoalhaven. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 20 m (from the Saddleback Mountain Road) continue straight (a footpath).
After another 10 m head through/around the gate.
After another 100 m pass the "Saddleback Mountain" (20 m on your left).
After another 15 m pass the toilet (45 m on your left).
From the Saddleback Mountain Firetrail veer right, to head along Saddleback Mountain Firetrail (a vehicle track).
After another 8 m find the "Rotary Lookout" (25 m on your left).
Rotary Lookout
Rotary Lookout
This viewpoint offers excellent views over the Illawarra Escarpment and the Jamberoo Valley
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This viewpoint offers excellent views over the Illawarra Escarpment and the Jamberoo Valley
After another 30 m pass a seat (7 m on your left)., has no backrest.
After another 240 m head through/around the gate.
After another 610 m (from the Saddleback Mountain Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Saddleback Mountain Firetrail.
After another 95 m (from the Saddleback Mountain Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Saddleback Mountain Firetrail.
After another 105 m (from the Saddleback Mountain Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Saddleback Mountain Firetrail.
After another 90 m (at the intersection of Hoddles Track & Saddleback Mountain Firetrail) veer left, to head along Hoddles Track (a walking track).
After another 125 m (from the Hoddles Track) continue straight, to head along Hoddles Track (a vehicle track).
After another 345 m head through/around the gate.
From the Hoddles Track continue straight, to head along Hoddles Track.
After another 20 m (at the intersection of Hoddles Track & Hoddles Road) continue straight, to head along Hoddles Track.
After another 80 m (from the Hoddles Track) continue straight, to head along Hoddles Track.
After another 440 m (from the Hoddles Track) continue straight, to head along Hoddles Track.
After another 380 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right).
After another 30 m (from the Hoddles Track) veer left, to head along Hoddles Track.
(from the Hoddles Track) Continue another 400 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 3.2 km to get back to the start.
An optional side trip to Saddleback Mountain Lookout's southern viewing platform, which offers stunning views from Gerringong to Shoalhaven.
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Saddleback Mountain Road Start (a service road).
After 10 m head through/around the gate.
From the Southern Lookout Walk veer left, to head along Southern Lookout Walk (a walking track).
After 40 m pass a seat (5 m on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 65 m pass a seat (20 m on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 45 m pass a seat (on your left)., has no backrest.
Then pass the picnic table (on your left)., has no backrest.
After another 15 m head down the 47 surface|gravel steps (about 40 m long)
Then pass a seat (on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 35 m pass a seat (on your left)., has no backrest.
Then come to "Saddleback Mountain Southern Viewing Platform".
Continue another 0 m to find Saddleback Mountain Southern Viewing Platform at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 220 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Hoddles Track
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
6.3 km
Time
2 h to 3 h
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one 200 m from the start.
Seat: There are 7 on route, on average they are 920 m apart with the largest gap of 6.1 km.
Bushwalk
2 h to 3 h
1 h to 1 h 30 min
Toilet: There is one 200 m from the start.
Seat: There are 7 on route, on average they are 920 m apart with the largest gap of 6.1 km.
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Find the Saddleback Mountain northern viewing platform at the start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 10 m head through/around the gate.
After another 100 m pass the "Saddleback Mountain" (20 m on your left).
Then pass the picnic table (on your left)., has no backrest.
After another 15 m head down the 47 surface|gravel steps (about 40 m long)
