Starting from Leggetts Drive near Watagan Forest Motel, this walk heads south along the road before turning left on Gap Road. It then follows the Great North Walk through the Sugarloaf State Conservation Park before crossing the Pacific Motorway. From then on it follows roads to Speers Point where views open over Lake Macquarie. Have a break here before heading on past Charlestown Golf Course and a few more pockets of bushland to reach Charlestown Park. 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.
From the Leggetts Drive Start heading along Leggetts Drive (a highway|primary).
Find the Watagan Forest Motel at the start.
Watagan Forest Motel is located on Branxton-Toronto Road. This retro-style motel is located right on the Great North Walk. The motel offers six rooms for around $99 per night - each with a double bed (four rooms also have twin singles), a television, bathroom with shower, air conditioning, and breakfast included. Room service is available. Adjoining the motel is a service station, which also offers dining room meals as well as a small grocery selection (bread, milk, bottled water, rice, pasta, etc), open until 8:30pm daily. A rest area is situated next to the motel, with covered picnic tables and garbage bins. For further information, phone (02)4938 0149.
Find the picnic table at the start.
After another 330 m (at the intersection of Gap Road & Leggetts Drive) veer left, to head along Gap Road (a vehicle track).
After another 790 m (from the Gap Road) turn left (a walking track).
After another 2 km (from the Brunkerville Trail) continue straight, to head along Brunkerville Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 1.2 km (at the intersection of Sugarloaf Range Road & Brunkerville Trail) continue straight, to head along Sugarloaf Range Road.
After another 350 m (at the intersection of Wakefield Forest Road & Sugarloaf Range Road) continue straight, to head along Wakefield Forest Road.
After another 620 m (from the Wakefield Forest Road) continue straight, to head along Wakefield Forest Road.
After another 480 m (at the intersection of Wakefield Forest Road & Aubs Ridge Road) continue straight, to head along Wakefield Forest Road.
After another 530 m (from the Wakefield Forest Road) continue straight, to head along Wakefield Forest Road.
After another 620 m (from the Wakefield Forest Road) continue straight, to head along Wakefield Forest Road.
After another 235 m (from the Archery Road) continue straight, to head along Archery Road.
After another 95 m (at the intersection of Archery Road & Aubs Pipeline Trail) continue straight, to head along Archery Road.
After another 40 m head through the tunnel (about 90 m long)
After another 20 m (at the intersection of Archery Road & Archery Road East) continue straight, to head along Archery Road.
After another 295 m (at the intersection of Watagan Track & Archery Road) turn left, to head along Watagan Track (a vehicle track).
After another 950 m (from the Watagan Track) continue straight, to head along Watagan Track.
After another 145 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 165 m (at the intersection of Wakefield Road & The Great North Walk) turn left, to head along Wakefield Road (a road).
After another 290 m pass the "Eddie Peterson Memorial Park" (6 m on your left).
After another 75 m find the "Eddie Peterson Memorial Park" (15 m on your left).
The Eddie Peterson Memorial Park on Wakefield Road is a fabulous place for a rest and a snack. There is a grassy area, toilet, water and shelter, all next to a community tennis court. Eddie Patterson Memorial Park is managed by the Lake Macquarie City Council as a public reserve. Near the memorial park there is a fire station and a school.
After another 70 m (at the intersection of Wakefield Road & Miller Road) continue straight, to head along Wakefield Road.
After another 880 m (at the intersection of Wakefield Road & School Road) continue straight, to head along Wakefield Road.
After another 1 km (at the intersection of Rhondda Road & Wakefield Road) turn right, to head along Rhondda Road (a highway|tertiary).
After another 910 m (from the Rhondda Road) continue straight, to head along Rhondda Road.
After another 790 m (from the Rhondda Road) continue straight, to head along Rhondda Road.
After another 130 m (from the Rhondda Road) continue straight, to head along Rhondda Road.
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Railway Street & Rhondda Road) turn left, to head along Railway Street.
After another 250 m (from the Railway Street) turn sharp right (a footpath).
After another 9 m continue straight.
After another 25 m head up the steps (about 15 m long)
Then cross the bridge (about 30 m long)
From the StreetToTransitConnection continue straight.
After another 10 m head down the steps (about 15 m long)
After another 10 m find the "Teralba Station Carpark" (25 m on your right).
This carpark provides ample parking for those leaving their car at the train station
Continue straight.
After another 30 m pass the car park (10 m on your right).
After another 3 m (at the intersection of Anzac Parade & William Street) continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade (a highway|tertiary).
After another 7 m (from the Anzac Parade) continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade.
After another 50 m (from the Anzac Parade) continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade.
After another 110 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right).
After another 6 m pass the "Anzac Park" (9 m on your right).
Then pass the "Maddz on York" (65 m on your right).
At the intersection of Anzac Parade & York Street continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade.
Then pass the pay phone (65 m on your right).
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Anzac Parade & Margaret Street) continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade.
After another 40 m (from the Anzac Parade) continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade.
After another 30 m (from the Anzac Parade) continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade.
After another 110 m (at the intersection of Anzac Parade & Cumberland Street) continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade.
After another 25 m (from the Anzac Parade) continue straight, to head along Anzac Parade (a highway|tertiary_link).
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Lake Crescent & Anzac Parade) continue straight.
After another 25 m (from the Five Islands Road) continue straight, to head along Five Islands Road (a highway|primary).
After another 370 m cross the bridge (about 175 m long)
After another 380 m cross the bridge (about 155 m long)
At the intersection of Creek Reserve Road Shared Path & Five Islands Road turn right, to head along Creek Reserve Road Shared Path (a highway|cycleway).
Then head through the tunnel (about 20 m long)
At the intersection of Creek Reserve Road Shared Path & Five Islands Road continue straight, to head along Creek Reserve Road Shared Path.
After another 25 m (from the Creek Reserve Road Shared Path) veer right.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 215 m (from the Creek Reserve Road) veer left.
After another 15 m pass the shelter (55 m on your left).
After another 25 m pass the "Variety Playground" (15 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 20 m pass the shelter (25 m on your left).
After another 50 m pass the car park (9 m on your right). This car park is wheelchair accessible.
Veer left.
After another 80 m pass the shelter (75 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 20 m pass the shelter (55 m on your right).
After another 2 m continue straight.
After another 35 m pass the water tap (on your left). This water tap is wheelchair accessible.
After another 7 m pass the shelter (20 m on your right).
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 40 m pass the shelter (on your right).
After another 105 m continue straight.
After another 7 m pass the shelter (5 m on your left).
After another 50 m find the "Speers Point Park" (20 m on your left).
Speers Point Park on Lake Macquarie at Boolaroo is a multi-use public park. Situated by the water, Speers Point Park offers open lawns amongst she-oaks and gumtrees. There are sheltered picnic tables, barbeques, water fountains, an elevated stage area, a children's playground, public wharf and toilets. There is also a public swimming pool, Speers Point Swim Centre. For more information about Speers Point Park, contact Lake Macquarie City Council during business hours on 49210333.
After another 4 m continue straight.
After another 65 m pass the playground (on your left).
After another 40 m head through the bicycle barrier.
After another 6 m continue straight.
After another 10 m continue straight.
After another 40 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 7 m pass the water tap (on your left). This water tap is wheelchair accessible.
After another 200 m continue straight.
After another 20 m pass the water tap (8 m on your right). This water tap is wheelchair accessible.
After another 20 m pass the "Pippis at the Point" (25 m on your left). This restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
Continue straight.
After another 45 m pass the "Custom Espresso" (25 m on your left).
After another 8 m continue straight.
After another 65 m continue straight.
After another 500 m continue straight.
After another 400 m continue straight.
After another 255 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 90 m continue straight.
After another 10 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 30 m pass the car park (on your left).
After another 770 m continue straight.
After another 7 m continue straight.
After another 25 m pass a seat (6 m on your right).
After another 20 m pass the picnic table (6 m on your left).
After another 50 m continue straight.
Then pass the car park (8 m on your left).
Then pass the water tap (5 m on your left).
Then pass the picnic table (4 m on your left).
After another 180 m pass the car park (5 m on your left). This car park is wheelchair accessible.
Continue straight.
After another 20 m pass the picnic table (4 m on your left).
After another 70 m pass the artwork (15 m on your right).
After another 20 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 155 m pass the shelter (about 65 m ahead).
Turn left.
After another 10 m pass the water tap (on your right).
After another 30 m pass the shelter (about 15 m ahead).
Then pass the playground (about 40 m ahead).
Then pass a seat (about 40 m ahead).
Turn right.
After another 9 m pass a seat (35 m on your left).
After another 20 m pass the playground (25 m on your left).
Veer right.
After another 6 m (from the Lake Street) turn left, to head along Lake Street (a residential road).
After another 25 m pass the "Warners Bay Takeaway" (15 m on your right).
From the Lake Street continue straight, to head along Lake Street.
After another 60 m pass the shelter (50 m on your left).
From the Lake Street continue straight, to head along Lake Street.
After another 6 m pass the toilet (40 m on your left).
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Lake Street & John Street) continue straight, to head along Lake Street.
After another 190 m pass the park (10 m on your right).
At the intersection of Lake Street & Charles Street continue straight, to head along Lake Street.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Lake Street & Albert Street) continue straight, to head along Lake Street.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Lake Street & Martin Street) continue straight, to head along Lake Street.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Margaret Street & Lake Street) turn right, to head along Margaret Street.
After another 115 m (from the Margaret Street) continue straight, to head along Margaret Street.
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Margaret Street & King Street) continue straight, to head along Margaret Street.
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Pring Street & Margaret Street) continue straight, to head along Pring Street.
After another 9 m (from the Pring Street) continue straight, to head along Pring Street.
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Queen Street & Pring Street) turn left, to head along Queen Street.
After another 380 m (from the Queen Street) turn right (a footpath).
After another 85 m (from the Myles Avenue) turn right, to head along Myles Avenue (a highway|tertiary).
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Yorston Street) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 20 m (from the Myles Avenue) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 110 m (from the Myles Avenue) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 5 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Bonarius Street) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 80 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Biddabah Avenue) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Wellings Street) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 70 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Aurora Court) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Coane Street) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Vennard Street) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue (a residential road).
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Indiana Close) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 70 m (at the intersection of Myles Avenue & Harrison Street) continue straight, to head along Myles Avenue.
After another 55 m (at the intersection of Vermont Place & Myles Avenue) turn right, to head along Vermont Place.
After another 135 m find the "Vermont Place Park" (on your right).
Vermont Place Park, at the end of Vermont Place in Warners Bay, is an open grassed park surrounded by native forest. The park has a children's playground, picnic table, a shelter and water fountain (water may not be available).
After another 60 m pass the playground (on your right).
After another 20 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 70 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 120 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 210 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk (a walking track).
After another 70 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 125 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 30 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk (a vehicle track).
After another 35 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & Hillsborough Firetrail) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 90 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 350 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 85 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 65 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 170 m (from the The Great North Walk) continue straight, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 60 m cross the ford.
From the The Great North Walk veer right, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 190 m (at the intersection of The Great North Walk & SImon and Dom Trail) veer left, to head along The Great North Walk.
After another 1.1 km head down the earthen steps (about 10 m long)
After another 85 m head down the earthen steps (about 8 m long)
After another 15 m turn left.
After another 185 m continue straight.
After another 45 m cross the ford.
Continue straight.
After another 110 m continue straight.
After another 15 m (from the Waratah Avenue) continue straight.
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 20 m veer right.
After another 260 m head down the steps (about 35 m long)
After another 125 m (from the Park Street) turn right.
After another 800 m (from the Anjon Street) turn right, to head along Anjon Street (a residential road).
After another 75 m (at the intersection of Patricia Avenue & Anjon Street) turn left, to head along Patricia Avenue (a highway|tertiary).
After another 240 m (from the Patricia Avenue) veer right.
After another 3 m (from the Lincoln Street) continue straight, to head along Lincoln Street.
After another 125 m (at the intersection of Lincoln Street & Carl Close) continue straight, to head along Lincoln Street.
After another 20 m (at the intersection of Ferris Street & Lincoln Street) veer right, to head along Ferris Street.
After another 20 m pass the picnic table (35 m on your right).
After another 10 m pass the "Anniversary Grove" (4 m on your right).
Then find the "Charlestown Park" (30 m on your right).
'Charlestown Park', by the Pacific Highway in Charlestown, offers a picnic table, shelter, barbeque and war memorial. Charlestown Park is also known and signposted as 'Anniversary Grove'.
After another 15 m pass the "Charlestown Oval" (15 m on your left).
After another 15 m (from the Ferris Street) continue straight, to head along Ferris Street.
After another 15 m (from the Ferris Street) turn right (a footpath).
After another 8 m come to the end.
Heaton Gap to Charlestown Park
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
27.5 km
Time
7 h 30 min to 12 h 30 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
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
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Some facilities on route
Entity|rest area: There is one 9.3 km from the start.
Shelter: There are 10 on route, on average they are 2.5 km apart with the largest gap of 16.7 km.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 9.2 km apart with the largest gap of 15 km.
Seat: There are 5 on route, on average they are 4.6 km apart with the largest gap of 18.8 km.
Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the early afternoon. Daytime maximum temperatures 27 to 32.
UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 4:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 11 [Extreme]
Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending east to southeasterly during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 14 and 18 with daytime temperatures reaching 21 to 27.
Tuesday 12 November
17°C → 26°C
Showers. 80% chance of rain 0 → 15mm
Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 18 with daytime temperatures reaching 23 to 28.
Wednesday 13 November
15°C → 28°C
Shower or two. 60% chance of rain 0 → 6mm
Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 13 and 16 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.
Thursday 14 November
17°C → 25°C
Shower or two. 60% chance of rain 0 → 4mm
Shower or two.
Friday 15 November
16°C → 23°C
Shower or two. 50% chance of rain 0 → 5mm
Shower or two.
Saturday 16 November
15°C → 26°C
Possible shower. 40% chance of rain 0 → 1mm
Closed areas: Sugarloaf SCA Some parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area will be closed from Wednesday 23 October to Saturday 30 November 2024 while Road Maintenance is occurring. The closed areas are:
Closed areas: Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area closed Parts of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area are closed for approved underground mining operations. The affected areas (see map) have been closed to protect visitor safety, because they're subject to subsidence and remediation activities from the mining operations.
Great North walk remains open. An update will be provided should this situation change.
If you're visiting the park, please be aware of subsidence and pollution incidents that took place in 2013, which were greater than what was expected from normal mining operations. These included a cliff fall in the north, and a subsidence and grout leak incident in the central part of Sugarloaf State Conservation Area.
If you're planning to visit the park during this time, please stay on formed tracks and trails and observe all barriers, warning signs and safety messages. Areas subject to possible cliff fall or subsidence in both areas of the park are clearly marked.
For more information, call the NPWS Lower Hunter area office on 02 4946 4100. NSW National Parks safety page.