Great North Walk: Charlestown Park track head to Merewether

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Charlestown Park, this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign across the Pacific Highway at the traffic lights. The walk then turns left to cross 'Dudley Road' and follow the GNW arrow post along the foot path towards the service station on the Pacific Highway. Just before the service station, this walk turns right to following Charles Street gently downhill.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Ferris Street Start (a footpath). Find the Anniversary Grove at the start. After 30 m pass the "Charlestown Oval" (on your left).
	After another 120 m (from the Charles Street) turn right, to head along Charles Street (a residential road).
	After another 115 m (at the intersection of Smith Street & Charles Street) turn right, to head along Smith Street.
	After another 40 m (at the intersection of Mulbinga Street & Smith Street) turn left, to head along Mulbinga Street.
	After another 600 m (at the intersection of Moto Street & Mulbinga Street) turn left, to head along Moto Street (a highway\|tertiary).
	After another 85 m (at the intersection of Milson Street & Moto Street) turn right, to head along Milson Street (a residential road).
	After another 260 m continue straight. After another 30 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
	After another 510 m (from the Guna Street) continue straight. After another 260 m cross the ford.
	After another 125 m veer right. After another 55 m cross the ford.
	Continue straight.
	After another 95 m continue straight. After another 45 m cross the ford.
	After another 20 m continue straight.
	After another 420 m continue straight.
	After another 65 m (from the Whitebridge Main Track) continue straight. After another 20 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
	After another 6 m continue straight. After another 160 m cross the ford.
	After another 35 m continue straight.
	After another 120 m continue straight.
	After another 45 m (from the Fernleigh Track) veer left, to head along Fernleigh Track (a highway\|cycleway). After another 85 m head through the bicycle barrier.
	After another 10 m (from the Fernleigh Track) veer right, to head along Fernleigh Track.
	After another 10 m (at the intersection of Burwood Road & Fernleigh Track) turn right, to head along Burwood Road (a road). After another 15 m pass a seat (9 m on your right). After another 120 m pass the waterfall (20 m on your left).
	From the Burwood Road turn left (a service road). After another 85 m find the "Yuelarbah car park" (on your right). Yuelarbah car park Yuelarbah car park on Burwood Rd, Kahibah is the starting point to a number of walking and MTB tracks within the Glenrock State Conservation Area. There is a sheltered information sign with historical and natural heritage information. There are about 25 parking bays, and a mobility parking bay. After another 20 m head through/around the gate. Then pass the "NPWS Cycling Noticeboard" (5 m on your right).
	After another 7 m (at the intersection of Yuelarbah Walking Track & De Luge) turn left, to head along Yuelarbah Walking Track (a walking track). After another 20 m cross the bridge (about 35 m long) After another 60 m find the "Trip Hazard" (on your right). Trip Hazard Between the gravel path and timber boardwalk is a 5cm step, 1.5m wide. After another 120 m find the "Picnic Table" (8 m on your left). Picnic Table A timber slat picnic table and bench seat. The table is 85cm high, 75cm deep and 2.1m wide. The seats are 54cm high, 29cm deep and 2.1m wide (no backrest). The seat is found about 10m down a rough track (with 13cm step), from the main path. After another 690 m find the "Flaggy Creek picnic area" (40 m on your left). Flaggy Creek picnic area The Flaggy Creek picnic area, is an unsignposted picnic area on the northern side of Flaggy Creek, near the suspension bridge. There are two picnic tables on a large concrete slab. There is a rough track that leads down to the cascades on the creek. There is also a warning sign saying that the creek water may be contaminated from sewerage overflow and swimming is not advised.. It is, however, a very pleasant spot to enjoy the quiet and peacefull valley. Then find the "Picnic Table" (25 m on your left). Picnic Table Two timber slat picnic tables with bench seats. The tables are 79cm high, 93cm deep and 2.1m wide. The seats are 44cm high, 30cm deep and 2.1m wide (no backrest). The tables are on a large paved flat area.
	After another 35 m (from the Yuelarbah Walking Track) turn right, to head along Yuelarbah Walking Track.
	After another 245 m (at the intersection of Yuelarbah Walking Track & Yuelarbah Trail) continue straight, to head along Yuelarbah Walking Track. After another 85 m pass the waterfall (7 m on your right). After another 110 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long) Then pass the waterfall (10 m on your right).
	After another 75 m (from the Yuelarbah Walking Track) continue straight, to head along Yuelarbah Walking Track. After another 15 m find the "Leichhardts Lookout" (5 m on your right). Leichhardts Lookout Leichhardts Lookout is within the Glenrock State Conservation Area. This lookout is a timber platform, looking east across Glenrock Lagoon and out to the ocean. Leichhardts Lookout is named after Ludwig Leichhardt a Prussian naturalist and explorer who, in 1842, described the view down into Glenrock Lagoon as well as other important geological sightings in the area.
	After another 1.3 km continue straight. After another 40 m find the "Glenrock Lagoon & Reserve" (on your left). Glenrock Lagoon & Reserve The Glenrock Lagoon is within the Glenrock State Conservation Area and has a rich history. It was named for 'Glen' meaning narrow valley and 'rock' because of the rocky nature of the valley. The site was first occupied by the local aboriginals of the Awabakal Tribe, who were known to roam and hunt in the Glenrock Lagoon, with evidence near the mouth of the lagoon. The Awabakal Tribe had a large sacred cave, which was filled with paintings, however, these paintings are now gone. Glenrock was the site of the first coal deposits found in Australia. Deep in the valley, there are remnants of the early Colliery. Coal was mined at Glenrock for over 100 years - a good example of this is Smelters Beach, just north of the lagoon exit, which contains historic rail tracks in the cliff side. The Scout camp was established here in 1932, with a 99 year lease and continues today.
	After another 1 km turn left. After another 75 m pass the sign (about 20 m ahead).
	From the Oyster Hill boardwalk continue straight (a walking track).
	After another 35 m turn left. After another 1.2 km pass the car park (40 m on your left).
	From the Great North Walk Bathers Way continue straight, to head along Great North Walk Bathers Way. After another 20 m pass the picnic table (8 m on your left). After another 5 m pass a seat (30 m on your right). After another 65 m (at the intersection of Bathers Way & Great North Walk Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 20 m pass a seat (35 m on your right). After another 15 m pass the shelter (7 m on your left).
	From the Bathers Way continue straight, to head along Bathers Way.
	After another 65 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 85 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 3 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 50 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 210 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 10 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 25 m pass the "Juicy Beans Cafe" (7 m on your left). This cafe is wheelchair accessible. W:www.juicybeanscafe.com.au T:+61 2 49633407 After another 5 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way.
	After another 325 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 40 m pass the picnic table (5 m on your left). After another 20 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way.
	After another 2 m (from the Bathers Way) turn left (a service road). About 55 m past the end is a shelter. About 55 m past the end is a BBQ.
	The end.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 285 m continue straight. After another 65 m cross the ford. After another 25 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 310 m come to the end. About 20 m past the end is "Glenrock Scout Camp". Glenrock Scout Camp Glenrock Scout Camp, off Burwood road and within the Glenrock State Conservation Area is owned and operated by the Scouting Association of Australia. The scout camp is located by a beautiful lagoon and is close to the ocean. The scout camp is a great place to stop and relax, with self guided walks and nature trails available close by. At the scout camp there is a public telephone, locked toilets (available upon request), water and sheltered picnic tables. The scout camp has indoor accommodation available. The Overman's Cottage is a large simple cottage, with sleeping on mattress's on the floor and costs $80/day plus $8/person. Also available is the Mac Crumb Room, which is for adults only, has 8 bunks and has a self contained kitchen and toilet. The Mac Crumb Room costs $80/day plus $10/person. Camping is for Scouts only. Please contact the Hunter and Coastal Regional Office (02 4929 1760) for information and to make a booking. The on site resident is also available (02 49447303). Turn around and retrace your steps back the 680 m to the main route.

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	9.4 km
Time	2 h 45 min, 5 h 30 min to 2 days

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
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)

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	3.4 km	[seat]
Campsite	6.4 km + 690 m	Glenrock Scout Camp
Seat	8.5 km	[seat]
Seat	8.6 km	[seat]
Shelter	8.6 km	[shelter]
Shelter	9.4 km	[shelter]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Wallsend Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 5 December
  
  27°C
  Cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm about the Upper Hunter during the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Daytime maximum temperatures around 30.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:30am to 4:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Friday 6 December
  
  19°C → 31°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the early morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 34.
  
  Saturday 7 December
  
  20°C → 34°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 20 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s.
  
  Sunday 8 December
  
  22°C → 31°C
  Showers increasing.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to the low 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 34.
  
  Monday 9 December
  
  17°C → 25°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy.
  
  Tuesday 10 December
  
  17°C → 30°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 11 December
  
  19°C → 31°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Glenrock State Conservation Area alerts
  Closed areas: Shaft Track
  Closed Area: Shaft Track, Glenrock State Conservation Area.
  The Shaft Track will be closed while improvements and maintenance works are being carry out.
  
  The track will be closed from 21st August 2024 for up to end of November 2024, dependent on weather
  
  For the safety of contractors please follow and respect any signage and safety measures in place.
  Using the track during works will cause damage and delay the reopening of the track.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office 02 4946 4100
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Full Journey	Great North Walk
Start	From the Ferris Street (-32.9677968,151.6944058)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From George Street, North Lambton. Turn on to Newcastle Road, A15, A37 then drive for 175 m Turn right onto Croudace Street, A37 and drive for another 4.7 km Keep left onto Charlestown Road and drive for another 150 m At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Charlestown Road and drive for another 1.1 km Keep left onto Charlestown Road and drive for another 50 m Turn slight left onto Charlestown Road, B57 and drive for another 810 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Charlestown Road, B57 and drive for another 260 m Turn right onto Pacific Highway, A43 and drive for another 780 m Turn right onto Ferris Street and drive for another 25 m
Finish	(-32.945757,151.7596906)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

Weather Forecast

Alerts