Shepherds Gully

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
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 There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Settlers Road & Shepherds Gully Road (-33.3550091,150.9824479)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Special (Wisemans Ferry Dialacar provides a taxi style mini-bus service based in Wisemans Ferry. The cost is typically about $1 per km (ex Wisemans Ferry). They will pick-up and drop-off from Sydney or the Central Coast and will happily drop walkers off or pick them up from tracks in the area. The cost for a pick-up from Gosford and drop off near Wisemans Ferry would be approximately $150 (please call for up-to-date pricing) and the minivan can carry up to 13 passengers. Phone: 0448 122 374)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Peats Ridge Road Offramp then drive for 3.8 km Keep left onto Cooks Road and drive for another 2.8 km Keep left and drive for another 1.4 km Keep right and drive for another 410 m Turn sharp left onto Popran Road and drive for another 6.4 km Turn left onto Wisemans Ferry Road and drive for another 33.5 km Continue onto Settlers Road and drive for another 8.7 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the signposted track head on Settlers Rd, marked with a "Shepherd's Gully Road" Convict Trail signpost (about 9km from Wisemans Ferry crossing), the walk passes the 'Yengo National Park' signpost and follows the management trail gently up the hill. After a short distance the walk passes an information sign and goes around a gate. The walk then continues to wind up along the valley for a long while, initially through very moist forest but getting drier as it climbs. Keep an eye out on the other side of the gully for remnants of the rock retaining walls of the earlier lines of the road. There are also some areas of beautiful scenery with lots of boulders, ferns and grasstrees. The walk eventually arrives at a signposted intersection beside a gate.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Settlers Road & Shepherds Gully Road Start heading along Shepherds Gully Road (a vehicle track). After 360 m head through/around the gate.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Hangmans Rock. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Continue another 1.9 km to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.2 km to get back to the start. About 70 m past the end is "Devines Hill". Devines Hill Devines Hill is a historically significant area on the Old Great North Road, near present day Wisemans Ferry, NSW. There are substantial remnants visible here, including cuttings, retaining walls and quarry sites. There were 3 main road lines built at different times to climb the hills just north of Wisemans Ferry, starting with Finchs Line to the east, followed by the Devines Hill ascent and then Shepherds Gully, to the west. Information signs in the area provide some interesting historical background and the 'Convict Trail Project' has an excellent website for further reading.

Turn map

Directions & comments

At the intersection of Settlers Road & Shepherds Gully Road Start heading along Shepherds Gully Road (a vehicle track).

After 360 m head through/around the gate.

The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Hangmans Rock. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.

Continue another 1.9 km to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.2 km to get back to the start.

About 70 m past the end is "Devines Hill".

Devines Hill

Devines Hill is a historically significant area on the Old Great North Road, near present day Wisemans Ferry, NSW. There are substantial remnants visible here, including cuttings, retaining walls and quarry sites. There were 3 main road lines built at different times to climb the hills just north of Wisemans Ferry, starting with Finchs Line to the east, followed by the Devines Hill ascent and then Shepherds Gully, to the west. Information signs in the area provide some interesting historical background and the 'Convict Trail Project' has an excellent website for further reading.

An optional side trip to Hangmans Rock.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Shepherds Gully Road & Old Great North Road Start heading along Old Great North Road (a vehicle track). After 15 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 335 m (from the Old Great North Road) continue straight, to head along Old Great North Road.
	After another 360 m come to the end. "Hangmans Rock". Hangmans Rock Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 710 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Shepherds Gully

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	4.5 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 2 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Wisemans Ferry
Wisemans Ferry village is on the banks of the Hawkesbury river, NSW. The town, and nearby car ferry, is named after Solomon Wiseman, a former convict who received a land grant in the area and established the ferry service. The town is a popular day trip and weekend destination from Sydney. There are several good spots to eat in town, including bistros at the Wisemans Ferry Inn and the Wisemans Ferry Bowling club, and takeaway food from Bush Bites cafe. The Riverbend Restaurant can be found in the 'Retreat at Wisemans' for finer dining. The area has some great walking and interesting history surrounding the convict built Old Great North Road.

Old Great North Road
The historic Great North Road was built using convict labour between 1826 and 1836 (this section south of Wollombi was completed in 1832). The road formed a link between Sydney and the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle. There are visible remnants of the original work in bridges, retaining walls and other structures along the way. The 'Convict Trail Project' has member groups involved in the conservation of historical remnants along the road. The Convict Trail Project and the NPWS have erected information signs at various points to illustrate the history. The Convict Trail Project has an excellent website for further reading.

Devines Hill
Devines Hill is a historically significant area on the Old Great North Road, near present day Wisemans Ferry, NSW. There are substantial remnants visible here, including cuttings, retaining walls and quarry sites. There were 3 main road lines built at different times to climb the hills just north of Wisemans Ferry, starting with Finchs Line to the east, followed by the Devines Hill ascent and then Shepherds Gully, to the west. Information signs in the area provide some interesting historical background and the 'Convict Trail Project' has an excellent website for further reading.

Hangmans Rock
Hangmans Rock is beside the historic Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry, NSW. This beautiful sandstone cave/overhang has some steps and a bench seat cut into it and is part of the history of the convict built OGNR. It is uncertain what purpose the spot served, but stories that convicts were hanged through the hole in the roof of the cave appear unlikely to be true, despite giving a name to the atmospheric spot.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Gosford Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 17 January
  
  22°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, with heavy falls possible. The chance of a thunderstorm about the Lower Hunter, possibly severe. Damaging winds possible. Winds southerly 30 to 45 km/h, reaching 45 to 60 km/h along the coastal fringe. Daytime maximum temperatures between 17 and 22.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 5:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Saturday 18 January
  
  18°C → 24°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  3 → 20mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southeasterly 30 to 45 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 13 and 18 with daytime temperatures reaching 20 to 25.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Sunday 19 January
  
  18°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 13 and 17 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Monday 20 January
  
  16°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe in the morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then tending east to southeasterly during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s.
  
  Tuesday 21 January
  
  15°C → 28°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Wednesday 22 January
  
  19°C → 32°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Thursday 23 January
  
  19°C → 25°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Dharug National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Mill Creek Visitor Precinct closed
  The Mill Creek Visitor Precinct of Dharug National Park is closed for toilet upgrades from Sunday 27 October to 2:00pm Friday 20 December 2024 and from 4:00pm Wednesday 1 January to 2:00pm Friday 31 January 2024. The closed areas are:
  
  Mill Creek campground
  
  Mill Creek picnic area
  
  11km walking track
  
  Grass Tree circuit
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 6574 5555.
  
  Fire bans: Dharug NP
  A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.
  However, the following campgrounds are exempt in Dharug National Park:
  
  Mill Creek
  
  Ten Mile Hollow
  
  During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:
  
  They're under direct control of an adult
  
  The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  
  There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)
  
  If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- Yengo National Park alerts
  Fires - : LITTLE L YENGO NATIONAL PARK
  There is a fire in this park called LITTLE L YENGO NATIONAL PARK. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Fire bans: Yengo NP
  A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.
  However, the following campgrounds and accommodation are exempt in Yengo National Park:
  
  Big Yango House and Haddens Hall
  
  Blue Gums
  
  Finchley
  
  Mogo
  
  Mountain Arm
  
  During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:
  
  They're under direct control of an adult
  
  The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  
  There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)
  
  If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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