This excellent circuit walk offers a lot of beautiful scenery and views. Although shorter than the name suggests, it is a reasonably tough walk, with some steep rocky sections. The sections in the gullies and valleys are mostly very moist with lots of ferns, while the higher sections are through drier forest, so there is quite a bit of variety. There are also some lovely cliffs and boulder scenery at various points around the walk. 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.
Mill Creek picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Along the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Steps to the creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.A nice tall and very old grasstree. | Photo by admin, 2009.Nice forest views along the way. | Photo by admin, 2009.Tangled forest in the gully. | Photo by admin, 2009.Stepping up. | Photo by admin, 2009.Near a creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.Beautiful rock overhang. | Photo by admin, 2009.Interesting old tree trunks. | Photo by admin, 2009.Nice rock scenery. | Photo by admin, 2009.Small cliffline. | Photo by admin, 2009.Track through the forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.Nice cliffs. | Photo by admin, 2009.Walking under the rocks. | Photo by admin, 2009.Plenty of grasstrees along the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Stepping along. | Photo by admin, 2009.Ferns around the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Across the ridge top. | Photo by admin, 2009.Rough track through a jumble of boulders. | Photo by admin, 2009.The winding track. | Photo by admin, 2009.A pleasant track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Gompholobium grandiflorum (Large Wedge Pea). | Photo by admin, 2009.Steep and rocky track. | Photo by admin, 2009.A break in the rocks. | Photo by admin, 2009.A splash of colour. | Photo by admin, 2009.Views across the valley. | Photo by admin, 2009.Distant views. | Photo by admin, 2009.Steep and rocky section of track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Rocks and tangled trees. | Photo by admin, 2009.Rough track and great scenery. | Photo by admin, 2009.Narrow track through the greenery. | Photo by admin, 2009.Wooden bridge near Mill Creek picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
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.
BusCar (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, Calga.
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 400 m
Turn sharp left onto Popran Road and drive for another 6.4 km
Turn left onto Wisemans Ferry Road and drive for another 27.9 km
Turn right onto Mill Creek Campsite Road and drive for another 1.7 km
Turn sharp left onto Mill Creek Road and drive for another 530 m
Turn right onto Mill Creek Road and drive for another 30 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the Mill Creek picnic area (signposted on Wisemans Ferry Rd, about 6km east of Wisemans Ferry crossing), the walk crosses from the information signs to the the 'Start/Finish' walking track signpost at the far end of the picnic area. Continue straight: From the 'Start/Finish' walking track signpost at the end of the picnic area, the walk follows the bush track and immediately takes the right hand branch at a fork in the track (the other track is the return leg of the Grass Tree circuit). The walk passes through a mix of closed in, dense vegetation and more open forest with some beautiful views and lots of grasstrees. After crossing a creek using wooden steps and a concreted stone path, the track climbs more steeply before dropping to the signposted intersection of the '11km Walking Track' and '1.5km Grass Tree Circuit'.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of 11km Walking Track & Mill Creek Road Start heading along 11km Walking Track (a walking track).
There is a toilet (about 70 m back from the start).
Find the Mill Creek picnic area at the start.
Mill Creek picnic area
Mill Creek picnic area
This beautifully situated picnic area is located a short distance along an unsealed road, off Wisemans Ferry Rd, about 5.5km east of Wisemans Ferry. There are picnic tables, fireplaces, an information board and pit toilets. There is some excellent bush walking in the area with two signposted circuit walks starting from the end of the picnic area. There is a 'large group' camping area adjacent.
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This beautifully situated picnic area is located a short distance along an unsealed road, off Wisemans Ferry Rd, about 5.5km east of Wisemans Ferry. There are picnic tables, fireplaces, an information board and pit toilets. There is some excellent bush walking in the area with two signposted circuit walks starting from the end of the picnic area. There is a 'large group' camping area adjacent.
Find the sign at the start.
Veer left, to head along 11km Walking Track.
After another 60 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 230 m continue straight, to head along 11km Walking Track.
After another 1.9 km find the "11km circuit Nth Viewpoint" (9 m on your left).
11km circuit Nth Viewpoint
11km circuit Nth Viewpoint
This informal, unfenced lookout is on a large rock platform on the northern part of the 11km Circuit, in Dharug National Park. The nice views and atmosphere make this a good spot for a break while doing the circuit walk.
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This informal, unfenced lookout is on a large rock platform on the northern part of the 11km Circuit, in Dharug National Park. The nice views and atmosphere make this a good spot for a break while doing the circuit walk.
After another 980 m turn right, to head along 11km Walking Track.
After another 4.2 km find the "Grasstrees" (5 m on your left).
Grasstrees
Grasstrees
The beautiful Grasstree is one of the icons of the Australian bush. It is a very slow growing plant, with the trunk typically only growing about one cm per year. These plants can grow and survive for several hundred years. The trunk is usually black, apparently a result of bushfires. As with some other native plants, fires can actually promote flowering and further growth.
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The beautiful Grasstree is one of the icons of the Australian bush. It is a very slow growing plant, with the trunk typically only growing about one cm per year. These plants can grow and survive for several hundred years. The trunk is usually black, apparently a result of bushfires. As with some other native plants, fires can actually promote flowering and further growth.
After another 380 m veer left, to head along 11km Walking Track.
After another 235 m (at the intersection of 11km Walking Track & Grass Tree Circuit) continue straight, to head along 11km Walking Track.
After another 90 m pass the sign.
After another 45 m pass the picnic table (on your right).
Continue straight, to head along 11km Walking Track.
Continue another 40 m to find at the intersection of Mill Creek Road & 11km Walking Track at the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
11km Circuit
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
8.2 km
Time
3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min
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)
Bushwalk
3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min
Toilet: There is one -69 m back from the start.
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Find the Mill Creek picnic area at the start.
Find the sign at the start.
After another 60 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 230 m continue straight, to head along 11km Walking Track.
After another 1.9 km find the "11km circuit Nth Viewpoint" (9 m on your left).
After another 4.2 km find the "Grasstrees" (5 m on your left).
