Western Girrakool Loop

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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	(-33.4317118,151.2766347)
Mode	Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Wisemans Ferry Road Offramp Turn on to Wisemans Ferry Road Offramp then drive for 55 m Turn right onto Wisemans Ferry Road, B83 and drive for another 390 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Old Pacific Highway, B83 and drive for another 1.6 km Turn left onto Quarry Road and drive for another 75 m Keep left onto Girrakool Road and drive for another 630 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the lower side of the car park, this walk follows the 'To The Great North Walk' sign down the path to the lower picnic area. The walk passes the toilet block (on the left) and comes to another picnic area. The path passes through this picnic area to turn right following the 'Piles Creek Loop Track' sign down the steps. The footpath then leads to an intersection with the Broula Lookout track (on the left) and a 'car park' sign pointing back up the hill.
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Girrakool Loop' sign down along the stone path. The path soon heads down some steps and comes to a fenced and signposted 'Illoura Lookout'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Girrakool Road. Find the car park at the start.
	After another 10 m continue straight. After another 50 m pass the sign (on your right). Then pass the toilet (10 m on your left). After another 60 m pass the BBQ (25 m on your left).
	Continue straight.
	After another 165 m continue straight, to head along Girrakool Loop Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Piles Creek Waterfall. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 40 m (at the intersection of Girrakool Loop Track & Piles Creek Loop) continue straight, to head along Girrakool Loop Track. After another 40 m find the "Illoura Lookout" (on your right). Illoura Lookout Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Bundilla Lookout. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn around when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 15 m (at the intersection of Girrakool Loop Track & Piles Creek Loop) continue straight, to head along Girrakool Loop Track.
	After another 430 m turn right, to head along Girrakool Loop Track. After another 15 m pass the waterfall (20 m on your left). Then find the "Andamira Lookout" (on your left). Andamira Lookout The fenced Andamira Lookout is on a platform, overlooking Leaskes Creek waterfall on the Girrakool Loop walk. The waterfall is in a sandstone and ferny amphitheatre with a sandy base. Prior to reaching the waterfall, this creek has just passed under the F3 freeway, which can be heard a short distance away. Trees have grown up over the years and the view of the water if filtered through the leaves. After another 35 m find the "Boondi Lookout" (10 m on your right). Boondi Lookout Boondi Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout on the Girrakool Loop track, in Brisbane Water National Park. The view is mostly of the trees in the valley, with some glimpses of Leaskes Creek to the right. 'Boondi' is a word used by the Darkinjung people meaning 'Club-headed weapon'.
	After another 245 m veer right, to head along Girrakool Road.
	After another 40 m come to the end. About 15 m past the end is "Girrakool Picnic Area". Girrakool Picnic Area Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'.

An optional side trip to Piles Creek Waterfall.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Girrakool Loop Track & Piles Creek Loop Start heading along Piles Creek Loop (a walking track).
	After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Piles Creek Loop.
	After another 20 m come to the end. "Piles Creek Waterfall". Piles Creek Waterfall The large waterfall on Piles Creek is south of Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Water National Park. At the Piles Creek Loop track crossing at the top of the falls, there is a large rock platform. The cliff edge is unfenced and would be dangerous to approach for the view. The water falls down the large drop, into a big pool below. The 'Bundilla Lookout' on the other side of the valley provides the only square view onto the falls, but even this only witnesses the top half. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Bundilla Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Girrakool Loop Track & Piles Creek Loop Start heading along Piles Creek Loop (a walking track).
	After another 95 m veer left.
	Continue another 10 m to find Bundilla Lookout at the end. "Bundilla Lookout". Bundilla Lookout Bundilla Lookout provides a good (but filtered) view from the southern side of the Leask and Piles Creeks junction. From the fenced lookout, you can see the top part of Piles Creek waterfall and much of the surrounding bushland. Bundilla is an Aboriginal word meaning 'meeting of waters'. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 105 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Western Girrakool Loop

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.1 km
Time	25 min to 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 80 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	80 m	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Girrakool Picnic Area
Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes' drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day's activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John 'Jack' Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. 'Girrakool' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of still waters'.

Piles Creek Waterfall
The large waterfall on Piles Creek is south of Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Water National Park. At the Piles Creek Loop track crossing at the top of the falls, there is a large rock platform. The cliff edge is unfenced and would be dangerous to approach for the view. The water falls down the large drop, into a big pool below. The 'Bundilla Lookout' on the other side of the valley provides the only square view onto the falls, but even this only witnesses the top half.

Bundilla Lookout
Bundilla Lookout provides a good (but filtered) view from the southern side of the Leask and Piles Creeks junction. From the fenced lookout, you can see the top part of Piles Creek waterfall and much of the surrounding bushland. Bundilla is an Aboriginal word meaning 'meeting of waters'.

Andamira Lookout
The fenced Andamira Lookout is on a platform, overlooking Leaskes Creek waterfall on the Girrakool Loop walk. The waterfall is in a sandstone and ferny amphitheatre with a sandy base. Prior to reaching the waterfall, this creek has just passed under the F3 freeway, which can be heard a short distance away. Trees have grown up over the years and the view of the water if filtered through the leaves.

Boondi Lookout
Boondi Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout on the Girrakool Loop track, in Brisbane Water National Park. The view is mostly of the trees in the valley, with some glimpses of Leaskes Creek to the right. 'Boondi' is a word used by the Darkinjung people meaning 'Club-headed weapon'.

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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
- Brisbane Water National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Brieses fire trail partial closure
  The section of Brieses fire trail between Mooney Mooney Creek and Old Mooney Dam trail is closed until further notice due to a landslip, making it unsafe for vehicles.
  Signs are in place around closed areas. This area will re-open as soon as it is safe and repair works have been completed.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.
  
  Closed areas: Warrah Trig Road closed to vehicles
  Warrah Trig Road is closed to vehicles due to an increase in illegal activities throughout the area.
  The road will remain closed until investigations are completed and further recommendations are made.
  The road is open to pedestrians and cyclists.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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