Boarding House Dam Circuit

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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	(-32.9982645,151.4056592)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Freemans Drive Exit then drive for 510 m Keep right and drive for another 45 m Turn right onto Freemans Drive and drive for another 4.6 km Turn right onto Mount Faulk Road and drive for another 10.6 km Continue onto Heaton Road and drive for another 205 m Continue onto Watagan Forest Road and drive for another 2.7 km Turn sharp right onto Boarding House Dam Road and drive for another 630 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the boarding house dam picnic area, this walk follows the track gently up timber steps, keeping the very large tree stump and dam on your right. This walk follows the track (with a concrete dam on the right) for about 45m, before descending gently on a track and timber steps for about 30m, until coming to a three-way intersection, with a track (on the left) and footbridge (on the right).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 35 m find the "Boarding House Dam Picnic Area" (15 m on your left). Boarding House Dam Picnic Area The boarding house dam picnic area in the Watagans National Park offers a relaxed spot to have a picnic amongst large gum trees, combined with a walk to the dam and moss wall. The picnic area is surrounded by a wide, sleepy creek that has been widened by the dam. There are a number of sheltered picnic tables, barbeques, a toilet, and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). The dam was built in 1952 for fire fighting and recreational use. The area was established in the 1850s as a logging camp, as part of the Barnier Timber Lease. Now it is a great picnic area,
	After another 70 m turn left. After another 280 m find the "Moss Wall" (15 m on your right). Moss Wall This 120m-long stretch of moss-covered rock wall overlooks Boarding House Creek (close to Watagans Forest Rd) and is well worth the walk. The moss wall and surrounding creek side is an enchanting spot to explore, particularly on a hot summer's day.
	After another 220 m turn right.
	After another 500 m turn right.
	After another 500 m continue straight.
	After another 105 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Boarding House Dam Circuit

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.7 km
Time	30 min to 45 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	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Boarding House Dam Picnic Area
The boarding house dam picnic area in the Watagans National Park offers a relaxed spot to have a picnic amongst large gum trees, combined with a walk to the dam and moss wall. The picnic area is surrounded by a wide, sleepy creek that has been widened by the dam. There are a number of sheltered picnic tables, barbeques, a toilet, and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). The dam was built in 1952 for fire fighting and recreational use. The area was established in the 1850s as a logging camp, as part of the Barnier Timber Lease. Now it is a great picnic area,

Moss Wall
This 120m-long stretch of moss-covered rock wall overlooks Boarding House Creek (close to Watagans Forest Rd) and is well worth the walk. The moss wall and surrounding creek side is an enchanting spot to explore, particularly on a hot summer's day.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Toronto Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Thursday 10 October
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Light winds.
  
  Friday 11 October
  
  10°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. The chance of fog about the Lower Hunter in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower near the coast, near zero chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, possibly severe. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:10am to 4:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High]
  
  Saturday 12 October
  
  12°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching between 16 and 19.
  
  Sunday 13 October
  
  11°C → 22°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending east to southeasterly during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 23.
  
  Monday 14 October
  
  10°C → 24°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Tuesday 15 October
  
  12°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 16 October
  
  10°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Thursday 17 October
  
  11°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
- Watagans National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Notice of 1080 aerial baiting program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an aerial baiting program from 14th October 2024 to 18th October 2024. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.
  The program will take place in Popran, Brisbane Water and Watagans National Parks.
  The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise the impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
  Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NPWS National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Landlords, please notify tenants or visitors to your property of the proposed operation.
  Please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office on (02) 4320 4200 for more information or check the NPWS web page alerts.
  
  Other planned events: Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road Repairs and Maintenance Work
  Planned road maintenance is scheduled for Georges Road, 125R Lookout Road and Watagan Road.
  Temporary closure may occur between Wednesday 26th September 2024 and Thursday 31st October 2024.
  
  Heavy plant and machinery will be operating from the intersection of Heaton Road and Watagan Road, then west along Georges Road.
  Pedestrians and vehicles should take caution when accessing these areas.
  
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.
  
  Closed areas: Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road Closed Due to Landslip and Rockfall
  Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road is closed as it is no longer suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles due to risk of landslip and rockfall. This affects access from Watagans National Park to Quorrobolong.
  For further information, please contact NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.
  
  Closed areas: Gap Creek Forest Walk Closed
  Gap Creek Forest Walk is closed due to the risk of landslip and rockfall.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast office on 02 4972 9000
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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