Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 55.9 miles /
90.0 km
Duration: Multiple days
Overview:
If you are thinking of walking all or part of the Australian “Great North Walk” this guide bundle is designed to help you make that goal a reality – as easily as possible. The Great North Walk is 250 kilometres. This bundle of guides is one part of a three-part set that cover the North, Centre and South sections of the Australian Great North Walk. Access trail guides at http://tiny.cc/Buy2GNWbooks .
The central section of Australia’s ‘most accessible bush-walk' passes its highest point -- Mount Warrawolong as well as its most impressive Aboriginal art sites. Find more details at http://www.thegreatnorthwalk.com
The Great North Walk connects New South Wales’ two largest cities from the obelisk in Australia’s first planned town square to the wharf from which its oldest home-built steamship still sails in over 250 kilometres of history, mystery and fascination. The trail only just turned 21 in 2009 although some paths, originally made by indigenous people, are many tens of thousands of years old; it has been completed in 66 hours (fastest time yet!) and is walked over decades; its story impinges on diverse faiths passing Australia’s largest provincial Anglican cathedral while the walk’s highest peak – Mt Warrawolong (641 m) – is the site of Aboriginal ceremonies; be amazed to walk right beside examples of the oldest rock engravings in the world and modern street art; cross dramatic and beautiful waterways by means as diverse as the world’s widest steel-arch bridge to its oldest operating river postman’s boat; be puzzled by en route mysteries including more than a dozen murders, disappearances and inexplicable deaths; wind past the southern hemisphere’s largest salt-water swimming pool, the park dedicated to our longest-lived cartoon character, the site of the first coal mine and see where the first Brooklyn Railway Bridge (1890) was erected on the deepest pier then in Australia (49.4 m). Most of all enjoy Australia's social history and natural environment on a bush-hike that is accessible to virtually everyone. Join the Ozzie Bushies for a best-ever life experience!
Tips:
Hike and camp on track-based sites or walk in a series of day trips or weekend jaunts staying at local B&Bs, motels or hotels. Treasure Hunters: make the Great North Walk an obelisk odyssey, a quest for the world's oldest rock art or not quite a ‘bridge too far’. Some parts are included in guided walks by local tour operators but all can be followed using official map & following well-marked signs.
There are plenty of campsites along the track: all have fireplaces and a few have potable water. There are also plenty of hotels, motels and bed & breakfast homestays. There is reasonable public transport access to many parts of the walk but for some you will either need a car, a taxi or thoughtful planning. Much, but not all, of the route is in mobile phone range. Usually if you cannot access a signal you can climb higher and obtain one.
Due to road modifications and trail reorganizations, there are changes in the Great North Walk’s route and therefore probably since the publication date. The best advice is always to follow the official Great North Walk signposting and direction markers, which are clear and up-to-date.
Although we strive to keep this web page up-to-date and also to update and upgrade the downloadable maps and notes, it is important to note that the official maps of the Great North Walk are held only as a set of paper pamphlets covering the whole walk. These can be cheaply obtained from the New South Wales Land & Property Management Authority.
