Difficulty: Moderate
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 in , Australia’s ‘most accessible bush-walk.’. 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. Full details about the Great North Walk can be found at http://www.thegreatnorthwalk.com
We also recommend accessing e-trails and guides at Great North Walk books - http://tiny.cc/Buy2GNWbooks
This bundle takes you from Newcastle (the northern most end of the Aussie Great North Walk) past your first obelisk (the Newcastle navigation obelisk) heading east as far as Congewai. From here there is a spur northwards to the Hunter Valley which allows you to explore the great wineries as well as enjoying fantastic views and super hikes.
The Great North Walk, Australia’s ‘most accessible bush-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 The trail only just turned 21 in 2009 although some paths, originally made by indigenous people, are many tens of thousands of years old; it has been completed in 66 hours (fastest time yet!)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 and following the 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 from time to time. 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 guide up-to-date and also to update and upgrade the downloadable maps and notes @ 'www.thegreatnorthwalk.com'. However, the official maps are the final source - these obtainable cheaply from the New South Wales Land and Property Management Authority.
Watch a talk about the Great North Walk hike in two parts -movie http://vimeo & see web sites below
