The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail can be started at either end, but we chose Pearl Beach, which has a carpark at the Crommelin Arboretum. Driving through Pearl Beach is interesting, because all of the streets are named after gemstones. A short walk back down the road from the carpark takes you to the start of the track.
The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail
The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail is a 4.4km well defined track taking around one hour to complete, one-way. It is well maintained and sign posted, because it it a fire trail. Bike riders also use the trail, so be careful to keep out of their way. The track passes through red gum forest, which provides a great backdrop to the walk.
Signpost at the Start of the Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
The Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
The Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
Pearl Caves
About 300m into the walk, the hillside on the left becomes steeper and you will notice rock overhangs at the base. These become quite large and form sandstone caves under the cliff. We decided not to walk though the bush to go inside as the undergrowth was very dense. Instead, we looked at them from the track.
Pearl Caves
Warrah Lookout
Located a further 1.4km past Pearl Caves is Warrah Lookout, with spectacular views over the Hawkesbury River. If you look carefully, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is visible on the far side.
Warrah Lookout Sign
View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout
View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout
Hawkesbury River Through Trees at Warrah Lookout
What Did We Think?
This was a great walk, with wonderful views from the lookout surrounded by eucalypt forest. We thought it was a good walk because of the scenery and amazing coastal views.
Located in Brisbane Water National Park, Piles Creek Loop Track is a grade 5 challenging walk threading through dry eucalypt forest along Piles Creek, passing waterfalls and crossing a suspension bridge. Managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the track is in good condition, but the Grade 5 rating reflects unformed paths, steep climbs and limited direction signs.
Getting There
A one-hour drive north of Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the Central Coast Highway exit, then:
Take the first left onto Wisemans Ferry Road
Then take the first left onto Old Pacific Highway
Take the first left onto Quarry Road
The picnic area, where the trail begins, is through the tunnel and straight ahead.
Be aware of the carpark’s closing time, as rangers lock the gates after hours.
Car Park
The carpark is small, and becomes full early, because the park is popular. Additional spaces are available on the road leading to the car park, although this means a longer walk. A ticket machine in the car park allows you to pay the entry fee on arrival.
Piles Creek Loop Track
Starting at the same spot as the Girrakool Loop Track, the Piles Creek track follows the creek to the south west. The walk takes you through eucalypt forest and past steep rock faces of the Piles Creek Gully. Spaced along the walk are fenced lookout, which enable to to admire the scenery in safety.
Several small creeks are crossed with bridges or walkways. In several places there are stepping stones, which are fun to use. The Rat Gully crossing uses steps cut into boulders in the creek, which need to be used with care to avoid slipping.
Although it hadn’t rained recently, several areas were muddy, including some steps, so we took things slowly to avoid slipping.
This four kilometer loop took us 3.5 hours to complete, which we really enjoyed because of the challenge and amazing scenery.
Rough Stairway on Piles Creek Loop Track
Wooden Walkway on the Piles Creek Loop Track
Piles Creek Loop Track
Large Boulder
Rough Stairway on Piles Creek Track
Wet Muddy Steps on Piles Creek Loop Track
Formed Steps on Piles Creek Track
Steps cut into a Boulder Crossing Rat Gully
Piles Creek Track
View Over Brisbane Water National Park
Signage and Directions
Generally well sign posted, several signs are ambiguous, so stay alert to your location. We found the track quite well defined, where others had used it, which made finding the right direction easy.
Typical Signage
Phil Houghton Bridge
The Phil Houghton Bridge is a metal suspension bridge that crosses Piles Creek. It is part of the Great North Walk and replaces an older bridge, with parts still visible upstream. The bridge can hold up to 8 people and feels very stable. There are great views both up and downstream half way across this bridge.
At this point, there is an option to extend the walk to the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge, by following the Hawkesbury Track. This track will take you 2.2 kilometers along Piles Creek and then Mooney Mooney Creek to the old bridge. Alternatively, should you wish to do this section, it it accessible from the Pacific Highway, which makes the overall walk shorter.
We chose to take the return trip straight away by following the track back to the Girrakool car park.
Phil Houghton Bridge
Phil Houghton Bridge
Hawkesbury Track From the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge to Phil Houghton Bridge
This is only a small section of the Hawkesbury Track at 2.2 kilometers one way, making it an easy walk taking around an hour return.
Getting There
Located on the Pacific Highway, the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge has a small area nearby where cars can park. From here we walked over the bridge to look at the creek and surrounding eucalypt forest. We then walked down a track to the creek, where the structure of the bridge can be seen.
This section of the track can also be walked from the Phil Houghton Bridge if you are doing the Piles Creek Loop Track, adding 4.4 kilometers to that walk.
Old Mooney Mooney Bridge
Old Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge on the Old Pacific Highway is a steel truss bridge built in 1930. The bridge forms part of the Pacific Highway between Calga and Kariong near Gosford. The bridge also forms part of the Great North Walk which is a popular walking trail connecting Sydney and Newcastle.
There are great views of the creek from on top and under the bridge, as well as the interesting structure of the bridge itself.
Old Mooney Mooney Bridge
Mooney Mooney Creek
The Hawkesbury Track
The track near the bridge is very easy to walk because it is flat and follows the creek. However, once it reaches Piles Creek and a marshy area, the track climbs up the gorge wall becoming steep in places. Passing through the eucalypt forest, it crosses several creeks, which have bridges are walkways over them.
The forest and views over the creek are amazing, with fern trees and mossy boulders to be found amongst the trees.
When you reach the Phil Houghton Bridge, you can continue on and complete the Piles Creek Loop Track, or return to the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge. Piles creek is a grade 5 four kilometer loop, that takes around three and a half to four hours to walk.
A one-hour drive north of Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the Central Coast Highway exit, then:
Take the first left onto Wisemans Ferry Road
Then take the first left onto Old Pacific Highway
Take the first left onto Quarry Road
The picnic area, where the trail begins, is through the tunnel and straight ahead.
Be aware of the carpark’s closing time, as rangers lock the gates after hours.
Fungi Growing near the Track
Eucalypt on the Track
Aboriginal Rock Engravings
One of the first stops on the track is a collection of Aboriginal rock engravings, which give an insight into indigenous settlement of the area. Signs warn visitors not to walk on them, while also explaining their significance.
Warning Sign Next to Aboriginal Rock Engravings
Aboriginal Rock Engravings
Wildlife and Native Flowers
Wild flowers bloom in spring, so we missed them, however, we came across a bush turkey, which was the only wildlife we saw.
Bush Turkey on its Nest
Girrakool Loop Track
Waterfalls on the Girrakool Loop Track
Apart from the native forest and views, the waterfalls are the major drawcard for this walk. We though the one at Andamira Lookout was the nicest, as it was shady and quiet.
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Shady Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
What Did We Think
A great little walk taking about 45 minutes, passing forest and nice waterfalls. We had a great time.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
