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Beautiful Piles Creek Loop Track

Phil Houghton Bridge

Piles Creek Loop Track

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hawkesbury Track
Track Down From the Pacific Highway
Mooney Mooney Creek
Mooney Mooney Creek
Hawkesbury Track Along Mooney Mooney Creek
Hawkesbury Track Along Mooney Mooney Creek
Hawkesbury Track
Moss Covered Boulder on the Hawkesbury Track
Ferns
Ferns on the Hawkesbury Track
Trees
Trees on the Hawkesbury Track
Trees
Trees on the Hawkesbury Track
Ferns
Ferns on the Hawkesbury Track
Small Creek Crossing
Small Creek Crossing

What did We Think?

Girrakool Loop Track Brisbane Water National Park

Waterfall at Andamira Lookout

Girrakool Loop Track

Part of the Brisbane Water National Park, the Girrakool Loop Track is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. This ensures that the park is managed well and that tracks are maintained in good condition. A small fee applies which you pay in the car park.

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.

Fungi Growing near the Girrakool Loop Track
Fungi Growing near the Track
Eucalypt on the Girrakool Loop 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.

Aboriginal Rock Engravings Sign
Warning Sign Next to Aboriginal Rock Engravings
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
Bush Turkey on its Nest
Girrakool Loop Track
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
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout on the Girrakool Loop Track
Shady Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
Waterfall at Andamira Lookout
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.

Our photos are available for purchase on

Goat Island Sydney Harbour

Gunpowder Magazine Walls

Getting to Goat Island

Goat Island in Sydney Harbour is administered by National Parks and Wildlife and tours are organised and conducted by Rangers. We met our guide at Circular Quay wharf 6 where we boarded the ferry for a quick trip to the island. Access to the island is prohibited unless you are on an official tour, because of its heritage listed status. This tour takes 2 hours, which is plenty of time to see all of the island’s history.

Original Use

The original use for Goat Island was gunpowder storage and the most impressive building there is the old magazine. Built using convict labour this sandstone building has 2m thick walls, as a precaution to contain any explosions.

It was interesting to see the difference between the convict-built buildings and those built after. The convict buildings are of excellent construction and quality, but hose built afterwards are of a far lesser standard as the government paid for their construction.

Some boat maintenance is still performed on the island at the old shipyards but the facilities are a shadow of what happened there when Sydney was a large boat building harbour. The old crane still standing there is a reminder of the industry that used to be there.

Harbour Master’s Residence

The harbour master’s residence overlooking the harbour is a beautiful old building but is currently unused. Plans to develop it and several surrounding cottages did not materialise leaving it unoccupied.

We also stopped at Boney Anderson’s rock where he was chained for 2 years as punishment for bad behaviour. The small cutting in the rock was where he slept.

Harbour Master's Residence
Harbour Master’s Residence
Boney Anderson's Bed Goat Island
Boney Anderson’s Bed

Water Police

The tour also takes in the old water police and fire tender wharf which are in poor condition. Only the piers of the wharf remain and although they make an interesting photo it would have been   nicer had it been preserved. The building is badly in need of renovating because although the structure appears sound, the interior walls and floors need repair.

Filmed on the island, the Australian TV show Water Rats built a set there. Unfortunately once filming stopped the set was not removed and remains an eye sore on the waterfront because it’s style does not match the historic buildings elsewhere.

What Did We Think of Goat Island?

We had a fantastic time on Goat Island and learnt a great deal from our guide. This tour is highly recommended to anyone who wants to find out more about Australia’s past.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on