Boarding House Dam picnic area
Watagans National Park
Overview
A popular picnic spot with daytrippers in summer, Boarding House Dam picnic area offers all the amenities, as well as local history, paddling, and hiking opportunities.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Where
- Watagans National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- Hard
- What to
bring - Drinking water
- Please note
- The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
- There is limited mobile reception in this park
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch
Boarding House Dam picnic area is a must-see starting point for any trip into Watagans National Park.
The boarding house originally accommodated the longest-serving and largest logging camp in the area.
Today, an outstanding rainforest canopy awaits anyone looking for an easy walk, taking in lush ferns and moss-covered boulders and walls along the Circuit walking track. The area is especially popular with families, since the picturesque creek and dam nearby are ideal for a paddle. Whether you choose to unwind in the shade of this luscious rainforest area, or cook up a feast on one of the picnic area’s barbecues, this is a great place to while away the hours.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/boarding-house-dam-picnic-area/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Watagans National Park in the North Coast region
Watagans National Park is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather, roads closures or high fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Boarding House Dam picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Boarding House Dam picnic area is in the Boarding House Dam precinct of Watagans National Park. To get there:
- Take Cessnock (Freemans Waterhole) exit off the F3
- Turn right into Freemans Drive then right onto Mount Faulk Road (unsealed after 3kms)
- Turn left into Watagan Forest Drive
- Turn right into Boarding House Dam Road
- The picnic area is at the end of the road
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out, as the road to Boarding House Dam can become slippery when it rains. Prolonged wet weather may cause temporary road closures.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- 4WD required in wet weather
Parking
Limited parking is available on Boarding House Dam Road. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Watagans National Park.
Spring
Camp at Gap Creek or Bangalow campground and enjoy a campfire as the sun sets.
Summer
Cooling off at Boarding House Dam is especially popular during summer months Enjoy the moist and cool Circuit walking track .
Winter
Late winter sees the bloom of Illawara flame trees which can be seen across the valley from Gap Creek lookout Check out the views from the various lookouts, while the air is crisp and clean .
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
16°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
44°C
Winter temperature
Average
5°C and 16°C
Lowest recorded
-6.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
December
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
91.4mm
Facilities
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
- Wheelchairs can access this area with some difficulty.
- Accessible toilets and picnic tables next to the car park
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Boarding House Dam picnic area is in Watagans National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Blossoming rainforest
The area is rich in plant life, producing moist forests and a wealth of plant species. Mountain blue gums and blackbutt trees shelter the smaller brush cherry, climbing vines and tree ferns. Across late winter and into early spring, colourful orange-coloured banksias, brilliant purple happy wanderers, and the many hues of yellow wattle trees all flower in bright abundance.
- Circuit walking track Circuit walking track is a short walk near Newcastle. Plunging into rainforest, following the creek as it passes a dramatic moss-covered rock wall, this is a great place to visit.
- Great North walk - Watagans National Park The section of Great North walk in Watagans National Park features great scenic lookouts and wonderful birdwatching. It is best suited to experienced bushwalkers.
- Monkey Face lookout Monkey Face lookout provides excellent scenic views over the Martinsville Valley, with space for a picnic.
- The Narrow Place lookout For scenic views of Hunter Valley, you can't go past The Narrow Place lookout in Watagans National Park. Visit this historic lookout, near Cessnock, to go sightseeing or birdwatching.
Breathtaking views
From Monkey Face lookout, there are spectacular views down over Martinsville Valley, and 6km along Georges Road to the north, Narrow Place lookout provides a 180-degree panorama toward Cessnock, Hunter Valley and beyond the Barrington Ranges. There are so many ways to enjoy the scenery, whether by horse riding, 4WD touring in the wetter months, mountain bike riding or pulling into a shaded picnic area to cool down after a walk.
- Boarding House Dam picnic area A popular picnic spot with daytrippers in summer, Boarding House Dam picnic area offers all the amenities, as well as local history, paddling, and hiking opportunities.
Building a nation
Log chutes and old saw mill sites used during past forestry operations still stand among the plants as a testament to the region's rich settlement history. By the 1820s, a fertile timber industry had established itself, providing cedar and hardwood from the area to the building and growing coal mining industries. Increased timber production provided employment and wealth to the region, and you can still see relics from these operations throughout the park.
- Boarding House Dam picnic area A popular picnic spot with daytrippers in summer, Boarding House Dam picnic area offers all the amenities, as well as local history, paddling, and hiking opportunities.
- Turners walking track Steep and challenging, Turners walking track in Watagans National Park, near Cessnock, boasts rainforest views, historic heritage and superb birdwatching.
Fascinating Aboriginal landscapes
The park is of great importance to the Awabakal and Darkinjung People, and rare insights into art and engraving techniques have been found at over 40 recorded locations in the Watagan Range and surrounding lands. Given that there are only six known Aboriginal engraving sites in the wider Sydney region, this one is particularly noteworthy for its display of more than 100 abstract motifs carved into walls throughout the park.