11km walking track
Dharug National Park
Overview
Lace on your hiking boots for the challenging 11km walking track, through lush forests, past creeks and along high ridge tops in Dharug National Park, Wisemans Ferry.
- Where
- Dharug National Park in Sydney and surrounds
- Distance
- 11km loop
- Time suggested
- 5 - 7hrs
- Grade
- Grade 5
- Trip Intention Form
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It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.
- Opening times
11km walking track is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- What to
bring - Hat, drinking water, sunscreen
- Please note
- The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching
11km walking track is near Wisemans Ferry and follows a steep mountain ridge through lush gullies, past clear running creeks in Dharug National Park. This rough track will really get your heart racing with several steep climbs along the way. 11km walking track is an exhilarating challenge for adventure seekers.
Experienced and fit bushwalkers might be able to finish the track in four hours but if you prefer to drop the pace then it’s a good idea to start 11km walking track early in the day to enjoy the scenic views and surrounding bushland.
Catch your breath on a creek bank and take advantage of birdwatching along the way as lewins honeyeaters are bound to be seen in the trees, along with gang gang cockatoos. You might also spot goannas on the track and wildflowers like waratahs, red Gymea lilies and flowering heath – are abundant in spring.
Map
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/walking-tracks/11km-walking-track/local-alerts
Park info
- in Dharug National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Dharug National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about 11km walking track .
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
11km loop
Time
5 - 7hrs
Quality of markings
Sign posted
Experience required
Very experienced bushwalkers
Gradient
Very steep and difficult
Steps
No steps
Quality of path
Rough track, many obstacles
Getting there and parking
11km walking track is in the Dharug National Park. To get there:
- Travel along Wisemans Ferry Road to Mill Creek campground (20km from Spencer).
- Turn right into Mill Creek, where the track starts and ends at the picnic area.
Parking
Parking is available at Mill Creek picnic area.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Dharug National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
The water has warmed up nicely by late summer so autumn is great for kayaking and canoeing along the Hawkesbury river.
Spring
The spring months are perfect for enjoying more strenuous activities in the park, like the longer walks and mountain bike riding. It's also the perfect time to see wildflowers.
Winter
The park is still stunning in winter and walking on sunny days is very pleasant. It can be cold at night so bring warm gear if you're camping.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
13°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
42.9°C
Winter temperature
Average
8°C and 18°C
Lowest recorded
-0.1°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February and March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
230.2mm
Facilities
Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
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
11km walking track is in Dharug National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal heritage
Dharug National Park is the traditional Country of the Dharug Aboriginal people. Abundant in animal, plant and bird life, the area was a rich source of food, medicines and shelter. The park's diverse landscapes and all they contain feature in all aspects of Aboriginal culture and are associated with Dreaming stories and cultural learning that is still passed on today.
Rugged beauty
From the rugged bushland containing gang-gang cockatoos, satin bowerbirds and Lewin's honeyeaters to the sparkling waters of the creeks and the rich colours of the sandstone cliffs and formations, Dharug National Park offers a diverse range of landscapes. Bring your bike, bushwalk, camp by the creek, canoe on the Hawkesbury or make the most of the backdrop with your camera, there is so much to explore.
Step into Australia’s past
Dharug National Park contains the Old Great North Road, one of 11 historic sites which form the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property. It's a spectacular example of early colonial engineering and demonstrates the use of convict labour; up to 720 convicts - some in chains - worked on the road, which spanned 264km, connecting Sydney to the settlements of the Hunter Valley. Only 43km of the road remains relatively intact, running from Wisemans Ferry in the south to Mount Manning in the north and includes the oldest surviving stone bridges in mainland Australia. It makes a great walk to explore over two or three days or an exhilarating day's cycle.
- Devines Hill loop Head to Devines Hill loop in Dharug National Park, near Wisemans Ferry this weekend for a bike ride or walk along the historic World Heritage-listed Devines Hill loop.
- Old Great North Road - World Heritage walk Old Great North Road – World Heritage walk highlights a historic convict-built road with scenic river views, via Finchs Line, in Dharug National Park.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.
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Australian brush turkey (Alectura lathami)
The Australian brush turkey, also known as bush or scrub turkey, can be found in rainforests along eastern NSW. With a striking red head, blue-black plumage and booming call, these distinctive Australian birds are easy to spot while bird watching in several NSW national parks.
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Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.
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Lace monitor (Varanus varius)
One of Australia’s largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.
Plants
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Gymea lily (Doryanthes excelsa)
The magnificent Gymea lily is one of the most unusual Australian native plants, found only along the coast and surrounding bushland of the Sydney Basin, from Newcastle to Wollongong. In spring this giant lily shoots out spectacular red flowers that can reach heights of 2-4m.