4x4 adventure in Watagans National Park
Watagans National Park
Overview
Take a 4x4 adventure with Detourist through Watagans National Park and explore parts of nature not often experienced by other people.
- When
- Contact Detourist for tour dates and times.
- Where
- Watagans National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Grade
- Medium
- Price
- Contact Detourist for pricing.
- Bookings
- Bookings required. Book online or email. Bookings available on request.
- Please note
- Enclosed footwear must be worn on this tour.
- Drinking water is provided but please bring your own lunch and snacks.
Explore the road less travelled on this all-day 4x4 tour with adventure company Detourist in Watagans National Park. Only one hour from Newcastle, you’ll travel off-road through breathtaking wilderness that feels a million miles away from the city.
There’ll be lots of opportunities to stretch your legs along the way, including a guided bushwalk through mystical terrain. Keep an eye out for lyrebirds, yellow-tailed black cockatoos and wombats, as well as a range of stunning wildflowers.
Eat your packed lunch in the bush before stopping at three marvellous lookouts on the way back. Don’t forget your camera to snap photos of the breathtaking views.
Detourist is a licensed commercial tour operator with a Parks Eco Pass.
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/guided-tours/4x4-adventure-watagans-national-park/local-alerts
Operated by
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 4x4 adventure in Watagans National Park.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Contact Detourist for directions.
Parking
Contact Detourist for information on parking.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Not wheelchair-accessible.
Learn more
4x4 adventure in Watagans National Park 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.
- 4x4 adventure in Watagans National Park Take a 4x4 adventure with Detourist through Watagans National Park and explore parts of nature not often experienced by other people.
- 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.