Watagans abseiling with Out and About Adventures

Watagans National Park

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Overview

Enjoy an exhilarating day of abseiling on beautiful sandstone cliffs in Watagans National Park with the qualified guides of Out and About Adventures. It's a great way to reconnect with nature and experience a thrilling new sport.

When
Contact Out and About Adventures for tour schedule.
Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Grade
Medium. No previous abseiling experience required.
Price
Contact Out and About Adventures for pricing.
Bookings
Bookings required. Book online or email or call Out and About Adventures on 0404 878 332.
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Walking backward off a cliff is not something you would normally do, but with experienced guides to build your skills, you’ll soon be abseiling with confidence. By the end of this unforgettable day of outdoor adventure guests descend sections a long as 45m, including the exhilarating Gap Creek waterfall.

This exciting experience in the Watagans wilderness is a great way to challenge yourself and meet new, adventure-minded people. Out and About Adventures supplies all the gear and their expert guides instruct you every step of the way. They’ll even take action shots so you can remember your thrilling day on the cliffs.

Out and About Adventures is a licensed commercial tour operator with a Parks Eco Pass.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/watagans-abseiling-with-out-and-about-adventures/local-alerts

Operated by

Out and About Adventures logo. Photo © Out and About Adventures

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.

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Watagans abseiling with Out and About Adventures.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    Contact Out and About Adventures for directions.

    Parking

    Contact Out and About Adventures for information on parking.

    Maps and downloads

    Accessibility

    Disability access level - no wheelchair access

    Learn more

    Watagans abseiling with Out and About Adventures is in Watagans National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Blossoming rainforest

    Boarding House Dam, Watagans National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    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

    Great North Walk, Watagans National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    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

    Turners walking track, Watagans National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    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

    A man enjoys the forest, Watagans National Park. Photo: OEH

    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.

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