Circuit walking track

Watagans National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

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.

Distance
0.6km loop
Time suggested
30min - 1hr
Grade
Grade 4
What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
Please note
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
  • Boarding House Dam picnic area is a popular destination for daytrippers, so parking may be limited.
  • There is limited/no mobile reception in this park

Starting at the Boarding House Dam picnic area, Circuit walking track offers you an easy hike along the creek as it threads through pristine native rainforest. Stroll beneath blue gums, grey myrtle and turpentine, keeping an eye out for lyrebirds and an ear open for kookaburras. A dramatic rock wall covered entirely in moss makes for a beautiful spectacle on the trail – so don’t forget the camera.

In summer, the rainforest makes for a cool retreat, with trees and ferns shading the trail from the sun. But for an even cooler one, bring your swimmers along and make your way into the creek or dam at the end of the walk for a paddle. Finish up with a long picnic, taking advantage of the free barbecues on offer.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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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/walking-tracks/circuit-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

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 Circuit walking track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

0.6km loop

Time

30min - 1hr

Quality of markings

Limited signage

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

Occasional steps

Quality of path

Formed track

Getting there and parking

Circuit walking track is in the Boarding House Dam area of Watagans National Park. To get there:

  • Take the Cessnock (Freemans Waterhole) exit off the F3
  • Turn right onto Freemans Drive, Cooranbong, then turn right into Mount Faulk Road.
  • Turn left into Watagans Forest Drive
  • Turn right into Boarding House Dam Road
  • The circuit walking track starts at the Boarding House Dam picnic area

Parking

Parking is available at the Boarding House Dam picnic area.

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

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

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

Circuit walking track 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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