Overview
Book your adventure in advance to experience rugged gorge country, fern-lined gullies, and high elevation forests on The Green Gully Track. Your group will stay in a different heritage hut exclusively each night on this challenging walk in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
- Distance
- 65km loop
- Time suggested
- 4 - 5 days
- 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.
- Price
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Bookings include 2 to 4 hikers for 5 nights at $900. Additional hikers at $300 per person. Minimum 2 hikers and maximum 6 hikers per booking.
- What to
bring - Clothes for all weather conditions, drinking water, dry bag, first aid kit, food supplies, gps, personal locator beacon, hat, insect repellent, mobile phone, sleeping bag, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, torch
- Bookings
- Book online. Select date of first night only and leave number of nights as default (1).Your booking starts at Cedar Creek Cottage, with the walk starting the next day.The track takes 4 days to complete. You'll be sent a confirmation with your track itinerary for 5 nights from your first date.
Is this walk right for you?
This is a Grade 5 walk. A high level of fitness is required and you should have previous experience hiking in remote bushland. It’s not possible to walk the track alone and all walkers must be over 12 year of age.
Over 4 days you'll walk 65km, averaging 7 to 8 hours a day carrying a backpack with food, water and safety supplies. The terrain is steep and difficult in places and requires you to wade through creeks carrying gear above your head. There’s a 900m descent on day 2, and a 600m climb out on day 4.
For the safety of your group you need to stick to the booking itinerary and walk the track in the correct direction each day to ensure your hut is available to your group as booked each evening.
Arrival: Cedar Creek Cottage overnight
Arrive after 2pm to spend the night at Cedar Creek Cottage and get acquainted with the sights and sounds of this remote setting. Each of the next 4 days will bring you a wildly different adventure, and if you’re lucky, many brush-tailed rock wallaby sightings.
Day 1: Cedar Creek Cottage to Birds Nest Hut
Distance:17.4km
Time suggested: 6-7 hours
On day 1 you’ll need to rise early to begin your walk along the undulating Kunderang trail. It’s mostly a fire trail that follows a long ridge separating Green Gully Creek Gorge from Kunderang Brook Valley. There are spectacular views to the east over the valley, and a lot of tall woodland.
After 17.4km you’ll arrive at Birds Nest Hut on the banks of Brumby Creek. It’s one of many mustering huts and yards built by the O’Keefe family in the 1950s to manage their vast 12,500 hectare property known as ‘Green Gully’. In 2004 this property became part of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Enjoy dinner and an early night to prepare for the steep and challenging descent into the gorge tomorrow.
Day 2: Birds Nest Hut to Green Gully Hut
Distance: 15km
Time suggested: 8 hours
Today you’ll need to follow trail markers that guide you along the ridges. A sharp ridge from Birds Nest Hut brings you to Birds Nest Trig, 1200m above sea level.
Further on, a spectacular rock formation known simply as The Rocks is a great spot for lunch with views looking down Green Gully Creek and across to Paradise and Tooth Rocks in the distance.
After your break it’s time to continue down the ridge to the junction of Twofall and Brumby Creeks. On the remaining 1.5km walk to Green Gully Hut keep a look out for brush-tailed rock wallabies as you squeeze through Brumby Pass where 2 imposing cliff faces almost meet. Enjoy a well-deserved rest at Green Gully Hut.
Day 3: Green Gully Hut to Colwells Hut
Distance: 13.5km
Time suggested: 8 hours
Be prepared for a watery adventure today with more than 20 creek crossings, ranging from ankle to thigh deep. You’ll be navigating and crossing the pristine waters of Green Gully Creek all day.
When you reach Green Gully Canyon there’s a beautiful swimming hole, making it the perfect place for a lunch stop and a swim. This is also where the water level can be thigh to chest deep and you’ll need to carry your pack above you. There’s a marked detour if you don’t want to walk through the canyon but it’s steep and difficult.
This canyon marks the old boundary between the former Green Gully property and the pastoral block owned by the Youdale family.
A trail sign marks the spot where you leave the river to walk on to Colwells Hut. The hut offers a welcome camp to finally dry your shoes and socks for the night in preparation for day 4 which is the most challenging.
Day 4: Colwells Hut to Cedar Creek Lodge
Distance: 17.5kmTime suggested: 8 hours
Today is the most challenging, being mostly uphill including a 600m climb over less than 3km. It’s best to start walking in the cool of the morning and take lots of drinking water. The climb over Colwells Trail has great views over pockets of dry rainforest. Ancient forests like these have World Heritage status in other parts of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Creek water might be available when you reach Birds Nest Creek but needs to be boiled before drinking. Be mindful of chemical pollutants like sunscreen and insect repellent which are fatally sensitive to the endangered frogs that live here.
You’ll know you’re on the home stretch when Cowells Trail meets Kunderang Trail and you turn right to retrace part of the walk from day 1 back to the comforts of Cedar Creek Lodge.
Departure
After a well-earned rest at Cedar Creek Lodge and a final breakfast in the solitude of this special place it's time to farewell your friends, pack up your gear, and check out by 10am before hitting the road.
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/the-green-gully-track-app/local-alerts
Bookings
- 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 Oxley Wild Rivers National Park in the North Coast and Country NSW regions
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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There are 3 areas in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park where you'll need day use vehicle permits: Halls Peak campground and picnic area, Riverside campground and picnic area, and Youdales Hut campground and picnic area. Day use vehicle permits can be bought online or by calling the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757. If camping, permit fees are included in the campground fee.
Contact us for permits.
- in Werrikimbe National Park in the North Coast and Country NSW regions
Werrikimbe 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 The Green Gully Track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
65km loop
Time
4 - 5 days
Quality of markings
Sign posted
Experience required
Experienced bushwalkers
Gradient
Very steep and difficult
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Rough track, many obstacles
Getting there and parking
The Green Gully Track starts and ends at Cedar Creek Cottage in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Your car will be left behind a locked gate during your walk. Detailed information on how to reach Cedar Creek Cottage is provided after you make a booking.
Cedar Creek Cottage access: You'll receive an access code in your booking confirmation email to access Cedar Creek Cottage on your first night.
Parking
While you’re on the track, your car is kept behind a locked gate at Cedar Creek. Your first night at Cedar Creek Cottage has undercover parking, but you'll need to move your car to Cedar Creek Lodge, 50m away and leave it in the open while you're on the track.
Facilities
Cedar Creek Cottage has 6 high-density foam mattresses on old stretcher beds, a hot shower, flushing toilet, slow combustion wood fire, outside fire pit and paved area, basic kitchen with two gas burners, cutlery and crockery, large billy, large frying pan, large saucepan/rice cooker and coffee percolator, 6 camp chairs with side tables, a small 12 volt fridge/freezer, an outdoor gas barbecue, outdoor picnic table and undercover parking.
Birds Nest, Green Gully and Colwells Huts each have an outdoor picnic table and paved area, indoor and outdoor open fireplaces, 6 camping chairs, 6 high-density foam mattresses on stretcher beds, a 2-burner gas ring and gas bottles, basic crockery and cutlery, large billy, large frying pan, large saucepan/rice cooker and coffee percolator, internal sink, and a pit toilet. Colwells Hut sleeps 4 inside and another 2 outside on stretcher beds.
Cedar Creek Lodge has 10 high-density foam mattresses on bunk beds in 3 bedrooms, a hot shower, flushing toilet, a slow combustion wood fire, outside fire pit and paved area, a fully equipped kitchen, including fridge (no freezer), gas oven, grill and stove, coffee percolator, cutlery and crockery, dining table and chairs, lounge chairs, an outdoor gas barbecue, outdoor picnic table, and a large verandah.
Each hut has an internal fireplace and a fire pit outside. Fires are not permitted outside of these areas. Firewood is only provided between 1 April and 30 September, outside the bushfire period. Please use as little firewood as possible, it's an expensive item to replace in these remote locations.
Drinking water. Each hut has a rainwater tank. We recommend that you boil all water or bring means of purifying the water before drinking.
Power. Cedar Creek Lodge has renewable 240 volt power, but cannot run devices drawing large currents like toasters, hairdryers or EV vehicles. The other huts have 12 volt solar power for lighting only.
Rubbish. Please note there are no bins along the track, so you’ll need to carry all rubbish to deposit in the bins provided in the final hut.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Showers
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
Each hut has an internal fireplace and a fire pit outside. Fires are not permitted outside of these areas. Firewood is only provided between 1 April and 30 September, outside the bushfire period. Please use as little firewood as possible, it's an expensive item to replace in these remote locations.
We recommend that each group carry an emergency cooking device such as a small methylated spirit stove.
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
- Fire rings (firewood supplied)
Drinking water
Each hut has a rainwater tank. We recommend that you boil all water or bring means of purifying the water before drinking.
Electric power
Cedar Creek Lodge has renewable 240 volt power, but cannot run devices drawing large currents such as toasters and hairdryers. The other huts have 12 volt solar power for lighting only.
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
The Green Gully Track is in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A national first
John Oxley was the first European to visit the New England region, passing through the area that is now Oxley Wild Rivers National Park in September 1818. Following Oxley, cedar-getters penetrated the remote and inaccessible gorges followed by pioneer cattle grazers who braved the remote wilderness for a hundred years. Between 1893 and 1894 the first commercial hydro-electric scheme was constructed to power the town and gold mines of nearby Hillgrove. Today you can visit the remains of this historical site when you take a walk along the Threlfall Historic walk.
- Dangars Gorge reopening celebration This event has been postponed until further notice while new infrastructure is finalised. Stay updated here about the official reopening of the Dangars Gorge precinct in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. It’s one of the New England region’s most spectacular natural attractions, near Armidale.
- Threlfall walking track Threlfall walking track in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park takes in the spectacular Gara Gorge wilderness area, with scenic views and a chance to see the historic hydro-electric scheme.
Abundant wildlife
The varied plant communities of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park provide a home for over 350 animal species, including the largest confirmed population of brush-tailed rock wallabies. Even though there are roughly 10,000 of this endangered species in the park, you'll have to keep your eyes open to catch a glimpse of their bushy tail. The park also boasts over 173 bird species, including the majestic wedge-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon, square-tailed kite and sea eagle.
- Dangars Falls walking track Dangars Falls walking track is a great introduction to the waterfalls, rivers and gorges of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, near Armidale. A short and easy stroll, it delivers you right into the heart of this vast World Heritage Area.
- Dangars Gorge reopening celebration This event has been postponed until further notice while new infrastructure is finalised. Stay updated here about the official reopening of the Dangars Gorge precinct in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. It’s one of the New England region’s most spectacular natural attractions, near Armidale.
- The Green Gully Track Experienced bushwalkers will enjoy rising to the challenges offered by The Green Gully Track in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, near Walcha. Bookings are necessary to secure your experience on this 65km hike over 4 days through declared wilderness areas and dramatic gorges.
- Threlfall walking track Threlfall walking track in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park takes in the spectacular Gara Gorge wilderness area, with scenic views and a chance to see the historic hydro-electric scheme.
Ancient lands
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. The park contains some of the best examples of dry rainforest communities in Australia. When you are out exploring the wet and dry eucalypt forests, grassy woodlands and heathlands of the park, look for native olives, lacebarks, shiny-leaved and giant stinging trees, shatterwoods, scentless rosewoods and red kamalas.
- The Green Gully Track Experienced bushwalkers will enjoy rising to the challenges offered by The Green Gully Track in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, near Walcha. Bookings are necessary to secure your experience on this 65km hike over 4 days through declared wilderness areas and dramatic gorges.
Jaw-dropping scenery
With dramatic ridges and gorges, towering rock outcrops and beautiful rivers and waterfalls, there is something new around every corner and you'll be constantly amazed by the views. The sight of a majestic wedge-tailed eagle soaring high above the gorges looking for food is a truly spectacular sight to behold. Don't forget your camera, give yourself plenty of time and keep your eyes open.
- Budds Mare lookout Enjoy a picnic lunch at Budds Mare lookout surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest and looking out to spectacular views across the Apsley River.
- Dangars Falls walking track Dangars Falls walking track is a great introduction to the waterfalls, rivers and gorges of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, near Armidale. A short and easy stroll, it delivers you right into the heart of this vast World Heritage Area.
- Dangars Gorge reopening celebration This event has been postponed until further notice while new infrastructure is finalised. Stay updated here about the official reopening of the Dangars Gorge precinct in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. It’s one of the New England region’s most spectacular natural attractions, near Armidale.
- The Green Gully Track Experienced bushwalkers will enjoy rising to the challenges offered by The Green Gully Track in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, near Walcha. Bookings are necessary to secure your experience on this 65km hike over 4 days through declared wilderness areas and dramatic gorges.
- Tia Falls walk Tia Falls walk in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is great for children. A short, easy walk, it offers spectacular views of Tia Falls and Gorge.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.
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Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii)
The eastern water dragon is a subaquatic lizard found in healthy waterways along eastern NSW, from Nowra to halfway up the Cape York Pensinsula. It’s believed to be one of the oldest of Australian reptiles, remaining virtually unchanged for over 20 million years.
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Southern boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
The southern boobook, also known as the mopoke, is the smallest and most common native owl in Australia. With a musical 'boo-book' call that echoes through forests and woodlands, the southern boobook is a great one to look out for while bird watching.
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Tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
Found throughout Australia, the tawny frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl due to its wide, powerful beak, large head and nocturnal hunting habits. The ‘oom oom oom’ call of this native bird can be heard echoing throughout a range of habitats including heath, woodlands and urban areas.
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Peron's tree frog (Litoria peroni)
Peron’s tree frog is found right across NSW. These tree-climbing and ground-dwelling Australian animals can quickly change colour, ranging from pale green-grey by day, to a reddish brown with emerald green flecks at night. The male frog has a drill-like call, which has been described as a 'maniacal cackle’.
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Spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)
The spotted-tailed quoll is the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial on the Australian mainland. It’s protected as a vulnerable species in NSW.