Turners walking track
Watagans National Park
Overview
Steep and challenging, Turners walking track in Watagans National Park, near Cessnock, boasts rainforest views, historic heritage and superb birdwatching.
- Where
- Watagans National Park
- Distance
- 1km one-way
- Time suggested
- 30min - 1hr 30min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- Price
- Free
- What to
bring - Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
- Please note
- There is limited mobile reception in this park
- The weather in the 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
Watagans National Park, near Cessnock, boasts some of the most scenic rainforest in the Newcastle region, and Turners walking track is a great way to explore this rainforest. Self-reliant bushwalkers will love the challenge of this old logging track, offering wilderness views and great birdwatching, with easy access to Great North walk.
Starting from Boarding House Dam picnic area, this track winds steeply through rainforest of towering blackbutts and blue gums, before giving way to open eucalypt forest. Along the way, you might see brush turkeys or lyrebirds darting through the trees or foraging for tasty treats on the forest floor.
You’ll also pass the historic remnants of O’Hara’s Sawmill, built as a temporary mill in the 1950s to salvage timber after WW2. Choose to retrace your steps to the picnic area, or alternatively, the track can be accessed via Watagan Forest HQ campground, in Heaten State Forest.
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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.
-
- Lake Munmorah office
02 4972 9000
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm. - Blue Wren Drive, Munmorah State Conservation Area, Wybung NSW 2259
- Email: npws.centralcoast@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Lake Munmorah office
-
- Gosford office
02 4320 4200
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, hours vary. - Suites 36-38, 207 Albany Street North, Gosford NSW 2250
- Email: npws.centralcoast@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Gosford office