Glenrock State Conservation Area
Overview
Glenrock State Conservation Area, only 5km from Newcastle, is the perfect place for mountain biking. Explore the park’s beaches, rainforest walks and waterfalls on a school excursion or guided tour.
Read more about Glenrock State Conservation Area
Located between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Glenrock State Conservation Area offers an astounding array of recreational opportunities.
Glenrock embraces the last surviving pocket of coastal rainforest in the region, home to a range of animals, like bandicoots, bats and gliders. It also protects a number of ancient Aboriginal sites.
One of the city’s most popular beaches lies within the park’s boundaries, but there is much more here than sand and surf. Take your mountain bike and explore the scenic cycling trails, walk the rainforest and waterfall tracks, launch a hang glider off the cliffs or enjoy a spot of fishing.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/glenrock-state-conservation-area/local-alerts
Contact
- in the North Coast region
Glenrock State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Newcastle office
02 4946 4100
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 1 Wetlands Place, Shortland NSW 2307
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Email: npws.lowerhunter@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Newcastle office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Newcastle, Charlestown and Sydney, take the Pacific Highway to Highfields or Kahibah, Lake Macquarie.
Park entry points
- Gun Club Road See on map
- Highfields Parade See on map
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Glenrock State Conservation Area. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Enjoy exploring the park's mountain biking trails when the weather becomes cooler.
Spring
The park's birds will be chirping and singing, look out for them in the trees as you hit the tracks and trails.
Summer
The park's beaches are a delight at this time of year – you can surf and swim to your heart's content.
Winter
Walk the Bombala walking track for excellent coastal views – you may even spot a whale or two.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
20°C and 25°C
Highest recorded
42°C
Winter temperature
Average
11°C and 18°C
Lowest recorded
1.8°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
November
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
283.7mm
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.
Nearby towns
Charlestown (3 km)
Charlestown lies just 12 km south of Newcastle. It's a key town centre at the northern end of Lake Macquarie.
Newcastle (7 km)
Newcastle is a harbour city surrounded by amazing surf beaches that are linked by a great coastal walk, the Bathers Way. The walk from Nobbys Beach to Merewether Beach takes about three hours and is a great way to explore the city.
Cessnock (46 km)
Some of the finest wines in the world are created in the Hunter Valley and its towns, gourmet food is acclaimed and luxury, boutique accommodations are matched by the most beautiful natural scenery.
Learn more
Glenrock State Conservation Area is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Stride, ride, or glide
Glenrock is magnificent for mountain bike riding, with 14km of single track and 20km of management trails in the northern half of the park. The mountain bike tracks wind through open forest and woodlands and provide access to Burwood Beach, Leichhardt's lookout and the waterfalls. If you prefer to travel on foot, there are excellent walks including the Yuelarbah track, part of the Great North walk from Sydney to Newcastle. Horse riding is also permitted on some trails. Experienced hang gliders have a choice of two launching pads within the park and will enjoy stunning views of the Newcastle coastline.
- Bombala walking track Bombala walking track weaves through bush in Glenrock State Conservation Area, giving glimpses of the ocean, before descending to secluded Dudley Beach.
- Glenrock mountain biking trails Spend the day riding your mountain bike on the trails in Glenrock State Conservation Area near Newcastle. There are rides to suit all levels, and even the kids can ride.
- Mountain bike skills instruction at Glenrock Take your mountain biking to the next level with skills instruction by Momentum Is Your Friend. Held at Glenrock State Conservation Area, these helpful sessions are coached by friendly and professional instructors.
- Yuelarbah walking track Yuelarbah walking track is a great day walk within Glenrock State Conservation Area, near Newcastle. It features a lookout with scenic views, waterfalls and places to picnic.
Wildflowers and wildlife
Glenrock State Conservation Area boasts a diverse range of plant life, over 70 plant species per hectare. Take advantage of this nature wonderland with a relaxing bushwalk, and catch a glimpse of threatened wildflowers - including pink bells, coastal bush peas, and white-flowered wax plants - dotting the area with vibrant hues. Glenrock State Conservation Area is also home to wildlife such as bandicoots, bats and gliders.
- Bombala walking track Bombala walking track weaves through bush in Glenrock State Conservation Area, giving glimpses of the ocean, before descending to secluded Dudley Beach.
- WilderQuest WildThings Come on a WilderQuest WildThings excursion to explore Yuelarbah walking track. Designed for Stage 1 (Years 1-2) students and focusing on science and technology, investigate the living world this beautiful part of Glenrock State Conservation Area, home to amazing plants and animals.
- WilderQuest WildTracker Come on a WilderQuest WildTracker excursion for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) students focusing on science and technology. Carry out investigations to explore the living world in this beautiful part of Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Back to nature
Glenrock boasts a diverse environment from deep gullies to coastal rainforest, beaches and rocky cliffs. A major feature is Glenrock Lagoon, fed by Flaggy and Little Flaggy creeks to the west. The sandstones in these creeks have resisted erosion, resulting in attractive waterfalls and rockpools for which the area has long been renowned. When you've explored the inland, head for the surf at Dudley, Burwood and Glenrock Beaches.
- Leggy Point loop walking track Take in the views of the ocean and coastline all the way to Newcastle from Leggy Point loop walking track, a popular walk for the whole family in Glenrock State Conservation Area.
A rich cultural heritage
Glenrock State Conservation Area is the traditional land of the Awabakal people. They favoured the area for the abundance of food, including marine life and bush tucker. The park today contains a number of ancient Aboriginal sites, including campsites, middens and axe grinding grooves. You can find out more about the Aboriginal cultural heritage of this park on an Aboriginal Discovery tour.
- Aboriginal culture Experience Glenrock State Conservation Area through the eyes of an Aboriginal person on this school excursion for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) HSIE students. Through first-hand experiences learn about the culture of the Awabakal People, how they lived, what resources they used and the significance of the land and Dreamtime stories. Learn about the impact of European settlement on the area and why Glenrock is a culturally significant landscape.
- Leggy Point loop walking track Take in the views of the ocean and coastline all the way to Newcastle from Leggy Point loop walking track, a popular walk for the whole family in Glenrock State Conservation Area.
- WilderQuest WildThings Come on a WilderQuest WildThings excursion to explore Yuelarbah walking track. Designed for Stage 1 (Years 1-2) students and focusing on science and technology, investigate the living world this beautiful part of Glenrock State Conservation Area, home to amazing plants and animals.
- WilderQuest WildTracker Come on a WilderQuest WildTracker excursion for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) students focusing on science and technology. Carry out investigations to explore the living world in this beautiful part of Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Plants and animals you may see
Animals
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Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
The humpback whale has the longest migratory path of any mammal, travelling over 5000km from its summer feeding grounds in Antarctica to its breeding grounds in the subtropics. Its playful antics, such as body-rolling, breaching and pectoral slapping, are a spectacular sight for whale watchers in NSW national parks.
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Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)
The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.
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Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
One of only 2 egg-laying mammals in the world, the short-beaked echidna is one of the most widespread of Australian native animals. Covered in spines, or quills, they’re equipped with a keen sense of smell and a tube-like snout which they use to break apart termite mounds in search of ants.
Plants
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Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)
The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.
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Smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata)
Smooth-barked apple gums, also known as Sydney red gum or rusty gum trees, are Australian native plants found along the NSW coast, and in the Sydney basin and parts of Queensland. Growing to heights of 15-30m, the russet-coloured angophoras shed their bark in spring to reveal spectacular new salmon-coloured bark.
Environments in this park
Education resources (1)
School excursions (4)
- What is a national park? , Stage 2 (Years 3-4), HSIE
- Aboriginal culture, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), HSIE
- WilderQuest WildThings, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Science and Technology
- WilderQuest WildTracker, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Science and Technology
What we're doing
Glenrock State Conservation Area has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents. Here is just some of the work we’re doing to conserve these values:
Understanding landscapes and geology
Glenrock National Park is dedicated to the maintenance of its landscapes and ensures this in conjunction with land and native vegetation conservation and ongoing attention to visitor safety. Sites in this park are maintained and rehabilitated as required.
Managing weeds, pest animals and other threats
Pests and weeds have a significant impact to the ecosystems within Glenrock State Conservation Area. Pest reduction of species, such as wild dogs and bitou bush, as well as ongoing risk assessments for new and emerging weeds, is an important part of the work NPWS does to protect the biodiversity values of this state conservation area.
Conservation program
Bitou bush threat abatement plan
Bitou bush poses a serious and widespread threat to threatened species populations and ecological communities on the NSW coast. The NPWS bitou bush threat abatement plan helps to reduce the impact of weeds at priority sites using control measures such as ground spraying, aerial spraying, biological control and physical removal.
Developing visitor facilities and experiences
Glenrock State Conservation Area is committed to managing and developing visitor facilities for its customers’ enjoyment, education and safety. Extensive management planning is carried out for this park, along with regular maintenance, upgrading and installation of recreational and interpretive facilities.
Conserving our Aboriginal culture
Glenrock State Conservation Area preserves a considerable proportion of what remains of Newcastle's physical Aboriginal heritage, and as such is highly significant to Aboriginal people. Programs are carried out in this park to survey, stabilise and protect Aboriginal heritage sites. NPWS works in partnership with the local Aboriginal community, where possible, and supports cultural activities taking place within the park.
Managing fire
NSW is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world as a result of our climate, weather systems, vegetation and the rugged terrain. NPWS is committed to maintaining natural and cultural heritage values and minimising the likelihood and impact of bushfires via a strategic program of fire research, fire planning, hazard reduction, highly trained rapid response firefighting crews and community alerts.
Conservation program
Planning for fire
Bushfires are inevitable across fire-prone vegetation types within NSW national parks. NPWS prepares for wildfires by working with other fire agencies, reserve neighbours and the community to ensure protection of life, property and biodiversity. Every park has its own fire management strategy, devised in consultation with partner fire authorities and the community to plan and prioritise fire management.
