Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop
Download & Print Map and Notes
4 hrs 30 mins
10.8 km Circuit
337 m
Hard track
Staples Lookout
Staples Lookout beside Woy Woy Road, is a fenced lookout providing good views east across the Central Coast, the Brisbane Water and out to the ocean. There is a large car park and picnic tables, with plenty of natural shade. The lookout was named as a tribute to Charles J Staples, a pioneer of route that Woy Woy Rd now follows[1]. The lookout was constructed in 1955 by the Rotary Club of Woy Woy[2]. An inscription at the lookout quotes ‘and I shall meditate on your wondrous works’ from Psalm 119:27.
(0km) Staples Lookout → Int of Thommos Trail and Woy Woy Road
370 m
7 mins
0m
-13m
Easy track
From Staples Lookout, this walk heads downhill alongside Woy Woy Rd (keeping the view to the left). Where safe this walk crosses the road and continues down the hill. Just after passing a large brown ‘Scenic Lookout 300m’ sign (facing downhill), the walk comes to the signposted start of “Thommo’s Loop Fire Trail” and a locked gate.
(0.37km) Int of Great North Walk and Woy Woy Road → Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail
1.8 km
37 mins
22m
-83m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads around the National Park gate and continues down the service trail for a short while, before coming to the intersection of the power line service trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thommas Loop’ sign down the management trail as it bends left. The trail winds down the hill to soon cross a rock platform with good views.
Continue straight: From the rock platform, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the valley views to the right. The trail then generally winds down the hill to come so a signposted three-way intersection with a ‘Staples Lookout’ sign pointing back up the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thommas Loop’ sign down the management trail as it bends left. The trail winds down the hill to soon cross a rock platform with good views.
Continue straight: From the rock platform, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the valley views to the right. The trail then generally winds down the hill to come so a signposted three-way intersection with a ‘Staples Lookout’ sign pointing back up the hill.
(2.2km) Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail → Kariong Brook crossing
690 m
24 mins
21m
-122m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool’ sign[4] gently down along the narrower track. The track leads down for about 60m to pass over a rock outcrop[5] and then 80m later, comes to a clearing that has been used as a campsite[6] (on your left). From the clearing, the track continues down the hill for about 150m, stepping down the rocks[7] and along a sandy track[8] to then bend right at metal handrail[9]. Here the rocky track becomes quite steep in places and winds down past some rock walls[10] and among the grass trees[11] for about 300m, where the track bends sharp right at the bottom of some steps in a cleft in the rock[12]. The track continues down for another 100m to follow the steps down through the sandstone overhang[13], here the track bends left then right to wind down and cross the creek (that is often underground) and come to an intersection with a faint track in front of Kariong Brook Falls[14] (on your right). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.
Kariong Brook Falls
This tranquil spot of the Great North Walk is home to some lovely falls and a water hole. The eastern side of the creek has a tall sandstone cave and wall. After rain these falls can become very spectacular, other times is a cool place to rest. A great spot to stop for a snack.
(2.2km) Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail → Int of GNW and Thommos Loop track
1.5 km
28 mins
54m
-34m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Patonga’ sign[15] downhill along the management trail[16]. The trail then winds along the side of the hill for about 1.3km (passing a pleasant grove of large Sydney Redgums[17]) to then step up onto a particularly large rock platform[18]. After crossing this rock platform, the trail continues for another 120m to come to a Y-intersection[19] (at another rock platform) where a ‘Girrakool’ sign[20] points back along the track.
(3.69km) Int of GNW and Thommos Loop trail → Int of GNW and Mullet Creek Trail (east)
830 m
18 mins
15m
-50m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Patonga’ sign[21] east, gently downhill along the narrow track. After about 250m, the track leads to a notably large rock platform[22] with a clear view across the valley to Mt Wondabyne[23]. Here the track continues gently downhill, crossing more rock platforms[24] for about 300m to head over a section of timber boardwalk[25] and past a few disused power poles[26]. The track then continues over another rock platform for another 200m to cross a small ephemeral creek[27]. From the creek, the track leads up a short distance up under the power lines to come to a T-intersection[28] with a wide trail, where a sign points back to ‘Girrakool’[29].
(4.52km) Int of GNW and Mullet Creek Trail (east) → Int of GNW and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks
1.2 km
25 mins
123m
-15m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, the track follows the GNW arrow post along the management trail[30], initially keeping the power lines to your right. The trail soon bends left and leads uphill. As the trail flattens out again, it comes to a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Great North Walk’ and ‘Wondabyne Station’ sign[31], pointing back along the trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Mt Wondabyne’ sign[32] south up the trail. The trail soon begins to narrow[33] and after almost 200m, the track steps up to cross a rock platform[34], following a few GNW arrow posts to find a GNW ‘Walker Register’ tube[35]. After writing a comment, the walk continues uphill[36] along the track for about 700m, as the track become progressively flatter[37], passing beside the Mt Wondabyne Peak (up to your left). Then about 50m after leaving the trees and entering a section of low heath, this track then comes to a three-way intersection[38] (the Mt Wondabyne peak track, on the left[39]), marked with a GNW arrow post.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Mt Wondabyne’ sign[32] south up the trail. The trail soon begins to narrow[33] and after almost 200m, the track steps up to cross a rock platform[34], following a few GNW arrow posts to find a GNW ‘Walker Register’ tube[35]. After writing a comment, the walk continues uphill[36] along the track for about 700m, as the track become progressively flatter[37], passing beside the Mt Wondabyne Peak (up to your left). Then about 50m after leaving the trees and entering a section of low heath, this track then comes to a three-way intersection[38] (the Mt Wondabyne peak track, on the left[39]), marked with a GNW arrow post.
(5.68km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Peak
210 m
5 mins
20m
-1m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Mt Wondabyne peak track north-east as it heads uphill directly towards Mt Wondabyne. The track is leads gently at first then starts to climb up a series of rock ledges[40]. After about 60m, the track passes a small cave[41] (large enough for 2 or 3 people to lie in). The track then continues to climb for another 90m, up the rocky track then for through a grove of small trees[42], to come to the first peak[43]. The faint track continues along the ridge for another 60m then comes to the main peak, where there is an old trig station[44] and great panoramic views[45]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Mt Wondabyne
Mount Wondabyne is one of the most prominent peaks in Brisbane Water National Park. The long cone-shaped hill has a rocky top and is home to a trig station. Walkers can enjoy full 360-degree panoramic views from the top. To the east are good views over the Brisbane Water, Woy Woy and other central coast suburbs. West, down next to Mullet Creek, you can see some buildings near Wondabyne Station and the train line. Otherwise, most of the expansive views are over much of Brisbane Water National Park. There are some small trees providing limited shade, a great place to soak up the views.
(5.68km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Campsite
90 m
2 mins
0m
-6m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[46] south over a small rise then gently downhill along the rocky track, leaving Mt Wondabyne peak[47] behind and to your left. After about 90m, the track leads down to a clearing[48] at the end of a management trail, where there is a sign pointing back to ‘Mooney Mooney rest area’[49]. This is the Mt Wondabyne campsite[50].
Mt Wondabyne Campsite
This basic campsite is found at the end of a management trail, near the base of Mt Wondabyne. The campsite is at the bottom of a small (east facing) rock wall and has trees surrounding much of the area, providing some shelter. There is an established fire circle and a basic seat. There is no water or other facilities. (There is also small cave suitable for sleeping a few people about half way up Mount Wondabyne).
(5.76km) Mt Wondabyne Campsite → Int of Tunnel Track and Mt Wondabyne trail
760 m
16 mins
0m
-49m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the clearing (campsite), this walk follows the ‘Patonga’[51] sign down the wide management trail. The trail winds downhill for about 300m, enjoying some views back to Mount Wondabyne[52] as well as to Woy Woy and Brisbane Water[53]. From here, the trail continues downhill through the heath for another 400m to come to a T-intersection with another management trail (Tunnel Track), where there is a ‘Mt Wondabyne’[54] and ‘Girrakool’[55] sign pointing back up the hill.
(6.52km) Int of Girrakool and Mt Wondabyne tracks → Int of Tunnel and Mullet Creek Tracks
1.1 km
22 mins
14m
-55m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill as it bends to the left (initially keeping Mt Wondabyne to the left). The trail winds down the hill, passing a filtered view of the Woy Woy landfill site and some nice sandstone formations. The trail then leads into a valley and crosses an often dry creek using a concrete ford. Soon after this, the trail comes to a four-way intersection, with some power lines and a sign pointing back to ‘Tunnel Track’.
(7.59km) Int of Tunnel and Mullet Creek Tracks → Brisbane Waters NP gate
720 m
13 mins
18m
-10m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north-east along the management trail up the hill, away from the power lines (not following any of the signs). The trail soon comes to a three-way intersection with the signposted ‘Thommos Loop’ trail (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the red-gravelly trail north, gently downhill (soon bending right). The trail passes an old rusty trailer (on the left) and soon comes to a ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign and heads around a locked gate.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the red-gravelly trail north, gently downhill (soon bending right). The trail passes an old rusty trailer (on the left) and soon comes to a ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign and heads around a locked gate.
(8.3km) Brisbane Waters NP gate → Int of Tunnel track and Powerline maintenance trail
1 km
18 mins
17m
-18m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the gate, this walk heads away from the gate and national park along the management trail. The trail soon comes to the old Bulls Hill Quarry (on the left) and continues around the edge, passing the pondage area (there are many tracks in the are, this walk follows the main Tunnel Track). The trail bends left, rounding the quarry to cross the sandstone rock platform and climb the gravelly trail leaving the quarry behind. About 170m after passing under the power lines, the trail comes to an intersection with a power line maintenance trail (on the right, signposted ‘830’).
Bulls Hill Quarry
The Bulls Hill Quarry, which was once a sandstone quarry on the western side of Woy Woy Rd. In 2002 Gosford Council proposed converting the quarry into a ‘composting and recycling facility’. These plans where rejected due to concerns of the environmental impact. In 2005 the then-Department of Land and Water Conservation worked on the sediment dams to improve water flow quality from the site.
(9.31km) Int of Tunnel track and Powerline maintenance trail → Int of Tunnel track and Woy Woy Rd
130 m
2 mins
4m
0m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the gate (and road), just visible up the gentle hill along the management trail. On the other side of the gate, the walk comes to small clearing beside Woy Woy Rd (a short distance uphill from the speed camera).
(9.44km) Int of Tunnel track and Woy Woy Rd → Staples Lookout
1.4 km
27 mins
70m
-1m
Easy track
Turn left : From the small clearing, this walk follows alongside Woy Woy Rd away from the speed camera, passing the large ‘Overtaking lane 400m Ahead’ sign up the hill. Soon the road leads to a ‘Roy Lamb the Sand Man’ sign[58].
Continue straight: From the ‘Roy Lamb the Sand Man’ sign, this walk follows beside Woy Woy Rd, heading up the hill (passing a house on the left). The road sweeps left and (about 10m past the yellow ‘Left Lane Ends’ sign) the walk comes to an intersection with a power line access trail (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill beside Woy Woy Rd (away from the water view), soon coming to an intersection with the signposted start of the ‘Thommo’s Loop Fire Trail’[59] and gate (on the left) – just before the brown ‘Scenic Lookout’ sign[60].
Continue straight: From the intersection, heads along Woy Woy Road passing the large brown ‘Scenic Lookout 300m’ sign. The walk crosses the road (where safe) and crosses a grassy area to come to the car park and signposted Staples Lookout.
Continue straight: From the ‘Roy Lamb the Sand Man’ sign, this walk follows beside Woy Woy Rd, heading up the hill (passing a house on the left). The road sweeps left and (about 10m past the yellow ‘Left Lane Ends’ sign) the walk comes to an intersection with a power line access trail (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill beside Woy Woy Rd (away from the water view), soon coming to an intersection with the signposted start of the ‘Thommo’s Loop Fire Trail’[59] and gate (on the left) – just before the brown ‘Scenic Lookout’ sign[60].
Continue straight: From the intersection, heads along Woy Woy Road passing the large brown ‘Scenic Lookout 300m’ sign. The walk crosses the road (where safe) and crosses a grassy area to come to the car park and signposted Staples Lookout.
Maps for the Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Gosford | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91312S GOSFORD | NSW-91312S |
| Gosford | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9131 GOSFORD | 9131 |
Cross sectional view of the Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 10.8 km | ||
| Time | 4 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
Around 6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 4.8km has short steep hills.
Quality of track
9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 950m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 920m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 360m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 4.7km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 9km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.8km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop walk starts and ends at the Staples Lookout (gps: -33.471741, 151.2883)Your main transport option to Staples Lookout is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/sltmwl
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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