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Geology. In the north, the forested Watagan Mountains separate
the Hunter River catchment from the catchments of Lake Macquarie and the
Tuggerah Lakes. Further south, Hawkesbury sandstone is the areas
dominant rock type, with underlying Narrabeen sediments being exposed in
some escarpments along watercourses. “Tafoni” or “honeycomb” weathering
has eroded the face of sandstone escarpments to produce many
fantastically elaborate rock shelters. Spectacular tidal inlets have
been created where ancient river valleys were drowned about 8,000 years
ago by the rise in sea level following the last ice age.
Flora.
The Course of the GNW100s passes through an area where the ecologically
rich forests of the mid north coast give way to the drier gnarled
forests of the Sydney sandstone country. As a result, many plant species
are encountered along the way. In the north, magnificent isolated stands
of red cedar and Illawarra flame trees mix with more common species
including spotted gum, Sydney blue gum, turpentine, peppermints and
forest oaks. Further to the south, high areas carry open woodland with a
heath-like understorey and occasional “hanging” swamps. Along the whole
route, some of the deep gorges contain remnants of dense sub-tropical
rainforest with tree ferns, cabbage-tree palms, elkhorns and rock- and
tree orchids.
Fauna. Along the route of the GNW100s live populations of wallabies,
koalas, echidnas, platypus, brush-tailed and ring-tailed possums and
great gliders as well as 37 species of snake (rarely seen!) and many
species of birds.
History. The area of the race has a long aboriginal heritage.
In the north, the Darkinjug and Awabakal Aboriginal people have been
connected to the Watagan Mountains for at least 11,000 years. The
mountains are of spiritual and cultural significance and were a rich
source of food and shelter in the traditional hunter/gatherer economy.
Rock art, axe grinding grooves, engravings and stone artefact scatters
can be found along ridge lines, spurs and valley floors. In the south,
near Broken Bay and Brisbane Water, lived the Gurringai tribe. They have
left behind a rich legacy of rock engravings, charcoal and ochre
drawings and exe-grinding grooves. European use of the Watagan Mountains
began with the arrival of the cedar-getters in the early 1820s. Hardwood
harvesting followed, bolstered by the construction of the Newcastle rail
link in the 1850s, the availability of a timber supply route via Dora
Creek and the growing coal mining industry’s need for timber. The early
roads in the mountains developed from the original bullock tracks used
to extract the logs.
Section 1 (28.6 km) - Teralba to Checkpoint 1 (Old Watagan
Forestry HQ)
The route climbs from Teralba on the shores of Lake
Macquarie into the majestic Awaba, Watagan and Heaton State Forests with
their rich eucalypt and rainforest landscapes. There are also
magnificent panoramic views of the Central Coast and Lower Hunter Valley
while crossing the Sugarloaf and Myall Ranges. The track from Teralba to
Heaton Gap is easy to moderate going while the section from Heaton Gap
to the Old Watagan Forestry HQ incorporates some precipitous ascents and
descents and very rough and hard to follow in parts.
Section 2 (23.9 km) - Checkpoint 1 (Old Watagan Forestry HQ)
to Checkpoint 2 (Congewai Public School)
The route follows the ridge of the Myall Range through eucalypt
forest with extensive views to the north across the Lower Hunter Valley
until it descends southwards into the picturesque farmland of the
Congewai Valley. Generally the track is easy to moderate going.
Section 3 (29.1 km) - Checkpoint 2 (Congewai Public School) to
Checkpoint 3 (Basin Campsite)
The route climbs from the Congewai Valley into the Watagan Mountains
and passes through the Watagan and Olney State Forests with majestic
stands of tall timber and delightful pockets of rainforest.
Generally the track going is moderate to hard.
Section 4 (22.1 km) - Checkpoint 3 (Basin Campsite) to
Checkpoint 4 and Finish 100 Kilometre (Yarramalong Public School)
The route continues through the Olney State Forest before descending
to the Cedar Brush Trackhead and following the road down the beautiful
rural Yarramalong Valley. The track going is moderate to easy.
Section 5 (28.2 km) - Checkpoint 4 (Yarramalong Public School) to
Checkpoint 5 (Somersby Public School) The route initially climbs
through eucalypt forest before following Milligans Ridge through
Ourimbah State Forest. It then descends to follow Ourimbah Creek
through its picturesque rural valley before climbing back onto the
plateau. The track going is generally moderate to easy with a few
difficult sections. Section 6 (17.4 km) - Checkpoint 5
(Somersby Public School) to Checkpoint 6 (Pacific Hwy bridge over Mooney
Mooney Creek) The
route passes through rural countryside before skirting the eastern side
of the Mooney Mooney Creek valley in Brisbane Water National Park.
From the junction with the track to Somersby Falls the course descends
into the scenic Mooney Mooney Creek valley, passing Mooney Mooney Creek
Dam, before eventually crossing the Creek (take care!). The course
then follows Mooney Mooney Creek to Checkpoint 6. The track going is easy to
moderate. Section 7 (25.4 km) -
Checkpoint 6 (Pacific Hwy bridge over Mooney Mooney Creek) to Finish 100
Mile (Patonga Wharf)
The route follows Mooney Mooney Creek downstream a short distance before
turning to follow Piles Creek upstream and then crossing the creek on a
suspension bridge. It then climbs steeply out of the rainforest pockets of the valley into
eucalypt forest and open sandstone plateaus. It then descends to
Broken Bay and Patonga offering magnificent views en route. The
track going ranges from easy to hard.
|
THE GREAT NORTH WALK 100s COURSE
OVERVIEW |
|
Characteristic |
100 Kilometre |
100 Mile |
|
Sec. 1 |
Sec. 2 |
Sec. 3 |
Sec. 4 |
Total |
Sec. 5 |
Sec. 6 |
Sec. 7 |
Total |
|
Trail Going (kilometres) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sealed Road |
Easy |
6.6 |
|
|
3.9 |
10.5 |
1.6 |
2.0 |
|
14.1 |
| |
Moderate |
0.2 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
2.0 |
0.8 |
|
3.0 |
| |
Hard |
|
|
|
|
0.0 |
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
| |
Total |
6.8 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
3.9 |
10.7 |
3.7 |
2.8 |
0.0 |
17.2 |
|
Gravel Road |
Easy |
6.4 |
7.8 |
8.9 |
8.1 |
31.2 |
5.5 |
2.0 |
|
38.7 |
| |
Moderate |
|
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
1.3 |
1.3 |
| |
Hard |
|
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
| |
Total |
6.4 |
7.8 |
8.9 |
8.1 |
31.2 |
5.5 |
2.0 |
1.3 |
40.0 |
|
Fire/4WD Trail |
Easy |
0.4 |
|
0.1 |
4.1 |
4.5 |
0.3 |
|
1.4 |
6.2 |
| |
Moderate |
4.3 |
12.5 |
3.9 |
|
20.6 |
7.2 |
0.4 |
7.2 |
35.4 |
| |
Hard |
|
|
2.4 |
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
| |
Total |
4.6 |
12.5 |
6.4 |
4.1 |
27.5 |
7.5 |
0.4 |
8.6 |
44.0 |
|
Foot Track |
Easy |
1.4 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
1.8 |
|
2.4 |
5.5 |
| |
Moderate |
2.0 |
3.7 |
2.7 |
2.2 |
10.5 |
2.8 |
12.2 |
3.1 |
28.6 |
| |
Hard |
7.4 |
|
11.1 |
3.8 |
22.3 |
7.0 |
|
10.0 |
39.4 |
| |
Total |
10.8 |
3.7 |
13.8 |
6.0 |
34.3 |
11.5 |
12.2 |
15.5 |
73.5 |
|
Total Distance |
28.6 |
23.9 |
29.1 |
22.1 |
103.7 |
28.2 |
17.4 |
25.4 |
174.7 |
|
Elevation (metres) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain |
|
1476 |
472 |
1353 |
492 |
3793 |
1134 |
306 |
897 |
6130 |
|
Loss |
|
996 |
837 |
1238 |
691 |
3761 |
895 |
551 |
937 |
6144 |
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