Gap Creek Falls Walk

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Bangalow Road & Gap Creek Falls Walking Track (-33.0132165,151.4306063)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Freemans Drive Exit then drive for 510 m Keep right and drive for another 45 m Turn right onto Freemans Drive and drive for another 4.6 km Turn right onto Mount Faulk Road and drive for another 4.9 km Keep left onto Bangalow Road and drive for another 2.8 km Turn slight right onto Bangalow Road and drive for another 1.8 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Gap Creek picnic area, this walk follows the track gently uphill (up steps initially), passing the 'Gap Creek Forest Walk' sign (on your left). The track is followed through moist rainforest for about 400m, until coming to a three-way intersection, with a large dead tree and a 'Gap Creek Fall/Gap Creek Forest Walk' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Bangalow Road & Gap Creek Falls Walking Track Start heading along Gap Creek Falls Walking Track (a walking track). There is a toilet (about 105 m back from the start). Gap Creek Campground (about 15 m back from the start). W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au This is a free campsite. Gap Creek picnic area (about 9 m back from the start). Gap Creek picnic area The Gap Creek picnic area is located at the end of Bangalow Road within the Watagans National Park. The picnic area has a barbeque and sheltered picnic tables. After another 30 m pass the BBQ (5 m on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to End of Forest Walk. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 335 m (from the Gap Creek Falls Walking Track) veer left, to head along Gap Creek Falls Walking Track.
	Continue another 295 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 680 m to get back to the start. About 35 m past the end is "Gap Creek waterfall". Gap Creek waterfall The Gap Creek waterfall, within the Watagans National Park, is arguably the best waterfall in the Hunter region. The Gap Creek waterfall used to be known as Brownie Falls, named after a pioneer saw-milling family in the Martinsville valley. The falls consists of a large amphitheatre of rock surrounded by rainforest. It is possible to walk across the drainage from the falls and then along an unfenced ledge to get behind the falling water of the waterfall. The waterfall is most spectacular after heavy rains, however it is wise to let the roads dry out before using them. A great spot to sit and relax at any time of the year.

An optional side trip to End of Forest Walk.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Gap Creek Falls Walking Track Start (a walking track).
	After another 500 m come to the end. About 50 m past the end is "Gap Creek Rainforest rest area". Gap Creek Rainforest rest area The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

From the Gap Creek Falls Walking Track Start (a walking track).

After another 500 m come to the end.

About 50 m past the end is "Gap Creek Rainforest rest area".

Gap Creek Rainforest rest area

The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Gap Creek Falls Walk

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.4 km
Time	50 min to 1 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There is one 15 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one -75 m back from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-75 m	[toilet]
Camp site	15 m	Gap Creek Campground

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Gap Creek picnic area
The Gap Creek picnic area is located at the end of Bangalow Road within the Watagans National Park. The picnic area has a barbeque and sheltered picnic tables.

Gap Creek Rainforest rest area
The Gap Creek rainforest rest area is within the Watagans National Park and is a secret hideaway surrounded by dense rainforest. This rest area beside Gap Creek has large boulders, pools and cascades to explore, along with protected yabbies to find in the creek. There is also one back-supported timber chair to sit in and listen to the birds. This section of rainforest is a great spot to keep cool in on a hot summer day.

Gap Creek waterfall
The Gap Creek waterfall, within the Watagans National Park, is arguably the best waterfall in the Hunter region. The Gap Creek waterfall used to be known as Brownie Falls, named after a pioneer saw-milling family in the Martinsville valley. The falls consists of a large amphitheatre of rock surrounded by rainforest. It is possible to walk across the drainage from the falls and then along an unfenced ledge to get behind the falling water of the waterfall. The waterfall is most spectacular after heavy rains, however it is wise to let the roads dry out before using them. A great spot to sit and relax at any time of the year.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Toronto Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Tuesday 22 Jul
  
  21°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny day. Medium chance of showers, most likely later tonight. Light winds.
  Fire Danger: No Rating
  UV Alert: Sun protection 12:00pm to 1:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Wednesday 23 Jul
  
  9°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. Light winds.
  
  Thursday 24 Jul
  
  3°C → 18°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of morning frost. Light winds.
  
  Friday 25 Jul
  
  3°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog and frost in the morning. Slight chance of a shower in the evening. Light winds.
  
  Saturday 26 Jul
  
  8°C → 18°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  3 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Sunday 27 Jul
  
  7°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Monday 28 Jul
  
  6°C → 18°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Winds west to northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Bangalow Road planned repairs and maintenance
  Planned road repairs and maintenance is scheduled for Bangalow Road from 1 August 2025 to 1 October 2025 (subject to weather). Heavy plant and machinery will be operating along Bangalow Road.
  
  Areas that will also be closed due to these works include:
  
  Bangalow Campground and Day use area
  
  Gap Creek Campground and Day use area
  
  Gap Creek Falls walking track
  
  Climbers walking track
  
  During this time, Bangalow Road will be closed and pedestrian and vehicle access is not permitted. Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast Area office on (02) 4972 9000.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- Gap Creek Forest Walk Part Closed Due to Landslip and Rockfall Risk
  Gap Creek campground
  
  Gap Creek Forest Walk is part closed due to the risk of landslip and rockfall.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  For more information, contact NPWS Central Coast office on 02 4972 9000
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- Rope Road and Click Creek Fire Trail closed due to road conditions
  
  Rope Road and Click Creek Fire Trails are temporarily closed as it is not suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles. The areas will reopen as soon as they are considered safe. To prevent further damage to the road and to protect visitor safety, please avoid these areas and other trails within the reserve that are potentially hazardous.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road Closed Due to Landslip and Rockfall
  
  Heaton Road Access from Watagans Road is closed as it is no longer suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles due to risk of landslip and rockfall. This affects access from Watagans National Park to Quorrobolong.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  For further information, please contact NPWS Munmorah office on (02) 4972 9000.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service
- Monkey Face Road closed due to road conditions
  Monkey Face lookout
  
  Monkey Face Road is temporarily closed as it is no longer suitable for 2WD or 4WD vehicles. This closure will affect vehicle access to following areas until further notice due unsafe road conditions:
  
  Monkey Face Road
  
  Monkey Face Lookout
  
  Gap Creek Lookout
  
  The areas will re-open as soon as they are considered safe. To prevent further damage to the road and to protect visitor safety, please avoid this area and other trails in the reserve that are potentially hazardous.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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