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Watagans National Park

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Overview

Watagans National Park, one hour from Newcastle, offers stunning wilderness right on your doorstep: hiking, biking, lookouts, and quiet campgrounds for longer escapes.

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Watagans National Park boasts some of the country’s finest rainforest scenery. Moss-covered walls and boulders, towering canopies of red cedar and Illawarra flame trees pepper the walking track to Gap Creek Falls. You can also expect extraordinary views down toward rainforest gullies at Monkey Face and Gap Creek lookouts.

The Watagan Mountains also house a rich cultural heritage; more than 40 Aboriginal sites highlight art and engraving techniques, and remnants from previous forestry operations showcase settlement history in the area.

Bangalow and Gap Creek campgrounds provide overnight comfort for those who wish to continue exploring; you can pitch a tent next to your car and take advantage of the free barbecue areas and picnic tables available to you.

Whether you arrive with a walking, cycling or 4WD tour in mind, remember to bring your sense of adventure as you’ll discover new things to do every time you visit.

Highlights in this park

Great North walk, Watagans National Park. Photo: John Spencer © OEH

Walk

Great North walk - Watagans National Park

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2 campers sitting with their backpacks with their tents set up in the background. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE

Stay

Bangalow campground

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Barbecue shelter, Watagans National Park

Picnic

Boarding House Dam picnic area

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Creek, Watagans National Park

Walk

Circuit walking track

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Gap Creek facilities, Watagans National Park. Photo: Susan Davis/DPIE

Stay

Gap Creek campground

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Monkey Face lookout, Watagans National Park

View

Monkey Face lookout

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2 people in helmets manage climbing ropes as they stand near the top of a steep rock face. Photo credit: Peter Vaughan © Out and About Adventures

Abseil

Watagans abseiling with Out and About Adventures

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A woman abseils down a cliff surrounded by bushland in Watagans National Park. Photo © Walking Rivers

Abseil

Watagans cliff abseiling tours

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The Narrow Place lookout, Watagans National Park. Photo: John Spencer

View

The Narrow Place lookout

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Turners walking track, Watagans National Park. Photo: John Spencer © OEH

Walk

Turners walking track

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Tree canopy, Watagans National Park

Volunteer

Watagan weeders

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Download our app

The free NSW National Parks app lets you download maps and explore parks, things to do and places to stay—all without mobile reception.

Hand holding a phone with NSW National Parks app on screen. Photo: Branden Bodman/DPIE

 

Think Before You TREK

Are you planning a bushwalk, going somewhere remote or where the weather is extreme? Stay safe by planning your trip for all conditions and telling someone about it.

Bushwalkers in Wollemi National Park. Photo: Daniel Tran/DPIE

General enquiries

Contact

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Links

In this park:

Things to do (9)

Tours (2)

Camping and accommodation (2)

Volunteering (1)