A nervous wee prior to tackling the outrageous Wells Cave Track wont go astray! Mt Sugarloaf Road, Wallsend, Lake Macquarie, New South Wales 2286 Australia. If you are . We are hiking enthusiasts, so you'll find plenty of awesome hiking content. Leave Mount Somers on Ashburton Gorge Road, then turn right into Hakatere Heron Road (23 km). Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. As you near the top of the Wells Cave Track, Sugarloaf Peak will almost magically appear. Personally, we were satisfied with climbing South Jawbone Peak. AllTrails has 11 great trails for hiking and walking and more. Although you may have the physical capacity to complete the trail, you may lack the confidence and assertiveness that comes with previous experience. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. Mt Abraham Trail (Strong, ME) accessible by vehicle in winter? Last reviewed: Tue 21 Feb 2023, 9.19am. Its the adventure of tackling the awesome Wells Cave Track. It gets it's name from the surfing spot that is seriously popular, 3 bears track. Head up past the buildings on the 4WD track on to the top of the terrace. If you give yourself the green light, what awaits you is an absolute rip-snorter of a hike and one of the most epic day trips from Melbourne! Of course, the Cathedral Ranges State Park is a stunning area with many other hikes and activities to enjoy. This feature was originally published in 4x4 Australia's October 2012 issue. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, we're Dan and Beck, collectively known as the Speed Hiking Couple. On top of that, well talk about trail alternatives, how to get there, safety and camping options at Cathedral Range State Park. Youll notice a gradual increase in physical demand. Around the Watigans mate - Just behind you out of Cesnock. Topographical maps show not only Contours of the Terrain but Walking Tracks, Sealed and Unsealed . I went for the bushwalking but discovered a lot of human interventions. We acknowledge this land belongs to the sovereign people of the First Nations. The Great Forest National Park is a large complex proposal, covering environmental impacts and the conservation of wildlife, economic benefits to the area and more. Great views but boring wide trails (not my liking). This is because there are random trail offshoots just adjacent to the rocky Razorback. Its that flight or fight response, to reach the safest point as quickly as possible, but within reason. Drive up to Mount Sugarloaf for panoramas out over Melbourne's skyline. In the end disappointed but greatly satisfied because it gave me an excuse to go exploring many of the other side tracks around, Good track plenty of side tracks to explore some rocky ascents mixture of clay mud sand and rocks. . . So named because early explorers Hume and Hovell ascended the mountain and were not impressed with what they saw. The terrain is fairly rocky and the track is quite narrow. The tour includes lunch at a rotisserie grill. Sugarloaf/Rockburn Track Located in Mount Aspiring National Park in the Otago region View saved (0) This marked track traverses moraine through beech forest from Lake Sylvan. But if youre after hard off-roading then forget Lerderderg, and youd better like your challenge muddy, not rocky or hilly if you venture into the Wombat. An off road driving trail through the Sugarloaf State Conservation Area, located about half an hour west of Newcastle, New South Wales. Kids enjoyed the cardboard sliding down the hill! You can learn about the cave's interesting geological composition, history, and legends by taking the popular half-mile guided tour. Lots of motor bikes on a Sunday. Of course, assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. So by the time you have reached the first genuine walking trail of the day, youd have adequately warmed up and will be ready to hit the ground running! Plus, starting there gives you a chance to settle into some decent hiking, before tackling the monster that is the Wells Cave Track. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. For more information, please contact NPWS Narooma on 02 4476 0800. The wait is finally over. FYI the Cathedral Ranges hike described in this guide is also known as the Sugarloaf Mountain hike, Sugarloaf Peak hike, Sugarloaf Mountain hiking trail, Sugarloaf Peak trail and Sugarloaf Summit trail. Here visitors will be met with sweeping views out across the . A little bit further away from Sydney than some of the other areas we've picked is Barrington Tops, which is known for its stunning scenery and challenging 4WD tracks. There are some moderate hills but they are not that long. Also, if youre based in the UK or US, you should sign up to Jacks Flight Club for the best flight deal alert service. 4. From Braidwood, this increases travel time by about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Explore one of 3 easy hiking trails in Sugarloaf State Conservation Area that are great for the whole family. Beautiful out in nature and safe for everyone! Its one of the more tranquil components of this Cathedral Ranges hike. Located in Lake Macquarie City Council, the recreation area provides 360 degree view at the top and numerous lookouts, walking, riding and 4WD trails to explore the natural world around us. Having grown up in Newcastle and now living In Qld we often come back to visit family. Mount Sugarloaf: Great for Bushwalks and 4WD - See 21 traveler reviews, 15 candid photos, and great deals for Wallsend, Australia, at Tripadvisor. The Central Highlands of Victoria are home to the worlds tallest flowering plants, the Mountain Ash, and one of Australias most endangered mammals, the Leadbeaters Possum. But as long as youre safe and heading in a consistent direction along the ridge, its hard to go wrong. 2. Of course, we recommend taking the Wells Cave Track to reach Sugarloaf Peak. The area is hilly for a challenging drive or just great views, for example from Keppel Lookout just south of Marysville. On this 4wd adventure we head into Mount Sugarloaf, NSW Australia for the day to explore the many tracks it has on offer.Less than 1hr west of Newcastle, Mt . There are some easy "Roads" with some great camping & GREAT VIEWS or later there are some difficult tracks. The route is fairly well defined with great views, plenty of kangaroo's and the occasional deer. Beautiful spot! This trail is estimated to be 20.7 mi long. Below, youll find the most frequently asked questions about Sugarloaf Peak and the Wells Cave Track. But it wont be at such dizzying heights. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. About 3 km is on kangaroo pads and the walking speed is quite slow. But with that comes more basic facilities. cool. This trail meanders through the forest, winding along the calming flow of the Jawbone Creek. sounds good mate. Did you do it in a bedliner by chance ? It's a seriously difficult rock scramble, set aside for experienced hikers and brave souls. Because of this, the Cook Mills Campground is a great choice for camping in the Cathedral Ranges. . View 2 photos, read details, and contact the seller. #5 - Mount Sugarloaf Lookout to Heaton Lookout, #9 - Queensland Gates via Mount Sugarloaf via Keepa Keepa Circuit. Single track and 4WD tracks to Heaton Lookout. Spend half an hour or so to reach this additional vantage point. Contents hide. Only a moderately steep 300 metre trail separates you from more epic scenery of the Cathedral Ranges. If it was next weekend after.. a ball ? If youre day trippin from Melbourne and need a place to stay, we recommend being located north or east of the Melbourne CBD. It includes some of the area's best caves. From here, follow the Saint Bernard Track to take you back to Cooks Mill. 10km to 30km. Because the Farmyard is a few kilometres away from its nearest car park, the Jawbone Car Park, your effort to set up camp here will be rewarded with a quieter and more peaceful campground. Explore the area around Lake Heron on these tracks - discover kettle holes, and views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The hike should take around 25 mins to complete. Splendid green-topped forest trees splay generously over the ranges. Below is an in-depth recount of reaching Sugarloaf Peak via the Wells Cave Track with the added South Jawbone Peak trail. There seems to be fewer trees here than throughout the dense Messmate Track. WHATS SPEED HIKING? But every so often, particularly on the Razorback Track, having the safety net of a GPS-guided map will be helpful. So, youll know exactly whats in store. Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/hakatere-conservation-park/things-to-do/tracks/lake-heron-tracks/. just south of the newcastle link rd exit, and on the west side of the freeway there is some tracks along there (sorry not sure of the suburb). The Sugarloaf Peak Canyon Track veers to the left, while the Wells Cave Track heads to the right. thinking of trying out this weekend any experienced drivers want to join just so i dont get stuck, I've got no spare weekends between now and mid January. Flights: Of course, youll need to fly to Melbourne to do this trip from abroad. You could also start from the Sugarloaf Saddle Carpark and Day Visitor Area or Jawbone Car Park. The Wells Cave Track is exposed to the morning sun, so it can usually dry off, on a dry day, even if it has rained the day before. Soon enough though, youll emerge from your final rock scramble onto Sugarloaf Peak. Youll walk briefly on the grassy campground, followed by increasingly dried bushwalking terrain, before reaching a long set of human-made steps. Our go-to grocery stores when travelling in Australia are Aldi and Woolworths. The imposing Razorback rock formations begin to block the sight of your glorious scenery. This land was stolen from them and their sovereignty was never ceded. From there, turn right on Cathedral Lane. Well maintained for trail. Mountain Journal turns 13; Alpine time in Tasmania 'A brief story of a remarkable Historical gathering' International Mountain Day, 2022; A long, slow wander along the Australian Alps Walking Track So choosing the anti-clockwise direction option forfeits your chance of completing the Wells Cave Track. Every school child in Newcastle visits here at least once. Route and GPX file. There are drop toilets here for your convenience. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Sugarloaf State Conservation Area is Mount Sugarloaf Trail, which has a 4.2 star rating from 185 reviews. Now I'm hoping the tracks dont end up being too easy. Rather, youll head in a southerly direction following signs to Tweed Spur Track. Despite the Southern Circuit only being 11.8km (with the South Jawbone Trail extension), the significant Sugarloaf Peak elevation and Wells Cave Track rock scrambling make this an exhausting affair. Maddison P. recommends. Fun family day out. The kids love going bushwalking at Mount Sugarloaf, and being so close, we can make it a regular visit. For more information on these camping areas in the Cathedral Ranges, click here. Tho where the track is closed another track forks off from the left and leads into plenty of other tracks . If you fall into this category, dont give up altogether on doing the Wells Cave Track. Some of the walking is steep but never such that your boots scrape your chin. Thats why we recommend doing the trail clockwise. Youll eventually reach a final stage of the Razorback Track, purely on the forest floor, heading to the Farmyard. instead of taking the truck out for a run? There are walking tracks with some amazing lookouts, as well as 4WD tracks that lead to some great little spots to explore. Kingsford Smith Mail Run, Carnarvon to Meekatharra. went there and was told no dogs!! Although a fun part of the trail, the beauty of the Razorback really comes to life when viewed from Sugarloaf Peak. But for day trippers, the Cook Mills Campground is a popular trailhead as it has the largest car park. Nothing too hard as im only a beginner. From Mt Duckworth it is only about 1 hour to Yallingup. With a sharp increase in focus and physical demand to reach the top, youll feel fatigued. The recommended time for this Cathedral Ranges hike is 4 to 5 hours, with only one other official toilet stop en route, so make use of them before you set off. The first section of Sugarloaf Ridge Road is in great condition and no challenge at all. We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 164 to 11,614 feet in elevation gain. About the Track Track Description at the top of suger loaf turn left take the dirt road and with in 2min your into it can b done by ya self as long as u have a wintch and if u have a uhf u get 100% coverage as the repter station is on top of suger loaf best of luck Track Logs Great walking tracks around the grounds and to the summit. Youll be wondering when the really juicy trails begin. Frequently asked trail questions about Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Here are the most remote 4WD tracks in Australia for travellers seeking solitude along their journey. Sugarloaf Mountain: . We've visited many times. 360 m | 1.5 km | 2.5 km | 10 km Walking and tramping 10 min | 45 min | 1 hr | 3 hr one way Easy: Walking track Other activities Four wheel driving Horse riding Dog access No dogs Open in full window Expand all Description Mt Sugarloaf is on the northern side of Woolshed road (which heads out to Eldorado). Only small orange markers painted on rocks to guide you. Wallsend, Lake Macquarie, New South Wales 2286. Eventually, youll reach sight of the Cooks Mill Car Park as you emerge from the forest. Also, due to the Cathedral Ranges State Parks relative closeness to Melbourne, many hikers conquer this hike as a day trip from Melbourne. Advertisement 1. You probably just need some time to conquer some other less hardcore rock scrambling hiking. But, under no circumstance is it safe to descend the Wells Cave Track. If you are an inexperienced hiker, give the Wells Cave Track a miss. Dont forget Medowie SF also (only brand new to 4x4 myself and my first trip out was last weekend in medowie - Its opposite Wallaroo on the other side of the pacific highway, entrances are dotted all over medowie road and you can easily flick between medowie and wallaroo by crossing the highway), hey M8 I'm a local Newy wheeler with a lifted GU Patrol. Warners Track is accessed via Woolshed Road. The Sugarloaf Peak is the highest point of the walk. The mapped route begins from Mount Sugarloaf Lookout and follows Range Road to Wakefield. A restroom stop. In this guide, well discuss the trail alternative and varied trailheads for completing the Southern Circuit and thereby reaching Sugarloaf Peak. The traditional custodians of this country include the Bunurong (Boon Wurrung), Gunaikurnai, Taungurung (Daung warring) and Wurundjeri indigenous Australians. complete waste of time and fuel! The national park you need to add to your 4WD bucket list, 8 Swimming holes to cool off in this Summer. Turn left on sugarloaf range road. Visit our FAQ for more information. Its a seriously difficult rock scramble, set aside for experienced hikers and brave souls. Explore the area around Lake Heron on these tracks - discover kettle holes, and views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Mount Sugarloaf: Great for Bushwalks and 4WD - See 21 traveler reviews, 15 candid photos, and great deals for Wallsend, Australia, at Tripadvisor. The sun will likely interfere with photography opportunities. Mcvallor. Luckily, I only had a bruised shin from slipping down one rock on the Razorback Track. Using RentalCars.com is a good place to start if you need to hire one. 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