The Great North Walk is a colossal 250km trail connecting Sydney and Newcastle, offering one of NSW’s most rewarding—and challenging—long-distance hiking experiences. The full route can take anywhere from 16 to 30 days to complete, but the reward is a journey through some of the state’s most spectacular scenery, from picture-perfect lookouts and emerald waterways to lush bushland and pretty country towns along the way.
If you don’t have several weeks to dedicate to the adventure, the trail can easily be broken into shorter sections and explored at your own pace. With warmer days approaching, it’s the perfect time to step back into nature and discover some of NSW’s most breathtaking landscapes in one unforgettable journey.
The Great North Walk in NSW
Often regarded as one of NSW’s ultimate multi-day hikes, the Great North Walk begins at the historic Obelisk in Macquarie Place Park in Sydney’s CBD before stretching all the way to Newcastle. Over the course of the journey, hikers pass through three spectacular national parks: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Brisbane Water National Park and Berowra Valley National Park.
Beyond the wilderness, the trail also offers plenty of opportunities to experience local life, with scenic cafes, charming towns and historic architecture dotted throughout the route.
Completing the entire 250km journey requires careful planning, from organising supplies and transport to mapping out overnight stays. Luckily, hikers have a range of accommodation options available, including campsites, motels, and Airbnbs along the way. Find more information on the route here.
Highlights of the Great North Walk
The Great North Walk is best explored in six distinct sections, each offering its own unique landscapes, challenges and memorable experiences along the way.
Lane Cove Valley
The adventure begins at the sandstone Obelisk in Sydney’s CBD, where walkers can soak up the city’s history and learn about the early settlers who shaped the area. From there, the route heads across the harbour to Woolwich, where you can enjoy the neighbourhood’s relaxed atmosphere before swapping city streets for bushland.
The trail then follows the peaceful Lane Cove River, winding through forests, mangroves, and scenic waterways before eventually reaching Thornleigh. It’s a surprisingly wild introduction to the Great North Walk, proving just how quickly Sydney’s urban landscape can give way to nature.
The Benowie Track
The Benowie Track takes hikers deep into the beautiful landscapes of Berowra Valley National Park, offering a peaceful escape into some of Sydney’s most untouched bushland. This section is all about slowing down and reconnecting with nature, with winding trails leading past tranquil waterfalls, dramatic gorges, wild swimming spots and endless stretches of native bush.
For those who aren’t ready to commit to the full Great North Walk, this section is also a great option to explore in smaller portions, with several access points conveniently located near train stations.
Hawkesbury
The Hawkesbury section is one of the most immersive parts of the Great North Walk, taking hikers through the vast wilderness of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Brisbane Water National Park. With so much natural beauty packed into this stretch, it makes up a significant portion of the journey.
Here, you can expect dense bushland, tranquil waterways and breathtaking scenic lookouts overlooking iconic spots including Berowra Waters, Jerusalem Bay, and the Hawkesbury River.
Further north, Brisbane Water National Park adds even more variety, with waterfalls, fishing spots, cycling trails, and peaceful wilderness to explore. The area can be accessed via Wondabyne Station, while the northern section of this stretch follows the Mooney Mooney Creek campground before continuing towards the Central Coast.
Cedar Bush Track
The Cedar Bush Track showcases a more rural and secluded side of the Great North Walk, with the trail weaving through peaceful rainforest pockets, towering eucalypt forests and scenic countryside.
Highlights along this section include Palm Grove Nature Reserve and Jilliby State Conservation Area, where walkers can enjoy tranquil bush trails surrounded by native flora. The route also passes through the charming town of Yarramalong, where rolling pastures, working farms and grazing horses create a picturesque country escape. Those wanting to slow down can stay overnight in the Yarramalong Valley before continuing the journey.
From there, the trail winds past Basin Campsite and Wollombi Brook before climbing towards Mount Warrawolong and into Watagan State Forest, where sweeping mountain views await. The official Great North Walk website notes that this section can become particularly hot and dry during summer, so hikers should plan their trip carefully and come prepared.
Watagan Creek
The Watagan Creek section takes hikers from Flat Rock Lookout through a diverse mix of landscapes, including farmland, forests, pockets of rainforest and rich native bushland filled with wildlife.
Along the way, highlights include the picturesque Congewai Valley, Watagan State Forest, Freemans Drive and Heaton Gap, where walkers can find useful stops including a motel, cafe, and service station. The trail also passes through Awaba State Forest before eventually reaching the town of Teralba.
Due to the increased risk of bushfires during the warmer months, parts of this section may be closed during summer. For safer and more comfortable conditions, winter is generally considered the ideal time to tackle this stretch of the Great North Walk.
Yuelarbah into Newcastle
The final stretch of the Great North Walk offers a spectacular coastal finale, with hikers enjoying almost constant views of the ocean as the trail winds towards Newcastle. This section swaps dense bushland for beaches, coastal lookouts, ocean pools, and welcoming cafes, making it a memorable way to finish the journey.
The route follows the northern shores of Lake Macquarie, passing through scenic spots including Warners Bay and Charlestown before eventually reaching Newcastle and marking the end of the 250km adventure.
Find the full breakdown of each section, including track distances and route details, on the Great North Walk website.
Key features of the Great North Walk
Before setting off on this epic multi-day adventure, here is the essential information to know:
Total distance: 250km one way
Total duration: Around 16 days (depending on pace and itinerary)
Difficulty: Grade 5 — this means the trail is best suited to experienced bushwalkers with strong navigation skills and preparation. There will be challenging terrain, steep climbs, long sections of wilderness and physically demanding stretches along the way.
Find more information here.
The best time to walk the Great North Walk
The cooler months are the ideal time to tackle the Great North Walk, offering more comfortable hiking conditions and a lower risk of bushfires. Spring, autumn and winter are all excellent seasons to plan your adventure, with late July through September often considered one of the best windows to hit the trail.
Whether you’re planning the full Sydney-to-Newcastle journey or exploring just a single section, it’s worth checking current conditions and planning your route carefully before setting off.
Find full track details, accommodation options, and shorter walking routes on the Great North Walk website.
