Dharug National Park

Dharug National Park is in the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, which contains the Great North Road, one of the eleven listen UNESCO world heritage Australian Convict Sites.

Understand

History

The park contains the Great North Road, one of the eleven UNESCO World Heritage–listed Australian Convict Sites. These eleven sites present the story of the forced migration of convicts and the ideas and practices of punishment and reform of criminals during this time. The relatively intact Devine's Hill and Finch's Line sections of the Old Great North Road, approximately 16 km long and contained within the national park, were inscribed on the World Heritage register in July 2010.

Landscape

The Dharug National Park lies within the Sydney Basin, a major structural unit of Permian and Triassic age (270-180 million years ago) consisting almost entirely of horizontally bedded sedimentary rocks. The park lies on the northern margin of the Hornsby Plateau; a subdivision of the Sydney Basin.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

The only way you can enter from anywhere but Wisemans Ferry is by car. From Wisemans Ferry, cross the Hawkesbury River on the ferry (there is no bridge, and you will need to take your car on the ferry, although it is free of charge, and takes only about 3-5 minutes), and then turn left, and follow the signs from there. From the Central Coast, when going on Wisemans Ferry Rd, keep going until the ferry turnoff, but instead of taking the ferry, continue straight, and follow signage from there.

If you are coming from the south and do not want to take your car on the ferry, then just park your car south of the river at Wisemans Ferry (parking is often guaranteed), and take a ferry up north, crossing the river as a pedestrian, although the experiences aren't as pleasant as you'd think here.

See

• 1 Clares Bridge, Old Great N Rd, Ten Mile Hollow. One of the oldest stone bridges in Australia built by convicts. (updated Sep 2021)

Do

• 1 Old Great North Road bike ride. The 43-km UNESCO world heritage trail contains Australia's oldest stone bridge, built by convicts between 1826 and 1836, which include Clares Bridge and Circuit Flat Bridge. The entire track takes about 2-3 days to hike, much more strenuous than an ordinary NSW hiking trail. Birdwatching opportunities are more than frequent. (updated Sep 2021)
• 2 Devines Hill loop. A 28km six hour loop with stunning sandstone walls, passing through the Old Great North Road, interpretive panels along the way. (updated Sep 2021)
• Old Great North Road. A convict built road, with some on chains, beside the Hawkesbury River, passing through historic graffiti, and with some stunning preserved stonework. (updated Sep 2021)

Eat

There is no cafe's, restaurants, or anything like that in Dharug National Park. The closest are in Spencer, or bring your own food with you.

Sleep

Camping

• 1 Ten Mile Hollow campground, Simpsons Track, Ten Mile Hollow, ☏ +61 2 4320 4200. (updated Sep 2021)
• 2 Mill Creek campground, 174 Mill Creek Rd, Gunderman. (updated Sep 2021)

Go next

• Continue onwards on your Great North Road journey onto Tourist Drive 33