Things to do

Guide updated 12 Sept 2026 · verify live activities with NSW National Parks

Pick one primary experience. Waterfall steps plus a picnic is a complete day. Engravings are a respect stop, not a playground. A Great North Walk day is a different outing from Somersby Falls.

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1. 1 · Grade 3 · 0.8 km return · after-rain flow

   Somersby Falls

   Signature rainforest waterfall — 0.8 km return, many steps, picnic at the top. Lock times apply.

   Somersby Falls trackSomersby precinctHalf-day plan

2. 2 · Grade 3 · 2 km loop · culture + picnic

   Girrakool Loop

   2 km picnic-area loop with an engraving site (path only) and waterfall lookouts.

   Girrakool LoopGirrakool areaFamily day plan

3. 3 · Respect first · Darkinjung Country

   Aboriginal engraving sites

   Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place and the Girrakool engraving. Stay on the viewing path. Do not walk on or touch the art.

   Bulgandry visit notesRespect articleBulgandry area

4. 4 · Low effort · photography · Plan B

   Lookouts (Staples & Warrah)

   Easy-access sandstone and Broken Bay views — Plan B when waterfall car parks fill.

   Staples LookoutWarrah LookoutLookouts area

5. 5 · Grade 5 · 4 km loop · Girrakool hub

   Piles Creek & longer sandstone

   Next step after Girrakool: official 4 km loop, Grade 5, waterfalls, overhangs and a suspension bridge. Do not add it in heat on a first visit.

   Piles Creek loopLonger day plan

6. 6 · Grade 4 · 23 km one-way · train or two cars

   Great North Walk sections

   Wondabyne (no road) to Patonga (official 23 km one-way, Grade 4) and Patonga to Pearl Beach (3 km one-way, Grade 5). Most people still come for a picnic day — check camping.

   Wondabyne–PatongaGNW article

7. 7 · Official cycle trails · check NPWS

   Cycling loops

   Official NPWS cycling: Tommos loop, Rocky Ponds, Warrah Trig. Verify trail status — not the default first visit.

   Tommos / Rocky Ponds (NPWS)

8. 8 · Official “things to do” · verify licences

   Kayak & fishing context

   NPWS highlights waterways (Patonga Creek, Mooney Mooney Creek). This site does not invent ramps, licences or catch rules.

   Official park page