Gap Creek Falls & Watagans Walks: Guide to Tracks, Lookouts & Current Closures

Looking for a bushwalk close to Newcastle or Lake Macquarie? The Gap Creek area of the Watagans is one of the region’s most rewarding pockets of rainforest, offering waterfall walks, scenic lookouts and peaceful spots to explore with kids. Sitting just an hour from Newcastle and only minutes from Freemans Waterhole and Cooranbong, it’s an easy outdoor adventure for families and day trippers.

This guide covers Gap Creek Falls, nearby walking tracks, and accessible lookouts in the area. Some trails and viewpoints are currently closed due to weather, maintenance or safety conditions, so we’ve included the latest access information to help you plan your visit.

These include:

• Gap Creek Camping Area – CLOSED UNTIL MID-DECEMBER 2025 (planned maintenance)
• Gap Creek Falls Trail – CLOSED UNTIL MID-DECEMBER 2025 (planned maintenance)
• Gap Creek Walking Track – CLOSED UNTIL MID-DECEMBER 2025 (planned maintenance)
• Gap Creek Forest Walk – CLOSED UNTIL 30 JUNE 2026 (due to rockwall risk)
• Monkey Face Lookout – CLOSED UNTIL LATE JANUARY 2026 (planned maintenance)
• Gap Creek Lookout – CLOSED UNTIL LATE JANUARY 2026 (planned maintenance)

NSW National Parks occasionally close tracks or restrict access due to weather or maintenance. It’s worth checking their website about Gap Creek before heading out.

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Gap Creek Falls Trails

Get out for a day of bushwalking in the Watagans with a selection of walks and lookouts. Head to the Gap Creek Day Use Area. It marks the start of the Gap Creek Falls Trails. You’ll also find picnic tables, barbecues and toilet facilities here.

Gap Creek Walking Track

The track begins with the Gap Creek Walking Track which is a 20 minute mostly flat return walk. It provides a taste of hiking through the Watagans without too much effort. In some spots, the path narrows and you’ll have to climb over vines while in other places, the trail opens up.

There’s interesting things to see along the way like vines, giant felled trees and trees that you can hide in like this one below.

You’ll come to a fork in the trail near a large overturned tree. You can go left and continue on the Gap Creek Falls walk (450 metres) or go right at the tree to the Gap Creek Forest Walk (400 metres).

Gap Creek Falls walk

This walk is classified as moderate by National Parks and Wildlife Service but it’s pretty steep on the way down and back. Although we saw lots of younger kids on the trail, some were being carried back on the return trip. Be ready to take lots of breaks on the way back up the hill to catch your breath.

But if you have adventurous kids, it’s worth doing. It’s a fun hike 450-metre trek down to the waterfall. There are trees to climb under and overhangs to explore.

The track is clearly laid out and is a mostly dirt path with rock steps along the way.

Just watch your step as it can be a bit slippery in places (Wouldn’t want to do this hike after rain).

It’s a beautiful nature walk with red cedar trees and blue gums all around. Listen for the bird life especially whip birds.

As you progress on your walk, you’ll hear the sounds of the waterfall before you can see it. Note that the last part of the walk is the steepest so watch your step. But as you get to the bottom, you’ll be rewarded with views of the waterfall and pool. 

This is Gap Creek Falls, a 40 metre waterfall over sheer rock. Depending on rainfall, the waterfall intensity varies.

It’s a beautiful spot so take your time exploring the base of the waterfall. Mossy rocks, stone walls and lush vegetation. It makes you a perfect natural outdoor play area and you’ll spot kids climbing over rocks and touching the cool waterfall water.

Gap Creek Forest Walk – CLOSED UNTIL 30 JUNE 2026

Note: According to the alert by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Gap Creek Forest Walk is part closed due to the risk of landslip and rockfall. There may be no visitor access until Tue 30 Jun 2026 and penalties for non-compliance apply.

If you still have energy after the Falls walk or have young kids and don’t want to do a steep walk, venture down the Forest Walk.

This mostly 600 metre flat walk goes through rainforest towards the creek and has a more wilder feel than the Falls Walk.

Along the way, you’ll spot strangler figs, fallen trees, fungi and lots of vines.

At the end, you’ll reach Gap Creek. Here, you can see a mini waterfall and the clear water that runs to the Gap Creek Falls.

You’ll also find lots of large boulders to climb up on for a better look of the creek.

If you’re heading to the Watagans, we recommend visiting Monkey Face Lookout and Gap Creek Lookout. However, these locations are currently closed to the public,

Planned maintenance and repairs is scheduled from 7 October 2025 until late January 2026. Heavy plant and machinery will be operating along Monkey Face Road.

Monkey Face Lookout – CLOSED UNTIL LATE JANUARY 2026

Before you leave the Watagans, stop by the Monkey Face Lookout. It’s an 18 minute drive from Gap Creek area to the lookout.

This is one of the best viewpoints in the Watagans with scenic views towards the Martinsville Valley.

There is also a nearby trail which leads past large rocks to a lower area where you can watch people abseiling down a sheer cliff.

Look the other way through the trees and you’ll spot Eraring Power Station and views of Lake Macquarie.

Want more views? Head near the entry of the Monkey Face Lookout parking lot and you’ll spot the sign for Gap Creek lookout.

Gap Creek Lookout – CLOSED UNTIL LATE JANUARY 2026

Head 600 metres and you’ll find more views including some stunning vegetation.

Good to Know

Discover the Moss Wall at Boarding House Dam Walk in the Watagans

Visit the Waterfalls at Beautiful Somersby Falls

The Best 20 Lake Macquarie Walks To Do With Kids