101 THINGS TO DO FROM WANGAT / MELIA / OVERFLOW

There are lots of things to do at Wangat from the very slow and idle contemplation from the verandah to the highly active vigorous bushwalk. In between are all the normal leisure things like bushwalks, river swimming, bird watching, car trips to waterfalls or shops. But special at Wangat are things like mud-brick making, frog-spotting, vine climbing and cow poo discus (one of the Wangat Alternative Olympic events in 2000).

Please scroll through the list below.

EASY WALKS (using our Wangat Short Walks Map)

These are easy walks on trails.  There are some steep sections.

1. To Chichester Dam - via Goanna Track through Ferndale Park or via the road.
2. River Walks of all types - via Lantana Lane, Cedar Walk The Rope & The Island.
3. FeelSniffListenLook Loop - ask for the clue sheet.
4. Wallaby Track - ask for directions to the Old Village site.
5. Bird-Watching Trail - see guidesheet or see how many different birds you can spot in a 20 min walk.

MEDIUM WALKS (using Wangat Short Walks Map and ask Ken, Helen or Robert for extra hints)

These are longer walks with some steeper sections, rock-hopping and/or following creeks.

1. Bunyips Bath - see guidesheet, follow the bottle-top markers from log bridge, some rock-hopping. 
2. Bunyips Bath and Beyond - a loop walk via small streams headwaters.
3. To Chichester Dam via Hauler Gully and Old Tramway Track.
4. St Catherine's Diversion - into the top reaches of Hauler Gully.
5. Jerusalem Creek Falls - by car (15 mins) then Jerusalem Creek Walking Trail

HARDER WALKS (using maps, info and mudmaps from Ken, Helen & Robert)

These are day walks requiring good preparations and experience/confidence in bush navigation.

1. Jerusalem Creek Falls, then overland back to the Lodge on fire-trails.
2. Brushy Creek Walk - into pristine forest with a waterfall. 
3. Mountaineer Walk into Whispering Gully Gold Mine area- by car (45 min) high alpine beech forest.
4. Three Gardens Walk - rough track to explore several pristine gullies.
5. Flora Reserve - by car (30 mins) then explore upper reaches of Jerusalem Creek
6. Pilchers Mountain - by car (45 mins) & needs special permission to enter. Amazing dry rainforest.
7. Careys Peak Walk - by car (45 min) steep climb to the Barrington Tops.

RIDICULOUSLY HARD WALKS (consult Ken or Robert and we can devise one or two!)

 

Note: for bushwalks we recommend carrying First Aid and water.  Please leave your destination and estimated time of return at the Office.

SHORT SCENIC CAR DRIVES (within an hour)

1. Chichester Dam
2. Jerusalem Creek Falls - to the upper car park/picnic, short walk to falls lookout.
   

MEDIUM SCENIC CAR DRIVES (half day)

1. Fosterton Loop via Dungog - scenic rural and river drive
2. Main Creek and Skimmings Gap Forest Drive - a loop via Dungog with rural & forest views.
3. Drive to site of former Barrington Guest House. Walk to trails, picturesque Williams River, rainforest, take a picnic!!
4. Over Bingleburra Hill to Gresford - great Tops views, the Beatty Pub, the Rough Furniture Timber place, Jupps Native plant nursery, wine-tasting at three great wineries!  Return via the Allyn River Road and Salisbury Gap. 
5. Paterson historic village - cafe, shops, museum, historic walk. 

LONG SCENIC CAR DRIVES (full day)

1. The Mountaineer forest loop - scenic stops along the way. 
2. Gloucester and up onto the Tops at Gloucester Falls.
3. To site of former Barrington Guest House & Allyn river area.
4. Morpeth on the Hunter - shopping, eating and heritage.
5. Hunter Valley Wineries

ACTIVITIES/SPORTS

1. Table Tennis, Volley-ball, swimming on site at Wangat Lodge. 
2. Bicycling from easy to hard mountain bike country - ask Ken, Helen or Robert about routes.
3. Horse Riding - at Barrington Country Retreat, ring 4995-9269.
4. Golf - at Dungog Club 9 holes.
5. Tennis - at Dusodie courts, day or night, ring 4995-9250.
6. Swimming Pool Lord Street Dungog - 33m of chlorinated water if you want that !!
7. Dungog Cinema - program for Fri/Sat/Sun, only $7 entry!!
8. The Dungog Chronicle - a source of local events.
9. Dungog Visitor Information Centre.
10. A relaxing meal out at Dungog  RSL, Bowling Club or Poet's Table Cafe (Thurs/Fri/Sat). 

A SOUJOURN IN DUNGOG!

1. Dungog - Antiques, Visitor Info Centre, cafes, plant nursery, churches, gifts, clothes, Catbird Gallery, Real Estate, Dungog Common, museum, library and Historic town walk.