The Great North Walk Ourimbah and Yarramalong Valleys

An opportunity for Scouts and Venturers who are interested to try and develop their ability with multi day hikes.

Although a longer hike, it's fairy manageable for active children who exercise regularly or play sport weekly. There are minimal costs involved. This walk is self-catered. Bring your opal card, lunch money x 2 and breakfast money x 1. See below for a basic idea of daily walking and campsites. This is a rough plan only and can be adjusted to suit participant needs. Scouts don't need to stay for the entire walk. Car access is available and Scouts can be dropped off and picked up at various locations on the route. Enjoy a sit down meal at the Yarramalong Store.

The Cedar Brush Track has been developed with assistance from Forests NSW. The Track traverses the Ourimbah, Oliney and Watagan State Forests. Covering a distance of 61 km, the track extends from the small rural settlement of Somersby in the south to Flat Rock Lookout overlooking the Hunter Valley in the north. The walk passes through the scenic farmland of the Ourimbah and Yarramalong Valleys, the rugged slopes of the Watagan Mountains and tall timber rainforest settings. (NSW Department of Lands, 2005)

4 ½ days > Day 1 Friday Somersby Store to Palm Grove bush camp 6 km medium Day 2 Saturday Palm Grove bush camp to Yarramalong 18 km medium some hard Day 3 Sunday Yarramalong to The Basin Campsite 19 km easy, medium Day 4 Monday The Basin Campsite to Flat Rock Lookout medium to hard, medium with some hard 17.5 km Tuesday Flat Rock Lookout to Paxton Hotel 15.5 km easy to medium. Small bush campsites are scattered. We can adjust the day plans based on terrain, daylight, energy consumption, fatigue, weather etc.

Youth members can participate without their section leaders as activity leaders will be providing direct and or remote supervision for the duration. Participants coming by train are encouraged to travel in small groups and travel in the guard's carriage marked with a blue light. Scout uniform is not required however please wear your scarf.