Hitting the Green Gully Track
Know before you go
The Green Gully Track (GGT) is classed as Grade 5, meaning it’s difficult and only for experienced bushwalkers. It has very steep descents and undefined track sections. Don’t be fooled by the fact that this walk offers hut accommodation; your backpack won’t be as heavy as it would be if you were carrying camping gear, but a good level of fitness and experience is a prerequisite.
Getting there
The GGT begins and ends at Cedar Creek, in Oxley Wild Rivers NP’s south-eastern corner. Follow the Oxley Hwy 130km from Port Macquarie, or 55km from Walcha, to the Kangaroo Flat Rd turn-off. From there, it’s 37km of mainly unsealed roads (suitable for non-4WD vehicles) to Cedar Creek.
When to go
The track is open year-round. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions. In summer, daytime temperatures can be very hot but walkers can cool off in the creeks and sleep under the stars. In winter, cool, crisp days can help you tackle the terrain but take a good sleeping bag because nights are cold.
Accommodation
Walkers on the GGT stay in five restored stockmen’s huts. These are Cedar Creek Cottage,
Birds Nest Hut, Green Gully Hut, Colwells Hut and Cedar Creek Lodge. The huts are equipped with comfortable stretcher beds, two-burner gas stoves and basic pots, pans, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. They have picnic tables, camp chairs, lighting (electric or solar-powered), rainwater tanks (boil or purify water before drinking), nearby pit toilets and fireplaces inside and out – firewood is supplied but walkers are asked to use it sparingly. Cedar Creek Cottage and Cedar Creek Lodge have hot showers, flushing toilets, lounges and fridges. Green Gully Hut has an outdoor, gas-fired, hot-water shower.
How to book
Bookings are essential and ensure you and your party have the track and huts to yourselves. You can book online at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/greengully or call the National Parks office at Walcha on 02 6777 4700. Group size is limited to six people. Cost per person is $150 for the full five-night walk.
Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive a detailed information pack with track notes, a map and a key to the gate at Cedar Creek. Areas with mobile phone coverage are marked on the map. Note there is no coverage between The Rocks Lookout (Day 2) and the top of the ridge (Day 4).
Walkers are encouraged to carry a personal locator beacon, EPIRB or satellite phone.