hero media

The epic 86km ride that blends bush, history and big views

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
Swap city streets for sandstone culverts, convict carvings and bush solitude on this legendary mountain bike ride from Wisemans Ferry.

If you’re after a bike trail that feels bigger than the pedals beneath you, the Old Great North Road bike ride delivers. Set in Dharug National Park in the Central Coast region, this is no ordinary spin through the bush. The 86-kilometre return route traces part of a convict-built road from the 1820s, now protected as one of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites.

As you pedal upwards, the story of the past reveals itself. Enormous buttresses rise along the roadside, culverts tunnel beneath the track and sandstone walls stand as silent witnesses to an era when labourers toiled with chains and picks. It’s a ride through history as much as through wilderness.

How hard is it?

the Ten Mile Hollow Camping Area in the Dubbo Gully Loop Trail in Dharug National Park.
Many riders turn around at Ten Mile Hollow campground. (Image: Nick Cubbin/DCCEEW)

Make no mistake, this is not a gentle spin through the bush. The Old Great North Road bike ride is rated hard, and with good reason. Steep climbs demand stamina, rocky sections test balance and the sheer scale of the ride requires preparation. The full return can take up to two days, and water along the way must be boiled or treated before drinking.

For those not ready to take on the whole stretch, shorter options make the experience more accessible. Many riders turn around at Ten Mile Hollow campground, about halfway along, or take on the 28-kilometre Devines Hill loop, a circuit that still packs in impressive stonework and wide views without the full commitment.

What you’ll see

The view of the Hawkesbury River and mountainouslandscape from Devines Hill on the heritage listedDevine's Hill Loop in Dharug National Park.
Enjoy Hawkesbury River views. (Image: Nick Cubbin/DCCEEW)

What sets this ride apart is the combination of challenge and atmosphere. There are moments of true solitude, where the bush closes in and the only sounds are your tyres crunching over gravel and the calls of birds. Then, just as suddenly, the landscape opens up to reveal sweeping views across the Hawkesbury. The mix of natural beauty and built heritage makes it one of the most rewarding rides in NSW.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Tips for your ride

Mountain biker, Devines Hill, Dharug National Park
The Old Great North Road bike ride is a hard trail. (Image: John Yurasek/DCCEEW)

Start at Wisemans Ferry and follow signs to the trailhead.

Carry water and food – there are tanks along the way, but you’ll need to treat or boil any water.

Allow time – a full return ride can take up to two days.

Look after the heritage – some fragile sections request that you walk your bike to protect the stonework.

If cycling isn’t your thing

Dharug National Park signage on the heritage listed Devines Hill Loop in Dharug National Park.
Do the Old Great North Road World Heritage walk if cycling isn’t your thing. (Image: Nick Cubbin/DCCEEW)

If tackling the trail on two wheels feels daunting, there’s another way to experience its history. The Old Great North Road World Heritage walk is a nine-kilometre loop that takes around four hours on foot. It leads through many of the same engineering feats and scenic outlooks, offering a more contemplative way to step back in time without the same intense burn in your legs.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
View profile and articles
Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, NSW
Central Coast

The new Central Coast hike with camping, workshops and a bush sauna

A new two-day guided hike is coming to the Central Coast in April, and you’ve got one chance to experience it.

Read more
dolphins catching a wave at Terrigal Beach on the Central Coast
Central Coast

20 incredible Central Coast beaches to visit this summer

The Central Coast is renowned for its beaches but if you really want to know the best of the best, you ask a local. Here, Megan Arkinstall lets us in on her top 20.

Read more
the rooftop bar at Astra, Gosford
Central Coast

20 must-visit bars on the Central Coast

These are the best Central Coast bars and pubs for a fun night out or a relaxed Sunday session with family and friends, according to local expert Megan Arkinstall.

Read more
alfresco dining at Amalfi, Ettalong Beach
Central Coast

A local’s guide to the best restaurants on the Central Coast

Read more
hero media

8 ways to discover a new side of Port Stephens

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

    You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens, and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

    All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

    1. Stockton Sand Dunes

    Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands, a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

    Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

    Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape.
    Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

    2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

    A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head. Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

    History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

    Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens.
    Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

    3. Watch out for whales

    You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

    And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

    A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface.
    Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

    4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

    Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

    Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

    Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile
    See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

    5. Diving Port Stephens

    Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

    Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

    At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

    A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure.
    Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

    6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

    Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

    Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

    Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay.
    Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

    7. Fish the estuaries

    Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

    If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

    three men fishing on a boat in port stephens
    Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

    8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

    With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

    Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

    Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

    A plate of fresh oysters.
    Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au.