Lake Macquarie, from the Watagans State Forest viewpoint

July 24, 2024
Adventure & Exploring, Out and About

Even though the Watagans State Forest is technically in the Cessnock Council area, you won’t get a better aerial view of Lake Macquarie. Well, unless you jump out of a plane that is. It might be good for some of us, but I’m more of a nature lover than a skydiver.

I hadn’t been to the Watagans since I was a child, and I’m guessing most locals who grew up here in Lake Macquarie would be the same. At first, I felt vulnerable because of how isolated and lost I felt. I didn’t feel in control, simply because we were so immersed in the surroundings. That feeling quickly turned to gratitude and appreciation as we breathed the crisp clean air and the adventure ahead.

History of the Watagans State Forest

For the Awabakal and Darkinjung people these mountains are of great significance. Art and engravings have been found and are protected throughout the forest.

Logging started in the early 1800s, and the industry thrived because of how close this area was to the coal industry and timber markets. World War II depleted the area of even more timber and then again after the war for housing.

Conversations around conservation began in the late 2000s – 2001s by environmentalists concerned about the extinction of some of our local flora and fauna in the mountains.

The Watagans State Forest landscape

You’ll be amazed at the diversity of flora and fauna you’ll discover during your experience in the forest.

It’s said that the Aboriginal meaning of the word ‘Watagans’ is “many ridges” and you’ll come to appreciate this as you plan your route through the Watagans.

This coastal rainforest is simply breathtaking. With dense layering of ferns amongst the mossy rocks and the eucalyptus forests, that overlook our stunning Lake Macquarie.

The intense smell and sheer size of the pine trees in a popular picnic area will leave you with an appreciation of just how small we are among these giants.

Planning your trip to the Watagans

Do research and plan exactly where you are going for the day and how long it should take. The roads are dirt, so plan to go in a 4WD. If conditions allow, it is possible to go in a 2WD but use your common sense. If it looks too muddy, turn back. When it’s heavy rain, the park’s road will be closed for safety and that’s a good thing.

We planned a round trip and took in 3 stops:

The Pines Picnic area
Boarding House Dam
Heaton Lookout

Things to check and take with you:

Check your car is up to date with a service
Full tank of fuel
Plenty of water
Toilet paper (you’ll find toilet facilities scattered throughout the park)
Lots of food for the kids (snacks, lunch, more snacks)
Good walking shoes and caps
Warm clothes including gloves (forests can get cold, especially in the cooler months)
Thermos (especially in winter)
Car phone charger (note: mobile reception goes in and out)
Printed map (for when your phone drops out)
Binoculars for the lookout and bird spotting

The Pines picnic area in the Watagans

One of the most popular stops in the Watagans is The Pines picnic area. Among the slash pines are picnic tables, wood BBQs and a covered shelter.

It’s a great place for the kids to run around and stretch their legs while you set up for morning tea or lunch. Breathe in the clean pine scent. Underfoot, the ground is a blanket of fallen needles cushioning your every step. Our kids took the opportunity to play a game of hide and seek among the pines.

The walking trails lead off from the picnic area where you can discover waterfalls, wildlife, bubbling creeks, eucalyptus forests and even rock pools. Explore short walks from the picnic area, or check out the longer walking trail here and learn all about the nearby camping grounds.

Boarding House Dam

Our next stop was Boarding House Dam, which gave us a historic snippet of the logging industry and how it operated in the 1800s.

Once the accommodation of the longest operating logging camp, you’ll quickly come to appreciate the manual process of transporting logs downstream in this era.

The boarding house is a great spot to stop for lunch with ample picnic areas and toilet facilities.

I especially loved the trails which were bursting with lush rainforest canopies. The kids loved exploring along the creek and dam, jumping over rocks and investigating all the nooks and crevasses they could find.

Heaton Lookout

You can’t take a trip to the Watagans without stopping to see the view over Lake Macquarie. It does put life back into perspective and makes you appreciate how lucky we are to live here. Our last stop for the day was at Heaton Lookout, however, you’ll find many viewpoints along this ridge to stop and breathe in Lake Macquarie.

We spent quite a bit of time taking turns with the binoculars trying to work out the landmarks down below. From the sheer size of the lake and the proximity of the ocean, be mesmerised by the breathtaking landscape of our city.