Located in the middle of Brisbane Water National Park, Mount Kariong was formed during a major erosion event during the Miocene Period which resulted in a prominent flat topped peak. Based on the spot height on the topographical map, Mount Kariong is the same height as Mount Wondayne to the south (more on the varying heights of Mount Kariong below) – making them the equal tallest peaks within Brisbane Water National Park.
Unlike Mount Wondabyne, there is no track to the lofty summit of Mount Kariong. And although a firetrail conveniently skirts around the eastern end of the hill (yes, Mount Kariong is technically classed as a hill), the firetrail goes through a firing range. Why is there a Shooting Complex in the middle of a national park and why does it need to be 352 acres in size? That is a great question… but seeing as a few years prior two members shot themselves by accident, it’s probably safest to give the shooters a wide berth.
It means that Mount Kariong must be accessed from Woy Woy Road, Wondabyne or (with prior permission) from the Kariong Scout Camp which reduces the distance by a few kilometres. A short access trail from the Kariong Scout Camp connects to the The Great North Walk – this section also forming part of the Piles Creek Loop – which descends towards Rat Gully.
After passing a somewhat underwhelming lookout (which provides a view into Piles Creek) there are few nice sandstone shelters.
The track then crosses Rat Gully Creek and passes the junction with the Girrakool Loop, before crossing a third small gully.
It then ascends gently towards Leochares Peak; near the Great North Walk is one of many Aboriginal rock art sites around Mount Kariong; the name “Kariong” is thought to be an Aboriginal word for “meeting place,” reflecting the significance of this area to the indigenous people.
From another large rock platform we can see our destination: the taller and flat-topped Mount Kariong on the left and Leochares Peak just below it.
The fun ends here, as we head through the scrub and skirt around the eastern side of Leochares Peak. As we sidle up the side of the hill the vegetation gets slightly less thick.
There’s a bit of scrambling as we reach the saddle between Leochares Peak and Mount Kariong, where the scrub is thickest.
From the saddle the terrain gets a bit steeper again, with more scrambling and a few overhangs.
Just below the flat summit which is directly ahead is a large rock platform; looking back to the south is Leochares Peak.
Another short scramble takes us to a rocky ledge which offers expansive views to the south and east; the Pacific Ocean can be seen in the distance, and Mount Wondabyne lies about 4km almost directly south.
To the west is Leochares Peak and Scopas Peak; on the horizon are the Blue Mountains.
From here the last hundred metres is easy, but as it often the case there is no view from the trig station, which is surrounded by scrub.
On the way back we loop around the southern side of Leochares Peak, which initially has some steep terrain and cliffs to navigate – and some interesting rock formations.
Below the eastern end of Leochares Peak are a number of large tesselated pavements.
We re-join the Great North Walk about 700m further south than where left it to ascend Mount Kariong.
We’re soon re-tracing our steps back to the Kariong Scout Camp.
The bushwalk has taken us most of the day, including exploring a number of Aboriginal rock art sites located around Leochares Peak. Kariong Peak was not overly challenging, but involved a bit of scrambling and some patches of very heavy re-growth (since the last bushfire that went through the park).
So, how high is Mount Kariong?
The Kariong Trig station on Mount Kariong was documented in 1933 as being at 807 feet elevation – or 246m. It remained at this height for many years, with the 1952 parish map reflecting this elevation. (Mount Kariong is often, incorrectly, described as being 239m elevation which is the height of the adjoining Leochares Peak.)
In 1953 it gained a few metres, with the parish map showing the trig station as now being 823 feet (250.8m) – the decimal point being important as we will soon find out! It remained that way for quite a few decades, with the 1963 parish map showing the Gosford Rifle Range that was proclaimed in 1959.
The 2017 Gosford topographic map retained the 823 feet elevation, but in the metric system making the height of Mount Kariong 251m (probably the 250.8m conversion from feet being rounded up to the nearest whole integer).
A few years later, the topographic map reduced the height to 250m above sea level, which to my knowledge remains the official height today – but I’m sticking to 251m as I feel Mount Kariong deserves to retain its crown as the (equal) highest peak of the park! Peakvisor has Mount Kariong at 257m elevation and states: “There are 9 named mountains in Brisbane Water National Park. Mount Kariong is the highest point.” There is no evidence to support this height, although my GPS reading showed the top of Mount Kariong as being exactly 257m…
Getting to Mount Kariong
There are a few different approaches to reach Mount Kariong via the Great North Walk:
- Kariong Scout Camp – 4km one-way (prior permission required)
- Wondabyne – 5.5km (train access only)
- Woy Woy Road (Thommos Loop) – 7.5km one-way
From the Great North Walk it’s about 2.5km off-track to the top of Mount Kariong.
0 Comments