Wisemans Ferry

Located about 2 hours north west of Sydney is the small town of Wisemans Ferry and the location of one of the best restored examples of convict road labour in NSW. The Great North Road was the primary road passage from Sydney to Newcastle in the mid to late 1800’s. Evidence of the convict labour has been well restored in the first 3km of the ride and provides a great insight for the rest of the ride.

The Wisemans ride itself follows the great north road and can be linked to join all the way to Newcastle still for those with a taste for the insane. The road is best in winter when the temperatures are a bit more sedate as a lot of the trail is exposed and is hot in summer months. There are no water stops in the trail described so be a good scout ( or guide ) and be prepared with good amounts of water.

Best way out is from the M2 motor way and take the Old Northern Road Exit and head north following the signs to Wisemans Ferry. Upon entering the town of Wisemans Ferry follow through the town to the ferry. It is recommended that you park on the town side of the ferry and ride the bikes across. There is ample parking and if you are early may be able to get the sought after tree park ( its obvious ).

From this start point there are three main rides that will be described. The first and most popular route is the Old northern Road and return. The second is a longer day in the saddle through Wrights Creek for a 76km loop and finally the big loop through St Albans for a smidge under 100km day.

For any of the trails it is best to get proper topographical maps – those needed for the big loops are Mangrove / St Albans / Kulnura and Auburn – get the 1:25000 new editions where possible.

Old Northern Road:
Dist: 30km (return)
Tech: 2.5
Overall: 4

Starting from the ferry get to the other side of the river and assuming you took the ferry turn left ( west ) and follow the sealed road for 800metres up the rise till the road intersection on the right and the start of the great north road. Its well signposted with rather large gates at the start so is difficult to miss.

The first 2.5km of the ride is well graded and restored to what one can only imagine would have been the original condition of the road. Here are the best examples of the astounding construction work completed over a 2 year period by the 500 odd convicts in the 1820’s. The restoration work has included information points along the way which provides a great reason to stop along the way to stop and bone up on the local history – the fact it is a 2.5km climb is another great reason.

From the gate at the main road climb on Devines Hill for 2.5km till the locked gate
Trail intersection to the left takes you back to West Sackville and return trip to the ferry making a shorter 30 minute loop.
Turn Right and upward on the main great North Road
200 metres on is the right hand intersection to Finches line. An excellent walking track that leads back to the main road but is closed to mountain bikers so keep to the main trail.

The well restored main track gives way to an eroded 4wd track where there is often only one smooth line despite its apparent width. This is the fun section of trail that continues for the next 12km to the service road intersection of eastern connector trail. The main road still bears reminders of the original convict construction but erosion has taken its toll over the years and now there is generally only one line to take.

From the Finches line intersection the road heads through open eucalypt forest , sandstone ridges and rocky outcrops are a reminder of the harshness of the country side here and if you are riding in summer take plenty of water as there are no stops soon. There are a couple of insignificant intersections at ridge tops along the way but stick to the main trail. The climbs are brief but normally technical due to the extent of the erosion and you follow the contour of the ridgeline gradually upwards with enough small descents to keep things interesting and entertaining.

After just under 2 hours of riding it tops out and comes to a main t intersection with a well graded 4wd track. This is the Western Connector track. From here you have a few choices.

You can return the same direction you arrived – a fun and now mostly downhill ride obviously covering the same trail you just came up on .
On the return run Shepards creek trail may be the best return track as you get to the bottom of the hill to avoid any walkers on the restored road section. Recommended that if you are taking the Devines hill return trail then walk you r bikes down this section ( see do the Shepards creek track – much more fun )
If you turn Right to western Commission track and a return to wisemans ferry
Turn Left to continue to St Alburn or Wrights creek loops.

Western Commission Track:

The Western Commission road is a well graded return trip back to the main Wisemans ferry road although contains a 6km road ride on sealed road to finish. The return starts easily enough on a gradual descent on what is a superhighway in comparison to what you just rode up. The road starts to climb after about 2km getting gradually steeper as you approach the top until you top out next to the electricity pylons at the crest. They offer some exceptional views of the surrounding valleys and are a great excuse for a rest break. Following the road ahead it follows the ridgeline briefly until taking a steep plunge down in a screaming descent.

A word of caution: the speed can be great and a blast on smooth dirt roads – there is a chance of cars coming up the other way, there is a sharp right hander mid way down and just to top it off there is a locked gate at the bottom of the hill. So take heed and take it easy. So once you have negotiated the descent safely then take a right hand turn and a lucid road ride back to the ferry some 5km later.

Wrights creek loop and St Alburns:

Taking the left turn takes on some rides of epic proportions all the way to Newcastle and Mangrove mountain Loops are possible. The two loops described are to St Alburns and Wrights Creek. Both Have the same start.

From the intersection of Great North Road and Western Commission track turn left and follow downhill to Ten Mile Hollow. This is a well maintained 4wd track and still open to traffic. Some exceptional water bars offering good air opportunities on the 2km gradual downhill but beware of cars as it is still a well used road. The Buddist temple will be on your left as you come the picnic and camping area of Ten Mile Hollow. This would be a great [place to base from to make a weekend of riding in the area as you can link rides to Mangrove Mtn, St Albans and further afield.

From Ten Mile Hollow:

Simpsons track to the right heads to mangrove Mtn
Left turn to continue great north road
Cross two bridges and up short climb to intersection at crest of climb.
Turn Left to continue onto the Great North Road heading uphill
Right and down the steep descent will take you to mangrove Creek
The intersection to wrights creek road is 11km from this intersection

The main bridge on the road ( before the climb ) is Australia’s oldest bridge. Undergoing restoration at the time of writing it is an impressive testament to the scale of works done by the convict labour at the time. The road continues to climb on degraded 4wd track offering some exceptional views across the valley floor of Mangrove Creek.

Wrights Creek Turn off:

The Wrights Creek loop offers a entirely off road alternative to the 23km of road from St Albans and some big hills. Probably best in a clock wise direction for more downhills ( starting at the creek end ) but his way gives you more options when I write it. ( opps ) From the intersection there are a number of left turns going to the transmission lines they will be short and end at a transmission line.

The third left 11km from the intersection and marked track 219 is to wrights Creek.
This is at Hungary Flat on the Kulnura Topo amp
Head on the gradual uphill west till you hit a T intersection ( there are a couple of evil climbs before this )
At the intersection turn left ( up again )
Follow this road 9km to the 6th left turn and head left into Wrights creek.

This trail will take you to Wrights creek in an series of climbs and descents which make it obvious that if the bulldozer is big enough you don’t care about the steepness of the climbs. The vegetation begins to close in as you descend down the main ridge to the final left turn. Again all other left turns will head to a power pylon so remain on the main trail.

The 6th left will take you on a screaming downhill for 3km with some massive waterbars, sometimes on the wrong place. Take care as you are still a fair way from home. The descent is over all to fast till the dirt road at the end of Wrights creek.

Follow the dirt road through the gate to the main road intersection with St Albans road
At St Albans Road T intersection turn left back to Wisemans Ferry some 9km later to the ferry and home.

St Albans track:

Instead of turning left at hungaryt Flat on the great North Road the alternative is to continue heading north and returning through St Albans. It’s a great place for lunch and makes a big day in the saddle. There is a great deal more road riding on this leg but beer at St Albans is a great incentive.

From hungry flat continue north on the main trail.

7km it begins to flatten out through circuit flat ( kinda obvious huh ) and then intersects with the main road at Mount Manning.
This is also the least obvious place for a bridge but there it is….. read the plaque for all the information.
Turn left onto the main road and head to St Albans
Right will take you back through Buckety and Wollombi eventually getting to Newcastle, need a few more maps though.
The road drops into Mogo Creek and a 23km dirt road ride to St Albans. ( really the ride through Wrights Creek is much more fun )

Once at St Albans you turn left again to get back to Wisemans ferry . While St Albans is a great pub the ride this direction lacks interest due to the amount of road kms in it. The Wrights creek return although 20km less is all off road and much more interesting.

in out