Starlights Circuit

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Starlights Circuit

Details

Distance
15km Return
Duration
7 Hours
Swimming
Swimming
Duration
Full Day Walk Overnight Hike
Duration
Hard

The Starlights Circuit walk starts in Hill Top, leading into the Nattai. This walk can become very confusing in some places as the track is becoming in certain areas which makes the path misleading. This walk can be done overnight so pack all the items you would need for a typical hike (Remembering to pack lots of water as the return is vigorous).  The information board in the carpark displays a map of the trail which can help provide you with further guidance on this walk. The first section of the walk is rather easy as you pass the locked gate and follow the fire trail until you reach the top of a steep hill that forks. There will be a sign pointing to the left that will direct you on the starlights trail path. Here the trail can become confusing from this point and some of the trails are unmarked from this point on. In a few hundred metres from this point you will notice another fork in the road. On the right hand side you will see a path, this will be the way you come out on your return. You will need to continue on the path the left until you reach another unmarked junction. At this Junction you need to take a sharp right which will lead you uphill. Once you've reached the peak of this track you will have a beautiful view of Rocky Waterholes Creek.

From here there should be a cleared path for you to follow towards Ahearn lookout. On the way to this lookout you will see many different rock formations and to the right you will see a rock lookout once again for another viewing platform of the views. This lookout will provide you with views over the Nattai River Gorge and on a clear day you will be able to see to Katoomba. It is possible to walk from Hill Top to Katoomba, although you would take roughly a week to complete this walk that is popular for guides, scouts and serious hikers. From here you will start to head down hill on a path that is rather rough but clears along the way. You need to keep an eye out for a turn that will be to your right once you reach the junction as it can be very easy to miss.

From here you should following the blue tags that you see on the trees as this will direct you where to go next. It will take you towards a river but be sure to keep following the blue markers. It will lead you across the river, once you've crossed it you need to follow the path to the ascending cliffs. You will be hugging the cliffs for sometime however there should be markers placed frequently along the way. You will eventually soon start to see the gully begin to open up and some large rocks separated from the cliff line, here you will notice the path begins to descend steeply. Here the path will swing left and will eventually become more well graded with blue markers to guide the way.

Once you reach Nattai River Flats your path will swing to the right, joining up with another path that leads from Mittagong to Katoomba called Ensign Barrallier Track. Your path will remain on the right hand side of the river but mostly out of sight from the Nattai. After 1.25kms of riverside walking you will eventually reach a Billabong which you should keep to the right of, then continuing on for another 2.5kms along the river where you will reach a large pool. Once again you need to stick to the right and follow the footpad which will lead you to Emmets Flat which is a lovely place to camp if you planned to stay overnight. Remember if you stay overnight to pack all of your gear as there are no facilities in the area, so pack all essential items, especially water.

From Emmets flat you can go in search of Russels Needle which can be very difficult to find. The return home is steep and loose gravel may cause you to fall. You will follow a steep ascent up the mountain that starts to head towards Ahearn lookout. To get on this path you may notice some yellow markers on the trees or you'll see a sign that says Starlights trail to the Eastern edge of the clearing. From here the track will be roughly 25meters from the sign located on your left which can be easily missed. On the way back up heading towards home the track encounters many more challenges which include fallen down tress, large rocks and boulders on the path, as well as it being overgrown in some places.

Be sure to have a look at the large hollow rock that will be located on your left on the way back up. This might be a nice place to sit and have something to eat and a nice place to have a rest after the steep climb you endured. The yellow markers on this trail are infrequent so don't stress if you go a while without seeing any. The path will bring you out to a clearing where there will be a yellow marker which has the trail name on it. If you turn to the left and then not long after right, you will see the trail sign you passed on your way in. From here, you will be headed back on the straight to the carpark in around 10 minutes from here.

Walk Highlights

Distance
15km Return
Duration
7 Hours
Swimming
Swimming

Grade

Duration
Full Day Walk
Duration
Overnight Hike
Duration
Hard
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6 thoughts on "Starlights Circuit"

  1. Madeline says:

    Thanks for the post but as always these posts lack vital and useful information.
    What is the name of the road into the start of the walk, what topo map do you need, times and distances etc etc??
    It is very frustrating to read about a great walk and then have to go off in search of all the details you need on multiple websites.
    Sorry to grizzle but it is the one thing that gets my goat about all these bushwalking posts; the assumption of knowledge.
    I think of myself as a reasonably experienced bushwalker and know to find this info out before I go but less experienced walkers can set off armed only with the information from your post and get themselves into trouble…

    1. Neil Grill says:

      Hi Madeline, I’m an experienced 64 year old walker and leader and am quite safety conscious. I agree with your comments. I have wanted to do the Starlight Circuit for some time but the information in the Pioneer Blog is inadequate for planning, risk assessment and execution.
      I’ve planned this walk but have not yet done it because it is about 17+km, is hard going in the Nattai George and to enjoy the walk and the side tracks to lookouts, rock pools, maybe a swim, and waterfalls necessitates an overnight stop. No takers so far from friends and clubs I walk with!
      If you are interested in this walk and need a walking partner, send me an email at [email protected]

      1. Adrian says:

        Hi Neil,check out the Gone Bush website, Tony (the owner) has done several routes in and around the Nattai and he knows Starlights well. There are maps and GPS coordinates to help also.

        http://www.gone-bush.com/2016/06/2-day-hike-emmets-flat-troys-creek-starlights-trail-nattai-np/

        http://www.gone-bush.com/2015/09/2-day-hike-starlights-trail-nattai-national-park/

    2. Dean says:

      I agree, the Road is ‘Wattle Ridge Road’ from Hill Top, NSW. The approximate location of the start of the trail is (-34.2972734,150.4289024). I am planning the walk soon.

  2. Allie says:

    Treacherous walk! My husband and I are both experienced hikers and found the trail very confusing. This was a second attempt. We had to turn back from lack of markers and found ourselves scarily lost for a good hour.

    It would be wise to bring emergency supplies and a proper map and compass. It’s a serious undertaking…

  3. Robert Paxton says:

    In August I did the big circuit with 4 mates, we are all experienced. We went down to Nattai River by way of Slott Way, it was so difficult to navigate as the markers are hard to find. We were quite slow and took us 3 hrs and 40 minutes to arrive at the river from the car park. The banks of the river have changed considerably since I was last there, likely due to the flood waters early this year 2022.
    After 1.7km struggling alongside the river, we got to where the river bends to the left at Emmets Flat. There was a Sandy beach on the bend and the area looked so surreal.
    From there, we turned right and crossed a little creek and then up the zig zag and up Starlight Trail which is very distinct unable to get lost on it. We were out of water on the way up the Trail and refills our bottles from the running water of a stream beside the Trail. All up, we were on the trek for 9 hours! A very long day and was very enjoyable.
    We plan to return to walk to Ahearns Lookout, a shorter trek.

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