Convict stories and The Old Great North Road

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Convict stories and The Old Great North Road

Adventure and Outdoors Tours
Cultural and Theme Tours
Nature and wildlife
Sightseeing Tours
Walking and Biking Tours
2 min guests
10 max guests

Highlights

  • Trace the convict road gangs' footsteps along a 12 km loop in Dharug National Park, uncovering rich history.
  • Ascend the World Heritage-listed Devines Hill road, marveling at the stunning engineering and breathtaking views.
  • Descend Finch's Line for sweeping vistas over the Hawkesbury River, immersing in the beauty of nature.
  • Engage with professional archaeologists and historians who reveal captivating stories and convict graffiti along the route.

Trace the footsteps of convict road gangs on this 12 km loop through Dharug National Park.

Ascend the beautifully engineered, World Heritage–listed Devines Hill road (part of the Old Great North Road) to a former stockade plateau. Then descend the steeper Finch’s Line with sweeping views over the Hawkesbury River.

Along the way, your guides — professional archaeologists and historians — unpack the human stories, engineering feats, and convict graffiti that still mark the stonework today.

Itinerary highlights

World Heritage Site

Hand‑built buttresses, culverts and retaining walls on a World Heritage road
Stories of artisan and punishment road gangs (1826–1836)
Views over the Hawkesbury River and sandstone country
Interpretation by qualified archaeologists and historians
Small group, bespoke experience (maximum 10 guests)

Tour details

  • Adventure and Outdoors Tours
  • Cultural and Theme Tours
  • Nature and wildlife
  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Walking and Biking Tours
  • Customised
  • On-site Experience
  • Small Group Tour
  • Moderate
  • Single
    Available from 27 June 2026
  • Single
    Available from 15 August 2026

Features

Service facilities

  • Carpark
  • Family Friendly
  • Non Smoking
Accessibility

This business does not currently offer accessible facilities.

Operation information

Heritage Hikes Australia

Heritage Hikes Australia offers guided bushwalking/hiking experiences that combine outdoor adventure with the discovery of Australia’s historical landscapes.

These small-group walks explore places where history remains visible in the landscape. Guests visit former mining settlements, forgotten railway lines, mountain huts and archaeological sites while learning how the past can be read through ruins, artefacts and environmental clues.

Experiences range from part-day to full-day and multi-day hiking adventures across several national parks in New South Wales, including the Blue Mountains, Dharug, Wollemi and Kosciuszko regions. Locations include the Newnes historic site with its former shale mining town ruins and railway, including the Glow Worm Tunnel; the Devines Hill convict road works and the remote alpine huts of the Snowy Mountains.

What makes Heritage Hikes Australia unique is the combination of outdoor guiding and professional heritage expertise. Walks are led by experienced bushwalkers who are also professional archaeologists, historians and museum specialists. Guests learn to observe the landscape like an archaeologist and uncover stories often missed by traditional tours. Heritage Hikes Australia operates under licence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and is a member of Outdoors NSW and ACT.

These experiences appeal to curious travellers, history enthusiasts, walkers and families who enjoy learning while exploring nature. Each walk blends storytelling, heritage interpretation and outdoor adventure to create a memorable way to experience the Australian bush.

Memberships

  • Australian Museums and Galleries Association
  • Outdoors NSW & ACT

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