Ganguddy Dunns Swamp Weir Walk: amazing views, wild swimming and a cool cave

The Weir Walk is a fantastic circuit track showcasing the best of Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp. It offers some truly jaw dropping views, as well as the chance to visit an impressive cave. If you’re a fan of wild swimming, there are plenty of opportunities to hop into the lake for a refreshing dip.

The walk is generally easy, though heading to the best lookout does involve a short steep walk up rock shelves - however the rock is very grippy, so it’s by no means difficult. It’s a beautiful part of NSW and every time we come here, I’m surprised by just how quiet it is, and getting these spots to yourself makes it all the more special.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Weir Walk.

The Weir Walk

The stats

Distance: 4.5km partial circuit (5.7km including the Pagoda Track)
Elevation gain: 110m (164m including the Pagoda Track)
Difficulty: Easy - moderate

Summary: The Weir Walk is almost all on a well maintained track, with only the short side trail to the Pagoda Lookout being off the maintained path. There is some elevation gain, but also plenty of flat track inbetween. Sections of the path are uneven and there is one short climb which has a chain handrail for extra stability. Any rocky sections are very grippy when dry.

Large parts of the track are very exposed and on a hot day the rock feels like it radiates the heat, so if it’s hot, walking early or late in the day will be more comfortable.

Starting the trail: to the Platypus Point

From the parking area (details below) the walk heads into the bush on a well maintained flat track. It’s nice and shady with some large rocky outcrops scattered amongst the gum trees.

There is one turn to make (heading right), but the track is signposted, not with the walk name, but with a small hiker signpost. After 300m the trail leaves the bush and begins following the water.

It continues to be flat and easy, and after another 100m (400m into the trail) you’ll arrive at Platypus Point. Though we sadly didn’t see any platypus here (even at dusk) it is a lovely spot for a wild swim.

Though you could swim at many others points around the lake, this spot has a rock shelf which juts out into the water allowing you to get in easily (watch for the slippery rocks inside the water before you swim off).

Continuing to Pagoda Lookout

From Platypus Point it’s just 350m to the turn off for the Pagoda Lookout (which is an optional detour). There is a slight downhill section, followed by a slight uphill, but it’s still on a nice track. Again there is one right turn to make, but it’s signposted.

The lookout offers the best views on the entire walk, but it does take you off the maintained path, so it won’t be for everyone.

The Weir Walk is still fantastic even if you don’t visit the lookout (which I didn’t the first time I walked this trail with my dad as he suffers from vertigo).

The first bit is still along a bush track heading gently uphill before you reach a rocky section, where it begins to get steeper.

As you climb up you get some wonderful views looking back over Ganguddy Dunns Swamp, backed by dense bushland and distant mountains.

Just 300m from the turn off you will arrive at the main ‘lookout’ (this is just over 1km into the walk). It’s not really a lookout in the official sense, more of a spectacular view over the endless pagodas and eucalypt trees.

It’s a whimsical landscape made all the more special by the fact it’s so quiet and nothing is off limits. You can explore as far as you are comfortable and there are no barriers which keeps it feeling properly wild. We’ve covered more about exploring the pagodas in this article.

Continuing to Kandos Weir

Once back on the main trail, you’ll begin heading downhill on well maintained steps before the path flattens. You’ll continue through the bush with the lake on your right - although you’re no longer walking directly beside the water.

Roughly 550m from the junction with Pagoda Lookout you’ll come to a narrow section of track which has a handrail in place, the rock is slightly slanted downwards which is probably why the rail is there.

It’s easy enough and leads to a short but steep staircase. This is where you’ll begin a brief climb, first on the steep staircase, then some normal steps followed by a rock slope with large footholds.

There is a chain rail beside the rock slope. You don’t really need it, but it’s nice to have especially on the descent.

Just 50m beyond the top of the chained section the walk flattens and arrives at a beautifully positioned bench seat.

This is the second best view of the lake after the one from the Pagoda Lookout. It’s a lovely spot to take a break if you have time.

Just 30m beyond the bench seat you’ll come to a junction. This marks the loop track to Long Cave.

You can go in either direction, but we chose to head down the shallower path saving the slightly steeper track for the uphill (better for the knees!).

If you follow the same route you will go straight on and down a gentle stony dirt path. After 300m you will arrive at Kandos Weir.

The weir is not exciting, in fact it’s a bit of an eyesore and quite smelly, but it is the reason the swamp exists at all (as it’s not a natural lake).

Continuing to Long Cave

The next 700m to Long Cave are all through shady bushland. We heard, though couldn’t see, kangaroos in the thick bush.

There is a very gradual descent before the path flattens and begins heading along the river (which is obscured by trees). It’s a very easy section of track and was a peaceful retreat from the scorching exposed trail above.

Long Cave is more of an overhang than a cave, but it’s impressive nonetheless and was especially picturesque in the late afternoon light, which cast a beautiful golden glow.

The cave feels like it should have Indigenous history attached to it, as it’s a lovely big shelter close to the water (and this whole area is full of rock art, stone arrangements and grinding grooves) though I couldn’t find any information on it at all online.

Sadly there are some fake hand stencils inside the cave, but ignoring that it’s a wonderfully peaceful place to sit beside the water and take in the sights and sounds of the Aussie bush.

Completing the Long Cave Circuit

The walk continues beside the river for a further 200m before you need to head left. There is a signpost here, but it’s fallen down and is not overly obvious (don’t follow the Bird Hut Track which is clearly signposted). You have another 250m of flat walking on a grassy path through the bush before the ascent begins.

The next 400m are a mix of uphill and some short flat and downhill sections - but the majority is uphill. The path is rocky in places, but generally in good condition and though sometimes steep, the steeper bits are short. You’ll then arrive back at the Long Cave junction and head right towards the bench seat again.

From here retrace your steps back to the parking area.

Facilities at Ganguddy Dunns Swamp

There are many long drop toilets scattered throughout the campsite areas which were very clean, though neither had running water to wash your hands.

You can also hire kayaks from Southern Cross Kayaking, which we did last time we were in Mudgee.

There are multiple campsites included some scattered amongst the Rocks Campsite Walk (our fave being the atmospheric site number 31).

Getting to Ganguddy Dunns Swamp

The final 5.5km of the road into Ganguddy Dunns Swamp is gravel but very well graded and suitable for any vehicle (at time of writing). It used to be a much longer and bumpier gravel road but there were people working on it when we visited so it’s likely over time there will be even less than 5.5km which are unpaved.

There are multiple parking areas, for the Weir Walk you can park right beside the trailhead which is here on Google maps.

Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp is located around 28km and a 30 minute drive from Rylstone and 84km and a 1 hour 10 minute drive from Mudgee.