Flat Top Mountain

An epic journey through very remote wilderness. Highlights are beautiful creeks and spectacular views of the Nattai valley. The route here is extremely difficult and possibly the hardest in the whole book. The return journey took me 14 hours. The rock scrambling along Rocky Waterholes Creek is particularly challenging.

Driving directions

Turn off the freeway at the Hill Top exit just north of Mittagong. Head through Colo Vale and Hill Top to Wattle Ridge Road. Continue till the end. There is a small car park and signage at the entrance to the national park.

Directions to the summit

1. From the car park, navigate to the Chasm Track. Skirt around the farmland on the west side, then follow Chasm Lookout track south.

2. The Chasm Track zigzags down the hill and through the cliff lines to Rocky Waterholes Creek.

3. Head west down-stream along the creek. This section is very slow. Expect to spend at least 2 hours in the creek in each direction.

4. The climb up starts around 130m past the junction with Iron Creek. Head west. The slope is extremely steep and scrubby with vines. As you reach the cliff line veer right and climb up through a gap in the rocks.

5. After taking in the great views, head uphill in a roughly southwest direction.

6. Eventually you will reach the cliff-tops on the west side of the mountain. The views here are spectacular. You can see Mount Jellore to the SW. Also Russels Needle is below to the West. From here, you can follow the top of the cliffline in a roughly SSE direction toward the summit.

7. The summit is very flat bushland.