The Convict Road and Finchs Line (Wisemans Ferry) - Dharug National Park

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Route: Wisemans Ferry Park, Wisemans Ferry Crossing, Settlers Road, Old Great North Road, Hangman's Rock, Finchs Line, Wisemans Ferry Road, Wisemans Ferry Crossing

Date: 09/02/2025
From: Wisemans Ferry

Parking: Wisemans Ferry Park
Start Point: Convict Road Kiosk
Finish Point: Convict Road Kiosk
Region: Dharug National Park

Route length: 10.7 km
Time taken: 03:02
Average speed: 3.5 km/h
Ascent: 264m
Descent: 262m

Points of Interest: Convict Road, Finchs Line, Hawkesbury River

The small Dharug National Park is located just north of Sydney, forming a small part of the expanse of Yengo National Park. What makes Dharug National Park special is that it is home to the Old Great North Road (The Convict Road) one of eleven UNESCO listed Australian Convict Sites. These eleven sites are remnant penal sites built in the 18th and 19th centuries, representing the best surviving examples of large-scale convict-led expansion of European powers. 

Being the oldest city in modern Australia, Sydney and its surrounds is home to four of the eleven sites, including Hyde Park Barracks and Old Government House. The old road now creates part of an interesting historical hike along the fringes of the national park. 

Getting to The Convict Road is a small adventure in itself, first following the twisting Great Northern Road to Wisemans Ferry, a small town located on an impressive horseshoe bend of the Hawkesbury River. The town is named after Solomon Wiseman, a former convict, who received a land grant in 1817. Wiseman established a ferry service on the Hawkesbury River in 1827 for the transport of produce and provisions to the convicts building the Great North Road.

The ferry service still exists today, providing a free, 24/7 service across the Hawkesbury (except for the occasional maintenance morning). Foot passengers like myself are more than welcome. After stepping off the ferry following its three-minute crossing, hikers need to follow Settlers Road north-west to find the bottom of The Convict Road. It is marked by a large gate and metal sculpture.

The chain ferry at Wisemans Ferry

All aboard!

The Hawkesbury River and escarpment of Dharug National Park

Squeezing around the gate takes you on to the Old Great North Road, specifically Devines Hill, the most intact section of the Old Great North Road. There are substantial remnants visible along the road, including cuttings, large retaining walls, drainage culverts and quarry sites. 

The bottom of the Old Great North Road (the Convict Road)

Old Great North Road

Old Great North Road

Technically speaking, the road was an engineering triumph, with some sections constructed to a notably high standard, still remaining today. That said, it was not particularly successful in practical terms and quickly fell out of use, despite taking over a decade to build. Much of the original route from Parramatta Road to Wisemans Ferry survives but has been absorbed by tarmac and concrete, however, north of the Hawkesbury River, large stretches remain in original condition.

Old Great North Road

A peek at MacDonald River

Drill holes where the rock was removed to make way for the road

Old Great North Road

Old Great North Road

The impressive retaining wall on the Old Great North Road

The old quarry site

Alongside The Convict Road, after passing a tight curve, is Hangman's Rock. The overhanging rock has a set of steps carved into it and a hole in the roof through which convicts were supposedly hung using the branches of the trees above, however, little evidence has been found to support this story.

Hangman's Rock

The Convict Road

A short distance from Hangman's Rock lies an expanse of land that once housed a stockade, which was essentially a work camp for the convicts who spent years residing and working on the road. Around 80 men lived in the area. About half of them were convicts in leg irons, meaning they were repeat offenders or had escaped at one point.

Stockade site

Stockade site

After a final tight hairpin, you'll happen across a gate marking the end of the main climb from Wisemans Ferry. A couple of hundred metres further, past an exposed drainage culvert, is Finchs Line, a path along the crest of the ridge running parallel to the Hawkesbury River.

Old Great North Road

The top of the Old Great North Road

Exposed culvert

The beginning of Finchs Line

Finchs Line

Finchs Line was the first attempt at building the Great North Road, however, it was deemed too steep and too narrow at its eastern end, so work was abandoned, and work gangs were moved to the Devines Hill section. There are discarded piles of undressed sandstone heaped beside the path, indicating they were left in somewhat of a hurry.

Finchs Line

Finchs Line

Discareed stone blocks along Finchs Line

Along Finchs Line are a couple of openings along the top of the cliffs, providing superb views of the Hawkesbury River below (even more so if you have a more aerial perspective).

Wisemans Ferry and the Hawkesbury River

Wisemans Ferry and the beautiful Hawkesbury River

The Convict Road and Finchs Line within the expanse of Dharug / Yengo National Park

Hawkesbury River and the Wisemans Ferry crossing

MacDonald River, joining the Hawkesbury

Hawkesbury River

Chain ferry at Wisemans Ferry

The two chain ferries on the Hawkesbury River

Finchs Line leads to another viewpoint

Hawkesbury River

Finchs Line

At the eastern end of Finchs Line is a steep descent to the river. It was this section that was deemed unsuitable for a road, leading to its abandonment. I can see why; it's a challenge for a person, let along a horse and cart.

The wild Roses Creek to the north of Finchs Line

Finchs Line

Finchs Line

Finchs Line

The bottom of the track

The walking track ends at Wisemans Ferry Road, just under 2 km from the ferry. Unfortunately, there is no footpath on either side of the road, so you'll have to hike along the asphalt. It's not very busy, but has a couple of blind corners.

Goanna

Wisemans Ferry Road

The chain ferry

Eventually, I made it back to the ferry for the short ride back across the Hawkesbury. I'd highly recommend this hike, it has a perfect blend of history and nature. You'll explore parts of the convict-built Old Great North Road while enjoying beautiful views of the Hawkesbury River. You'll also have much of the hike to yourself, being away from the more popular national parks in the area so, if you're after some peace and quiet, head for Wisemans Ferry.