Forest Road to Yarramalong

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 30 mins

8.1 km One way

336 m

Hard track

This section of the Great North Walk explores the rural area of Kulnura as you walk along the roads before heading along the historic Bumble Hill Dray track. This track leads you along the edge of ridge mostly through an open dry eucalypt forests and occasionally through moist ferny gullies as well as leading you alongside the base of a tall rock wall. Bumble Hill Dray track was cut during the mid 1800’s to allow teams of bullocks to haul felled cedar to Mangrove Creek, where a barge would take it to Sydney. The oxen are now long gone, but this is a great way to lead into the small Yarramlong township.

Signposts at the intersection of Forest and Tooheys Rds

Intersection of Forest and Bumble Hill Roads

In Memory of Darren Smith (Olympic cyclist) on Greta Road

An unhealthy looking snake on Greta Road

Greta Road passing under the HT powerlines

The Great North Walk signs at Greta Road

Following the high tension power lines near Greta Road

GNW near Greta Road walking under the powerlines

Small bridge on the Bumble Hill Dray track

Walking along the Bumble Hill Dray track

Walking along the narrow Bumble Hill Dray track south of Yarramalong

Pleasent forest on the Bumble Hill Dray track

Rock formation on the Bumble Hill Dray track

looking down Bumble Hill Road to Yarramalong Rd

David Neat Memorial 1947 ~ 1996 trough Yarramalong

(0km) Int of Forest and Tooheys Rds → Int of Greta Road and power line service trail

2.5 km

47 mins

59m

-59m Easy track

From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post, gently downhill along the sealed Forest Rd. The road gently meanders past a number of rural properties for about 800m to pass under a set of high tension power lines[1]. After passing under the power lines, the road leads gently down for about 500m to pass a well armed letter box[2] (on your left), then about 250m later, the walk comes to a T-intersection with 'Greta Rd' (and 'Bumble Hill Rd'). Here the walk turns left,, following the sealed 'Greta Rd' uphill passing among the rural properties for about 400m to pass a small memorial plaque 'In Memory of Darren Smith Olympic Cyclist'[3] (on your left). Just shy of 500m later, the road leads over a small rise to pass under some more high tension power lines[4] and come to an intersection with a dirt trail (on your right), marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign[5].

(3km) Int of Greta Road and power line service trail → Bumble Hill Dray track

670 m

15 mins

-89m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[6] over the fence using the stile[7]. Here the walk follows a wide trail around the large tower[8], then follows the narrower track straight down the hill[9]. The track crosses a small gully then leads up to follow a trail[10] around the next tall tower. Here a GNW arrow post[11] leads left, away from the trail and steeply downhill[12] across another valley. The track then leads up to, and follows, another trail up to the other side of a third tower, to find an intersection marked with another GNW track[13] on the other side of the tower.

(3km) Bumble Hill Dray track tower → Int of Great North Walk and Bumble Hill Road

4.6 km

2 hrs

270m

-463m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection at the base of the tower[14], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[15] steeply downhill for a short distance, then turns right and follow another GNW arrow post[16] into the bush. About 50m after leaving the clearing, this walk crosses a small timber bridge[17] and continues generally downhill for about 200m before the track bends right (away from the view of the power lines[18]). About 300m further down this track, this walk crosses a small intermittent creek[19]. Then over the next 500m, the track descends into the moist forest[20] to the base of a large cliff face[21] (up to your right), then crosses a section of timber boardwalk[22]. Over the next 100m, the track crosses another handful of sections of boardwalk[23] before the track leads along the side of the hill for a further 500m, out of the moist forest[24], passing some large boulders[25] and leading down to an intersection with a wider trail[26]. Here the walk veers right, following the GNW arrow post along the trail[27] and through the casuarina forest[28] for about 500m, then crosses a gully with a small intermittent creek[29]. The old trail leads generally down through the tall forest for another 1.3km then passes under a set of power lines[30]. Here the walk continues along the side of the valley, following an old trail through the tall eucalypt forest[31] for about 500m to pass through a usually closed gate[32] (staying left at the Y-intersection, just before the gate[33]). The trail now narrows to a track[34] that leads along side the road (which is up to your right[35]), following a fence for about 180m before turning right and heading steeply up[36] to the safety barrier beside the road. Turning left, this walk now steps over a small stile[37] and follows behind the barrier (with the road on your right) for a short distance before veering left and down the steep rocky track[38] towards the house. The track follows the fence (near the house)[39] below the embankment for about 180m before leading back up to the road[40]. Here the walk follows the road a short distance to come to the end of the safety barrier[41], beside Bumble Hill Road.

(8km) Int of Great North Walk and Bumble Hill Road → Yarramalong Track Head

310 m

6 mins

-30m Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows GNW arrow post[42] gently downhill along the sealed Bumble Hill Rd. The road soon leads past the '60' speed limit sign[43], then the road bends left and leads down for another 120m to a T-intersection[44] with Yarramalong Rd, marked with a large 'Yarramalong Trackhead' sign[45] (with Yarramalong Store just to your right).

Yarramalong Store

Yarramalong Store is good place to have lunch or pick up the basic food supplies. The store serves hot food including burgers, chips, pies etc as well as cold drinks. The store is open 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week. There is a pay phone outside and a tap to refill water, and the store has its own fuel pump. Phone on (02)4356 1222. The address is 1625 Yarramalong Rd, Yarramalong NSW 2259. I always encourage people to use local stores like this on track, but since it is a small store it is worth phoning ahead to see what they have what you want in stock. It is a small store so choice is limited.

Yarramalong Manor

Yarramalong Manor offers accommodation and a restaurant in the picturesque Yarramalong Valley. The restaurant is open to the public for breakfast & lunch (10am weekdays and 9am weekends) daily, and dinner Friday and Saturday. Yarramalong Manor has 6 guest rooms, each with ensuite, TV, fridge and tea & coffee making facilities. Tariffs for bed and breakfast start at $95 - single, $75/person - twin share. ph:(02) 4356 1066. More info.

Maps for the Forest Road to Yarramalong walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Kulnura	1:25 000 Map Series	91314S KULNURA	NSW-91314S
Mangrove	1:25 000 Map Series	91313N MANGROVE	NSW-91313N
Wyong	1:25 000 Map Series	91312N WYONG	NSW-91312N
Dooralong	1:25 000 Map Series	91311S DOORALONG	NSW-91311S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Forest Road to Yarramalong bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Forest Road to Yarramalong

Altitude analysis for Forest Road to Yarramalong

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	8.1 km
		Time	3 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

4.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.8km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (670m) is very steep.

Quality of track

5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (310m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 4.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 4.6km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 3.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 4.6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Forest Road to Yarramalong walk.

Bumble Hill Dray track (Greta Rd to Forest Road to Yarramalong)

5.6 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This section of the Great North Walk explores a section of the historic Bumble Hill Dray track. You will walk along the edge of ridge mostly through an open dry eucalypt forests and occasionally through moist ferny gullies as well as alongside the base of a tall rock wall. Bumble Hill Dray track was

Total climbing: 277m

Hard track

Greta road to Cedar Brush track head

17 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows the Great North Walk from Greta road to the Cedar Brush track head, via the Bumble Hill Dray track and the Yarramalong General Store. While most of this walk is on the road, it does provide a good, mostly level bushwalk and a great stroll along a quiet country road, through a pleas

Total climbing: 547m

Hard track

Somersby to Yarramalong via Stringy Bark Point

26.7 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts form the Somersby General Store and follows the Great North Walk north into the Jilliby State Conservation Area to Stringy Bark Point campsite. On day two, the walk continues north through the forest and around the back of some farmland to Cherry Lane, and

Total climbing: 1201m

Hard track

Somersby to the Basin Campsite

47.4 km One way, 3 Days

This three day walk starts at the Somersby General Store and follows the Great North Walk, heading north, into the the Jilliby State Conservation Area where the first nights campsite is at Stringy Bark Point. The walk continues north, out of the Conservation Area, to Yarramalong for the second night

Total climbing: 2032m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Forest Road to Yarramalong walk.

Yarramalong to Watagan Creek via Basin Campsite

33.7 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Yarramalong general store and follows the roads to the Cedar Brush track head. From here the walk heads north through the Olney State Forest to the Basin Campsite. On day two, the walk continues north, through the State Forest, to Mt Warrawolong,

Total climbing: 1615m

Hard track

Yarramalong to Cedar Brush

11 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

Starting at the quaint Yarramalong township, this walk follows a couple of rural roads to the Cedar Brush Trackhead. This is the longest road stretch on the Great North Walk. Some people see this is a road slog and either grab a lift or power walk it, others see it as an opportunity to stroll throu

Total climbing: 241m

Easy track

Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Forest Road

11.2 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This pleasant walk explores the rural valleys and a beautiful section of Jilliby State Conservation Area. Starting at Ourimbah Valley Trackhead you walk into Hidden valley along the dirt road, to then follow a trail beside Ourimbah Creek to Stringy Bark Point. This is a pleasant mossy area with many

Total climbing: 528m

Hard track

Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Greta Road

15 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

Hard track

Dubbo Gully and Ten Mile Hollow Circuit (via Clares Bridge)

24.3 km Circuit, 2 Days

This two day (or ten hour) walk follows several historic roads, now closed to traffic. Starting with a walk down to Dubbo Gully and past an old cemetery, you will then explore some old farms before coming to Simpsons Track. Here, head up the hill to come to the Ten Mile Hollow Campsite. The next

Total climbing: 1117m

Hard track

Dubbo Gully to Upper Mangrove Cemetery

7.2 km Return, 3 hrs 15 mins

An interesting walk with some great scenery, going to the small and interesting, historic cemetery at Upper Mangrove. Evidence of Aboriginal activity in the area stretches back at least 5000 years. Early European settlement in the area was concerned with timber, and produce farming, before the area

Total climbing: 450m

Moderate track

Cedar Brush to Basin Campsite

9.7 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Great North Walk makes a good walk to a comfortable campsite, with the section along the Lyrebird Trail by the Wollombi Brook being particularly recommended. From the Cedar Brush track head, the walk winds up into the Olney State Forest through bushland (crossing over two moist

Total climbing: 590m

Hard track

Cedar Brush track head to the Basin Campsite

9.7 km One way, 4 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Cedar Brush track head and winds up into the Olney State Forest, following bushtracks and service trails down into the Wollombi Brook gully. From here, the walk heads south along the Lyre Bird trail to the Basin Campsite. The Basin Campsite provi

Total climbing: 590m

Hard track

Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead

6 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

Starting with a walk through the streets of urban Somerbsy, you soon leave the farms and head into Palm Grove Nature Reserve. First you will follow the signposted track down the open dry ridge to the dense rainforest. In this valley you can explores the moist rainforest with towering Eucalypts, Str

Total climbing: 194m

Hard track

Somersby Store to Greta Road

21.1 km One way, 8 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Somersby General Store and winds north, through the Jilliby State Conservation Area, and finishes at the corner of Greta Road and Cherry Lane. At just under 20km, this full day walk explores the Palm Grove, Hidden Valley and Ourimba Creek tracks,

Total climbing: 924m

Hard track

Strickland Falls

1.7 km Return, 45 mins

This walk from the Banksia picnic area, to the Strickland Falls, includes a fantastic variety of forest scenery. The falls themselves are often just a trickle, although the scenery in the area makes the walk well worthwhile. The cliff lines and boulders around the falls are interesting and there are

Total climbing: 87m

Moderate track

Strickland Falls and Cabbage Tree loop

3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This excellent loop walk combines the Strickland Falls and Cabbage Tree loop walks. The walk starts in the dry eucalypt forest around the Banksia Picnic Area and soon descends into lush green rainforest remnants, filled with ferns and cabbage tree palms. The walk includes some great scenery along th

Total climbing: 221m

Moderate track