Katandra Reserve

This is a very short walk across the picnic area to the lookout – you can see the end of the walk from the start. The council has installed a sandstone footpath that arcs around the picnic area and leads to St Johns Lookout. The path also leads to picnic tables and accessible toilets. You will also find electric BBQs, just off from the path. A great spot with some shade, the view from the lookout is great on a sunny day.

Total climbing: 13m

This short walk takes you from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area to Seymour Pond. The pond was made to support a farm that was once in the area, and now the pond support many water birds. There is a simple picnic area and plenty of shady spots at the pond, making a nice place to sit and enjoy the birds. These notes also describe two side trips to some other interesting spots near the pond.

Total climbing: 45m

This is a surprisingly spectacular walk, following the base of the cliff below St Johns Lookout. From the car park, you will follow a gentle track through the bush before heading down some stairs to the cliff face. Handrails and timber walkways have been installed to make this walk more accessible. You will pass some large Angophora, Blackbutts and plenty of fern trees. A highlight of the walk comes when you follow the ledge next right next to the cliff.

Total climbing: 80m

On this walk, you follow the signposted Graves Walk between the two main picnic area in Katandra Reserve. Starting near St Johns Lookout, this walk follows Graves Walking track down the ridge. You will see some valley views, open drier forest, some faint Aboriginal markings and plenty of interesting rock formations. This is the most direct walking route between the two picnic areas.

Total climbing: 13m

This lovely walk start from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area and circumnavigates Seymour Pond. On this walk, you will head through a few palm-filled valleys, discover a Strangler Fig Tube (on a side trip) and are likely to see a few water birds. Take some snacks and enjoy one of the resting areas – sit quietly and you might spot a water lizard or Lyrebird. This walk is well-signposted and follows a clear track.

Total climbing: 67m

Starting from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area, you will head past Seymour Pond and along Toomey Walk to the Strangler Fig platform. You will see two magnificent examples of Strangler Fig trees – one growing on a large rock and the other forming a knotted tubular structure. A lovely walk through the dense forest, along a well-formed track. If you have a little extra time, the Watermans walk is a great addition to your visit to the valley.

Total climbing: 96m

This walk is a great way to explore the diverse forests of Katandra Reserve. Starting with the views from St Johns Lookout, this walk heads through the open forest, past many mossy rocks, then heads into the valley and rainforest. On the valley floor, the walk gently meanders past some great examples of Strangler Figs on the way to Seymour Pond. From the pond, you walk through another palm-filled valley and then open forest, before arriving at the Katandra Rd Picnic Area.

Total climbing: 135m

This walk follows a series of tracks and management trails along the top of the ridge between Katandra and Rumbalara Reserves. You will at times think you are a million miles from anywhere and other times enjoy views across the suburbs of the Central Coast and out to sea. In spring and early summer, you will discover many wildflowers. There are a few picnic tables with views, great spots for a snack and a rest on your walk.

Total climbing: 139m

This walk explores many highlights in Katandra Reserve. Starting from St Johns Lookout, this walk winds down the hill into the much denser forest of the valley, enjoy many interesting rock formations on the way. Once in the valley, you walk past some fantastic examples of strangler figs before heading around Seymour Pond, enjoying the water birds. After resting at one of the picnic areas, you follow Graves Walk up the ridge, enjoying the open and dryer forest before returning to the car park.

Total climbing: 308m

This walk is a great way to explore the many highlights of Katandra Reserve. Starting at the lower picnic area, you circumnavigate Seymour Pond via the Waterman Walk, then discover some wonderful Strangler Fig trees in the rainforest. As the walk climbs, the forest dries out a little, which opens up more views. Taking the Guringai walk along the base of the cliff will then bring you up to St Johns picnic area and lookout. After enjoying the views from the top, take Graves walk down along the ridge and back to your starting point.

Total climbing: 350m

This walk starts at the bottom of Katandra Reserve and heads up the hill, exploring the ridge on the way to Gosford Station. You will visit a wide variety of plant communities and some lovely vistas over the surrounding towns and water. Along some of the secluded sections, you may forget that you are so close to houses. You will also find a few picnic areas and lookouts along the way, providing great places to rest.

Total climbing: 381m