Strangler Fig Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

2 km Return

96 m

Moderate track

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.

walking track near Katandra Rd Picnic Area

Signposted intersection Waterman and Toomey walks

Intersection of Toomey and waterman walks

Katandra Rd Picnic Area

The Katandra Road Picnic Area is found at the end of a short driveway (signposted at the intersection of Katandra Rd and Croton Ave, Holgate). The picnic area is in front of the ranger's residence and is open from 7am to 6pm daily. The picnic area provides some toilets, garbage bins, two picnic tables, parking and an information sign.

(0km) Katandra Rd picnic area → Int of Waterman walk and Katandra Rd track

140 m

3 mins

-14m Easy track

From the picnic area, this walk follows the 'Seymour Pond' and 'Waterman Walk' signs north-east along the clear track. The track soon heads down a series of steps and, shortly after turning right (at a locked gate), this walk comes to a three-way intersection marked with two blue/white arrows on a post.

(0km) Int of Waterman walk and Katandra Rd track → Seymour Pond Picnic area

300 m

8 mins

-29m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper arrow down the hill, keeping the fence and house to the right. The track heads down the hill then steps down into a palm-filled valley. Here, the walk climbs some steps and passes the 'Commemorating 10 years of bushcaring in Katandra Reserve' plaque[1], then bends right and around a sharp left-hand bend and past the number '5' post (and old Wombat Hole). The track continues around the gully to cross a few small bridges and come to a picnic area and a 'Seymour Pond' sign.

Seymour Pond

Seymour Pond is medium-sized water body in Katandra Reserve. The pond is fed by a spring coming from the cliffs at the top of the reserve. The small creek was dammed in the early 1900's to provide water for a farm on the south side (growing vegetables). The pond is home to water birds, large lizards and other wildlife. The council does not allow swimming in the pond[4], helping to maintain the ecosystem that now relies on this pond. There are a few spots beside the pond where you can enjoy the cool climate and the visiting birds.

Seymour Pond Picnic Area

The Seymour Pond Picnic Area is found on the dam wall at the eastern end of Seymour Pond in Katandra Reserve. The picnic area provides a couple of picnic tables and a garbage bin. The picnic area is set in a lovely naturally shaded area in view of the Seymour Pond and beside Watermans and Toomeys walks.

(0km) Seymour Pond Picnic area → Int of Waterman and Toomey walks

660 m

13 mins

21m

-21m Easy track

Veer left: From the picnic tables, this walk heads past the 'Seymour Pond' sign (following the right-hand 'Waterman walk' arrow) and follows the track, keeping the pond close by on the right. The track soon leads to a viewing platform with long bench seats - Waterman view.
Turn left: From the pond viewing point, this walk follows the timber track, keeping filtered views of the water to the right. The timber soon stops and the dirt track continues down some stairs, over a few small bridges, and soon crosses a bigger bridge just after a bench seat. From here, the track turns right, down the other side of the gully, where it crosses a few more small bridges before coming to a three-way intersection. The intersection is on timber boardwalk, just after a bridge where a sign points back along 'Waterman Walk'. Now Turn left to rejoin the main walk .

(0km) Seymour Pond Picnic area → Int of Waterman and Toomey walks

70 m

1 mins

-1m Easy track

Veer right: From the picnic area, this walk heads across the dam wall, keeping the water on the left while passing the two picnic tables. The walk then crosses a timber bridge and comes to a signposted three-way intersection with 'Toomey' and 'Waterman' walks.

(1km) Int of Waterman and Toomey walks → Strangler Fig Tube

60 m

1 mins

-1m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Toomey Walk' sign along the boardwalk, away from the pond. Soon the walk follows the track along the gully then follows the timber steps as they bend right and head up to the number '4' post, next to the Strangler Fig tube.

Strangler Fig Tube

This Strangler Fig Tube is found beside Toomey Walk, just north of Seymour Pond. The scientific name of the tree is Ficus obliqua and it is listed on the Significant Tree Register. This Small-leaved Fig has grown around a large fallen log. The log has long-since rotted away, leaving a knotted tubular structure. Strangler Figs often grow from seeds dropped by birds. The seeds may fall on logs or rocks and the roots will make their way to the ground (to provided water, nutrients and a firm anchor), whilst the rest of the tree grows upwards for light. More info.

(1km) Strangler Fig Tube → Strangler Fig platform

420 m

9 mins

35m

-8m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the Number '4' post, this walk heads to the top of the stairs and turns left around the Strangler Fig. The track soon crosses a small creek on a bridge then heads up a long flight of timber stairs. After gently winding through the forest, the track comes to post '3' (a large Turpentine Tree). The track then continues, crossing a few more creeks on small timber bridges and heading along the valley floor to a large timber platform and an even larger Strangler Fig tree.

Strangler Fig platform

The Strangler Fig platform on Toomey Walk has been built to help walkers better appreciate this amazing feat of survival. The tree is formally know as Ficus obliqua and is listed on the Significant tree Register. More commonly know as a 'Small-leaved Fig' , this tree has an amazing root structure that grasps onto a large mossy boulder before heading underground. The platform is in a lovely shaded spot on the valley floor and the bench seat makes an inviting offer to sit whilst you soak up the surroundings. More info.

Maps for the Strangler Fig Walk 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.

Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Strangler Fig Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Strangler Fig Walk

Altitude analysis for Strangler Fig Walk

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	2 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

500m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 420m has short steep hills. The remaining (70m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 990m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 990m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 990m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 990m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 990m 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 Strangler Fig Walk walk.

Seymour Pond

890 m Return, 30 mins

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.

Total climbing: 45m

Easy track

Watermans Walk

1.6 km Circuit, 45 mins

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 q

Total climbing: 67m

Easy track

Toomeys Walk

2.9 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

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 examp

Total climbing: 135m

Moderate track

Katandra Circuit

4.8 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

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 hea

Total climbing: 308m

Moderate track

Katandra Reserve Explorer

5.3 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

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 u

Total climbing: 350m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Strangler Fig Walk walk.

Matcham to Gosford

8.5 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

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

Total climbing: 381m

Hard track

Guringai Walk

1.2 km Circuit, 45 mins

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.

Total climbing: 80m

Moderate track

Graves Walk

1.5 km One way, 45 mins

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 interesti

Total climbing: 13m

Moderate track

Mouat Trail (Katandra to Rumbalara)

4.1 km One way, 2 hrs

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 summe

Total climbing: 139m

Hard track

St Johns Lookout

166 m Return, 10 mins

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 als

Total climbing: 13m

Very easy

Tottenham Place to Wannagan Lookout

900 m Return, 30 mins

A steep walk from North Gosford to the top of the Rumbalara Reserve. There is some great scenery along the way, and the views from the Wannagan Lookout, back over North Gosford and the surrounding area, are great. An optional sidetrip to the bronze sculpture of Edward John Eyre adds some historic in

Total climbing: 80m

Hard track

Flannel Flower Track

1.6 km Circuit, 45 mins

A great walk with some spectacular views and nice forest scenery in the Rumbalara Reserve, near Gosford. The tracks are well formed and signposted, and there are plenty of facilities in the reserve, including free electric BBQs. This walk is very accessible from Gosford and a great way to enjoy some

Total climbing: 88m

Moderate track

Ironbark and Flannel Flower circuit

2.1 km Circuit, 1 Hr

A great circuit walk, covering two of the popular walking tracks and some of the great sights in the upper section of the Rumbalara Reserve. You will enjoy some really nice forest walking and fantastic views across various parts of Gosford and the surrounding areas. Note that the entrance gate on Do

Total climbing: 107m

Moderate track

Upper Rumbalara circuit

3.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

A great circuit walk, covering most of the walking tracks and sights in the upper section of the Rumbalara Reserve. There is some really nice forest walking and plenty of spots along the way offer fantastic views across various parts of Gosford and the surrounding areas. Note that the entrance gate

Total climbing: 176m

Hard track

Red Gum Walk

1.4 km Circuit, 45 mins

At the time of writing, some or all of the southern leg of the Red Gum Track was closed. The walk described here returns along the road instead. Despite these changes, this is still a worthwhile walk with some nice scenery along the way. Wannagan Lookout has some great views over North Gosford and s

Total climbing: 81m

Hard track

Ironbark Loop

643 m Circuit, 30 mins

A short, interesting walk in the Rumbalara Reserve, near Gosford. This short circuit walk takes in some nice scenery and a couple of the interesting bronze sculptures found in the reserve. Some short deviations from the walk take you to viewpoints with great views over Gosford and the surrounding ar

Total climbing: 29m

Moderate track

Sandringham Circuit

2.9 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

Starting from Sandringham Close, this walk follows the Sandringham Track up the hill to the views from Colin Watters Lookout. After enjoying the views, you walk past the tower to the other side of the hill to the much less spectacular Nyari Lookout. From here, you follow a wide management trail dow

Total climbing: 201m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Strangler Fig Walk walk starts and ends at the Katandra Rd picnic area (gps: -33.414582, 151.39599)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Katandra Reserve

The Katandra Reserve is a protected area of bushland east of Gosford City and north of Erina. The area is part of the Hornsby Sandstone Plateau and is home to some diverse flora and fauna. There are two main picnic areas and a few great walking and horse riding tracks in the reserve as well as the St Johns Lookout. Katandra is an aborginal word meaning 'Song of Birds', the name suits this place well, with the diverse forest been home to many birds happy to share their songs with walkers.

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