Toomeys Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.9 km One way

135 m

Moderate track

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.

Toomey walk at the end of Ridgeway Rd trail

looking down the stairs and around the rock

Intersection of Toomey and waterman walks

Katandra Reserve entrance at Katandra Rd

(0km) St Johns Lookout car park → Toilet block

130 m

2 mins

-3m Easy track

From the car park (signposted as 'Katandra' on Toomeys Rd), this walk heads across the picnic area and past the BBQ shelters, keeping the road up the hill to the left. Soon the walk comes to a sandstone footpath in front of the toilet block.

St Johns Lookout picnic area

St Johns Lookout picnic area is a large open area found at the top of Katandra Reserve on Toomeys Rd. The picnic area provides wheelchair accessible toilets[2], picnic tables[3], free electric BBQ's[4], parking areas[5] [6] and information boards[7]. There is plenty of open space with some natural shade provided by the surrounding trees. There are garbage bins provided[8] but no drinking water[9].

(0km) Toilet block → St Johns Lookout

40 m

1 mins

-12m Very easy

Turn right: From the toilet block, this walk follows the footpath past the information sign to the fenced and signposted 'St Johns Lookout' At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

St Johns Lookout

This fenced lookout is found at the top of Katandra Reserve, near the toilets. The lookout was upgraded by Gosford Council in September 2009 and now provides a safer platform and easier access. From the lookout, there are extensive views south-east over Matcham, Erina Heights and Terrigal, out to the ocean. The Guringai Walk passes below the lookout - please take extra care to not drop anything from the platform.

(0km) Toilet block → Upper Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track

170 m

3 mins

-9m Easy track

Continue straight: From the toilet block, this walk heads through the clearing away from the lookout and BBQs. The walk follows the 'Toomey Walk' sign past a couple of picnic tables then turns right at the next 'Toomey Walk' sign. Just after passing through the gap in the fence, the walk comes to an intersection with a number of timber posts (on the right).

(0km) Upper Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track → Int of Toomey and Guringai Walks

70 m

2 mins

-18m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper orange arrow past the timber posts and along the track. The track soon bends sharply left, heading down some stairs and coming to a three-way intersection, and a 'Lookout' sign pointing back up.

(0km) Int of Toomey and Guringai Walks → Lower Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track

330 m

11 mins

27m

-78m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Toomey Walk' sign down the steps and left around the tree and through a cleft in the rock. The track zigzags down the hill and, about 100m past a rock platform with views, the track leads through some timber posts to come to a 'T' intersection with the Katandra Horse Track.

(1km) Lower Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track → End of Ridgeway Rd trail

130 m

4 mins

16m

-3m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows neither arrow but heads gently downhill along the wide horse trail, passing the post with the peach-coloured strip. The trail winds through the bush for a short time before coming to a clearing and signposted intersection with the 'Ridgeway Road' trail.

(1km) End of Ridgeway Rd trail → Strangler Fig platform

1 km

25 mins

29m

-121m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the left-hand arrow on the 'Toomey Walk' sign, over a small rise and along a narrow track. The track then heads down a short set of stairs and past a large rock. After a switchback, the track heads down another set of stairs then continues more gently down the hill. After a few more zigzags, the bush becomes more dense and thick vines become prevalent. Once on the valley floor, the walk crosses a couple of small creeks on small timber bridges and soon heads down some stairs, coming to the timber platform and a large 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.

(2km) Strangler Fig platform → Strangler Fig Tube

420 m

9 mins

-35m Moderate track

Turn left: From the Strangler Fig Tree platform, this walk heads down a step and follows the flat track through the palm-filled valley. The track cross a few small creeks on small timber bridges to come to post '3' (a large Turpentine Tree). From there, the track continues gently downhill. Soon after heading down a long set of timber stairs, the track crosses a small bridge then turns right, coming to the top of more stairs and a number '4' post (a 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.

(2km) Strangler Fig Tube → Int of Waterman and Toomey walks

60 m

1 mins

-5m Easy track

Continue straight: From post '3', this walk heads down the timber stairs and turns left. The walk follows the track and soon moves back onto a boardwalk, coming to a three-way intersection beside a large pond, with a sign pointing back along 'Toomey Walk'.

(2km) Int of Waterman and Toomey walks → Seymour Pond Picnic area

70 m

1 mins

-1m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows none of the arrows and heads away from the face of the signs, across the bridge, keeping the pond on the right. The track then heads past the picnic tables and comes to an intersection and '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[18], 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.

(2km) Seymour Pond Picnic area → Int of Waterman walk and Katandra Rd track

300 m

8 mins

29m

-2m Easy track

Veer left: From the picnic area, this walk heads away from the pond, following the left-hand 'Waterman walk' arrow (next to the locked gate) into the bush and across a couple of small bridges. The track passes post '5' (an old wombat hole) then sharply bends right, soon passing the 'Commemorating 10 years of bushcaring in Katandra Reserve' plaque[19], where this walk then heads down some stairs. After walking through the palm filled valley for a short distance, the walk heads up the steps and, soon after passing the house and fence (on the left), comes to a three-way intersection marked with a post (with blue and white arrows).

(3km) Int of Waterman walk and Katandra Rd track → Katandra Rd picnic area

140 m

3 mins

14m

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the lower arrow up the steps and turns left in front of the locked gate. The walk follows these steps up the hill, then soon flattens out as the track comes to a picnic area and car park.

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.

(3km) Katandra Rd picnic area → Katandra Rd Gate

70 m

2 mins

-5m Easy track

Turn left: From the picnic area, this walk heads through the car park and follows the driveway down the hill, soon coming to a gate just above the junction of Katandra Rd and Croton Ave.

Maps for the Toomeys 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 Toomeys Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Toomeys 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	2.9 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
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	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		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

1.5km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.3km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (200m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 2.8km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 70m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 2.9km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.4km 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 Toomeys Walk walk.

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

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

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

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

Strangler Fig Walk

2 km Return, 1 Hr

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 den

Total climbing: 96m

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

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

Gosford to Lisarow

11.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the ridge-top bushland between Gosford and Lisarow. Passing through Rumbalara and Katandra Reserves, there are several picnic area, lookouts and other facilities scattered along the way. At times you will forget you are anywhere near houses, and at other points

Total climbing: 479m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Toomeys Walk walk.

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

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

Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach

5.8 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

A great walk along the boulder strewn shoreline to the unnamed beach below Crackneck Lookout. Much of this walk is very exposed to the ocean and should not be attempted at high tide or during rough seas. Plenty of rock hopping over the boulders makes the walking harder but also makes the scenery mor

Total climbing: 254m

Experienced only

John Whiteway Dr to Tottenham Pl

3 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

An excellent walk, crossing the Rumbalara Reserve and covering plenty of the scenic highlights of the reserve. This walk goes through beautiful pockets of rainforest as well as the drier ridgetop forest, showcasing the great variety of scenery in Rumbalara. There is some steep walking along the way,

Total climbing: 228m

Hard track

Ouraka Point loop

2.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

A beautiful walk, taking in some of the scenic highlights of the lower section of the Rumbalara Reserve. The walk covers a great variety of vegetation, from quite dry eucalypt forest through to rainforest. The tracks are well formed, with a lot of steps in the steeper sections, making the walking a

Total climbing: 141m

Hard track

Rumbalara Explorer

6.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

Pretty well the grand tour of the Rumbalara Reserve, this walk takes in much of the great scenery the reserve has to offer. The walk covers both the lower and upper sections of the reserve and passes through the great variety of forest on show. The walk also passes three of the four bronze sculpture

Total climbing: 326m

Hard track

Wyrrabalong lookout

382 m Return, 15 mins

A short walk to Wyrrabalong Lookout, at the top of Cromarty Hill, with stunning views along the coastline near Forresters Beach. There are picnic tables and plenty of grassy area. Hang gliders and paragliders using the adjacent launch point, when the weather permits, add some interest.

Total climbing: 20m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Toomeys Walk walk starts at the St Johns Lookout car park (gps: -33.406505, 151.39009)

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

The Toomeys Walk ends at the Katandra Rd Gate (gps: -33.415032, 151.39650)

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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