Rumbalara Explorer

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 45 mins

6.1 km Circuit

326 m

Hard track

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 sculptures in the reserve. Yaruga picnic area would be a great spot to stop for lunch with it's facilities and excellent views.

Metal steps and walkway on the rainforest walk

Bronze sculpture of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith

Rumbalara Reserve

Rumbalara Reserve lies just to the east of the Gosford CBD and is part of Gosford's Coastal Open Space System (COSS). There is an extensive set of well marked walking tracks within the reserve. Yaruga Picnic Area has free electric BBQs while both Yaruga and Nurrunga picnic areas have toilets, picnic tables, nearby lookouts and proximity to walking tracks. The picnic areas are accessed via Dolly Ave, Springfield, with the gate being locked at 8pm each evening[1]. The Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, at the end of Donnison St, Gosford, is one of several good access points to the walking tracks in the lower section of the reserve. More info.

(0km) Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre car park → Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre trackhead

40 m

1 mins

0m Easy track

From the car park, this walk follows the 'Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre' arrow along the paved foopath to the trackhead at the back of the buildings, signposted 'Walking Trail'.

Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre

This centre is 'a New South Wales Department of Education and Training facility that provides environmental education and field work opportunities to students, teachers and the community of the Central Coast' . The centre is at the end of Donnison St, Gosford and is a good access point to some of the walking tracks in the adjoining Rumbalara Reserve. More info.

(0km) Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre trackhead → Int of Casuarina track and JWD link trail

140 m

4 mins

18m

-1m Moderate track

Turn left: From the trackhead at the back of the Rumbalara EEC, this walk follows the 'Walking Trail' arrow up the steps and along the track. The track crosses a small wooden bridge and bends to the right, then climbs a little to an intersection with a management trail.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently up the hill, leaving the bush track steps behind to the right. The trail goes gently up the hill for a short distance to an intersection at the bottom of a metal staircase, signposted 'Casuarina Track'.

(0km) Int of Casuarina track and JWD link trail → Int of Casuarina track and Casuarina link trail

60 m

2 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Picnic Areas' arrow up the staircase. The walk then continues a short distance up the sandstone path and steps to an intersection with a management trail, marked by a track information board and a 'Casuarina Track' signpost pointing back to the 'Field Studies Centre'.

(0km) Int of Casuarina track and Casuarina link trail → Car park at int of White St firetrail and John Whiteway Dr

60 m

1 mins

-4m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently down the hill, towards the gate. After a short distance, the walk passes a 'Rumbalara Reserve' signpost, to the left, then passes around the gate, arriving in the middle of the parking area near John Whiteway Dr.

(0km) Car park at int of White St firetrail and John Whiteway Dr → Southern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk

440 m

10 mins

15m

-34m Moderate track

Turn left: From the middle of the parking area, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, away from John Whiteway Dr, keeping the chain-wire fence to the right. The walk almost immediately levels out and passes around a gate, then follows the 'White St' arrow along the management trail. The trail winds around the hill, descending gently through a beautiful piece of forest until reaching an intersection beside a fenced-off area, with an 'Interpretive Centre' arrow pointing back the way you came.

Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna

The reserve is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The vegetation types range from the relatively dry 'Coastal Narrabeen Ironbark Forest' to pockets of 'Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest'. Commonly seen birds include Kookaburras, Eastern Rosellas and Magpies. Rarer birds such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Swift Parrot are sometimes sighted here as well. Sugar Gliders, Brush-tailed possums, Blue-tounged lizards and Tree snakes can be seen in the reserve if you are patient and lucky enough.

(1km) Southern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk → Top of staircase on Rainforest walk

400 m

9 mins

15m

-37m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Henry Parry Drive' arrow (Rainforest Track) down the steps and along the bush track. The track immediately bends to the right, passing a couple of old picnic tables, to the left. The track then enters a forest filled with a jumble of vines and ferns, meandering for a while before crossing a small metal bridge, and continuing until reaching an intersection at the top of a metal staircase, signposted 'Rainforest Track'.

(1km) Top of staircase on Rainforest walk → Henry Parry Dr trackhead

380 m

8 mins

-20m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Henry Parry Drive' arrow down the metal staircase, arriving at the end of a management trail at the bottom of the stairs.
Continue straight: From the bottom of the metal staircase, this walk follows the management trail away from the stairs. The trail soon bends to the right and continues for a short distance before passing a plaque marking the handing over of Cappers Gully Reserve, set in a stone, to the left. The trail continues a little further to an intersection just before the gate at the back of the 2GO radio station car park. The intersection is marked with a pair of track arrows on a wooden post.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, immediately crossing the small gully, leaving the nearby gate and car park behind on the right. The track soon bends to the right, at a track marker post, and continues, keeping the houses to the left, until reaching the trackhead at the intersection of Frederick St and Henry Parry Dr, Gosford, marked with a track information board and a 'Rainforest Track' signpost pointing back to 'Cappers Gully'.

(2km) Henry Parry Dr trackhead → Northern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk

850 m

19 mins

52m

-19m Moderate track

Turn left: From the trackhead at the intersection of Frederick St and Henry Parry Dr, Gosford, this walk follows Henry Parry Dr up the hill, leaving the information board behind on the left. The walk turns left into White St and continues to the 'Rumbalara Reserve' signpost beside the gate at the end of the street.
Continue straight: From the end of White St, this walk passes the 'Rumbalara Reserve' signpost, goes around the gate, and follows the 'Cappers Gully' arrow along the management trail. The trail meanders along the hillside for some time. At one point, there are some long thin stone slabs forming a retaining wall, on the right. The trail eventually reaches an intersection, signposted 'Cappers Gully'.

Cappers Gully quarry

This old quarry site is beside Cappers Gully in the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The area is fenced off for safety reasons. The neat, square-cut walls of the quarry make an interesting sight on the walks in the area.

(2km) Northern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk → Southern Int of Rainforest walk and Bayview firetrail

250 m

9 mins

53m

-3m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Ouraka Point' arrow up the steps and along the bush track. The walk crosses some short metal footbridges and then climbs more steeply, through beautiful forest scenery. The walk climbs a lot of sandstone steps and some sets of metal stairs, and after some time arrives at an intersection, with a 'Rainforest Track' signpost pointing back to 'Cappers Gully'.

(3km) Southern Int of Rainforest walk and Bayview firetrail → Int of Rainforest walk and Casuarina walk

440 m

11 mins

41m

-13m Hard track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail in the opposite direction to the 'Bay View Ave' arrow, leaving the steps of the 'Rainforest Track' behind to the left. After a short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection, with a bush track to the left, signposted 'Rainforest Track'.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Ouraka Point' arrow down the steps and along the bush track. After descending for a short distance, the track bends to the right and levels out. The track meanders for some time through beautiful forest scenery, crossing two short metal footbridges, before climbing a long set of sandstone steps, then a metal staircase, arriving at an intersection with a management trail, with a 'Rainforest Track' signpost pointing back to 'Cappers Gully'.

Casuarina

Commonly known as the she-oak, sheoak, ironwood, or beefwood, casuarinas have 'delicate, slender ultimate branches and leaves that are no more than scales, making the tree look more like a wispy conifer'. There are 17 species of Casuarina 'native to Australasia, southeastern Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean'. More info.

(3km) Int of Rainforest walk and Casuarina walk → Sculpture of Charles Sturt

30 m

1 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Picnic Areas' arrow along the management trail, keeping the views of Gosford to the left. After a short distance, the walk arrives at a sculpture of Charles Sturt, to the right.

(3km) Sculpture of Charles Sturt → Int of Casuarina walk and Flannel Flower walk

140 m

2 mins

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the sculpture, this walk follows the management trail, keeping the views of Gosford to the left, and leaving Charles Sturt behind on the right. The walk continues along the trail to an intersection with a paved track, signposted 'Casuarina Track'.

(3km) Int of Casuarina walk and Flannel Flower walk → Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs

750 m

18 mins

61m

-30m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail up the hill leaving the paved 'Casuarina Track' behind on the left. After a very short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection with a bush track, signposted 'Flannel Flower Track'.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Yaruga Picnic Area' arrow along the bush track, going gently down the hill. The walk meanders along the side of the hill for some time, passing occasional sandstone steps before continuing past an intersection with a bush track (on the left, uphill), and another soon after (on the right, downhill). The walk continues for some distance, climbing gently with numerous steps, before arriving beside the toilet block at Yaruga Picnic Area. The walk turns right and follows the paved path past the information board, then goes across the picnic area, following the 'Lookout' arrow to the electric BBQs.

Yaruga Picnic Area

This picnic area is right beside Dolly Ave, within the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The facilities include free electric BBQs, picnic tables, toilets and garbage bins. There are information boards with details of the walking tracks and other features of the reserve. There are a couple of lookout points at the edge of the picnic area with great views out across Gosford and the surrounding areas.

(4km) Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs → Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk

120 m

2 mins

-8m Moderate track

Turn left: From the BBQs, this walk goes across the picnic area towards the road and down the steps. The walk veers to the right, following the road gently down the hill for a short distance to an intersection with a bush track, beside a low boulder, on the left (some distance before the nearby water reservoir).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track around the low boulder, to the right, keeping the nearby water reservoir to the right. The walk goes gently downhill for a short distance to an intersection with a management trail.

(4km) Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk → Int of Flannel Flower walk and Jarret St fire trail

340 m

8 mins

-22m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently down the hill, away from the nearby reservoir tank. After a short distance, the walk passes another management trail (to the left) and continues further, to an intersection with a track on the left (just before the management trail bends a little to the right and goes very steeply down the hill).

Flannel Flower

Actinotus helianthi, popularly known as the Sydney flannel flower, is frequently spotted by spring-time bushwalkers in the Sydney region. Generally growing up to 50 cm, the stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like flannel in texture). More info.

(4km) Int of Flannel Flower walk and Jarret St fire trail → Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks

220 m

4 mins

13m

-7m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track, leaving the steep downhill section of the management trail to the right. The track follows under or near some power lines for a short distance, then climbs gently around the side of the hill for a while to an intersection with the road, with a 'Flannel Flower Track' signpost pointing back to 'Loop to Yaruga Picnic Area'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Yaruga Picnic Area' arrow across the road. The walk crosses the small car park, passing between some metal posts to a track junction with signposts for the 'Ironbark Loop', the 'Casuarina Track' and the 'Flannel Flower Track'.

(5km) Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks → Sir Charles Kingsford Smith sculpture

250 m

5 mins

10m

-11m Moderate track

Turn right: From the track junction, this walk follows the 'Nurrunga Picnic Area' arrow (Ironbark Loop sign) along the bush track, leaving the nearby car park to the right. The walk almost immediately crosses the road, arriving at an 'Ironbark Loop' sign.
Continue straight: From the 'Ironbark Loop' sign, this walk follows the 'Nurrunga Picnic Area' arrow along the management trail, away from the road. After a short distance, the walk passes a toilet block, to the left, and continues a little further to an 'Ironbark Loop' sign pointing back 'To Casuarina Track', on the northern edge of the picnic area.
Continue straight: From this 'Ironbark Loop' sign, the walk goes along the edge of the picnic area, keeping the picnic area to the left, and soon arrives at the sculpture of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.

Sculptures in Rumbalara

There are four bronze figurative sculptures in the Rumbalara Reserve that were 'commissioned in the series "Salute to Famous Australians", which includes Captain Charles Sturt, Edward Eyre, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.' Matthew Flinders is the fourth in the series. They were 'commissioned by Sara Lee Kitchens (Australia) Pty Ltd and Gosford City Council for the State Bicentennial Celebrations 1987.'. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area. More info.

(5km) Sir Charles Kingsford Smith sculpture → Matthew Flinders sculpture

40 m

1 mins

-1m Moderate track

Turn left: From the sculpture, this walk goes across the end of the picnic area, behind Sir Charles' back. The walk passes a picnic table, to the right, then follows a bush track for a short distance, arriving at an intersection, signposted 'Ironbark Loop', beside a sculpture of Matthew Flinders.

(5km) Matthew Flinders sculpture → Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks

180 m

4 mins

10m

-7m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'To Casuarina Track' arrow along the bush track, keeping the views of Gosford to the right. After a short distance, the walk arrives at a track junction with signposts for the 'Casuarina Track' and the 'Ironbark Loop'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'To Flannel Flower Track' arrow (Ironbark Loop sign), along the bush track, keeping the views of Gosford to the right. After a short distance, the walk arrives at a track junction with signposts for the 'Ironbark Loop', the 'Casuarina Track' and the 'Flannel Flower Track'.

(5km) Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks → Ouraka Point

570 m

12 mins

-39m Moderate track

Turn right: From the junction, this walk follows the 'Ouraka Point' arrow (Casuarina Track), along the bush track, going gently down the hill. The track descends gently for a while, taking the right branch at a fork and going down the paved steps to an intersection with a management trail, with a 'Casuarina Track' signpost pointing back to the 'Nurrunga Picnic Area'.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently down the hill, keeping the views of Gosford to the right. After a while, the walk reaches a sculpture of Charles Sturt, to the left.
Continue straight: From the sculpture, this walk follows the management trail, keeping the views of Gosford to the right and leaving Charles Sturt behind on the left. After a short distance, the walk reaches an intersection, with a 'Casuarina Track' signpost pointing back to the 'Picnic Areas'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Ouraka Point' arrow along the management trail, going gently up the hill. After a short distance, the walk passes an informal, unfenced lookout area with obscured but nice views over Gosford, to the right. The walk continues a little further, passing a boulder in the middle of the trail, and arriving at the signposted 'Ouraka Point', with beautiful views over Gosford and the surrounding areas and waterways.

Ouraka Point

This picturesque spot with fantastic views over Gosford and the surrounding areas, including Brisbane Waters, is located within the Rumbalara Reserve, along the Casuarina Walk. It is a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the views for a while during a walk in the reserve.

(6km) Ouraka Point → Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre car park

420 m

12 mins

-68m Moderate track

Continue straight: From Ouraka Point, this walk goes down the paved steps, keeping the views over Gosford to the right. The walk passes some large boulders (to the right) and continues down the steps before crossing over the end of a management trail and going down a metal staircase, then some sandstone steps, to an intersection with a management trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently down the hill, leaving the steps behind on the right. After a short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection marked by an information board, and a 'Casuarina Track' signpost pointing back to the 'Picnic Areas'.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Field Studies Centre' arrow down the steps. After a short distance, the walk goes down a metal staircase, arriving at an intersection with a management trail, and a 'Casuarina Track' signpost pointing back to the 'Picnic Areas'.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently down the hill, leaving the metal staircase behind on the right. The trail goes gently down the hill for a short distance to an unmarked intersection with a bush track (going down some wooden steps to the left).
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track down the steps and immediately bends to the right. After descending a little, the track bends to the left and crosses a small bridge, then goes down some more steps to the trackhead at the back of the Rumbalara EEC buildings, with a 'Walking Trail' arrow pointing back the way you came.
Turn right: From the trackhead, this walk goes across the timber deck and down the paved footpath to the nearby car park.

Maps for the Rumbalara Explorer 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 Rumbalara Explorer bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rumbalara Explorer

Altitude analysis for Rumbalara Explorer

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	6.1 km
		Time	2 hrs 45 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

2.9km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.5km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 640m is very steep and the remaining 120m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

3.6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.5km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (80m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 4.4km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.7km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.1km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 160m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 3.1km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Rumbalara Explorer walk.

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

White St firetrail

991 m One way, 30 mins

A surprisingly nice fire trail walk. A lot of the forest scenery along this walk is really beautiful. Much of it is very moist forest, filled with ferns. You also get a glimpse of an old quarry at Cappers Gully, adding a little historic interest to the walk.

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate 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

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

White St Rainforest loop

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

A very nice loop walk in the lower part of the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The walk includes a section of road but spends most time in very nice forest scenery, including pockets of the beautiful rainforest in the reserve. This walk has substantially fewer steps than some of the other walks in the r

Total climbing: 76m

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

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

Rainforest walk to Nurrunga picnic area

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

An extended version of the Rumbalara Reserve Rainforest Walk. After walking through some beautiful pockets of rainforest, this walk continues to the upper section of the reserve, enjoying some great views across Gosford and the surrounding areas. The sheer variety in the vegetation from the start of

Total climbing: 196m

Hard track

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

Rainforest Walk

3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

A great walk through some beautiful pockets of rainforest in the Rumbalara Reserve. Parts of the track are quite steep, although the well-formed track with plenty of steps makes the walking easier. As well as the beautiful rainforest scenery, this walk includes some glimpses into an old quarry at Ca

Total climbing: 192m

Hard 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

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 Rumbalara Explorer walk.

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

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

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

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

Girrakool to Patonga

24.8 km One way, 10 hrs

This walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. As the track approaches the southern edge of Brisbane

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Girrakool to Patonga Overnight

24.8 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. Much of this walk follows the Great North Wal

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

12.3 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds down alongside Piles creek, before climbing up through the Brisbane Waters National Park to Scopas peak, and then on to the lovely Kariong brook falls. The walk finishes at the Staples Lookout. This walk mostly follows a section of the Grea

Total climbing: 697m

Hard track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station

9.5 km One way, 4 hrs

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses some long rock flats and climbs to the top of Scopas Peak, providing views spanning right across the park. The walk then continues down to Wondabyne station, and provides an

Total climbing: 438m

Hard track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station via Pindar caves

18.1 km One way, 7 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, following Piles creek into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses over Scopas Peak and continues down to Pindar caves, passing the Pindar lookout and Pindar Pool on the way. From the caves the walk backtracks some distance

Total climbing: 741m

Experienced only

Girrakool to Woy Woy station via Mt Wondabyne

20.7 km One way, 8 hrs 30 mins

This long day-walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and works its way south, alongside Piles creek and through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs over Scopas Peak and passes the Kariong brook falls, before winding to the top of Mt Wondabyne and finishing at the Woy Woy train st

Total climbing: 870m

Hard track

Piles Creek Loop

4.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

Starting from the Girrakool picnic area, this walk takes you on a round trip through part of the stunning Brisbane Water National Park. The walk explores both sides of Piles Creek, rewarding you with its waterfall and lookouts. Girrakool picnic area also has barbeques and toilets.

Total climbing: 306m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Rumbalara Explorer walk starts and ends at the Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre car park (gps: -33.427727, 151.34768)

Bus. (get details)

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

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This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

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Park Information

Rumbalara Reserve

The Rumbalara Reserve is a protected area of bushland just to the east of Gosford City. The area is part of the Hornsby Sandstone Plateau and is home to some diverse flora and fauna. There are some good picnic areas and great walking in the reserve. Rumbalara is an aborginal word meaning 'rainbow', the name suits this place well, with its great range of colour in the rock and plants.

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