Wetland trail to Rainforest

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1 hr 45 mins

4.8 km One way

79 m

Moderate track

A great one-way walk covering some of the highlights of this part of Wyrrabalong National Park. The walk starts off through some beautiful wetland forest, before passing through areas of fantastic, twisted Sydney Redgums and Burrawang cycads. A couple a lookouts provide great views and spots to relax before the walk drops to the edge of Tuggerah lake. Towards the end, the walk passes through some beautiful rainforest with towering cabbage palms. Much of the walk is on sandy tracks.

Retaining wall on a sandy section of track

(0km) End of Evans Rd → Redgum lookout

1.6 km

27 mins

39m

-15m Moderate track

From the end of Evans Rd, Toukley, the walk passes around a gate, passes an information board and 'Wyrrabalong National Park' sign, and follows the bush track. The track winds through the swampy forest for a while, crossing a small wooden bridge, before passing a 'Wetlands' information board, on the right. The track then meanders through the forest for some time, passing a 'Wetlands Trail' sign, to the right. The forest becomes drier and the track becomes wider and sandy as it undulates through the forest to reach the intersection with the 'Red Gum Track'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the right arrow on the 'Red Gum Trail' sign, along the sandy bush track. The track immediately drops through a gully and meanders up the other side. This section of the walk climbs and drops a little as it passes through very nice forest, with twisted tree branches leaning over the trail. The track passes a 'Red Gum Forest' information board, to the left, and continues for while to reach a wooden lookout platform with atmospheric views to the north and north-east.

Redgum lookout

This unnamed lookout is in the Wyrrabalong National park, north of The Entrance and provides views to the north across part of Tuggerah Lake and Toukley. The lookout is on the Redgum Trail and consists of a fenced wooden platform with a seat. This is a nice, atmospheric spot to take a break on the walk.

(2km) Redgum lookout → Tuggerah lake lookout

710 m

11 mins

-4m Moderate track

Turn left: From the lookout, the walk follows the sandy bush track to the west, leaving the lookout platform behind and to the right. The sandy track undulates through nice forest and bends to the left (south) and continues for some distance, offering glimpses of Tuggerah lake, to the right, and the ocean, to the left. The track then reaches another wooden lookout platform, a little to the right of the track, with great views to the west, over Tuggerah lake.

Tuggerah Lake lookout

This unnamed lookout provides views across Tuggerah Lake, north of The Entrance. The lookout is on the Redgum Trail and consists of a fenced wooden platform with a seat. the beautiful views and atmosphere make this a great spot for a break during a walk in the area.

(2km) Tuggerah lake lookout → Tuggerah lake vista

1.6 km

28 mins

17m

-46m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lookout, the walk follows the sandy bush track to the south, leaving the lookout platform behind and to the right. This section of the walk also undulates through nice forest on a sandy track. The walk then reaches the intersection with 'The Lilly Pilly Loop Trail'.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the right arrow on the 'Lilly Pilly Loop Trail' sign, along the sandy bush track, going up the hill. The track undulates through nice forest for some distance, with sections of erosion control board walkway, and timber retaining walls. From here, the track offers great views of the lake, and passes through increasingly moist forest, before dropping a little and running along the edge of Tuggerah lake. After running along the lake edge for a while, the walk reaches a lakeside vista where the track bends sharply to the left (heading away from the lake, into a thick, shaded section of forest).

Tuggerah Lake vista

This informal, unnamed spot at the edge of Tuggerah Lake, north of The Entrance, has beautiful views across the lake. These views, combined with the nearby area of rainforest, provide beautiful scenery on walks in the area.

Lilly Pilly loop rainforest

This area of littoral rainforest is on the Lilly Pilly loop walk, in Wyrrabalong National Park, north of The Entrance. This small remnant of rainforest is dominated by cabbage palms, corkwoods and tuckeroos. There are nice views across Tuggerah lake from the edge of the forest as well.

(4km) Tuggerah lake vista → Int of Lilly Pilly loop and Sth Lilly Pilly access trail

820 m

14 mins

19m

-3m Moderate track

Veer left: From the lakeside vista, the walk follows the bush track, going into the thick, shaded forest, away from Tuggerah lake. This beautiful section of the walk passes through an area of littoral rainforest. The walk passes a 'Rainforests' information board, to the right and continues through the forest. As the walk climbs a little, the forest becomes drier. The walk continues along a ridge line for a short distance to reach the intersection signposted 'Lilly Pilly Loop Link Trail'.

(5km) Int of Lilly Pilly loop and Sth Lilly Pilly access trail → South car park

80 m

2 mins

-6m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the level, sandy management trail towards the nearby road (opposite direction to the signpost arrow). After a short distance, the trail bends to the right and goes down hill a little. The walk passes an information board and 'Lilly Pilly Loop Trail' sign before going around a gate and arriving at the car park on the Central Coast Hwy, aka Wilfred Barret Dr (about 5.5 km north of The Entrance bridge, and about 4.6km south of the intersection with Main Rd, Noraville. Signposted 'Wyrrabalong National Park').

Maps for the Wetland trail to Rainforest 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.

Toukley	1:25 000 Map Series	92313N TOUKLEY	NSW-92313N
Lake Macquarie	1:100 000 Map Series	9231 LAKE MACQUARIE	9231

Cross sectional view of the Wetland trail to Rainforest bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wetland trail to Rainforest

Altitude analysis for Wetland trail to Rainforest

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	4.8 km
		Time	1 hr 45 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	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		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

Around 3.8km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 930m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 4.8km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 4.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 710m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.8km 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 Wetland trail to Rainforest walk.

Tuggerah Lake vista and Rainforest

1.8 km Return, 45 mins

A beautiful, short walk passing through a variety of scenery, featuring an area of littoral rainforest, dominated by big cabbage palms. There are beautiful views across Tuggerah lake at the return point. Much of the walk is on sandy tracks and several sections of wooden boards keep the track in good

Total climbing: 28m

Moderate track

Wetland Trail to Redgum Lookout

3.1 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

A very nice walk through some wetland forest and some of the beautiful Sydney Redgum forest, a feature of the area. The unnamed Redgum Lookout, at the return point of the walk, has some great views and is an atmospheric spot to spend some time before returning. Much of the walk is on sandy tracks. T

Total climbing: 54m

Moderate track

Redgum trail

3.4 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

An excellent loop walk through areas of beautiful Sydney Redgums. In several places these twisted trees lean over the track, creating great scenery and atmosphere. Two lookout platforms along the way provide some fantastic views over the surrounding areas and Tuggerah Lake. Much of the walk is on sa

Total climbing: 48m

Moderate track

Lillypilly Loop Trail

3.6 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This beautiful loop walk passes through a great variety of forest scenery, including some lovely rainforest, dominated by cabbage palms and other trees. There are some beautiful views across Tuggerah Lake, and parts of the track feature twisted Sydney Redgums leaning over the track, and the shorter

Total climbing: 62m

Moderate track

Wyrrabalong Figure 8

6.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

A great walk covering much of the excellent scenery in this area. This walk includes great views over Tuggerah lake, some beautiful areas of littoral rainforest, very picturesque, twisted Sydney Redgums leaning over the track and plenty of Burrawangs (a cycad). The lookouts along the way provide goo

Total climbing: 104m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Wetland trail to Rainforest walk.

Norah Head Lighthouse Loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

A fantastic loop walk with a great variety of excellent scenery. The walk covers the Norah Head Nature Trail with it's beautiful forest scenery, the merchant navy memorial and Norah Head lighthouse before returning via the shoreline. There are plenty of stunning coastline views and some exploration

Total climbing: 66m

Hard track

Norah Head Nature Trail

2.2 km Return, 1 Hr

A beautiful walk with a great variety of scenery. The walk starts with some beautiful forest scenery, visits an interesting memorial to the merchant navy, wanders past the scenic Norah Head lighthouse with its stunning coastline views, and finishes with some exploration of the rockshelf below the li

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate track

Norah Head Lighthouse and Rockshelf walk

1.6 km Return, 45 mins

A very interesting and very scenic walk, taking in the merchant mariners memorial, and lookout, and the Norah Head lighthouse before exploring the rockshelf below Norah Head. The lighthouse is very picturesque and the setting is beautiful, with some fantastic views along the coastline from the paths

Total climbing: 56m

Hard track

Norah Head Lighthouse walk

762 m Return, 30 mins

A short, interesting and very scenic walk. The Norah Head lighthouse is very picturesque and the setting is beautiful, with some fantastic views along the coastline from the paths around the area. The merchant mariners memorial adds some more historic interest to the walk.

Total climbing: 38m

Very easy

Norah Head Rockpool

150 m Return, 15 mins

A very short walk to the Norah Head rockpool in Cabbage Tree Harbour. The rockpool is a great, sheltered spot to swim and relax on a sunny day. You could also happily spend some time exploring the nearby rockshelves. A great spot for a lazy afternoon with plenty of interesting scenery.

Total climbing: 6m

Easy track

Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse

2.6 km Return, 1 Hr

A great, scenic walk along the shoreline at Norah Head, to the lighthouse with it's picturesque location and beautiful views. The walk along the beach and rockshelf is interesting, with lots of shapes and textures making the rockshelf interesting to explore. The Norah Head lighthouse is very picture

Total climbing: 60m

Hard track

Tea Tree Picnic Area to Birdie Beach

444 m Return, 10 mins

Starting at Tea Tree Picnic Area, this short walk follows a beach access track to Birdie Beach. Along the way, the walk visits Bird Island Lookout, providing a great view of Bird Island, and up and down Birdie Beach. The walk continues down the timber path and steps, across the sand to the edge of

Total climbing: 18m

Easy track

Tea Tree Picnic Area to Bird Island Lookout

136 m Return, 3 mins

This short walk leads from the Tea Tree car park and Picnic Area to the Bird Island Lookout. The view from the fenced platform looks up and down Birdie Beach, and out to sea to Bird Island. The walk starts from the car park and heads across the compacted dirt and gravel track, before leading up a t

Total climbing: 3m

Very easy

Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach

1.2 km Return, 25 mins

A short walk to access the beach from Freemans camping area. This easy walk takes campers along a wide path to Birdie Beach car park, then to Birdie Beach. The campsite is far enough back from the beach to be protected from the sea breeze, so this walk saves the longer trip via the road. Further n

Total climbing: 12m

Easy track

Campbell Dr to Birdie Beach View (Geebung Track)

3.3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk follows the Geebung Track to the sweeping views of Birdie Beach. From Campbell Dr, you will follow a management trail down to a creek where the Geebung Track narrows and winds through the heath to the top of the hill, where there is a view to Birdie Beach. The views south along Birdie Bea

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate track

Campbell Drive to Snapper Point

4.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk follows the Coast Track to Frazer Beach, along the Geebung and (overgrown) Grass Tree Tracks. From the northern end of Frazer Beach, the walk heads across the exposed rockshelf to Snapper Point Beach, then on to Snapper Point (consider tide and sea conditions before setting out). From Sna

Total climbing: 135m

Experienced only

Geebung Track

2.4 km One way, 1 Hr

The Geebung Track links Campbell Dr and Wybung Head Rd via a track through the heath. Forming part of a coastal walk, you will find occasional ocean views in addition to a great view of Birdie Beach about halfway. The Geebung Track is a great place to enjoy the wildflower display in spring and ear

Total climbing: 92m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Wetland trail to Rainforest walk starts at the End of Evans Rd (gps: -33.282853, 151.55077)

Bus. A bus service runs from Lake Haven to Evans Rd. The service only runs a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4392 6666 (route 91) (get details)

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

The Wetland trail to Rainforest ends at the South car park (gps: -33.300644, 151.53294)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Wyrrabalong National Park

Wyrrabalong National park on the NSW Central Coast is divided into two main sections. The northern section sits between the South Pacific Ocean and Tuggerah Lake (with the Central Coast Hwy cutting up the middle) south of Norah Head. The south section covers a coastal strip from Forresters Beach to Bateau Bay. The park is rich with great views, sandy beaches and the last significant coastal rainforest in the area. A great place for walking, swimming, fishing and relaxing.

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