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.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Matcham to Gosford bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Matcham to Gosford bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
8km
Time
3 hrs 45 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
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)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
Around 5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 3.3km has short steep hills.
Quality of track
4.3km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 4km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (110m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
4.7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 2.7km is clearly signposted. The remaining (1km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.3km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.5km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Online bushwalking Magazine. Download the full magazine for free Bushwalk Australia eMag The Online Magazine is produces by the community at bushwalk.com and the Wildwalks team Bushwalk.com Australia's most active bushwalking forum - Check it out. Happy Reading. Matt :)
(0 km)
Katandra Rd Gate
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Katandra Rd picnic area Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 70 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
From the gate (at the junction of Katandra Rd and Croton Ave), this walk follows the sealed driveway up the hill, soon coming to the car park and information board.
Katandra Rd Picnic Area
Alt = 60 m
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.
(0.07 km)
Katandra Rd picnic area
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Behind the Rangers Residence Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 449 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 54 m
Descent = -8 m
Turn left: From the picnic area, this walk follows the 'Graves Walk' and 'Lookout 1500m' signs gently downhill, initially keeping the ranger's cottage to the right. The track then heads up a long series of steps, passing a steep trail on the left (that leads to Murina Close). The walk continues up the steps to a large five-way intersection above a 'No Entry Rangers Residence' sign[1] and locked gate.
(0.52 km)
Behind the Rangers Residence
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Int of Graves and Mouat Walks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 792 m
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 93 m
Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the stairs up the hill to the rocky outcrop, heading directly away from the locked gate. The track heads through the rocks then along the top of the ridge, passing the number '6' post (Aboriginal markings in the stone). The track continues gently uphill until coming to an intersection with a short link track (leading to the parallel horse track). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the walking track gently uphill, keeping the horse track on the left. The track soon bends right and heads between the timber posts, then zigzags up the hill. The track passes between more posts to a signposted intersection with the 'Mouat Walk' and a sign pointing back along 'Graves Walk'.
(1.31 km)
Int of Graves and Mouat Walks
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St Johns Lookout Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 320 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -17 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows none of the arrows but heads away from the face of the sign gently uphill, keeping the valley to the right. The track soon opens up into a large clearing, passing the 'Mount Mouat walk' and 'Graves Walk' signs[2] and continuing for about 20m to an intersection with the signposted 'Guringai walk'[3]. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads through the clearing towards the picnic area, soon coming to the car park and information sign. Continue straight: 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. Turn right: From the toilet block, this walk follows the footpath past the information sign to the fenced and signposted 'St Johns Lookout' (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
St Johns Lookout
Alt = 182 m
This fenced lookout is found at the top of Katandra Reserve, near the toilets. The lookout was upgraded by Gosford Council in September 2009[4] 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.
St Johns Lookout picnic area
Alt = 200 m
St Johns Lookout picnic area[5] is a large open area found at the top of Katandra Reserve on Toomeys Rd. The picnic area provides wheelchair accessible toilets[6], picnic tables[7], free electric BBQ's[8], parking areas[9][10] and information boards[11]. There is plenty of open space with some natural shade provided by the surrounding trees. There are garbage bins provided[12] but no drinking water[13].
(1.31 km)
Int of Graves and Mouat Walks
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Int of Mouat and Toomeys Rd Trails Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.05 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 36 m
Descent = -75 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Mouat Walk' and 'To Rumbalara Reserve' signs along the track, keeping the valley to the left. The track soon comes to a four-way intersection, with a 'Graves Track' sign and a gate visible (up the hill to the right). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track from behind the 'Graves Walk' sign, initially keeping the gate up the hill to the right. The track winds through the bush, crossing a small rock platform (and ignoring the side tracks), then heads down a series of timber steps. The trail winds past a few large rocks then winds up the hill to come into view of (and run parallel to) the Toomeys management trail. The track then passes over another rocky outcrop (beware of the cliff drop on the left), then down some steps to come to the wide Toomeys Management trail and an arrow pointing back up the steps.
(2.36 km)
Int of Mouat and Toomeys Rd Trails
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Top of Clyde Rd trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 566 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -12 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail, keeping the valley down on the right. The trail soon bends left then, approximately 200m later, passes a stockpile of dirt and rocks (on the right). About 250m later, the trail passes a locked gate of a private residence and, just after the gate, comes to an intersection at the top of the Clyde Rd Trail.
(2.93 km)
Top of Clyde Rd trail
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Erina Trig Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 162 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper trail south, keeping next to the fence on the right. The trail soon bends right, leaving the power lines and coming to an intersection with a track (on the left), near the corner of the fence and above a small pond (on the right). Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow up the steps away from the fence. The track gently winds up the hill to the Erina Trig station, surround by trees.
Erina Trig
Alt = 170 m
Erina Trig station is part of a national geodetic survey established during the 1970's. The 'Triangulation station' (aka trigonometrical or trig station) is a distinct marker which was once clear of trees and would have been visible for many kilometers in the area. There are many such trig stations around Australia, used to help in surveying. Each station has a know position and altitude which allows surveyors to use triangulation to determine another point's location. With advances in technology, these trig stations have been superseded and abandoned. More info
(3.09 km)
Erina Trig
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Int of trig track and Toomeys Rd trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 119 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -11 m
Continue straight: From the trig point, this walk follows the track south-west down the hill, soon coming to an intersection with Toomeys Rd management trail.
(3.21 km)
Int of trig track and Toomeys Rd trail
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Mouat trail picnic table Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 478 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -41 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads south-west, down along the management trail, and soon follows a fence, on the right. The trail winds down the hill (steeply in one spot), generally next to the fence, until coming to a locked gate (on the right). Continue straight: From the gate, this walk follows the narrower track, keeping the fence to the right. The track soon turns right (at the corner fencepost) and continues alongside the fence, passing a bench seat and unfenced view on the left. The track continues to follow the fence and soon passes another locked gate (and passes close to the management trail). Following the fence, the track soon comes to a picnic table and an unfenced view across the valley.
Mouat trail picnic table
Alt = 122 m
Mouat trail picnic table is found about halfway along the Mouat trail. There is an old picnic table and bench seat at the top of an unfenced cliff with filtered views over Springfield East Gosford and the Brisbane Water. A nice spot for a snack and rest.
(3.69 km)
Mouat trail picnic table
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Locked gate Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 86 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the picnic table, this walk follows the track, keeping the fence to the right. The track keeps next to the fence until bending left around a rocky outcrop then down some stairs, coming to a management trail just below a locked gate.
(3.77 km)
Locked gate
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Saddle intersection Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 184 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -8 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail downhill, away from the gate. The trail soon flattens out and crosses a long saddle, coming to a 'Y' intersection with a walking track (on the left), marked with a timber post.
(3.96 km)
Saddle intersection
to
130 Picnic table Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 133 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -1 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the walking track west up the hill, keeping the wider trail below to the right. The track winds up the hill through a rock outcrop to find a picnic table next to an unfenced view across East Gosford.
130 Picnic table
Alt = 125 m
The 130 Picnic table (informally named based on the height of the hill) provides a spot to stop and rest. There are views from the top of this unfenced cliff across Brisbane Water and East Gosford. The single table has some limited natural shade from the surrounding trees.
(4.09 km)
130 Picnic table
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Int west of 130 Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 197 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -21 m
Continue straight: From the picnic table, this walk heads west, initially keeping the view to the left. The track heads along the top of the hill and turns left, following the arrow on the post down the hill and stairs through the cleft in the rock. The track continues down the hill, ignoring side tracks (on the right) to come to an intersection with a management trail in a fairly large clearing.
(4.29 km)
Int west of 130
to
Powerline intersection Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 356 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -22 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail west, gently downhill, away from the rocky outcrop. The trail leads across a saddle and soon comes to an unsignposted 'Y' intersection with Bradys Gully trail (heading downhill on the right). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail south-west up the hill, initially keeping Bradys Gully trail below to the right. The walk soon takes the left fork (ignoring another trail on the right) to another saddle, with power lines running through the middle.
(4.64 km)
Powerline intersection
to
Sculpture of Edward John Eyre Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 435 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper arrow on the post, away from the power line, heading uphill to the south. The walk soon veers left (ignoring the wider trail on the right) and winds up the timber steps, through the rocky outcrop and follows a wire fence for a short time. The track follows the top of the ridge (with some filtered district views) until coming to a bronze sculpture of Edward John Eyre.
Edward John Eyre
Alt = 131 m
The Sculpture of Edward John Eyre is found near the southern end of the Mouat Trail in Rumbalara Reserve. Commissioned by Sara Lee Kitchens and the State Bicentennial Commission, this 1.25 scale[14] figurative work was sculptured by Carl Merten[15]. A circular inscription at the base declares this to be 'Edward John Eyre 1815-1901'[16]. Eyre is one of Australia's more famous explorers. A father of 5, he was awarded the founder's gold medal from the Royal Geographical Society in 1847[17]. In 1841, Eyre was appointed as resident magistrate and protector of Aborigines. He summed up his work like this -
"Moorundie was a District densely populated by Natives and in which prior to 1841 no settler had ventured to locate, and where (before I was stationed there) frightful scenes of bloodshed, rapine and hostility between the Natives and Parties coming overland with Stock had been of very frequent occurrence, but where, from the time of my arrival, and up to the date of my leaving not a single case of serious injury or aggression ever took place on the part of the Natives against the Europeans, whilst the district became rapidly and extensively occupied by Settlers and by Stock"[18].
Eyre also served as lieutenant-governor for New Zealand, lieutenant-governor for St Vincent (West Indies), governor for Leeward Islands, governor for Antigua and governor-in-chief for Jamaica. More info
(5.08 km)
Sculpture of Edward John Eyre
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Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 145 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the sculpture, this walk follows the management trail, leaving the sculpture behind on the left. The trail meanders for a short distance to an intersection with a bush track, on the right (with a gate visible straight ahead).
(5.22 km)
Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk
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Wannagan Lookout Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 285 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -7 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track down the hill, leaving the nearby gate (beside the road) to the left. The walk meanders along the side of the hill for some distance, keeping the valley to the right, going up and down occasional steps before reaching the fenced Wannagan Lookout[19], with great views to the north.
Wannagan Lookout
Alt = 133 m
The fenced Wannagan Lookout[20], on the Red Gum Walk, has great views over North Gosford. The fenced lookout sits at the top of a small cliff. Out of sight, beneath the lookout, is some great cliff and overhang scenery.
(5.51 km)
Wannagan Lookout
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Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 417 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 51 m
Descent = -35 m
Turn left : From the lookout, this walk follows the track along the side of the hill, leaving the lookout behind to the right. The walk meanders through some good scenery for a short distance before reaching an intersection with a faint track, going down the hill to the right. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the level track, keeping the valley to the right. The track immediately passes a grasstree, to the right, and bends to the left. The track meanders for a while, with occasional steps, before winding steeply up the hill using numerous timber and stone steps. The track bends to the right at the top of a rock outcrop and continues a short distance to an intersection with a management trail.
(5.92 km)
Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk
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Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 564 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -29 m
Turn right: 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). 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'.
Rumbalara Reserve
Alt = 141 m
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[21]. 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
(6.49 km)
Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks
to
Sculpture of Charles Sturt Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 319 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -24 m
Turn left: 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.
(6.81 km)
Sculpture of Charles Sturt
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Int of Rainforest walk and Casuarina walk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 33 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
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'.
Casuarina
Alt = 116 m
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'[22]. There are 17 species of Casuarina 'native to Australasia, southeastern Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean'[23]. More info
(6.84 km)
Int of Rainforest walk and Casuarina walk
to
Ouraka Point Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 219 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -13 m
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
Alt = 104 m
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.
(7.06 km)
Ouraka Point
to
Int of Casuarina track and Casuarina link trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 195 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -39 m
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'.
(7.25 km)
Int of Casuarina track and Casuarina link trail
to
Int of Casuarina track and JWD link trail Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 55 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -8 m
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'.
(7.31 km)
Int of Casuarina track and JWD link trail
to
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre trackhead Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 135 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -18 m
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.
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre
Alt = 39 m
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' [24]. 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
(7.44 km)
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre trackhead
to
Gosford Station Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 1.01 km
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -38 m
Turn right: From the trackhead, this walk goes across the timber deck and down the paved footpath to the nearby car park. Turn left: From the car park, this walk heads downhill along the driveway and along Donnison St footpath (keeping the road on the left). The walk crosses Albany St, then Henry Parry Dr, then heads diagonally through Kibble Park. On the other side of Kibble Park, the walk heads through William St Mall, then turns right to follow the footpath along the Pacific Hwy. Soon after crossing Erina St, this walk heads up the stairs under the glass-covered footbridge, then crosses the bridge and road to Gosford Train Station.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more 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. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
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. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
5 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
Check out the facilities at 
not too much longer now :)