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 quietly and you might spot a water lizard or Lyrebird. This walk is well-signposted and follows a clear track.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Watermans Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Watermans Walk 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
1.6km
Time
45 mins
.
Grade 2/6
Walk: Easy
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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 1.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 180m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 1.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 1.6km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 1.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 1.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 1.6km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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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 km)
Katandra Rd picnic area
to
Int of Waterman walk and Katandra Rd track Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 141 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -14 m
From the picnic area, this walk follows the 'Seymour Pond' and 'Waterman Walk' signs north-east along the clear track. The track soon heads down a series of steps and, shortly after turning right (at a locked gate), this walk comes to a three-way intersection marked with two blue/white arrows on a post.
(0.14 km)
Int of Waterman walk and Katandra Rd track
to
Seymour Pond Picnic area Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 304 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -29 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper arrow down the hill, keeping the fence and house to the right. The track heads down the hill then steps down into a palm-filled valley. Here, the walk climbs some steps and passes the 'Commemorating 10 years of bushcaring in Katandra Reserve' plaque[1], then bends right and around a sharp left-hand bend and past the number '5' post (and old Wombat Hole). The track continues around the gully to cross a few small bridges and come to a picnic area and a 'Seymour Pond' sign.
Seymour Pond
Alt = 18 m
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[2]. The small creek was dammed in the early 1900's to provide water for a farm on the south side (growing vegetables)[3]. The pond is home to water birds, large lizards and other wildlife. The council does not allow swimming in the pond[4], helping to maintain the ecosystem that now relies on this pond. There are a few spots beside the pond where you can enjoy the cool climate and the visiting birds.
Seymour Pond Picnic Area
Alt = 18 m
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.
(0.45 km)
Seymour Pond Picnic area
to
Int of Waterman and Toomey walks Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 69 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -1 m
Veer right: From the picnic area, this walk heads across the dam wall, keeping the water on the left while passing the two picnic tables. The walk then crosses a timber bridge and comes to a signposted three-way intersection with 'Toomey' and 'Waterman' walks.
(0.51 km)
Int of Waterman and Toomey walks
to
Strangler Fig Tube Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 57 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Toomey Walk' sign along the boardwalk, away from the pond. Soon the walk follows the track along the gully then follows the timber steps as they bend right and head up to the number '4' post, next to the Strangler Fig tube. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Strangler Fig Tube
Alt = 23 m
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[5]. 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[6]. 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
(0.51 km)
Int of Waterman and Toomey walks
to
Waterman View Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 554 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -20 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Waterman Walk' sign past the blue striped post and across the bridge, keeping the pond to the left. The track winds through the bush, crossing a few smaller bridges with glimpse to the pond. After crossing a bigger bridge and gully, the track comes to a bench seat. Here, the track turns left and heads along the side of the gully, crossing a few more small bridges and then heading up some stairs. Soon, the track comes to a viewing platform (on the left) with some long bench seats and a good view across Seymour Pond.
Waterman View
Alt = 19 m
Waterman view (informally named) is a viewing point at the western end of Seymour Pond. The platform has a couple of long bench seats. A timber platform on the water's edge means that visitors can get right up near the water. Signs here remind visitors that swimming is not allowed. This is a great spot to enjoy the birds and other life around the pond.
(1.07 km)
Waterman View
to
Katandra Rd picnic area Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 554 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 44 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn right: From the pond viewing point, this walk follows the dirt track, keeping the pond on the left. The track skirts around the pond and soon comes to a 'Seymour Pond' sign and a couple of picnic tables. Veer right: 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[7], 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). 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.
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
Walk: Easy
500 meters
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)