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 little easier. This is a great walk to see some of the excellent scenery in Rumbalara. A very short, optional sidetrip takes you to a sculpture of Charles Sturt, adding some more variety to the walk. The easy access from Gosford train station also makes it a great walk for those using public transport.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Ouraka Point loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Ouraka Point loop 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
2.1km
Time
1 hr 15 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
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
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
810m of this walk has short steep hills and another 640m is very steep. Whilst another 600m has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 50m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
1.4km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 640m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (80m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 1.7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 450m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 1.8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 250m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 2.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 680m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Catch the bus to Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre car park
(0 km)
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre car park
to
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre trackhead Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 39 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
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
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' [1]. 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
(0.04 km)
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre trackhead
to
Int of Casuarina track and JWD link trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 135 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = -1 m
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'.
(0.17 km)
Int of Casuarina track and JWD link trail
to
Int of Casuarina track and Casuarina link trail Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 55 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = 0 m
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'.
(0.23 km)
Int of Casuarina track and Casuarina link trail
to
Car park at int of White St firetrail and John Whiteway Dr Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 57 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -4 m
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.
(0.29 km)
Car park at int of White St firetrail and John Whiteway Dr
to
Southern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 436 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -34 m
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.
Cappers Gully quarry
Alt = 38 m
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.[2]
(0.72 km)
Southern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk
to
Southern Int of Rainforest walk and Bayview firetrail Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 298 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 54 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail in the opposite direction to the 'Interpretive Centre' arrow, keeping the fenced area to the right. After a very short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection, signposted 'Cappers Gully'. Veer left: 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'.
(1.02 km)
Southern Int of Rainforest walk and Bayview firetrail
to
Int of Rainforest walk and Casuarina walk Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 438 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 41 m
Descent = -13 m
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
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'[3]. There are 17 species of Casuarina 'native to Australasia, southeastern Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean'[4]. More info
(1.46 km)
Int of Rainforest walk and Casuarina walk
to
Sculpture of Charles Sturt Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 33 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = 0 m
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. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Sculptures in Rumbalara
Alt = 139 m
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.'[5] 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.'[6]. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area. More info
(1.46 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
Turn left: 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.
(1.68 km)
Ouraka Point
to
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre car park Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail,footpath,servicetrail,bushtrack,footpath
Length = 424 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -68 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'. 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.
Catch the bus from Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre 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.
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
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 :)