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 surrounds. Note that the entrance gate on Dolly Ave, for the upper section of Rumbalara, is locked at 8pm each evening.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Red Gum Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Red Gum 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
1.4km
Time
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 1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 420m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
Around 760m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 660m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 720m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 700m has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 720m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 700m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 120m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Drive to Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk. Plan your trip from --> Sorry there are no driving directions, but you can see the start of this walk on this map
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[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
Yaruga Picnic Area
Alt = 153 m
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.
(0 km)
Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs
to
Western int of Red Gum walk and Dolly Ave Track: Moderate - road
Length = 58 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -3 m
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).
(0.06 km)
Western int of Red Gum walk and Dolly Ave
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Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 62 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -5 m
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.
Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna
Alt = 157 m
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.[2]
(0.12 km)
Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk
to
Wannagan Lookout Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 417 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -51 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track down the steps, leaving the nearby water reservoir to the right. The track soon bends to the left at a rock outcrop, and winds down the hill for a while with plenty of steps. The walk levels out and meanders for a while, with occasional steps, to an intersection with a faint track, going down the hill to the left (just before the main track bends to the right and goes uphill a little). Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track as it goes gently up the hill, immediately bending to the right. The walk meanders through some good scenery for a short distance before reaching the fenced Wannagan Lookout[3], with great views to the north.
Wannagan Lookout
Alt = 133 m
The fenced Wannagan Lookout[4], 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.
(0.54 km)
Wannagan Lookout
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Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 285 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track a very short distance up the hill, away from the lookout, then turns left (ignoring the track to the right which goes a short distance up the hill to the road). The walk meanders along the side of the hill for some distance, keeping the valley to the left, going up and down occasional steps before reaching an intersection with a management trail.
(0.82 km)
Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk
to
Sculpture of Edward John Eyre Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 145 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -2 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail away from the nearby gate (beside the road). The trail almost immediately bends to the right then meanders for a short distance to the sculpture of Edward John Eyre, on 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
(0.82 km)
Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk
to
Int of Mouat Walk and Dolly Ave Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 34 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently up the hill towards the gate. The walk passes around the gate to the intersection with Dolly Ave, with a 'Mouat Walk' signpost pointing back to the 'Statue of Edward John Eyre 50 metres'.
(0.86 km)
Int of Mouat Walk and Dolly Ave
to
Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs Track: Moderate - road
Length = 563 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 34 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the road gently up the hill, leaving the signposted 'Mouat Walk' behind on the right. After a short distance, the walk passes a small parking area and fenced lookout point, on the left, and continues along the road for some distance, passing a large water reservoir tank, to the right. A little further on the walk reaches an intersection with a bush track, to the right, marked by a low boulder (within sight of the sandstone walled Yaruga picnic area). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the road gently up the hill towards the sandstone walls of the nearby Yaruga picnic area. The walk climbs the first set of steps on the left, near the 'Yaruga Picnic Area' signpost, and goes across the picnic area to the nearby electric BBQs.
Drive from Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk. Plan your trip to --> Sorry there are no driving directions, but you can see the end of this walk on this map
Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Driving Directions
To the start of the walk
Since this walk starts on a low grade road
Google can't give you a route plan to the start.
View the location on a road map here --> See the start of the walk on a map
From the end of the walk
Since this walk ends on a low grade road
Google can't give you a route plan from the end.
View the location on a road map here --> See the end of the walk on a map
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
1 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)