Pretty well the grand tour of the Rumbalara Reserve, this walk takes in much of the great scenery the reserve has to offer. The walk covers both the lower and upper sections of the reserve and passes through the great variety of forest on show. The walk also passes three of the four bronze sculptures in the reserve. Yaruga picnic area would be a great spot to stop for lunch with it's facilities and excellent views.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Rumbalara Explorer bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rumbalara Explorer 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
6km
Time
2 hrs 45 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
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
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
2.9km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.5km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 640m is very steep and the remaining 120m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
3.6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.5km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (80m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 4.4km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.7km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.1km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 160m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 3.1km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Catch the bus to Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre car park
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
(0 km)
Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre car park
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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' [2]. 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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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.[3]
(0.72 km)
Southern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk
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Top of staircase on Rainforest walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 401 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -37 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Henry Parry Drive' arrow (Rainforest Track) down the steps and along the bush track. The track immediately bends to the right, passing a couple of old picnic tables, to the left. The track then enters a forest filled with a jumble of vines and ferns, meandering for a while before crossing a small metal bridge, and continuing until reaching an intersection at the top of a metal staircase, signposted 'Rainforest Track'.
(1.12 km)
Top of staircase on Rainforest walk
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Henry Parry Dr trackhead Track: Moderate - footpath,servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 383 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -20 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Henry Parry Drive' arrow down the metal staircase, arriving at the end of a management trail at the bottom of the stairs. Continue straight: From the bottom of the metal staircase, this walk follows the management trail away from the stairs. The trail soon bends to the right and continues for a short distance before passing a plaque marking the handing over of Cappers Gully Reserve, set in a stone, to the left. The trail continues a little further to an intersection just before the gate at the back of the 2GO radio station car park. The intersection is marked with a pair of track arrows on a wooden post. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, immediately crossing the small gully, leaving the nearby gate and car park behind on the right. The track soon bends to the right, at a track marker post, and continues, keeping the houses to the left, until reaching the trackhead at the intersection of Frederick St and Henry Parry Dr, Gosford, marked with a track information board and a 'Rainforest Track' signpost pointing back to 'Cappers Gully'.
(1.51 km)
Henry Parry Dr trackhead
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Northern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk Track: Moderate - road,servicetrail
Length = 853 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 52 m
Descent = -19 m
Turn left: From the trackhead at the intersection of Frederick St and Henry Parry Dr, Gosford, this walk follows Henry Parry Dr up the hill, leaving the information board behind on the left. The walk turns left into White St and continues to the 'Rumbalara Reserve' signpost beside the gate at the end of the street. Continue straight: From the end of White St, this walk passes the 'Rumbalara Reserve' signpost, goes around the gate, and follows the 'Cappers Gully' arrow along the management trail. The trail meanders along the hillside for some time. At one point, there are some long thin stone slabs forming a retaining wall, on the right. The trail eventually reaches an intersection, signposted 'Cappers Gully'.
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.[4]
(2.36 km)
Northern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk
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Southern Int of Rainforest walk and Bayview firetrail Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 252 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 53 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn right: 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'.
(2.61 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'[5]. There are 17 species of Casuarina 'native to Australasia, southeastern Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean'[6]. More info
(3.05 km)
Int of Rainforest walk and Casuarina walk
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Sculpture of Charles Sturt 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.
(3.08 km)
Sculpture of Charles Sturt
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Int of Casuarina walk and Flannel Flower walk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 142 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the sculpture, this walk follows the management trail, keeping the views of Gosford to the left, and leaving Charles Sturt behind on the right. The walk continues along the trail to an intersection with a paved track, signposted 'Casuarina Track'.
(3.22 km)
Int of Casuarina walk and Flannel Flower walk
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Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 748 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 61 m
Descent = -30 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail up the hill leaving the paved 'Casuarina Track' behind on the left. After a very short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection with a bush track, signposted 'Flannel Flower Track'. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Yaruga Picnic Area' arrow along the bush track, going gently down the hill. The walk meanders along the side of the hill for some time, passing occasional sandstone steps before continuing past an intersection with a bush track (on the left, uphill), and another soon after (on the right, downhill). The walk continues for some distance, climbing gently with numerous steps, before arriving beside the toilet block at Yaruga Picnic Area. The walk turns right and follows the paved path past the information board, then goes across the picnic area, following the 'Lookout' arrow to the electric BBQs.
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.
(3.97 km)
Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs
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Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk Track: Moderate - road,bushtrack
Length = 120 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -8 m
Turn left: 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). 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.
(4.09 km)
Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk
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Int of Flannel Flower walk and Jarret St fire trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 343 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -22 m
Turn left: 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).
Flannel Flower
Alt = 127 m
Actinotus helianthi, popularly known as the Sydney flannel flower, is frequently spotted by spring-time bushwalkers in the Sydney region. Generally growing up to 50 cm, the stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like flannel in texture). More info
(4.44 km)
Int of Flannel Flower walk and Jarret St fire trail
to
Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 221 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -7 m
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'.
(4.66 km)
Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks
to
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith sculpture Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 253 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn right: From the track junction, this walk follows the 'Nurrunga Picnic Area' arrow (Ironbark Loop sign) along the bush track, leaving the nearby car park to the right. The walk almost immediately crosses the road, arriving at an 'Ironbark Loop' sign. Continue straight: From the 'Ironbark Loop' sign, this walk follows the 'Nurrunga Picnic Area' arrow along the management trail, away from the road. After a short distance, the walk passes a toilet block, to the left, and continues a little further to an 'Ironbark Loop' sign pointing back 'To Casuarina Track', on the northern edge of the picnic area. Continue straight: From this 'Ironbark Loop' sign, the walk goes along the edge of the picnic area, keeping the picnic area to the left, and soon arrives at the sculpture of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.
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.'[7] 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.'[8]. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area. More info
(4.91 km)
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith sculpture
to
Matthew Flinders sculpture Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 39 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn left: From the sculpture, this walk goes across the end of the picnic area, behind Sir Charles' back. The walk passes a picnic table, to the right, then follows a bush track for a short distance, arriving at an intersection, signposted 'Ironbark Loop', beside a sculpture of Matthew Flinders.
(4.95 km)
Matthew Flinders sculpture
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Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 183 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'To Casuarina Track' arrow along the bush track, keeping the views of Gosford to the right. After a short distance, the walk arrives at a track junction with signposts for the 'Casuarina Track' and the 'Ironbark Loop'. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'To Flannel Flower Track' arrow (Ironbark Loop sign), along the bush track, keeping the views of Gosford to the right. After a short distance, the walk arrives at a track junction with signposts for the 'Ironbark Loop', the 'Casuarina Track' and the 'Flannel Flower Track'.
(5.13 km)
Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks
to
Ouraka Point Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail,servicetrail,servicetrail
Length = 571 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -39 m
Turn right: 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. 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'. 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.
(5.7 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 8 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
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)