A grand tour of the Strickland State Forest. This great walk covers most of the established walking tracks in Strickland and enjoys much of the excellent scenery available in the area. Plenty of time is spent in the lush green, rainforest-filled valleys, and there is some really nice boulder and cliff scenery along the way. A loop through the old arboretum adds further interest to the walk.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Strickland Tour bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Strickland Tour 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 30 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
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
7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 460m is flat with no steps. The remaining (340m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
Around 6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 2.3km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 8km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 4.2km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.8km 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 2.3km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 270m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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The Strickland State Forest, managed by State Forests of NSW, is located on the NSW Central Coast, close to the F3. The Strickland State Forest has a wide range of vegetation, including patches of rainforest along the sheltered creeks. The walking tracks take in some beautiful scenery, including a mixture of native forest and the remnants of an old arboretum. 'Strickland is no longer actively harvested and is managed for education and recreation purposes'. [1] The 'Friends of Strickland' [2] undertake projects including the construction of walking tracks. Note: Access into Strickland is during the daytime only with the entrance gate being unlocked between 7am and 5pm (Apr - Oct) and between 7am and 7pm (Nov - Mar) [3]More info
(0 km)
Banksia car park
to
Banksia picnic area Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 48 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the car park (near the end of Strickland Rd in the Strickland State Forest), this walk passes around the gate and goes across the picnic area to the track intersection at the opposite end. There is a track signpost ('Strickland Falls Loop Trail') a little to the left.
Banksia Picnic Area
Alt = 151 m
This picnic area is in the Strickland State Forest, on the NSW Central Coast. The facilities include picnic tables, pit toilets, BBQ fire places, garbage bins and tank water. A few bush walking tracks start from the picnic area.
(0.05 km)
Banksia picnic area
to
Int of Cabbage Tree and Stoney Creek trails Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.12 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 31 m
Descent = -106 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Cabbage Tree Walk Trail' arrow along the bush track, leaving the 'Gosford Lookout' sign behind, to the right. The walk initially passes through relatively dry forest, with signs naming some of the trees, before descending through moist forest, filled with cabbage palms. After a while the track reaches the intersection signposted 'Stoney Creek Trail'.[4]
Cabbage-Tree Palm
Alt = 93 m
The Cabbage-Tree Palm (Livistona australis) is a tall, slender palm growing up to about 25 m in height and 0.35 m diameter. It is found in moist open forest, often in swampy sites and on margins of rainforests or near the sea. It is widely spread along the New South Wales coast and extends north into Queensland and southwards to eastern Victoria, growing further south than any other native Australian palm. [5]More info
(1.17 km)
Int of Cabbage Tree and Stoney Creek trails
to
Int of Stoney Creek and Bellbird trails Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 924 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -73 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Stoney Creek Trail' arrow along the bush track, going down the hill. The track descends gently through forest filled with ferns and cabbage palms, before passing a 'Rainforests and Preservation' information sign, and arriving at an intersection with a management trail, beside Stoney [6] Creek.[7]
(2.09 km)
Int of Stoney Creek and Bellbird trails
to
Arboretum junction Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 450 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the creek and follows the 'Arboretum Loop Trail' arrow along the old management trail. The trail meanders through shaded forest, filled with cabbage palms, for some time before reaching a signposted intersection with a bush track.
(2.54 km)
Arboretum junction
to
North int of Arboretum Loop and Bellbird trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 230 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -11 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Arboretum Trail' arrow down the timber steps and along the overgrown management trail. After a short distance, the walk crosses a suspension bridge over Narara Creek, bends to the left and almost immediately reaches an unmarked intersection with a narrow bush track, to the right. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the old management trail away from the suspension bridge. The walk soon arrives at the intersection signposted 'Arboretum Loop Trail'.[8]
Strickland State Forest Arboretum
Alt = 9 m
This arboretum is apparently one of the oldest in Australia, with plantings dating from 1887-1924[9]. Numerous signs have been placed along the walking tracks to identify some of the species of trees. There are very tall, and impressive, examples of Hoop Pine, Bunya Pine, Tallow Wood and Red Cedar. More info
(2.77 km)
North int of Arboretum Loop and Bellbird trail
to
Bunya pine grove Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 425 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -2 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Arboretum Loop Trail' arrow along the bush track, away from the old management trail. The walk passes through moist forest, filled with cabbage palms, with the creek visible to the left. The walk crosses over a number of fallen tree trunks with steps cut into them. There are small signs in places identifying some of the trees. After a while the walk passes a track marker arrow, where a large fallen tree trunk spans the creek, to the left. The walk then passes a 'Forest Arboretum' information board and continues, passing a metal box on a post (marked 'Water Research'), and following several track arrows to reach an intersection with a management trail (with a gate visible to the left). There is a grove of tall 'Bunya Pine' trees beside this intersection.[10]
(3.2 km)
Bunya pine grove
to
Bellbird Narara crossing Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 996 m
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 44 m
Descent = -30 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the old management trail away from the nearby gate, going gently up the hill. After a short distance the walk arrives at an intersection with a bush track, signposted 'Bellbird Trail'.[11] Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Bellbird Trail' arrow along the bush track, going up the hill. There are some track markers on short brown posts in this area, although they are often obscured in the undergrowth. The narrow, and sometimes faint, bush track goes through vine filled forest for a short distance to a 'T' intersection marked with a number of arrows.[12] Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track, in the opposite direction to the arrow on the tree, following the short brown arrow post. The walk follows the narrow bush track for some time through beautiful forest, filled with cabbage palms, ferns and vines. Narara Creek is often visible just to the right. After a while, the walk arrives at some concreted steps just before crossing Narara Creek.[13]
Bellbirds
Alt = 24 m
The Bellbird (more properly known as the Bell Miner) is a member of the Honeyeater family. These birds live and breed in large colonies, aggressively defending their territory. More often heard than seen, their call is described as a "Sweet, musical, bell-like 'tink'"[14]. They are 'mostly olive-green, with a short, down-curved, bright yellow bill, a red-orange bare eye patch and orange-yellow feet and legs'[15]. More info
Bellbird Trail Narara crossing
Alt = 25 m
This picturesque crossing of Narara Creek is on the 'Bellbird Trail' in the Strickland State Forest. It is a great spot to break for a rest, or lunch, on your walk. There are no facilities, however, there are some steps and rocks to sit on while you soak up the scenery.
(4.19 km)
Bellbird Narara crossing
to
Int of Cabbage Tree and Strickland Falls trails Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.34 km
Time = 52 mins
Climb = 162 m
Descent = -62 m
Continue straight: From the concreted steps, the walk crosses Narara Creek and follows the bush track, which immediately bends to the right, following the creek downstream. The walk passes signs naming some of the trees and meanders through the beautiful forest for some time before reaching an intersection signposted 'Return To Carpark'.[16] Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Return To Carpark' arrow along the old management trail, going up the hill. The trail meanders through shaded forest, filled with cabbage palms, for some time before crossing Stoney Creek to an intersection signposted 'Stoney Creek Walk Trail'. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Stoney Creek Walk Trail' arrow along the bush track, keeping the creek to the left. The walk passes a 'Rainforests and Preservation' information sign, then gently climbs through forest filled with ferns and cabbage palms for some time before reaching the intersection, signposted 'Stoney Creek Trail'. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Cabbage Tree Trail' arrow along the bush track, going up the hill. This section of the walk passes through forest filled with cabbage palms and ferns. The walk also passes some interesting boulders, before reaching an intersection, signposted 'Strickland Falls Trail'.[17]
(6.53 km)
Int of Cabbage Tree and Strickland Falls trails
to
Strickland Falls Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 698 m
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 82 m
Descent = -70 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Strickland Falls Trail' arrow along the bush track, keeping the valley to the left. The track meanders through some beautiful scenery with ferns, cabbage palms and boulders. A cliff line is often visible through the trees to the right. After a while, the walk crosses a gully below some imposing cliffs and continues further before reaching the signposted 'Strickland Falls'.
Strickland Falls
Alt = 139 m
Strickland Falls are a short walk from the Banksia Picnic Area in the Strickland State Forest, Central Coast, NSW. The falls are often just a trickle, but will be more impressive after good rain. The scenery around the falls is still beautiful with moist rainforest scenery to enjoy.
(7.23 km)
Strickland Falls
to
Int of Strickland Falls trail and Strickland Rd Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 739 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 49 m
Descent = -35 m
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Banksia Picnic Area' arrow along the bush track, going up the steps. The walk climbs up through a series of boulders, with some nice overhangs along the way. The vegetation becomes much drier as the walk climbs out of the valley. After a while the track comes to an intersection with the road, signposted 'Strickland Falls'.
(7.97 km)
Int of Strickland Falls trail and Strickland Rd
to
Banksia car park Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 93 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the road to the gate in the car park , just before the picnic area.
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.
Strickland State Forest Strickland State Forest is a small pocket of bushland east of the freeway near the Somersby interchange, on the NSW Central Coast. The well signposted entrance from Mangrove Rd has a gate that is unlocked at 7am and is re-locked at 5pm (7pm Nov-March) every day. The forest has a picnic area with wood-fired BBQs and some good walking tracks. The forest is classified as a Flora Reserve and boasts a wonderful transition from dry to wet sclerophyll and then to rainforest as you move deeper into the valleys. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
I haven't been at Strickland for many years (although I live close by). It was all looking good and an enjoyable walk - even on a hot day as it's under the canopy all the way.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)