A loop walk with plenty of excellent scenery. The walk starts in the dry eucalypt forest around the Banksia Picnic Area and soon descends into lush green rainforest remnants, filled with ferns and cabbage tree palms. The walk includes some great scenery along the base of the cliff line and around the falls, although the falls themselves are often just a trickle. A great walk to experience a slice of the beautiful scenery of the Strickland State Forest. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darkinjung & Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Banksia picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Views toward Gosford. | Photo by admin, 2009.Timber steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.Cut steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.Around the boulders. | Photo by admin, 2009.Palm fronds. | Photo by admin, 2009.Great boulder scenery. | Photo by admin, 2009.Cabbage tree palms. | Photo by admin, 2009.Along the base of the cliff line. | Photo by admin, 2009.Looking up at the cliffs. | Photo by admin, 2009.Steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.Impressive overhang. | Photo by admin, 2009.Lush forest near Strickland Falls. | Photo by admin, 2009.Beneath Strickland Falls. | Photo by admin, 2009.Strickland Falls. | Photo by admin, 2009.View above the canopy. | Photo by admin, 2009.Along the cliffline. | Photo by admin, 2009.Grasstrees by the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Greenery. | Photo by admin, 2009.Rock caves. | Photo by admin, 2009.Twisted trees. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn right onto Dog Trap Road and drive for another 5 km
Turn right onto Mangrove Road and drive for another 240 m
Turn right onto Strickland Forest Road and drive for another 1.4 km
Keep right and drive for another 205 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started 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.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 15 m pass the sign (10 m on your right).
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Strickland Falls Trail & Cabbage Tree Trail) turn right, to head along Strickland Falls Trail.
Then find the "Banksia Picnic Area" (8 m on your right).
Banksia Picnic Area
Banksia Picnic Area
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.
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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.
After another 35 m come to the "Gosford Lookout".
After another 145 m (at the intersection of Strickland Falls Trail & Cabbage Tree Trail) veer right, to head along Strickland Falls Trail.
After another 690 m turn sharp right, to head along Strickland Falls Trail.
After another 35 m find the "Strickland Falls" (20 m on your left).
Strickland Falls
Strickland Falls
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.
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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.
After another 760 m pass the shelter (20 m on your left).
After another 25 m pass the car park (30 m on your left).
Turn right.
After another 65 m continue straight.
About 20 m past the end is a toilet. This toilet is wheelchair accessible.
The end.
About 15 m past the end is "Strickland State Forest".
Strickland State Forest
Strickland State Forest
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'. The 'Friends of Strickland' 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)
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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'. The 'Friends of Strickland' 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)
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Strickland Falls Loop Trail
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
1.8 km
Time
50 min to 1 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Bushwalk
50 min to 1 h
Shelter: There is one 1.7 km from the start.
Toilet: There is one 1.9 km from the start.
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Find the car park at the start.
After another 15 m pass the sign (10 m on your right).
Then find the "Banksia Picnic Area" (8 m on your right).
After another 35 m come to the "Gosford Lookout".
After another 35 m find the "Strickland Falls" (20 m on your left).
About 15 m past the end is "Strickland State Forest".
