Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Forest Road
Awabakal Country

4 h, 5 h to 2 days

11 km
oneway

↑ 454 m
↓ -148 m

Hard track
This pleasant walk explores the rural valleys and a beautiful section of Jilliby State Conservation Area. Starting at Ourimbah Valley Trackhead you walk into Hidden valley along the dirt road, to then follow a trail beside Ourimbah Creek to Stringy Bark Point. This is a pleasant mossy area with many ferns and near a wide sandy section of Ourimbah Creek. A bit further on you cross Ourimbah Creek then walk up the ridge to the dirt Tooheys Road. From here you walk along the little used dirt road to Forest Road, passing through the tall eucalypt forest and through the Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club area. A side trip at the end of this walk gives you the option of staying at Forest Park. Let us begin by acknowledging the Awabakal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Ourimbah Valley Trackhead sign on the north side of Palm Grove NR. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ourimbah Valley Trackhead sign on Ourimbah Creek Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Bridge on Ourimbah Creek Road Near Palm Grove NR. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along Ourimbah Creek Road beside Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Hidden valley ranch. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Crossing the Creek near at Wombats End. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Enjoying the open farm land along Ourimbah Creek Road beside Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
A horse at Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Horses at Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Hidden Valley. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Y-intersection and gate near Platapus Creek Ln. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the Ourimbah Creek Road Trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection at Forty Acers. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Cabage Palms on trail beside Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tall trees near Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ourimbah Creek beside the trail. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Formal Campsite near Sringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Forest at Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Campsite near bridge at Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Bridge over small creek at Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Fern tree and steep gully near Stringy Bark Point campsite. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the old trail west of Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Stone steps near the old trail west of Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing Ourimbah Creek west of Stringy Bark Point. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Dense forest north of Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Mossy rocks and tall forest north of or Ourimbah Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Livistona australis. | Photo by admin, 2010.
The wide track in the tall forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking up the side of the hill. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection with Tooheys Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along Tooheys Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tooheys Road winding through the tall eucalypt forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Passing the Archery Warning sign. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Archers Campsite. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Archers Club house. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tooheys Road near the Archery range. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Welcome to Jilliby SCA sign. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Intersection of Forest and Tooheys Rds . | Photo by admin, 2010.
Signposts at the intersection of Forest and Tooheys Rds . | Photo by admin, 2010.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.3174483,151.2999462)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Pacific Highway Offramp
  • Turn on to Pacific Highway then drive for 480 m
  • Turn right onto Ourimbah Creek Road and drive for another 9.4 km
Finish (-33.2509423,151.2694888)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car   (There is free parking available.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the 'Ourimbah Valley Trackhead' (on Ourimbah Creek Rd), this walk follows the 'Newcastle' sign downhill along the dirt road. The road soon leads down and across a flat timber vehicle bridge then the road mostly flattens out, winding among the rural properties for almost 300m to pass a 'Palm Grove Nature Reserve' sign and a few 'Hidden Valley' signs. The walk continues along the road for about 700m then comes to the intersection in front of the Hidden Valley property (on your left, not far before another road bridge). This walk continues straight, gently downhill along the wide dirt road to almost immediately pass 'Wombats End' (private road) then cross the flat timber road bridge. After about 400m, the road leads under some high tension power lines then after another 150m of winding past the rural properties, this walk passes a timber 'Hidden Valley' private property shelter and water tank (on your right). A further 100m along the road past this shelter, the walk veers left (ignoring 'Platypus Creek La') to come to a locked gate with a 'Road Closed' sign.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After 65 m pass the "Great North Walk" (on your left).
After another 560 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 450 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 500 m continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road.
After another 185 m (at the intersection of Platypus Creek Lane & Ourimbah Creek Road) continue straight, to head along Ourimbah Creek Road (a vehicle track).
After another 90 m head through/around the gate.
After another 750 m cross the ford.
After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Ourimbah Creek Road & Cedar Brush Walk) turn left, to head along Cedar Brush Walk (a walking track).
After another 1.9 km find the "Tooheys Road campsite" (8 m on your left).
Tooheys Road campsite
Tooheys Road campsite

This is a small camping area on the side of Tooheys Road, with room for a small number of tents but providing no facilities.
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This is a small camping area on the side of Tooheys Road, with room for a small number of tents but providing no facilities.

After another 630 m find the "Stringy Bark Point" (on your left).
Stringy Bark Point
Stringy Bark Point

This campsite is in a small clearing at Stringy Bark Point, just on the southern side of the bridge. This campsite provides room for a small campfire and a few tents. Water is usually available from the creek running by the campsite, please treat before drinking.
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This campsite is in a small clearing at Stringy Bark Point, just on the southern side of the bridge. This campsite provides room for a small campfire and a few tents. Water is usually available from the creek running by the campsite, please treat before drinking.

Then cross the ford.
After another 1.3 km (at the intersection of Tooheys Road & Cedar Brush Walk) veer left, to head along Tooheys Road (a vehicle track).
After another 2.3 km turn right, to head along Tooheys Road.
After another 490 m find the "Campsite" (60 m on your left).
Campsite
Campsite

A basic clearing for an overnight stay, providing room for a fire and small number of tents. There is no water at this campsite so you will need to carry sufficient.
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A basic clearing for an overnight stay, providing room for a fire and small number of tents. There is no water at this campsite so you will need to carry sufficient.

After another 85 m find the "Archers Campsite" (20 m on your left).
Archers Campsite
Archers Campsite

This informally named campsite is found in Jilliby State Conservation Area, and is used regularly by members of the Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club. This is a basic campsite with a water tank and shed used for hanging shower water bags. The large open camping area has a few existing fire scars and a few flat grassy areas. (There are other facilities 150m further north along the dirt trail at the club house.)
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This informally named campsite is found in Jilliby State Conservation Area, and is used regularly by members of the Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club. This is a basic campsite with a water tank and shed used for hanging shower water bags. The large open camping area has a few existing fire scars and a few flat grassy areas. (There are other facilities 150m further north along the dirt trail at the club house.)

Then find the "Archers Club House" (on your right).
Archers Club House
Archers Club House

The Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club house is found on the dirt Tooheys Road in Jilliby State Conservation Area. The club house is used irregularly on weekends, and these facilities should not be relied upon. The club house had some picnic tables under a large covered meeting area, a wood fired BBQ, toilet and water tank. A good place to stop and rest.
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The Tuggerah Lake Field Archers club house is found on the dirt Tooheys Road in Jilliby State Conservation Area. The club house is used irregularly on weekends, and these facilities should not be relied upon. The club house had some picnic tables under a large covered meeting area, a wood fired BBQ, toilet and water tank. A good place to stop and rest.

After another 175 m continue straight, to head along Tooheys Road.
After another 345 m continue straight, to head along Tooheys Road.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Forest Park Country Retreat. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 360 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Forest Park Country Retreat.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Forest Road & Tooheys Road Start heading along Forest Road (a residential road).
After another 570 m continue straight, to head along Forest Road.
After another 480 m come to the end.
About 135 m past the end is "Forest Park Country Retreat".
Forest Park Country Retreat
Forest Park Country Retreat

Forest Park is lovely retreat on Forest Road, a short detour from the Great North Walk. The well presented two bedroom home is set on a large rural block with no visible neighbors. With your exclusive use, you can enjoy such luxuries as a spa bath, a well equipped kitchen, air conditioning, TV and DVD player and a gas log fireplace. Mid-week, a single night is $250 - on weekends, there is two night minimum stay. Price includes breakfast and for an extra $20 a head, your hosts can provide a hamper for dinner. The retreat is signposted and found at 252 Forest Road, Kulnura PH (02) 4376 1340.
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Forest Park is lovely retreat on Forest Road, a short detour from the Great North Walk. The well presented two bedroom home is set on a large rural block with no visible neighbors. With your exclusive use, you can enjoy such luxuries as a spa bath, a well equipped kitchen, air conditioning, TV and DVD player and a gas log fireplace. Mid-week, a single night is $250 - on weekends, there is two night minimum stay. Price includes breakfast and for an extra $20 a head, your hosts can provide a hamper for dinner. The retreat is signposted and found at 252 Forest Road, Kulnura PH (02) 4376 1340.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1 km to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Forest Road


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 11 km
Time 4 h, 5 h to 2 days
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Accommodation: There is one 11 km (plus an extra 1.5 km along side route) from the start.

Campsite: There are 4 on route, on average they are 2.2 km apart with the largest gap of 5.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Campsite
5.6 kmTooheys Road campsite
Campsite
6.3 kmStringy Bark Point
Campsite
10.1 kmCampsite
Campsite
10.1 kmArchers Campsite
Accommodation
11 km + 1.5 kmForest Park Country Retreat
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