A great walk with some spectacular views and nice forest scenery in the Rumbalara Reserve, near Gosford. The tracks are well formed and signposted, and there are plenty of facilities in the reserve, including free electric BBQs. This walk is very accessible from Gosford and a great way to enjoy some of the wonderful scenery and views of the area. Note that the entrance gate on Dolly Ave, for the upper section of Rumbalara, is locked at 8pm each evening. 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.
Views from Yaruga picnic area lookout. | Photo by admin, 2009.Free electric BBQs. | Photo by admin, 2009.Near Yaruga picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Well formed track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Through the trees. | Photo by admin, 2009.Grasstree by the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Hillside walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.Nice walking. | Photo by admin, 2009.Steps where needed. | Photo by admin, 2009.Old management trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.Views over Gosford. | Photo by admin, 2009.Sandstone steps. | Photo by admin, 2009.Great walking scenery. | Photo by admin, 2009.Powerlines overhead. | Photo by admin, 2009.Drier forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.Easy walking. | Photo by admin, 2009.Boulders. | Photo by admin, 2009.Near the road. | Photo by admin, 2009.A bit of road walking. | Photo by admin, 2009.Yaruga picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Big views. | 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.
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Wells Street and drive for another 700 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Wells Street and drive for another 810 m
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Springfield Road and drive for another 260 m
Turn left onto Dolly Avenue and drive for another 345 m
Continue onto Dolly Avenue and drive for another 1.4 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the BBQs, this walk goes across the picnic area, keeping the road to the right. The walk passes the information board, to the left, and follows the paved path toward the nearby toilet block. The walk turns left just before the toilet block and follows the 'Nurrunga Picnic Area' arrow down the paved steps and along the bush track. The walk descends gently for a while with numerous sandstone steps, then meanders around the side of the hill, for some distance. Ignoring a bush track, to the left, and another soon after, to the right, the walk continues for some distance until reaching an intersection with a management trail, with a 'Flannel Flower Track' signpost pointing back to the 'Yaruga Picnic Area'.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Yaruga Picnic Area (about 70 m back from the start).
Yaruga Picnic Area
Yaruga Picnic Area
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.
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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.
Yaruga Lookout (about 40 m back from the start).
Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna (about 20 m back from the start).
Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna
Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna
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.
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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.
After another 35 m pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
After another 210 m (Very Steep Rocky path) continue straight, to head along Flannel Flower walk.
After another 410 m turn left.
After another 120 m find the "Flannel Flower" (10 m on your right).
Flannel Flower
Flannel Flower
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).
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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).
Turn right.
After another 25 m pass the "Statue" (140 m on your left).
After another 170 m turn right.
After another 45 m pass the toilet (140 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 25 m find the "Rumbalara Reserve" (7 m on your right).
Rumbalara Reserve
Rumbalara Reserve
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. 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.
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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. 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.
After another 140 m veer right, to head along Fire Trail.
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Fire Trail.
After another 240 m turn right.
After another 40 m turn right, to head along Rumbalara Lookout Road.
After another 85 m turn left.
After another 30 m come to the end.
About 10 m past the end is a car park.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Flannel Flower Track
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
1.6 km
Time
40 min to 45 min
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)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 540 m apart with the largest gap of 880 m.
Bushwalk
40 min to 45 min
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 540 m apart with the largest gap of 880 m.
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Yaruga Picnic Area (about 70 m back from the start).
Yaruga Lookout (about 40 m back from the start).
After another 25 m pass the "Statue" (140 m on your left).
About 10 m past the end is a car park.