List of Bushwalks in Somersby

This walk explores the eastern branch of the Girrakool Loop track. Starting from the car park, this walk first visits the Aboriginal Engraving site. Before reaching Broula Lookout, there is an optional side trip to a lovely section of Piles Creek. There is a second optional side trip, to Illoura Lookout, offering limited views down to Piles Creek waterfall. The walk concludes along the footpath, which returns to the Girrakool picnic area. The lookouts do not provide the most expansive views, but it is still a lovely walk. 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.

Highlights

Eastern Girrakool Loop

810 m circuit

20 min to 40 min

Eastern Girrakool Loop

Environment

This walk explores the western half of the Girrakool Loop track. From the picnic area, this walk heads down the footpath to Illoura Lookout, with views down over Piles Creek (there is an optional side trip to the top of the waterfall). The walk then has another optional trip to Bundilla Lookout, providing a distant but square view of Piles Creek falls. The walk continues around the loop, enjoying the wildflowers which are in bloom late winter and spring. Before looping back to the picnic area, there are two more lookouts with filtered views. 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.

Highlights

Western Girrakool Loop

1.1 km circuit

25 min to 30 min

Western Girrakool Loop

Environment

Starting at the well-established Girrakool picnic area, this walk visits four lookouts and an Aboriginal engravings site. The walk offers a couple of side trips, visiting some nice spots on Piles Creek. The views from each of the lookout are filtered through trees, but still worth the visit. The walk is especially nice in late winter and early spring, when the wildflowers are blooming. A good walk when picnicking at Girrakool. 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.

Highlights

Girrakool Loop Track

1.4 km circuit

30 min to 45 min

Environment

This walk from the Banksia picnic area, to the Strickland Falls, includes a fantastic variety of forest scenery. The falls themselves are often just a trickle, although the scenery in the area makes the walk well worthwhile. The cliff lines and boulders around the falls are interesting and there are pockets of rainforest in the shaded valleys, dominated by cabbage palm trees. 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.

Highlights

Strickland Falls

1.7 km return

40 min to 45 min

Environment

Strickland Falls Loop Trail

Strickland Falls Loop Trail

1.8 km circuit

50 min to 1 h

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.

Highlights

Environment

A beautiful walk from the Banksia picnic area. This walk starts in the dry eucalypt forest, typical of the hilltops in the area, and descends to areas of lush forest, filled with cabbage tree palms and ferns. Some interesting boulder outcrops and the great variety of vegetation just add to the scenery on this excellent walk. 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.

Highlights

Cabbage Tree Trail

1.8 km circuit

50 min to 1 h

Environment

An excellent walk, spending much of its time in the shaded, rainforest-filled valleys of the Strickland State Forest. From the dry eucalypt forest around the Banksia picnic area, the walk soon descends into moist forest, filled with ferns and cabbage tree palms. You could make this a return walk by retracing your steps, or make it a circuit walk by returning to the Banksia picnic area via the road. 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.

Highlights

Stoney Creek Trail

2.2 km oneway

50 min to 1 h

Environment

A very nice walk through a mixture of native (regrowth) forest and one of Australia's oldest arboretums. The arboretum has both native and exotic trees, with the plantings dating from 1887-1924. This walk takes you along some of the rainforest-clad creeks of Strickland State Forest, before crossing a small suspension bridge and looping through the arboretum with its stands of huge Hoop Pines, Bunya Pines and others. 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.

Highlights

Arboretum Loop Trail

2.3 km circuit

50 min to 1 h

Environment

Strickland Falls and Cabbage Tree Loop

Strickland Falls and Cabbage Tree Loop

3.1 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 3 h

This excellent loop walk combines the Strickland Falls and Cabbage Tree Loop walks. 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 way to see some 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.

Highlights

Environment

A great walk, passing through plenty of the Strickland rainforest, and among the tall tress of the arboretum. You are likely to have the sound of Bellbirds adding to the atmosphere along parts of this walk. There are a number of picturesque creek crossings along the way, one with a small suspension bridge. The Banksia picnic area is a very short deviation off the road if you want to make use of the facilities. 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.

Highlights

Bellbird Trail

3.4 km circuit

1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

Environment

Starting from the Girrakool picnic area, this walk takes you on a round trip through part of the stunning Brisbane Water National Park. The walk explores both sides of Piles Creek, rewarding you with its waterfall and lookouts. Girrakool picnic area also has barbeques and toilets. 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.

Highlights

Piles Creek Loop

4 km circuit

2 h to 4 h

Environment

Great North Walk: Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead

Great North Walk: Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead

5.7 km oneway

2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

5.7 km

Oneway

Starting with a walk through the streets of urban Somerbsy, you soon leave the farms and head into Palm Grove Nature Reserve. First you will follow the signposted track down the open dry ridge to the dense rainforest. In this valley you can explores the moist rainforest with towering Eucalypts, Strangler Fig trees, Cabbage Palms and a tangle of vines. From here walk up the rocky track to another dry ridge, where you can follow a side trip to a flat clearing and designated campsite. From near the campsite the track winds down through another moist forest and past more Cabbage Palms before coming to the signposted Ourimbah Valley Trackhead on Ourimbah Creek Road. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

Cafe

Environment

Great North Walk – Palm Grove Nature Reserve

Great North Walk – Palm Grove Nature Reserve

6.1 km return

2 h 30 min to 3 h 30 min

6.1 km

Return

This return walk in Palm Grove Nature Reserve is a part of the iconic Great North Walk. As you journey through the forest read the interpretative signs along the way to learn more about plants and animals of this nature reserve. 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.

Environment

2 h 30 min to 3 h 30 min

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. 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.

Highlights

Strickland Tour

8.2 km circuit

3 h to 3 h 30 min

Environment

Girrakool to Wondabyne Station

Girrakool to Wondabyne Station

9.3 km oneway

3 h 45 min to 4 h

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses some long rock flats and climbs to the top of Scopas Peak, providing views spanning right across the park. The walk then continues down to Wondabyne station, and provides an optional side trip to the Kariong Brook falls. 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.

Highlights

Environment

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

12 km oneway

5 h to 5 h 30 min

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds down alongside Piles creek, before climbing up through the Brisbane Waters National Park to Scopas peak, and then on to the lovely Kariong brook falls. The walk finishes at the Staples Lookout. This walk mostly follows a section of the Great North Walk. Depending what time you start, either Scopas Peak or Kariong Brook can make great lunch and rest stops. 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.

Highlights

Environment

Great North Walk: Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby

Great North Walk: Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby

17 km oneway

5 h 32 min to 8 h

This enjoyable walk starts from where the old Pacific Hwy where you walk along dirt roads and trails for while alongside the wide Mooney Mooney Creek, and under the huge F3 Mooney Mooney bridge. The wide track continues upstream, passing a few campsites before crossing the wide creek at a pleasant large rock platform. Not too long after crossing the creek you will pass the lower Mooney Mooney Dam where the old trail leads you uphill past another campsite, a quarry to the Somersby Reservoir. The track then leads past some rural properties and across the delightful Robinson Creek among the Gymea Lilies before finishing with a section of road walking to the Somersby Store. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Girrakool to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves

Girrakool to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves

17.8 km oneway

6 h 30 min to 7 h 30 min

17.8 km

Oneway

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, following Piles creek into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses over Scopas Peak and continues down to Pindar caves, passing the Pindar lookout and Pindar Pool on the way. From the caves the walk backtracks some distance, before winding down to the Wondabyne train station. 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.

Highlights

6 h 30 min to 7 h 30 min

Environment

Girrakool to Woy Woy station via Mt Wondabyne

Girrakool to Woy Woy station via Mt Wondabyne

20.3 km oneway

7 h 30 min to 8 h 30 min

20.3 km

Oneway

This long day-walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and works its way south, alongside Piles creek and through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs over Scopas Peak and passes the Kariong brook falls, before winding to the top of Mt Wondabyne and finishing at the Woy Woy train station, (passing the Woy Woy landfill site). If doing a car shuffle, you can park a car near the landfill and save the road section. 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.

Highlights

7 h 30 min to 8 h 30 min

Environment

This overnight walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. Much of this walk follows the Great North Walk, and it uses a campsite at the base of Mt Wondabyne. There are bus and ferry services from Patonga. Keep in mind that you can do this walk in one day as well. 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.

Highlights

Girrakool to Patonga

24.4 km oneway

10 h to 2 days

Environment

Wondabyne Station to Somersby Store

Wondabyne Station to Somersby Store

25.3 km oneway

8 h to 11 h

This walk, following a section of the Great North Walk, starts from the Wondabyne Train Station and winds north, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs all the way up to the top of Scopas Peak, and down to the Phill Haughton bridge, then follows the Mooney Mooney Creek north, winding through the bush to the Somersby general store. In Somersby you can use a public phone, enjoy a hot meal and pick up some basic supplies. 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.

Highlights

Environment

Starting with a steep climb from Wondabyne Train station you will explore a series of large rock platforms with wide views over the Brisbane Water National Park and visit Scopas Peak. When back in the valley you'll walk along the cool Mooney Mooney Creek before reaching Somersby. The rural area is soon left behind when you reach rainforest of the Palm Grove Nature Reserve where you can observe the Strangler Fig Trees, Cabbage Palms and Eucalyptus trees. You'll pass the rural area of Ourimbah Valley to get to the historic Bumble Hill Dray Track and finish the walk at Yarramalong. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Wondabyne to Yarramalong

50.8 km oneway

16 h to 2 days

Wondabyne to Yarramalong

Environment

Rural