Karawatha Forest Circuit

2 h 30 min to 4 h

1 h to 1 h 45 min

9.7 km
circuit

↑ 94 m
↓ -94 m

Easy track
Starting from Illaweena Street, Drewvale, this walk takes you on a circuit in the serene Karawatha Forest, crossing a lagoon and a creek along the way. This peaceful piece of bushland and wetland is home to 100+ bird species. Other than birds, you may run into koalas, kangaroos and lace monitors(reptiles). If lucky, you can even spot a greater glider or a green-thighed frog. There is an extensive web of well signposted tracks in the forest which you can choose from, and most of them provide a decent amount of shade. Keep an ear out for mountain bikers. Come early to avoid the crowd and minimize the car noise coming from the road. Dogs are allowed on leash. 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.
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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 (-27.6418589,153.0701258)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Gateway Motorway, M2
  • Turn on to Gateway Motorway then drive for 1.5 km
  • Keep left and drive for another 600 m
  • Keep left and drive for another 630 m
  • Turn right onto Illaweena Street and drive for another 1.2 km
  • Turn right and drive for another 50 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the Stretton Recreation Reserve Car Park off Illaweena Street, head towards the yellow-gray metal gate along the fenceline, with a green directional sign post behind it. Head over/around the gate and turn right following the “Wild May Trail” signage. After aligning with the road(to your right) for a short time, turn left and stay on the track, moving directly away from the road. Follow the said trak as it meanders along the lagoon/wetland to continue along Karawatha Forest Circuit(counterclockwise).....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 10 m turn right, to head along Wild May Trail.
After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Signata Trail & Wild May Trail) continue straight, to head along Signata Trail.
After another 50 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Signata Trail & Hakea Trail) turn left, to head along Hakea Trail.
After another 280 m continue straight, to head along Hakea Trail.
After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Hakea Trail.
Keep right.
After another 150 m continue straight, to head along Hakea Trail.
After another 65 m continue straight, to head along Hakea Trail.
After another 220 m continue straight, to head along Hakea Trail.
After another 155 m continue straight, to head along Hakea Trail.
After another 45 m (at the intersection of Maculata Trail & Hakea Trail) turn right, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 140 m continue straight, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 100 m veer right, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 250 m continue straight, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 205 m veer right, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 165 m continue straight, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 100 m continue straight, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 195 m (at the intersection of Maculata Trail & Racemosa Trail) continue straight, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 240 m (at the intersection of Maculata Trail & Wallum Trail) turn left, to head along Wallum Trail (a walking track).
After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Wallum Trail.
The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Beech Avenue, Karawatha. Details below.
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Wallum Trail.
After another 180 m continue straight, to head along Wallum Trail.
After another 370 m continue straight, to head along Wallum Trail.
After another 345 m (at the intersection of Wallum Trail & Banksia Trail) turn right, to head along Wallum Trail.
After another 30 m cross the bridge (about 60 m long)
After another 85 m continue straight, to head along Wallum Trail.
After another 185 m continue straight, to head along Wallum Trail.
Keep left.
After another 410 m (at the intersection of Wallum Trail & Dentata Trail) continue straight, to head along Dentata Trail.
After another 280 m continue straight, to head along Dentata Trail.
After another 200 m (at the intersection of Wallaby Track & Dentata Trail) continue straight, to head along Wallaby Track (a vehicle track).
After another 340 m continue straight, to head along Wallaby Track.
After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Wallaby Track.
After another 130 m (at the intersection of Wallaby Track & Dianella Track) turn sharp left, to head along Dianella Track (a walking track).
After another 255 m (at the intersection of Dianella Track & Tonka) continue straight, to head along Dianella Track.
After another 40 m veer right, to head along Dianella Track.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Rusty Sattelites & Dianella Track) continue straight, to head along Dianella Track.
After another 670 m (at the intersection of Dianella Track & Banksia Trail) turn left, to head along Banksia Trail.
After another 250 m continue straight, to head along Banksia Trail.
After another 40 m turn left.
After another 135 m veer left, to head along Banksia Trail.
After another 115 m continue straight, to head along Banksia Trail.
After another 215 m turn sharp right.
After another 40 m turn left.
After another 105 m pass a "Poets Rock" (65 m on your left)., has no backrest.
Turn right.
After another 90 m turn right, to head along Maculata Trail.
After another 770 m veer left.
After another 205 m turn right.
After another 25 m turn left, to head along Casuarina Track.
After another 195 m continue straight, to head along Casuarina Track.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Malaleuca Circuit & Casuarina Track) continue straight, to head along Casuarina Track.
After another 25 m cross the bridge (about 40 m long)
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 65 m come to a water tap.
After another 10 m come to the end.

An alternate access point from/to Beech Avenue, Karawatha.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 90 m continue straight.
After another 110 m continue straight.
After another 10 m come to a gate.
The end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Karawatha Forest Circuit


Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length 9.7 km
Time 2 h 30 min to 4 h
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (2/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route
Seat: There is one 8.2 km from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Seat
8.2 kmPoets Rock
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| Karawatha Forest Track Map
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Weather & Alerts
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