Strickland Tour

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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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.3732941,151.3225838)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Peats Ridge Road Offramp then drive for 3 km Keep left onto Wisemans Ferry Road Offramp and drive for another 190 m Keep right onto Wisemans Ferry Road Offramp and drive for another 30 m Turn right onto Wisemans Ferry Road and drive for another 800 m 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

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. Then to find the car park. After 35 m pass the sign (10 m on your right).
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of Strickland Falls Trail & Cabbage Tree Trail) continue straight, to head along Cabbage Tree Trail. Then find the "Banksia Picnic Area" (8 m on your right). 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. After another 25 m come to the "Gosford Lookout" (20 m on your right).
	After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Cabbage Tree Trail & Stoney Creek Trail) veer left, to head along Stoney Creek Trail. After another 440 m cross the ford.
	After another 490 m (at the intersection of Arboretum Trail & Stoney Creek Trail) turn right, to head along Arboretum Trail. After another 20 m cross the ford.
	After another 420 m (at the intersection of Bellbird Trail & Arboretum Trail) continue straight, to head along Arboretum Trail. After another 110 m head up the wooden steps (about 3 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 10 m long) Then head down the wooden steps (about 3 m long)
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of Bellbird Trail & Arboretum Trail) continue straight, to head along Arboretum Trail. After another 210 m find the "Strickland State Forest Arboretum" (5 m on your left). Strickland State Forest Arboretum This arboretum is apparently one of the oldest in Australia, with plantings dating from 1887-1924. Numerous signs have been placed along the walking tracks to identify some of the species of trees. There are very tall, and impressive, examples of Hoop Pine, Bunya Pine, Tallow Wood and Red Cedar.
	After another 325 m veer right.
	After another 250 m continue straight.
	After another 195 m (from the Bellbird Trail) veer left, to head along Bellbird Trail. After another 550 m cross the ford. Then find the "Bellbird Trail Narara crossing" (20 m on your left). Bellbird Trail Narara crossing This picturesque crossing of Narara Creek is on the 'Bellbird Trail' in the Strickland State Forest. It is a great spot to break for a rest, or lunch, on your walk. There are no facilities, however, there are some steps and rocks to sit on while you soak up the scenery. Then find the "Bellbirds" (on your left). Bellbirds The Bellbird (more properly known as the Bell Miner) is a member of the Honeyeater family. These birds live and breed in large colonies, aggressively defending their territory. More often heard than seen, their call is described as a "Sweet, musical, bell-like 'tink'". They are 'mostly olive-green, with a short, down-curved, bright yellow bill, a red-orange bare eye patch and orange-yellow feet and legs'. After another 420 m cross the ford.
	After another 260 m (at the intersection of Arboretum Trail & Bellbird Trail) turn left, to head along Arboretum Trail.
	After another 440 m (at the intersection of Arboretum Trail & Stoney Creek Trail) turn left, to head along Stoney Creek Trail.
	After another 940 m (at the intersection of Cabbage Tree Trail & Stoney Creek Trail) turn left, to head along Cabbage Tree Trail. After another 80 m find the "Cabbage-Tree Palm" (30 m on your right). Cabbage-Tree Palm The Cabbage-Tree Palm (Livistona australis) is a tall, slender palm growing up to about 25 m in height and 0.35 m diameter. It is found in moist open forest, often in swampy sites and on margins of rainforests or near the sea. It is widely spread along the New South Wales coast and extends north into Queensland and southwards to eastern Victoria, growing further south than any other native Australian palm.
	After another 265 m (at the intersection of Strickland Falls Trail & Cabbage Tree Trail) continue straight, to head along Strickland Falls Trail.
	After another 690 m (from the Strickland Falls Trail) 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 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).
	From the Strickland Falls Trail turn right (a vehicle track).
	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 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)

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Strickland Tour

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	8.2 km
Time	3 h to 3 h 30 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	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 8.1 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 8.3 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	8.1 km	[shelter]
Toilet	8.3 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

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)

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.

Cabbage-Tree Palm
The Cabbage-Tree Palm (Livistona australis) is a tall, slender palm growing up to about 25 m in height and 0.35 m diameter. It is found in moist open forest, often in swampy sites and on margins of rainforests or near the sea. It is widely spread along the New South Wales coast and extends north into Queensland and southwards to eastern Victoria, growing further south than any other native Australian palm.

Strickland State Forest Arboretum
This arboretum is apparently one of the oldest in Australia, with plantings dating from 1887-1924. Numerous signs have been placed along the walking tracks to identify some of the species of trees. There are very tall, and impressive, examples of Hoop Pine, Bunya Pine, Tallow Wood and Red Cedar.

Bellbirds
The Bellbird (more properly known as the Bell Miner) is a member of the Honeyeater family. These birds live and breed in large colonies, aggressively defending their territory. More often heard than seen, their call is described as a "Sweet, musical, bell-like 'tink'". They are 'mostly olive-green, with a short, down-curved, bright yellow bill, a red-orange bare eye patch and orange-yellow feet and legs'.

Bellbird Trail Narara crossing
This picturesque crossing of Narara Creek is on the 'Bellbird Trail' in the Strickland State Forest. It is a great spot to break for a rest, or lunch, on your walk. There are no facilities, however, there are some steps and rocks to sit on while you soak up the scenery.

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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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Gosford Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 15 March
  
  32°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  The chance of fog inland early this morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds. Daytime maximum temperatures 31 to 36.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 4:30pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]
  
  Sunday 16 March
  
  23°C → 35°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Winds north to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h becoming northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 22 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s.
  
  Monday 17 March
  
  17°C → 23°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h shifting south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 16 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Tuesday 18 March
  
  16°C → 24°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower near the coast, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning then becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Wednesday 19 March
  
  16°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Thursday 20 March
  
  18°C → 30°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Friday 21 March
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
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