Strickland Tour
Darkinjung & Guringai Country

3 h to 3 h 30 min

8.2 km
circuit

↑ 361 m
↓ -361 m

Moderate track
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. 
Show all
Banksia Picnic Area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Tall dry forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Broken rocks. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Trees and boulders. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Great scenery in Strickland. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Lush forest track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Cabbage tree palms. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Tall forest and ferns. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Palms and vines. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Suspension bridge over Narara creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Narrow track through beautiful forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Towering Tallowwoods. | Photo by admin, 2009.
A natural bridge. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Vines. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Solid Bunya pine. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Narrow track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rainforest in Strickland. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Scarred. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Narara creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Meandering through the forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Spiky trunk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Ferns and palms. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Tumbling. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Great boulder scenery. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Cabbage tree palms. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Solid and tall. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Along the base of the cliff line. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Impressive overhang. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Strickland Falls. | Photo by admin, 2009.
View above the canopy. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Along the cliffline. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rock caves. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Along the road. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF

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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 (-33.3732941,151.3225838)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom 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
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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.
Find the car park at the start.
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
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.
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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 surface|wood steps (about 3 m long)
Then cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
Then head down the surface|wood 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
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.
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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 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
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.
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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
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'.
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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
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.
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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 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

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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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).
Turn right.
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
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)
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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)

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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
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Shelter
8.1 km[shelter]
Toilet
8.3 km[toilet]
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