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.
Banksia Picnic Area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Tall dry forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.Broken rocks. | Photo by admin, 2009.Open forest. | 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.Through the forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.Cabbage tree palms. | Photo by admin, 2009.Tall forest and ferns. | Photo by admin, 2009.Stepping through. | Photo by admin, 2009.Vines across the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.At the creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.Shaded trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.Lower car park at Strickland. | 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.
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.
Strickland State Forest (about 15 m back from the start).
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)
Find the car park at the start.
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 8 m pass the toilet (25 m on your right). This toilet is wheelchair accessible.
After another 8 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 60 m find the "Cabbage-Tree Palm" (35 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 380 m cross the ford.
After another 490 m (at the intersection of Arboretum Trail & Stoney Creek Trail) veer left.
After another 80 m head through the bollard.
Then to find the "Stoney Creek Car Park".
After another 3 m (at the intersection of Strickland Forest Road & Ridge To Rainforest Track) continue straight, to head along Strickland Forest Road.
After another 10 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Stoney Creek Trail
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
2.2 km
Time
50 min to 1 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Bushwalk
50 min to 1 h
Toilet: There is one 25 m from the start.
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Strickland State Forest (about 15 m back from the start).
Find the car park at the start.
After another 8 m pass the sign (10 m on your right).
Then find the "Banksia Picnic Area" (8 m on your right).
After another 25 m come to the "Gosford Lookout" (20 m on your right).
After another 380 m cross the ford.
After another 80 m head through the bollard.
