Bellbird Trail
Darkinjung & Guringai Country

1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

3.4 km
circuit

↑ 95 m
↓ -95 m

Moderate track
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. 
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Shaded walking in Strickland. | Photo by admin, 2009.
At the creek crossing. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Palms and vines. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Surrounded by cabbage tree palms. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Suspension bridge over Narara creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Narrow track through beautiful forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Stepping through. | 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.
Track arrow on a tree. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Beautiful walking. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Under the palms. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Scarred. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Along the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Narara creek. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Meandering through the forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Spiky trunk. | 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 (-33.3798881,151.3250737)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park, the walk follows the 'Walking Trails' arrow along the management trail. The walk passes an information board, with a map of the walking trails, and continues a short distance to an intersection just before the creek crossing.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 10 m to find the "Stoney Creek Car Park".
After another 75 m head through the bollard.
After another 5 m (at the intersection of Stoney Creek Trail & Arboretum Trail) turn left, 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 up 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
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 right.
After another 80 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

Bellbird Trail


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 3.4 km
Time 1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min
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 Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
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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.
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.
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