Rumbalara Explorer

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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	(-33.4277235,151.3476128)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Melbourne Street Turn on to York Street, A49 then drive for 40 m Turn right onto Henry Parry Drive and drive for another 1.7 km Turn right onto Donnison Street and drive for another 260 m Keep left onto Henry Wheeler Place and drive for another 35 m Continue and drive for another 30 m

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Track Notes

Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park, this walk follows the 'Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre' arrow along the paved foopath to the trackhead at the back of the buildings, signposted 'Walking Trail'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 2 m turn right. After 70 m find the "Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre" (20 m on your right). Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre This centre is 'a New South Wales Department of Education and Training facility that provides environmental education and field work opportunities to students, teachers and the community of the Central Coast' . The centre is at the end of Donnison St, Gosford and is a good access point to some of the walking tracks in the adjoining Rumbalara Reserve. + - This centre is 'a New South Wales Department of Education and Training facility that provides environmental education and field work opportunities to students, teachers and the community of the Central Coast' . The centre is at the end of Donnison St, Gosford and is a good access point to some of the walking tracks in the adjoining Rumbalara Reserve.
	After another 50 m continue straight.
	After another 25 m continue straight. Then head down the steps (about 70 m long)
	Veer right.
	After another 45 m turn sharp left. After another 55 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 330 m turn sharp right. After another 145 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long) After another 190 m cross the bridge (about 70 m long) Then head down the steps (about 55 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 60 m long) Then head down the steps (about 45 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 45 m long) Then head down the steps (about 30 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 30 m long) Then head down the steps (about 15 m long) Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
	After another 185 m turn left.
	After another 155 m turn left. After another 40 m pass the "Peace Park" (20 m on your right).
	After another 100 m turn left, to head along White Street. After another 270 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 450 m turn right, to head along Rainforest Track. After another 30 m find the "Cappers Gully quarry" (30 m on your left). Cappers Gully quarry Cappers Gully quarry This old quarry site is beside Cappers Gully in the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The area is fenced off for safety reasons. The neat, square-cut walls of the quarry make an interesting sight on the walks in the area. + - This old quarry site is beside Cappers Gully in the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The area is fenced off for safety reasons. The neat, square-cut walls of the quarry make an interesting sight on the walks in the area.
	After another 255 m continue straight, to head along Rainforest Track.
	After another 360 m turn right. After another 70 m find the "Casuarina" (15 m on your left). Casuarina Casuarina Commonly known as the she-oak, sheoak, ironwood, or beefwood, casuarinas have 'delicate, slender ultimate branches and leaves that are no more than scales, making the tree look more like a wispy conifer'. There are 17 species of Casuarina 'native to Australasia, southeastern Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean'. + - Commonly known as the she-oak, sheoak, ironwood, or beefwood, casuarinas have 'delicate, slender ultimate branches and leaves that are no more than scales, making the tree look more like a wispy conifer'. There are 17 species of Casuarina 'native to Australasia, southeastern Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean'. After another 55 m pass the "Statue" (6 m on your right).
	After another 60 m veer right.
	After another 30 m turn right, to head along Flannel Flower walk. After another 65 m find the "Flannel Flower" (10 m on your left). Flannel Flower Flannel Flower Actinotus helianthi, popularly known as the Sydney flannel flower, is frequently spotted by spring-time bushwalkers in the Sydney region. Generally growing up to 50 cm, the stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like flannel in texture). + - Actinotus helianthi, popularly known as the Sydney flannel flower, is frequently spotted by spring-time bushwalkers in the Sydney region. Generally growing up to 50 cm, the stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like flannel in texture).
	After another 180 m continue straight, to head along Flannel Flower walk.
	After another 160 m (Very Steep Rocky path) continue straight, to head along Flannel Flower walk. After another 315 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left). After another 10 m find the "Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna" (20 m on your right). Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna The reserve is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The vegetation types range from the relatively dry 'Coastal Narrabeen Ironbark Forest' to pockets of 'Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest'. Commonly seen birds include Kookaburras, Eastern Rosellas and Magpies. Rarer birds such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Swift Parrot are sometimes sighted here as well. Sugar Gliders, Brush-tailed possums, Blue-tounged lizards and Tree snakes can be seen in the reserve if you are patient and lucky enough. + - The reserve is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The vegetation types range from the relatively dry 'Coastal Narrabeen Ironbark Forest' to pockets of 'Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest'. Commonly seen birds include Kookaburras, Eastern Rosellas and Magpies. Rarer birds such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Swift Parrot are sometimes sighted here as well. Sugar Gliders, Brush-tailed possums, Blue-tounged lizards and Tree snakes can be seen in the reserve if you are patient and lucky enough.
	Turn right, to head along Rumbalara Lookout Road. After another 40 m pass the car park (10 m on your right).
	After another 45 m turn left.
	After another 40 m turn left, to head along Fire Trail.
	After another 240 m continue straight, to head along Fire Trail.
	After another 135 m veer left.
	After another 165 m continue straight.
	After another 30 m continue straight. After another 40 m find the "Rumbalara Reserve" (7 m on your left). Rumbalara Reserve Rumbalara Reserve Rumbalara Reserve lies just to the east of the Gosford CBD and is part of Gosford's Coastal Open Space System (COSS). There is an extensive set of well marked walking tracks within the reserve. Yaruga Picnic Area has free electric BBQs while both Yaruga and Nurrunga picnic areas have toilets, picnic tables, nearby lookouts and proximity to walking tracks. The picnic areas are accessed via Dolly Ave, Springfield, with the gate being locked at 8pm each evening. The Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, at the end of Donnison St, Gosford, is one of several good access points to the walking tracks in the lower section of the reserve. + - Rumbalara Reserve lies just to the east of the Gosford CBD and is part of Gosford's Coastal Open Space System (COSS). There is an extensive set of well marked walking tracks within the reserve. Yaruga Picnic Area has free electric BBQs while both Yaruga and Nurrunga picnic areas have toilets, picnic tables, nearby lookouts and proximity to walking tracks. The picnic areas are accessed via Dolly Ave, Springfield, with the gate being locked at 8pm each evening. The Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, at the end of Donnison St, Gosford, is one of several good access points to the walking tracks in the lower section of the reserve.
	After another 20 m continue straight. After another 160 m pass the "Statue" (9 m on your left). After another 50 m come to the "Nurrunga Point" (30 m on your left). Then find the "Sculptures in Rumbalara" (10 m on your left). Sculptures in Rumbalara Sculptures in Rumbalara There are four bronze figurative sculptures in the Rumbalara Reserve that were 'commissioned in the series "Salute to Famous Australians", which includes Captain Charles Sturt, Edward Eyre, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.' Matthew Flinders is the fourth in the series. They were 'commissioned by Sara Lee Kitchens (Australia) Pty Ltd and Gosford City Council for the State Bicentennial Celebrations 1987.'. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area. + - There are four bronze figurative sculptures in the Rumbalara Reserve that were 'commissioned in the series "Salute to Famous Australians", which includes Captain Charles Sturt, Edward Eyre, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.' Matthew Flinders is the fourth in the series. They were 'commissioned by Sara Lee Kitchens (Australia) Pty Ltd and Gosford City Council for the State Bicentennial Celebrations 1987.'. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area. Then pass the "Statue" (15 m on your left). After another 105 m pass the toilet (8 m on your right).
	After another 85 m continue straight.
	After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 195 m turn right. After another 390 m head up the steps (about 140 m long) Then find the "Ouraka Point" (on your left). Ouraka Point Ouraka Point This picturesque spot with fantastic views over Gosford and the surrounding areas, including Brisbane Waters, is located within the Rumbalara Reserve, along the Casuarina Walk. It is a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the views for a while during a walk in the reserve. + - This picturesque spot with fantastic views over Gosford and the surrounding areas, including Brisbane Waters, is located within the Rumbalara Reserve, along the Casuarina Walk. It is a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the views for a while during a walk in the reserve.
	After another 170 m turn right. Then head up the steps (about 70 m long)
	Continue straight.
	After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 115 m come to the end.

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Terrain

Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Rumbalara Explorer

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.9 km
Time	2 h 30 min to 2 h 45 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
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

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2 km apart with the largest gap of 3.9 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	3.9 km	[toilet]
Toilet	4.8 km	[toilet]

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Articles

Discover more details to thrive on track

Rumbalara Reserve
Rumbalara Reserve lies just to the east of the Gosford CBD and is part of Gosford's Coastal Open Space System (COSS). There is an extensive set of well marked walking tracks within the reserve. Yaruga Picnic Area has free electric BBQs while both Yaruga and Nurrunga picnic areas have toilets, picnic tables, nearby lookouts and proximity to walking tracks. The picnic areas are accessed via Dolly Ave, Springfield, with the gate being locked at 8pm each evening. The Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, at the end of Donnison St, Gosford, is one of several good access points to the walking tracks in the lower section of the reserve.

Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre
This centre is 'a New South Wales Department of Education and Training facility that provides environmental education and field work opportunities to students, teachers and the community of the Central Coast' . The centre is at the end of Donnison St, Gosford and is a good access point to some of the walking tracks in the adjoining Rumbalara Reserve.

Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna
The reserve is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The vegetation types range from the relatively dry 'Coastal Narrabeen Ironbark Forest' to pockets of 'Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest'. Commonly seen birds include Kookaburras, Eastern Rosellas and Magpies. Rarer birds such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Swift Parrot are sometimes sighted here as well. Sugar Gliders, Brush-tailed possums, Blue-tounged lizards and Tree snakes can be seen in the reserve if you are patient and lucky enough.

Cappers Gully quarry
This old quarry site is beside Cappers Gully in the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The area is fenced off for safety reasons. The neat, square-cut walls of the quarry make an interesting sight on the walks in the area.

Casuarina
Commonly known as the she-oak, sheoak, ironwood, or beefwood, casuarinas have 'delicate, slender ultimate branches and leaves that are no more than scales, making the tree look more like a wispy conifer'. There are 17 species of Casuarina 'native to Australasia, southeastern Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean'.

Yaruga Picnic Area
This picnic area is right beside Dolly Ave, within the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The facilities include free electric BBQs, picnic tables, toilets and garbage bins. There are information boards with details of the walking tracks and other features of the reserve. There are a couple of lookout points at the edge of the picnic area with great views out across Gosford and the surrounding areas.

Flannel Flower
Actinotus helianthi, popularly known as the Sydney flannel flower, is frequently spotted by spring-time bushwalkers in the Sydney region. Generally growing up to 50 cm, the stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like flannel in texture).

Sculptures in Rumbalara
There are four bronze figurative sculptures in the Rumbalara Reserve that were 'commissioned in the series "Salute to Famous Australians", which includes Captain Charles Sturt, Edward Eyre, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.' Matthew Flinders is the fourth in the series. They were 'commissioned by Sara Lee Kitchens (Australia) Pty Ltd and Gosford City Council for the State Bicentennial Celebrations 1987.'. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area.

Ouraka Point
This picturesque spot with fantastic views over Gosford and the surrounding areas, including Brisbane Waters, is located within the Rumbalara Reserve, along the Casuarina Walk. It is a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the views for a while during a walk in the reserve.

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