Katandra Reserve Explorer
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs 45 mins
5.3 km Circuit
350 m
Moderate track
(0km) Katandra Rd Gate → Katandra Rd picnic area
70 m
2 mins
5m
0m
Easy track
From the gate (at the junction of Katandra Rd and Croton Ave), this walk follows the sealed driveway up the hill, soon coming to the car park and information board.
Katandra Rd Picnic Area
The Katandra Road Picnic Area is found at the end of a short driveway (signposted at the intersection of Katandra Rd and Croton Ave, Holgate). The picnic area is in front of the ranger’s residence and is open from 7am to 6pm daily. The picnic area provides some toilets, garbage bins, two picnic tables, parking and an information sign.
(0.07km) Katandra Rd picnic area → Seymour Pond Picnic area
450 m
11 mins
2m
-43m
Easy track
Turn right: From the picnic area, this walk follows the ‘Seymour Pond’ and ‘Waterman Walk’ signs north-east along the clear track. The track soon heads down a series of steps and, shortly after turning right (at a locked gate), this walk comes to a three-way intersection marked with two blue/white arrows on a post.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper arrow down the hill, keeping the fence and house to the right. The track heads down the hill then steps down into a palm-filled valley. Here, the walk climbs some steps and passes the ‘Commemorating 10 years of bushcaring in Katandra Reserve’ plaque[1], then bends right and around a sharp left-hand bend and past the number ‘5’ post (and old Wombat Hole). The track continues around the gully to cross a few small bridges and come to a picnic area and a ‘Seymour Pond’ sign.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper arrow down the hill, keeping the fence and house to the right. The track heads down the hill then steps down into a palm-filled valley. Here, the walk climbs some steps and passes the ‘Commemorating 10 years of bushcaring in Katandra Reserve’ plaque[1], then bends right and around a sharp left-hand bend and past the number ‘5’ post (and old Wombat Hole). The track continues around the gully to cross a few small bridges and come to a picnic area and a ‘Seymour Pond’ sign.
Seymour Pond Picnic Area
The Seymour Pond Picnic Area is found on the dam wall at the eastern end of Seymour Pond in Katandra Reserve. The picnic area provides a couple of picnic tables and a garbage bin. The picnic area is set in a lovely naturally shaded area in view of the Seymour Pond and beside Watermans and Toomeys walks.
Seymour Pond
Seymour Pond is medium-sized water body in Katandra Reserve. The pond is fed by a spring coming from the cliffs at the top of the reserve. The small creek was dammed in the early 1900’s to provide water for a farm on the south side (growing vegetables). The pond is home to water birds, large lizards and other wildlife. The council does not allow swimming in the pond[4], helping to maintain the ecosystem that now relies on this pond. There are a few spots beside the pond where you can enjoy the cool climate and the visiting birds.
(0.52km) Seymour Pond Picnic area → Waterman View
110 m
2 mins
1m
-1m
Easy track
Veer left: From the picnic tables, this walk heads past the ‘Seymour Pond’ sign (following the right-hand ‘Waterman walk’ arrow) and follows the track, keeping the pond close by on the right. The track soon leads to a viewing platform with long bench seats – Waterman view.
Waterman View
Waterman view (informally named) is a viewing point at the western end of Seymour Pond. The platform has a couple of long bench seats. A timber platform on the water’s edge means that visitors can get right up near the water. Signs here remind visitors that swimming is not allowed. This is a great spot to enjoy the birds and other life around the pond.
(0.62km) Waterman View → Int of Waterman and Toomey walks
550 m
11 mins
20m
-20m
Easy track
Turn left: From the pond viewing point, this walk follows the timber track, keeping filtered views of the water to the right. The timber soon stops and the dirt track continues down some stairs, over a few small bridges, and soon crosses a bigger bridge just after a bench seat. From here, the track turns right, down the other side of the gully, where it crosses a few more small bridges before coming to a three-way intersection. The intersection is on timber boardwalk, just after a bridge where a sign points back along ‘Waterman Walk’.
(1.18km) Int of Waterman and Toomey walks → Strangler Fig Tube
60 m
1 mins
5m
-1m
Easy track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Toomey Walk’ sign along the boardwalk, away from the pond. Soon the walk follows the track along the gully then follows the timber steps as they bend right and head up to the number ‘4’ post, next to the Strangler Fig tube.
Strangler Fig Tube
This Strangler Fig Tube is found beside Toomey Walk, just north of Seymour Pond. The scientific name of the tree is Ficus obliqua and it is listed on the Significant Tree Register. This Small-leaved Fig has grown around a large fallen log. The log has long-since rotted away, leaving a knotted tubular structure. Strangler Figs often grow from seeds dropped by birds. The seeds may fall on logs or rocks and the roots will make their way to the ground (to provided water, nutrients and a firm anchor), whilst the rest of the tree grows upwards for light. More info.
(1.24km) Strangler Fig Tube → Strangler Fig platform
420 m
9 mins
35m
-8m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the Number ‘4’ post, this walk heads to the top of the stairs and turns left around the Strangler Fig. The track soon crosses a small creek on a bridge then heads up a long flight of timber stairs. After gently winding through the forest, the track comes to post ‘3’ (a large Turpentine Tree). The track then continues, crossing a few more creeks on small timber bridges and heading along the valley floor to a large timber platform and an even larger Strangler Fig tree.
Strangler Fig platform
The Strangler Fig platform on Toomey Walk has been built to help walkers better appreciate this amazing feat of survival. The tree is formally know as Ficus obliqua and is listed on the Significant tree Register. More commonly know as a ‘Small-leaved Fig’ , this tree has an amazing root structure that grasps onto a large mossy boulder before heading underground. The platform is in a lovely shaded spot on the valley floor and the bench seat makes an inviting offer to sit whilst you soak up the surroundings. More info.
(1.66km) Strangler Fig platform → End of Ridgeway Rd trail
1 km
25 mins
121m
-29m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the Strangler Fig Tree platform, this walk heads up the stairs and bends right to follow the track, which gently winds through the valley. After crossing a few creeks (on small timber bridges), this walk leaves the dense forest as is starts to climb the hill. The track zigzags a couple of times then climbs more gently for a while. The track then becomes steeper again and climbs a couple of longer sets of stairs before coming to a large clearing with a ‘Toomey walk’ arrow pointing back, marking the end of the ‘Ridgeway Road’ trail.
(2.7km) End of Ridgeway Rd trail → Lower Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track
130 m
4 mins
3m
-16m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the right-hand arrow on the ‘Toomey Walk’ sign north-west along the clear track. The track soon comes to a three-way intersection marked with some arrows and timber posts (on the left).
(2.82km) Lower Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track → Int of Toomey and Guringai Walks
330 m
11 mins
78m
-27m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the lower arrow through the timber posts and along the narrower track. After about 100m, the track passes some interesting rock formations then starts to zigzag up the hill. The track then leads through a cleft in a rock and up a few steps to a three-way intersection, with a ‘Toomey Walk’ sign pointing back down the steps.
(3.15km) Int of Toomey and Guringai Walks → Post 8
360 m
10 mins
22m
-30m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Guringai Walk’ sign south, down the hill and stairs, keeping the valley on the left. The track soon follows the base of the cliff and passes a short section of track with broken glass (this is directly below St Johns Lookout). From here, the track keeps the cliff face on the right as it dips down then up some stairs, coming close to the cliff. The track continues along the base of the cliff, passing a long section of handrail, after which the walk comes to a post ‘8’ next to a large Blackbutt tree.
Blackbutt
This Blackbutt tree is found at the base of the cliff next to post 8 on Guringai walk. The Eucalyptus pilularis is the scientific name for this tree that can grow as high as 70m. The tree has a brown fibrous bark on the lower half then a smooth grey bark at the top. The trees name ‘pilularis’ is Latin for small pill, referring to the tree’s fruit
(3.51km) Post 8 → Southern end of Guringai walk
420 m
10 mins
47m
-18m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From post ‘8’, this walk heads up the stairs, keeping the valley to the left. The track leads along the base of the cliff for a little while until crossing a small bridge. The track then zigzags up the hill, passing some angophoras and grass trees before coming out of the bush to a large clearing and a sign pointing back down along ‘Guringai Walk’.
(3.94km) Southern end of Guringai walk → St Johns Lookout
250 m
4 mins
4m
-17m
Easy track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads through the clearing towards the picnic area, soon coming to the car park and information sign.
Continue straight: From the car park (signposted as ‘Katandra’ on Toomeys Rd), this walk heads across the picnic area and past the BBQ shelters, keeping the road up the hill to the left. Soon the walk comes to a sandstone footpath in front of the toilet block.
Turn right: From the toilet block, this walk follows the footpath past the information sign to the fenced and signposted ‘St Johns Lookout’ At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Continue straight: From the car park (signposted as ‘Katandra’ on Toomeys Rd), this walk heads across the picnic area and past the BBQ shelters, keeping the road up the hill to the left. Soon the walk comes to a sandstone footpath in front of the toilet block.
Turn right: From the toilet block, this walk follows the footpath past the information sign to the fenced and signposted ‘St Johns Lookout’ At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
St Johns Lookout picnic area
St Johns Lookout picnic area is a large open area found at the top of Katandra Reserve on Toomeys Rd. The picnic area provides wheelchair accessible toilets[13], picnic tables[14], free electric BBQ’s[15], parking areas[16] [17] and information boards[18]. There is plenty of open space with some natural shade provided by the surrounding trees. There are garbage bins provided[19] but no drinking water[20].
St Johns Lookout
This fenced lookout is found at the top of Katandra Reserve, near the toilets. The lookout was upgraded by Gosford Council in September 2009 and now provides a safer platform and easier access. From the lookout, there are extensive views south-east over Matcham, Erina Heights and Terrigal, out to the ocean. The Guringai Walk passes below the lookout – please take extra care to not drop anything from the platform.
(3.94km) Southern end of Guringai walk → Int of Graves and Mouat Walks
70 m
2 mins
0m
-5m
Easy track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads through the clearing towards the ‘Mount Mouat Walk’ and ‘Graves Walk’ signs[22]. At these signs, the walk heads left, out of the clearing and down the track for a short distance to the signposted intersection with ‘Graves Walk’ and ‘Mouat Walk’[23].
(4.01km) Int of Graves and Mouat Walks → Behind the Rangers Residence
790 m
22 mins
3m
-93m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Graves Walk’ sign between the timbers posts and down along the track. The track winds down the hill then passes between a few more timber posts, past an arrow marker and a few more meters to another arrow marker and intersection with a short link track (to the horse trail).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the walking track and arrow gently downhill, keeping the horse track through the bush to the right. The track head down along the ridge and passes the number ‘6’ post (Aboriginal markings in the stone). Soon the ridge narrows to a rocky outcrop, where the track heads down the stairs to a large five-way intersection and a locked gate, behind the ranger’s residence.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the walking track and arrow gently downhill, keeping the horse track through the bush to the right. The track head down along the ridge and passes the number ‘6’ post (Aboriginal markings in the stone). Soon the ridge narrows to a rocky outcrop, where the track heads down the stairs to a large five-way intersection and a locked gate, behind the ranger’s residence.
(4.8km) Behind the Rangers Residence → Katandra Rd Gate
520 m
15 mins
8m
-59m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows an arrow past the post with the purple strip down a few steps, initially keeping the locked gate to the left. After heading down more steps, the track passes a steep trail on the right (that leads to Murina Close). This walk continues gently down the hill, then down a series of steps, then the track starts to flatten out again and round a gully. The track then leads to a picnic area and car park in front of the ranger’s house.
Turn right: From the picnic area, this walk heads through the car park and follows the driveway down the hill, soon coming to a gate just above the junction of Katandra Rd and Croton Ave.
Turn right: From the picnic area, this walk heads through the car park and follows the driveway down the hill, soon coming to a gate just above the junction of Katandra Rd and Croton Ave.
Maps for the Katandra Reserve Explorer walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Gosford | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91312S GOSFORD | NSW-91312S |
| Gosford | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9131 GOSFORD | 9131 |
Cross sectional view of the Katandra Reserve Explorer bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Katandra Reserve Explorer
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 5.3 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 45 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
3.5km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.7km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (110m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
3.9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (140m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
This whole walk, 5km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 3.8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.5km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Experienced only
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Katandra Reserve Explorer walk starts and ends at the Katandra Rd Gate (gps: -33.415032, 151.3965)Your transport options to Katandra Rd Gate are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/kre
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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