Upper Rumbalara circuit
Download & Print Map and Notes
1 hr 30 mins
3.3 km Circuit
176 m
Hard 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[1]. 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. More info.
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.
(0km) Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs → Flannel Flower walk signpost
720 m
17 mins
30m
-57m
Moderate track
From the BBQs, this walk goes across the picnic area, keeping the road to the right. The walk passes the information board, to the left, and follows the paved path toward the nearby toilet block. The walk turns left just before the toilet block and follows the ‘Nurrunga Picnic Area’ arrow down the paved steps and along the bush track. The walk descends gently for a while with numerous sandstone steps, then meanders around the side of the hill, for some distance. Ignoring a bush track, to the left, and another soon after, to the right, the walk continues for some distance until reaching an intersection with a management trail, with a ‘Flannel Flower Track’ signpost pointing back to the ‘Yaruga Picnic Area’.
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). More info.
(0.72km) Flannel Flower walk signpost → Int of Casuarina walk and Flannel Flower walk
30 m
1 mins
0m
-4m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, towards the views of Gosford. After a very short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection with a paved path, signposted ‘Casuarina Track’.
(0.75km) Int of Casuarina walk and Flannel Flower walk → Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks
180 m
5 mins
21m
-3m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Nurrunga Picnic Area’ arrow along the paved track, keeping the views of Gosford to the left. The walk climbs gently for a short distance before arriving at a track junction with signposts for the ‘Ironbark Loop’, the ‘Casuarina Track’ and the ‘Flannel Flower Track’.
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.
(0.93km) Junction of Ironbark, Casuarina and Flannel flower walks → Matthew Flinders sculpture
180 m
4 mins
7m
-10m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the track junction, this walk follows the ‘Loop to Gosford’ arrow (Casuarina Track) along the bush track, directly away from the nearby car park. After a short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection signposted for the ‘Casuarina Track’ and the ‘Ironbark Loop’. At the time of writing, this part of the Casuarina Track, going down the hill, was closed[3].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Nurrunga Picnic Area’ arrow (Ironbark Loop sign), along the bush track, keeping the views of Gosford to the left. After a short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection, with an ‘Ironbark Loop’ signpost pointing back ‘To Casuarina Track’, beside a sculpture of Matthew Flinders.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Nurrunga Picnic Area’ arrow (Ironbark Loop sign), along the bush track, keeping the views of Gosford to the left. After a short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection, with an ‘Ironbark Loop’ signpost pointing back ‘To Casuarina Track’, beside a sculpture of Matthew Flinders.
(1.11km) Matthew Flinders sculpture → Sir Charles Kingsford Smith sculpture
40 m
1 mins
1m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track in the opposite direction to the ‘To Casuarina Track’ arrow, leaving the sculpture behind on the right. The walk then goes across the end of the picnic area to the sculpture of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.
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. More info.
(1.15km) Sir Charles Kingsford Smith sculpture → Western int of Flannel Flower walk and Dolly Ave
280 m
5 mins
11m
-11m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the sculpture, this walk goes along the edge of the picnic area, in the direction pointed by Sir Charles’ raised right elbow, keeping the picnic area to the right. The walk soon arrives at an ‘Ironbark Loop’ sign on the northern edge of the picnic area.
Continue straight: From this ‘Ironbark Loop’ sign, this walk follows the ‘To Casuarina Track’ arrow along the management trail, initially keeping the picnic area to the right. The walk continues, passing a toilet block, to the right, then arrives at a sign, beside the road, pointing back to ‘Nurrunga Picnic Area’.
Continue straight: From the ‘Ironbark Loop’ sign, the walk immediately crosses the road and follows the bush track a little to a track junction with signposts for the ‘Ironbark Loop’, the ‘Casuarina Track’ and the ‘Flannel Flower Track’
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Loop to Yaruga Picnic Area’ arrow between the metal posts and across the edge of the small car park. The walk immediately crosses the road to an intersection with a track, with a ‘Flannel Flower Track’ signpost pointing back to ‘Yaruga Picnic Area’.
Continue straight: From this ‘Ironbark Loop’ sign, this walk follows the ‘To Casuarina Track’ arrow along the management trail, initially keeping the picnic area to the right. The walk continues, passing a toilet block, to the right, then arrives at a sign, beside the road, pointing back to ‘Nurrunga Picnic Area’.
Continue straight: From the ‘Ironbark Loop’ sign, the walk immediately crosses the road and follows the bush track a little to a track junction with signposts for the ‘Ironbark Loop’, the ‘Casuarina Track’ and the ‘Flannel Flower Track’
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Loop to Yaruga Picnic Area’ arrow between the metal posts and across the edge of the small car park. The walk immediately crosses the road to an intersection with a track, with a ‘Flannel Flower Track’ signpost pointing back to ‘Yaruga Picnic Area’.
(1.43km) Western int of Flannel Flower walk and Dolly Ave → Wannagan Lookout
960 m
24 mins
64m
-71m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Loop to Yaruga Picnic Area’ arrow along the track, going gently down the hill. The walk meanders gently downhill for a short distance before passing under some power lines and continuing a little further to an intersection with a management trail.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail up the hill, keeping the nearby power lines to the right. After a short distance, the walk passes a management trail (to the right) and continues, passing some sort of underground pipe access point, on the left. After a while, the trail reaches an intersection with tracks to the left and right.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track down the steps, leaving the nearby water reservoir to the right. The track soon bends to the left at a rock outcrop, and winds down the hill for a while with plenty of steps. The walk levels out and meanders for a while, with occasional steps, to an intersection with a faint track, going down the hill to the left (just before the main track bends to the right and goes uphill a little).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track as it goes gently up the hill, immediately bending to the right. The walk meanders through some good scenery for a short distance before reaching the fenced Wannagan Lookout[6], with great views to the north.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail up the hill, keeping the nearby power lines to the right. After a short distance, the walk passes a management trail (to the right) and continues, passing some sort of underground pipe access point, on the left. After a while, the trail reaches an intersection with tracks to the left and right.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track down the steps, leaving the nearby water reservoir to the right. The track soon bends to the left at a rock outcrop, and winds down the hill for a while with plenty of steps. The walk levels out and meanders for a while, with occasional steps, to an intersection with a faint track, going down the hill to the left (just before the main track bends to the right and goes uphill a little).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track as it goes gently up the hill, immediately bending to the right. The walk meanders through some good scenery for a short distance before reaching the fenced Wannagan Lookout[6], with great views to the north.
Wannagan Lookout
The fenced Wannagan Lookout[7], on the Red Gum Walk, has great views over North Gosford. The fenced lookout sits at the top of a small cliff. Out of sight, beneath the lookout, is some great cliff and overhang scenery.
(2.38km) Wannagan Lookout → Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk
290 m
6 mins
7m
-10m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track a very short distance up the hill, away from the lookout, then turns left (ignoring the track to the right which goes a short distance up the hill to the road). The walk meanders along the side of the hill for some distance, keeping the valley to the left, going up and down occasional steps before reaching an intersection with a management trail.
(2.67km) Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk → Sculpture of Edward John Eyre
150 m
2 mins
1m
-2m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail away from the nearby gate (beside the road). The trail almost immediately bends to the right then meanders for a short distance to the sculpture of Edward John Eyre, on the right. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
(2.67km) Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk → Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs
600 m
13 mins
35m
-11m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently up the hill towards the gate. The walk passes around the gate to the intersection with Dolly Ave, with a ‘Mouat Walk’ signpost pointing back to the ‘Statue of Edward John Eyre 50 metres’.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the road gently up the hill, leaving the signposted ‘Mouat Walk’ behind on the right. After a short distance, the walk passes a small parking area and fenced lookout point, on the left, and continues along the road for some distance, passing a large water reservoir tank, to the right. A little further on the walk reaches an intersection with a bush track, to the right, marked by a low boulder (within sight of the sandstone walled Yaruga picnic area).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the road gently up the hill towards the sandstone walls of the nearby Yaruga picnic area. The walk climbs the first set of steps on the left, near the ‘Yaruga Picnic Area’ signpost, and goes across the picnic area to the nearby electric BBQs.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the road gently up the hill, leaving the signposted ‘Mouat Walk’ behind on the right. After a short distance, the walk passes a small parking area and fenced lookout point, on the left, and continues along the road for some distance, passing a large water reservoir tank, to the right. A little further on the walk reaches an intersection with a bush track, to the right, marked by a low boulder (within sight of the sandstone walled Yaruga picnic area).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the road gently up the hill towards the sandstone walls of the nearby Yaruga picnic area. The walk climbs the first set of steps on the left, near the ‘Yaruga Picnic Area’ signpost, and goes across the picnic area to the nearby electric BBQs.
Maps for the Upper Rumbalara circuit 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 Upper Rumbalara circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Upper Rumbalara circuit
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 | 3.3 km | ||
| Time | 1 hr 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| 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
1.8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.4km has short steep hills. The remaining (70m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 1.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 1.4km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
1.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 720m is clearly signposted. The remaining (700m) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 2km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.3km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 3.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Upper Rumbalara circuit walk starts and ends at the Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs (gps: -33.425486, 151.35526)Your main transport option to Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/urc
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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