Guringai Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.2 km Circuit

80 m

Moderate track

This is a surprisingly spectacular walk, following the base of the cliff below St Johns Lookout. From the car park, you will follow a gentle track through the bush before heading down some stairs to the cliff face. Handrails and timber walkways have been installed to make this walk more accessible. You will pass some large Angophora, Blackbutts and plenty of fern trees. A highlight of the walk comes when you follow the ledge next right next to the cliff.

sign at the Southern end of Guringai walk

Looking up from the Southern end of Guringai walk

Walking beside the slab on Guringai Walk

Steps at the base of the cliff on the Guringai Walk

Sign posts near toilets St Johns Lookout picnic area

Toilet block at St Johns Lookout picnic area

(0km) St Johns Lookout car park → Southern end of Guringai walk

80 m

1 mins

-1m Easy track

From the car park, this walk heads across the clearing away from the main picnic area (keeping the road up the hill to the right). The walk soon comes to an intersection and a 'Guringai walk' sign.

(0km) Southern end of Guringai walk → Post 8

420 m

10 mins

18m

-47m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Guringai Walk' sign down the gentle hill. The walk passes some grass trees and angophoras as is zigzags down the hill. Soon after the track crosses a small timber bridge, the walk follows the base of the cliff until coming to the number '8' post marking 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

(1km) Post 8 → Int of Toomey and Guringai Walks

360 m

10 mins

30m

-22m Moderate track

Continue straight: From post '8', this walk heads down along the track, keeping the valley to the right. The track follows the base of the cliff and, soon after climbing over a rise and coming very close to the cliff, the walk passes a section with broken glass (this is directly below St Johns Lookout). The walk continues along the base of the cliff then up a series of stairs. Just after flattening out, the track comes to a signposted intersection, with a sign pointing back along 'Guringai Walk'.

(1km) Int of Toomey and Guringai Walks → Upper Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track

70 m

2 mins

18m

-4m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Lookout' sign up the stairs and turns left. The track soon bends sharply right and then leads past some timber posts, coming to an intersection with the Katandra Horse track.

(1km) Upper Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track → Toilet block

170 m

3 mins

-3m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill and through the gap in the fence to a 'Toomey walk' sign, pointing back down the hill. At this sign, the walk turns left and heads through the picnic area, passed another sign (again pointing back to 'Toomey walk') and comes to a footpath in front of a toilet block.

(1km) Toilet block → St Johns Lookout

40 m

1 mins

-12m Very easy

Veer left: 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 Turn left .

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.

(1km) Toilet block → St Johns Lookout car park

130 m

2 mins

-3m Easy track

Continue straight: From the toilet block, this walk heads across the picnic area, passing the BBQ and keeping the lookout to the left. The walk soon comes to a information sign and car park (signposted as Katandra on Toomeys Rd).

Maps for the Guringai Walk 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 Guringai Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Guringai Walk

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	1.2 km
		Time	45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

790m of this walk has short steep hills and another 240m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (210m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.2km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Guringai Walk walk.

St Johns Lookout

166 m Return, 10 mins

This is a very short walk across the picnic area to the lookout - you can see the end of the walk from the start. The council has installed a sandstone footpath that arcs around the picnic area and leads to St Johns Lookout. The path also leads to picnic tables and accessible toilets. You will als

Total climbing: 13m

Very easy

Graves Walk

1.5 km One way, 45 mins

On this walk, you follow the signposted Graves Walk between the two main picnic area in Katandra Reserve. Starting near St Johns Lookout, this walk follows Graves Walking track down the ridge. You will see some valley views, open drier forest, some faint Aboriginal markings and plenty of interesti

Total climbing: 13m

Moderate track

Toomeys Walk

2.9 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the diverse forests of Katandra Reserve. Starting with the views from St Johns Lookout, this walk heads through the open forest, past many mossy rocks, then heads into the valley and rainforest. On the valley floor, the walk gently meanders past some great examp

Total climbing: 135m

Moderate track

Mouat Trail (Katandra to Rumbalara)

4.1 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk follows a series of tracks and management trails along the top of the ridge between Katandra and Rumbalara Reserves. You will at times think you are a million miles from anywhere and other times enjoy views across the suburbs of the Central Coast and out to sea. In spring and early summe

Total climbing: 139m

Hard track

Katandra Circuit

4.8 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

This walk explores many highlights in Katandra Reserve. Starting from St Johns Lookout, this walk winds down the hill into the much denser forest of the valley, enjoy many interesting rock formations on the way. Once in the valley, you walk past some fantastic examples of strangler figs before hea

Total climbing: 308m

Moderate track

Katandra Reserve Explorer

5.3 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the many highlights of Katandra Reserve. Starting at the lower picnic area, you circumnavigate Seymour Pond via the Waterman Walk, then discover some wonderful Strangler Fig trees in the rainforest. As the walk climbs, the forest dries out a little, which opens u

Total climbing: 350m

Moderate track

Matcham to Gosford

8.5 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

This walk starts at the bottom of Katandra Reserve and heads up the hill, exploring the ridge on the way to Gosford Station. You will visit a wide variety of plant communities and some lovely vistas over the surrounding towns and water. Along some of the secluded sections, you may forget that you

Total climbing: 381m

Hard track

Gosford to Lisarow

11.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the ridge-top bushland between Gosford and Lisarow. Passing through Rumbalara and Katandra Reserves, there are several picnic area, lookouts and other facilities scattered along the way. At times you will forget you are anywhere near houses, and at other points

Total climbing: 479m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Guringai Walk walk.

Strangler Fig Walk

2 km Return, 1 Hr

Starting from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area, you will head past Seymour Pond and along Toomey Walk to the Strangler Fig platform. You will see two magnificent examples of Strangler Fig trees - one growing on a large rock and the other forming a knotted tubular structure. A lovely walk through the den

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Seymour Pond

890 m Return, 30 mins

This short walk takes you from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area to Seymour Pond. The pond was made to support a farm that was once in the area, and now the pond support many water birds. There is a simple picnic area and plenty of shady spots at the pond, making a nice place to sit and enjoy the birds.

Total climbing: 45m

Easy track

Watermans Walk

1.6 km Circuit, 45 mins

This lovely walk start from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area and circumnavigates Seymour Pond. On this walk, you will head through a few palm-filled valleys, discover a Strangler Fig Tube (on a side trip) and are likely to see a few water birds. Take some snacks and enjoy one of the resting areas - sit q

Total climbing: 67m

Easy track

Tottenham Place to Wannagan Lookout

900 m Return, 30 mins

A steep walk from North Gosford to the top of the Rumbalara Reserve. There is some great scenery along the way, and the views from the Wannagan Lookout, back over North Gosford and the surrounding area, are great. An optional sidetrip to the bronze sculpture of Edward John Eyre adds some historic in

Total climbing: 80m

Hard track

Flannel Flower Track

1.6 km Circuit, 45 mins

A great walk with some spectacular views and nice forest scenery in the Rumbalara Reserve, near Gosford. The tracks are well formed and signposted, and there are plenty of facilities in the reserve, including free electric BBQs. This walk is very accessible from Gosford and a great way to enjoy some

Total climbing: 88m

Moderate track

Ironbark and Flannel Flower circuit

2.1 km Circuit, 1 Hr

A great circuit walk, covering two of the popular walking tracks and some of the great sights in the upper section of the Rumbalara Reserve. You will enjoy some really nice forest walking and fantastic views across various parts of Gosford and the surrounding areas. Note that the entrance gate on Do

Total climbing: 107m

Moderate track

Upper Rumbalara circuit

3.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

A great circuit walk, covering most of the walking tracks and sights in the upper section of the Rumbalara Reserve. There is some really nice forest walking and plenty of spots along the way offer fantastic views across various parts of Gosford and the surrounding areas. Note that the entrance gate

Total climbing: 176m

Hard track

Red Gum Walk

1.4 km Circuit, 45 mins

At the time of writing, some or all of the southern leg of the Red Gum Track was closed. The walk described here returns along the road instead. Despite these changes, this is still a worthwhile walk with some nice scenery along the way. Wannagan Lookout has some great views over North Gosford and s

Total climbing: 81m

Hard track

Ironbark Loop

643 m Circuit, 30 mins

A short, interesting walk in the Rumbalara Reserve, near Gosford. This short circuit walk takes in some nice scenery and a couple of the interesting bronze sculptures found in the reserve. Some short deviations from the walk take you to viewpoints with great views over Gosford and the surrounding ar

Total climbing: 29m

Moderate track

Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach

5.8 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

A great walk along the boulder strewn shoreline to the unnamed beach below Crackneck Lookout. Much of this walk is very exposed to the ocean and should not be attempted at high tide or during rough seas. Plenty of rock hopping over the boulders makes the walking harder but also makes the scenery mor

Total climbing: 254m

Experienced only

John Whiteway Dr to Tottenham Pl

3 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

An excellent walk, crossing the Rumbalara Reserve and covering plenty of the scenic highlights of the reserve. This walk goes through beautiful pockets of rainforest as well as the drier ridgetop forest, showcasing the great variety of scenery in Rumbalara. There is some steep walking along the way,

Total climbing: 228m

Hard track

Ouraka Point loop

2.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

A beautiful walk, taking in some of the scenic highlights of the lower section of the Rumbalara Reserve. The walk covers a great variety of vegetation, from quite dry eucalypt forest through to rainforest. The tracks are well formed, with a lot of steps in the steeper sections, making the walking a

Total climbing: 141m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Guringai Walk walk starts and ends at the St Johns Lookout car park (gps: -33.406508, 151.39009)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Katandra Reserve

The Katandra Reserve is a protected area of bushland east of Gosford City and north of Erina. The area is part of the Hornsby Sandstone Plateau and is home to some diverse flora and fauna. There are two main picnic areas and a few great walking and horse riding tracks in the reserve as well as the St Johns Lookout. Katandra is an aborginal word meaning 'Song of Birds', the name suits this place well, with the diverse forest been home to many birds happy to share their songs with walkers.

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