Katandra Reserve Explorer

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 45 mins

5.3 km Circuit

350 m

Moderate track

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 up more views. Taking the Guringai walk along the base of the cliff will then bring you up to St Johns picnic area and lookout. After enjoying the views from the top, take Graves walk down along the ridge and back to your starting point.

Katandra Reserve entrance at Katandra Rd

walking track near Katandra Rd Picnic Area

Intersection of Toomey and waterman walks

Track between Strangler Fig Tube and the Seymour Pond

Once of many little bridges in the valley

Bend it track at the Strangler Fig platform

looking down the stairs and around the rock

Lower Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track

Steps at the base of the cliff on the Guringai Walk

Walking beside the slab on Guringai Walk

Looking up from the Southern end of Guringai walk

Toilet block at St Johns Lookout picnic area

(0km) Katandra Rd Gate → Katandra Rd picnic area

70 m

2 mins

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.

(0km) Katandra Rd picnic area → Seymour Pond Picnic area

450 m

11 mins

-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.

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.

(1km) Seymour Pond Picnic area → Waterman View

110 m

2 mins

-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.

(1km) 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'.

(1km) Int of Waterman and Toomey walks → Strangler Fig Tube

60 m

1 mins

-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.

(1km) 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.

(2km) 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.

(3km) End of Ridgeway Rd trail → Lower Int of Toomey walk and Katandra Horse track

130 m

4 mins

-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).

(3km) 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.

(3km) 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

(4km) 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'.

(4km) Southern end of Guringai walk → St Johns Lookout

250 m

4 mins

-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.

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.

(4km) Southern end of Guringai walk → Int of Graves and Mouat Walks

70 m

2 mins

-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].

(4km) Int of Graves and Mouat Walks → Behind the Rangers Residence

790 m

22 mins

-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.

(5km) Behind the Rangers Residence → Katandra Rd Gate

520 m

15 mins

-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.

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

Altitude analysis for 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).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Katandra Reserve Explorer 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

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

Guringai Walk

1.2 km Circuit, 45 mins

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.

Total climbing: 80m

Moderate track

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

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

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

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

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 Katandra Reserve Explorer walk.

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

Sandringham Circuit

2.9 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

Starting from Sandringham Close, this walk follows the Sandringham Track up the hill to the views from Colin Watters Lookout. After enjoying the views, you walk past the tower to the other side of the hill to the much less spectacular Nyari Lookout. From here, you follow a wide management trail dow

Total climbing: 201m

Hard track

Sandringham Track

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk starts from Terrigal suburbia and leads up through the dry bush to the wonderful views at Colin Watters Lookout. On the way, you pass some large boulders scattered with red gums and grass trees. At the top, you will be greeted with good views over Avoca, and a picnic table encouraging you

Total climbing: 149m

Hard track

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

Rumbalara Explorer

6.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

Pretty well the grand tour of the Rumbalara Reserve, this walk takes in much of the great scenery the reserve has to offer. The walk covers both the lower and upper sections of the reserve and passes through the great variety of forest on show. The walk also passes three of the four bronze sculpture

Total climbing: 326m

Hard 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

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, 151.39650)

Bus. (get details)

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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