Kanning Cave Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

20 mins

922 m Return

34 m

Easy track

This short walk follows a clear track to a large sandstone cave on the Kanning Walk. From the Honeman's Picnic Area, follow Kanning Walk through the bush and along the side of a long rock wall. There are several caves along the way, the main one being quiet large and tucked behind some large boulders. The cave provides a cool spot on hot days. After admiring the cave, walk back the same way, passing some large angophora trees.

Native Parsnip flower (Platysace lanceolata)

Honeman's Rock picnic area

Honeman's Rock picnic area is a large picnic area at the top end of Island View Drive. This picnic area has a couple of large grassy areas[1], composting toilets[2], free electric BBQs[3], picnic tables[4], shelters, garbage bins[5], drinking water[6] and information signs[7]. The picnic area is home to a mud brick building[8] (available for hire) and Honeman's Rock[9], from which the area derives its name. There is a fair amount of parking available next the picnic area, and some extra spaces a few hundred meters down the road.

Honeman's Rock

Honeman's Rock (aka Honeyman's Rock) is a large rock outcrop in front of the mud brick building, in the Honeman's Rock Picnic area. The exposed section of rock is 60m long and about 30m wide, with the western side having a significant unfenced drop. The rock is named after Cecil Lyle Honeman who became a lease holder on the mountain in 1962. The rock has a large depression that once filled with water, and a drain has been dug to keep the pool empty and clear of rubbish.

Mud Brick Building

The mud brick building is a landmark in the main picnic area at Kincumber Mountain, and is a popular spot to gather. Also known as 'Kincumber Mountain Information Centre', 'The Kiosk', 'Kincumber Kiosk' and 'Kincumber Mountain Kiosk', the building was constructed in 1986 with funding from Community Employment Programme. The building is generally locked but can be booked through the local Lions Club for special events. The building has a rain water tank, small kitchen and one main large room. The verandah also provides good shelter.

(0km) Mudbrick building car park → Kanning Walk gate

90 m

1 mins

0m Very easy

From the car park, this walk heads up the road, initially keeping the mud brick building to the left. Soon the road leads to an intersection (next to an information board and fence on the left).
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'One Way' road sign[13] away from the picnic area and along the road. Almost immediately, there is a locked gate and the 'Kanning Walk' sign[14] (on the left).

(0km) Kanning Walk gate → Cave

370 m

7 mins

11m

-18m Easy track

Turn left: From the road, this walk follows the 'Kanning Walk cave 300 metres' sign[15] around the locked gate and along the old sandy management trail. After about 120m the walk turns right, following another 'Kanning Walk' sign[16], and passes between two large, exposed tree root systems. Soon after this, the track is concrete for a short distance and passes along the base of a long rock wall. The walk goes down some steel stairs and across a timber bridge, coming to a sandstone overhang cave. This cave is quite large and has a 'cave 100m' sign[17], pointing further along the track. Follow this sign for about 150m, passing over a steel platform, up a small rise and down some steel stairs. From the base of these stairs, the walk continues for about 25m along the flat track to find the unsignposted entrance to the cave. The entrance is between two large boulders on the left[18].

Kanning Walk Cave

The main cave on Kanning Walk is surprising large for a sandstone environment. The cave has two main sections. There is a large cabin about 7m wide and 9m deep. A small tunnel extends about 10m further to a small chamber at the back. The entrance to the cave is behind two large boulders, providing extra shelter. It is believed that A. A. Glasson lived in the cave in the early 1930's, which was not uncommon during the depression. The cave has proved to be a great place to rest on hot days.

Maps for the Kanning Cave 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 Kanning Cave Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Kanning Cave 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	922 m
		Time	20 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		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

Around 370m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 95m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 370m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 95m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 460m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 460m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 460m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 460m 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 Kanning Cave Walk walk.

Kanning Walk

1.3 km Circuit, 30 mins

This lovely walk is a great way to explore the bushland at the top of Kincumber Mountain. From near the main picnic area, you follow a clear track before walking along the base of a long rock wall. There are a few sandstone caves, the main one mentioned in the notes is quite large, and a nice cool

Total climbing: 38m

Easy track

Yanina Walk

3.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Yanina Walk is a gentle walk, exploring one of the ridges at the top of Kincumber Mountain. The walk follows a wide management trail from the main Honemans Picnic area, leading to the good views of Colin Watters Lookout. The notes describe a side trip to Nyari Lookout, but the views are very limite

Total climbing: 55m

Easy track

Kincumber to Terrigal (via Glasson's Trl)

4.5 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk explores the main highlights of Kincumber Mountain Regional Reserve. Starting on the Glasson's trail, the walk explores a variety of forests along the way to Honeman's Rock and picnic area. After a rest, you visit a large cave on Kanning Walk and continue to the views at Colin Watters Look

Total climbing: 220m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Kanning Cave Walk walk.

Ridge Trail loop

962 m Circuit, 30 mins

The Ridge Trail loop is a short walk starting from Honeman's Picnic Area and follows the signposted Ridge Trail until finding Split Rock management trail. Here, you turn sharply right to head back to the picnic area along this wider trail. There are limited views along this walk, but it still makes

Total climbing: 48m

Moderate track

Sid Pulsford Walk

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

Sid Pulsford Walk explores the ridge top of Kincumber Mountain, from Honeman's Rock to Green Point. The walk mostly follows wide management trails. Halfway along the walk, you will find the By-Pass lookout and rest area, providing good views and a great place to rest. The walk leads past the water r

Total climbing: 118m

Hard track

Warriwarri Lookout

1.5 km Return, 30 mins

This short and fairly flat walk starts from the popular Honeman's picnic area and follows the Sid Pulsford Walking Track, then another trail to Warriwarri Lookout. The lookout is overgrown and provides no real view. A short distance beyond the signposted lookout is a rocky outcrop that provides some

Total climbing: 34m

Easy track

Glasson's Trail

1.7 km One way, 1 Hr

Glasson's Trail starts near the main entrance to Kincumber Mountain Reserve and follows a series of management trails and tracks up to the main picnic area. The walk offers a great way to explore the diverse vegetation and visiting some interesting rock formations. The walk is signposted and cross

Total climbing: 158m

Moderate track

Warri Warri Track (via Warriwarri Lookout)

1.5 km One way, 45 mins

Starting on Bembooka Rd in Erina, this walk heads up the narrow Warri Warri track to Honeman's picnic area. You will visit the overgrown Warriwarri Lookout about halfway along this walk, but do not expect grand views! From the lookout, the walk follows wider trails along the much flatter ridge top t

Total climbing: 147m

Hard 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

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

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Kanning Cave Walk walk starts and ends at the Mudbrick building car park (gps: -33.459135, 151.39183)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

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Park Information

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