Sandringham Circuit

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.9 km Circuit

201 m

Hard track

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 down the hill, back to the start of the walk. An enjoyable circuit walk for those who do not mind hills, worthwhile for the views from Colin Watters Lookout.

Looking up steps at the end of Sandringham Cl

The boulders can be quite interesting on there own

Track between Colin Watters Lookout and the tower

Information sign near Colin Watters Lookout

Management trail north east of Nyari Lookout

(0km) End of Sandringham Cl → Sandringham intersection

140 m

4 mins

33m

0m Moderate track

From the end of Sandringham Cl, this walk heads up the concrete steps and path between houses number 7 and 9. At the back of the houses, the walk continues up the hill along the track and timber steps and, before long, the track passes between two timber barriers, coming to a wide management trail and a five-way intersection (just to the left).

(0km) Sandringham intersection → Sandringham Track clearing

690 m

18 mins

70m

-4m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads past the No Dogs sign and up the timbers steps, following the track up the spur away from the houses. The track heads steeply at first and then, at the top of the stairs, the track bends right and flattens out. After about 150m, the track starts to head uphill again and, just past a large dead tree, the walk turns left at a 'T' intersection to head up along the ridge. After another 120m, the walk ignores a side track (on the right) and continues up the ridge for just over 100m to a small clearing and intersection with a management trail.

(1km) Sandringham Track clearing → Tower intersection

170 m

6 mins

30m

0m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the narrow track up the ridge (initially keeping the management trail below and to the right). The track heads towards the rocky outcrop and bends left, keeping the rocks on the right. The track leads between the gums and grass trees, with filtered views to the left. The track makes its way around the rock to a flat area at the top. From here, the track continues gently up the hill along to top of the ridge for about 60m, to a four-way intersection near the large tower.

(1km) Tower intersection → Colin Watters Lookout

110 m

3 mins

-12m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads south-east away from the tower and gently down hill. The track soon ignores another track (on the left) and gently bends to the right, coming to the fenced and signposted 'Colin Watters Lookout'[1].

Colin Watters Lookout

A plaque[2] explains that this lookout was named in 1992 in honour of the Colin D Watters, who was Senior Parks Supervisor with Gosford Council. The fenced[3] lookout provides great view south-east, down Picketts Valley to Avoca Lake and Beach[4]. The lookout is also home to an information board[5], bench seat[6], picnic table and garbage bin[7]. This lookout offers one of the best views in the park and makes a great spot to stop and rest.

(1km) Colin Watters Lookout → Watters intersection

90 m

2 mins

12m

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the lookout, this walk heads away from the view, following the wider trail past the 'Colin Watters Lookout'[8] and past the sheltered information board. Ignoring the shortcut track (on the left), the trail comes to 'T' intersection near the tower (about 40m past the information board).

(1km) Watters intersection → Tower clearing

60 m

1 mins

0m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, keeping the tower on the right. The trail bends right and comes to a clearing and a 'Colin Watters Lookout' sign[9] point back along the trail.

Tower Clearing

This clearing is found between Nyari and Colin Watters Lookouts. The clearing is next to a large communication repeater tower[10]. There is some natural shade and a solitary picnic table[11] on the northern side.

(1km) Tower clearing → Nyari Lookout

130 m

3 mins

-11m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the clearing (keeping the tower behind and to the right), then follows the 'Nyari Lookout' sign[12] back into the bush. The track gently winds through the ferns and soon comes to a 'T' intersection with a management trail, and 'Nyari Lookout' on the otherside side of the trail[13].

Nyari Lookout

The signposted[14] and unfenced Nyari Lookout is found beside the Sandringham Trail and is also know as Nyari Point. The views from this point are filtered through the trees and extend north-west over Erina and a small section of the Brisbane Water to Rumbalara Reserve[16]. Not the greatest views around.

(1km) Nyari Lookout → Sandringham Track clearing

220 m

5 mins

-25m Moderate track

Turn right: From the lookout, this walk follows the wide management trail downhill. The trail passes a track (on the right) and bends right, then heads more gently down around the side of the steep gully. The trail bends left and just after passing a rocky outcrop (up to the right), the trail comes to a small clearing at the top of the ridge. This is an unsignposted four-way intersection with the Sandringham track.

(2km) Sandringham Track clearing → Blue Hill intersection

370 m

8 mins

-49m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail as it heads downhill fairly steeply, keeping the valley to the left. The trail soon becomes much less steep and passes a couple of informal tracks (on the right) before coming to a distinct three-way intersection with another wide management trail (on the right).

(2km) Blue Hill intersection → Sandringham intersection

810 m

20 mins

48m

-71m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail north and downhill and immediately turns right, keeping the other trail uphill to the right. The walk continues down the hill, keeping the valley on the left. Soon after passing a rocky outcrop (close to the trail), the walk comes to views of houses in the valley. The trail continues gently downhill, passing a wide informal track (on the left) - this walk continues along the wider trail, keeping the houses to the left for a while. In time, the trail comes to a five-way intersection, notable for a timber barrier guarding the track on the left, and steps heading up to the right.

(3km) Sandringham intersection → End of Sandringham Cl

140 m

4 mins

-33m Moderate track

Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the narrower track downhill between the timber barriers, towards the houses. The track leads down a series of timber steps and then down a concrete path (and steps) between two houses, coming to the end of Sandringham Cl.

Maps for the Sandringham 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 Sandringham Circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Sandringham Circuit

Altitude analysis for Sandringham 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	2.9 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		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

1.7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 860m is very steep. The remaining (390m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 1.8km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 1.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

2.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 170m has minimal directional signs. The remaining (150m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

2.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 170m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (150m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 2.9km 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 Sandringham Circuit walk.

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

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 Sandringham Circuit walk.

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

Kanning Cave Walk

922 m Return, 20 mins

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 boulder

Total climbing: 34m

Easy track

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

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

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