Red Gum Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.4 km Circuit

81 m

Hard track

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 surrounds. Note that the entrance gate on Dolly Ave, for the upper section of Rumbalara, is locked at 8pm each evening.

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 → Western int of Red Gum walk and Dolly Ave

60 m

1 mins

-3m Moderate track

From the BBQs, this walk goes across the picnic area towards the road and down the steps. The walk veers to the right, following the road gently down the hill for a short distance to an intersection with a bush track, beside a low boulder, on the left (some distance before the nearby water reservoir).

(0km) Western int of Red Gum walk and Dolly Ave → Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk

60 m

1 mins

-5m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track around the low boulder, to the right, keeping the nearby water reservoir to the right. The walk goes gently downhill for a short distance to an intersection with a management trail.

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.

(0km) Int of Flannel Flower walk and Red Gum walk → Wannagan Lookout

420 m

12 mins

35m

-51m Hard track

Continue straight: 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[3], with great views to the north.

Wannagan Lookout

The fenced Wannagan Lookout[4], 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.

(1km) Wannagan Lookout → Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk

290 m

6 mins

-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.

(1km) Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk → Sculpture of Edward John Eyre

150 m

2 mins

-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.

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.

(1km) Int of Red Gum walk and Mouat Walk → Int of Mouat Walk and Dolly Ave

30 m

1 mins

-1m 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'.

(1km) Int of Mouat Walk and Dolly Ave → Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs

560 m

12 mins

34m

-10m Moderate track

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 Red Gum 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 Red Gum Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Red Gum 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	1.4 km
		Time	45 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

Around 1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 420m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 760m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 660m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 720m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 700m has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 720m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 700m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 120m 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 Red Gum Walk 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

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

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

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

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

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 Red Gum Walk walk.

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

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

White St firetrail

991 m One way, 30 mins

A surprisingly nice fire trail walk. A lot of the forest scenery along this walk is really beautiful. Much of it is very moist forest, filled with ferns. You also get a glimpse of an old quarry at Cappers Gully, adding a little historic interest to the walk.

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate track

White St Rainforest loop

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

A very nice loop walk in the lower part of the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The walk includes a section of road but spends most time in very nice forest scenery, including pockets of the beautiful rainforest in the reserve. This walk has substantially fewer steps than some of the other walks in the r

Total climbing: 76m

Moderate track

Rainforest Walk

3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

A great walk through some beautiful pockets of rainforest in the Rumbalara Reserve. Parts of the track are quite steep, although the well-formed track with plenty of steps makes the walking easier. As well as the beautiful rainforest scenery, this walk includes some glimpses into an old quarry at Ca

Total climbing: 192m

Hard track

Rainforest walk to Nurrunga picnic area

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

An extended version of the Rumbalara Reserve Rainforest Walk. After walking through some beautiful pockets of rainforest, this walk continues to the upper section of the reserve, enjoying some great views across Gosford and the surrounding areas. The sheer variety in the vegetation from the start of

Total climbing: 196m

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

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

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Red Gum Walk walk starts and ends at the Yaruga Picnic Area BBQs (gps: -33.425486, 151.35526)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Rumbalara Reserve

The Rumbalara Reserve is a protected area of bushland just to the east of Gosford City. The area is part of the Hornsby Sandstone Plateau and is home to some diverse flora and fauna. There are some good picnic areas and great walking in the reserve. Rumbalara is an aborginal word meaning 'rainbow', the name suits this place well, with its great range of colour in the rock and plants.

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