White St Rainforest loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.7 km Circuit

76 m

Moderate track

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 reserve and is a great way to see some of the beautiful scenery in Rumbalara.

Metal steps and walkway on the rainforest walk

(0km) End of White St → Northern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk

490 m

11 mins

27m

-16m Moderate track

From the end of White St, this walk passes the 'Rumbalara Reserve' signpost, goes around the gate, and follows the 'Cappers Gully' arrow along the management trail. The trail meanders along the hillside for some time. At one point, there are some long thin stone slabs forming a retaining wall, on the right. The trail eventually reaches an intersection, signposted 'Cappers Gully'.

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) Northern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk → Southern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk

50 m

1 mins

-1m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail gently up the hill, leaving the 'Cappers Gully' signpost behind on the right. After a very short distance, the walk arrives at an intersection, signposted 'Interpretive Centre', beside a fenced area.

Cappers Gully quarry

This old quarry site is beside Cappers Gully in the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The area is fenced off for safety reasons. The neat, square-cut walls of the quarry make an interesting sight on the walks in the area.

(1km) Southern int of White St firetrail and Rainforest walk → Top of staircase on Rainforest walk

400 m

9 mins

15m

-37m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Henry Parry Drive' arrow (Rainforest Track) down the steps and along the bush track. The track immediately bends to the right, passing a couple of old picnic tables, to the left. The track then enters a forest filled with a jumble of vines and ferns, meandering for a while before crossing a small metal bridge, and continuing until reaching an intersection at the top of a metal staircase, signposted 'Rainforest Track'.

(1km) Top of staircase on Rainforest walk → Back gate of 2GO car park

220 m

5 mins

-16m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Henry Parry Drive' arrow down the metal staircase, arriving at the end of a management trail at the bottom of the stairs.
Continue straight: From the bottom of the metal staircase, this walk follows the management trail away from the stairs. The trail soon bends to the right and continues for a short distance before passing a plaque marking the handing over of Cappers Gully Reserve, set in a stone, to the left. The trail continues a little further to an intersection just before the gate at the back of the 2GO radio station car park. The intersection is marked with a pair of track arrows on a wooden post.

(1km) Back gate of 2GO car park → Henry Parry Dr trackhead

160 m

3 mins

-4m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, immediately crossing the small gully, leaving the nearby gate and car park behind on the right. The track soon bends to the right, at a track marker post, and continues, keeping the houses to the left, until reaching the trackhead at the intersection of Frederick St and Henry Parry Dr, Gosford, marked with a track information board and a 'Rainforest Track' signpost pointing back to 'Cappers Gully'.

(1km) Henry Parry Dr trackhead → End of White St

370 m

8 mins

25m

-3m Moderate track

Turn left: From the trackhead at the intersection of Frederick St and Henry Parry Dr, Gosford, this walk follows Henry Parry Dr up the hill, leaving the information board behind on the left. The walk turns left into White St and continues to the 'Rumbalara Reserve' signpost beside the gate at the end of the street.

Maps for the White St Rainforest loop 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 White St Rainforest loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the White St Rainforest loop

Altitude analysis for White St Rainforest loop

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	1.7 km
		Time	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	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		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 890m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 790m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 1.1km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 590m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 1.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 530m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.1km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 560m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.5km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 160m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 1.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 590m 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 White St Rainforest loop walk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the White St Rainforest loop 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

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

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

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

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

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

Girrakool to Patonga

24.8 km One way, 10 hrs

This walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. As the track approaches the southern edge of Brisbane

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Girrakool to Patonga Overnight

24.8 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. Much of this walk follows the Great North Wal

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

12.3 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds down alongside Piles creek, before climbing up through the Brisbane Waters National Park to Scopas peak, and then on to the lovely Kariong brook falls. The walk finishes at the Staples Lookout. This walk mostly follows a section of the Grea

Total climbing: 697m

Hard track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station

9.5 km One way, 4 hrs

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses some long rock flats and climbs to the top of Scopas Peak, providing views spanning right across the park. The walk then continues down to Wondabyne station, and provides an

Total climbing: 438m

Hard track