Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

6 km One way

194 m

Hard track

Starting with a walk through the streets of urban Somerbsy, you soon leave the farms and head into Palm Grove Nature Reserve. First you will follow the signposted track down the open dry ridge to the dense rainforest. In this valley you can explores the moist rainforest with towering Eucalypts, Strangler Fig trees, Cabbage Palms and a tangle of vines. From here walk up the rocky track to another dry ridge, where you can follow a side trip to a flat clearing and designated campsite. From near the campsite the track winds down through another moist forest and past more Cabbage Palms before coming to the signposted Ourimbah Valley Trackhead on Ourimbah Creek Road.

Breakfast at Somersby Store (Yum but I could only fit half in)

Intersection of Wisemans Ferry and Dog Trap Roads

Intersection of Dog Trap and Kilkenny Roads

Intersection with driveway just south of Bumbles Creek

Crossing the slippery Bumbles Creek on Kilkenny Road

Walking beside farmland north of Kilkenny Road

Track behind the farms near Kilkenny Road

Plesent morning light north of Kilkenny Road

Steps on the south side of Palm Grove Nature Reserve

Enjoining the tall forest on the south side of Palm Grove Nature Reserve

Well signposted GNW track in Palm Grove Nature Reserve

Birds Nest fern (Asplenium) in Palm Grove Nature Reserve

Birds nest fern (Asplenium) growing on a mossy rock

Crossing a small creek in Palm Grove Nature Reserve

Walking through Palm Grove Nature Reserve

The morning light filtering through the vines

Walking along a mossy rock wall in Palm Grove NR

South side of the ridge in Palm Grove NR

Walkers Registration tube in the Palm Grove NR

Tall open forest on the ridge in Palm Grove NR

Sunrise at the campsite in Palm Grove NR

The track on the north side of the ridge in Palm Grove NR

Rocky track winding through the Palm Grove NR

Strangler fig (Ficus obliqua) on mossy rocks in the Palm Grove NR

Mossy and cool environement on the north side of Palm Grove NR

Tall forest in Palm Grove Nature Reserve

Large clump of Cabbage Palm (Livistona Australis) on the north side of Palm Grove NR

Tall young forest near Ourimbah Creek Road

Ourimbah Valley Trackhead sign on the north side of Palm Grove NR

Somersby Store

Somersby Store offers a good place to have lunch or pick up the basic food supplies. The store serves hot food including burgers, chips, pies etc and cold drinks. Opening hours are 6am - 6pm Monday to Friday and 6.30am to 4pm on Saturdays (closed Sundays). There is a pay phone and a bus stop however services are limited to two buses a day. Contact details are (02)4372 1269, at 841 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby, NSW 2250. The store owners are happy for you to phone ahead. If you are a large group you can order ahead to save the stress. I always encourage people to use local stores like this on track, but since it is a small store it is worth phoning ahead to see what they have what you want in stock.

(0km) Somersby Store → End of Kilkenny Road

2.6 km

48 mins

54m

-69m Moderate track

From the Somersby Store[1], this walk heads north, gently downhill along the side of 'Wisemans Ferry Rd', past the public toilet[2]. After about 120m, this walk crosses an on-ramp[3] then heads over the bridge[4] crossing Peats Ridge Road, then past another on-ramp[5]. The walk continues along Wisemans Ferry Rd for about 700m to then turn sharp right at the three-way intersection[6], onto 'Dog Trap Rd'[7]. Just over 100m along Dog Trap Rd, this walk turns left into 'Kilkenny Rd'[8]. The walk follows Kilkenny Rd past the rural properties[9] for about 1.2km, where the walk continues along the now dirt road[10]. About 50m after becoming dirt, the road leads across a rock ford[11] that can be extremely slippery when wet. The walk continues up along the dirt road[12] for another 300m to come to the end of the road and a 'Great North Walk' sign[13], beside 'Illawong' (farm).

(3km) End of Kilkenny Road → creek crossing

1.4 km

32 mins

11m

-207m Hard track

Continue straight: From the northern end of Kilkenny Road next to 'Illawong' (farm)[14], this walk follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[15] along the management trail, between the two farms[16]. After about 300m, the trail leads to a clearing[17], where this walk turns right to follow the GNW arrow post along track beside the fence line[18] (keeping the paddock on your right) for about 70m. The walk then turns left and follows the 'The Great North Walk' sign[19] down the hill. The track leads steeply at first[20] and become progressively less steep as the walk heads down the ridge line, until almost flattening out[21] about 400m after leaving the farm. The track then bends left and winds steeply down the side of the ridge, down a series of rock steps[22] for about 600m, leading into a dense moist rain forest. The track passes some wonderful examples of bird's nest ferns (Asplenium australasicum)[23] before the last little walk down to the rocky intermittent creek[24]. This walk then crosses the creek in the mossy, cool and moist valley[25].

(4km) creek crossing → Palm Grove Campsite intersection

1 km

28 mins

114m

-25m Hard track

Continue straight: From beside the creek[26], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[27] uphill, using the series of rock steps[28]. The track leads uphill, passing some notably large trees[29] over about 120m to then turn right onto a leafy trail[30]. Here the walk crosses an ephemeral creek[31] then continues along the leafy trail in the shaded rainforest[32]. After about 250m, the walk turns left, following the 'Great North Walk' sign[33] gently up along a narrow track for about 60m to pass a large strangler fig tree[34]. Just past the fig, this track begins to climb steeply up a series of rock steps[35] and switch-backs[36] for about 100m to pass along side a rock wall[37] (on your right). Just past the rock wall, this walk ducks under a fallen tree[38] then continues steeply (into the more open forest) up more rock steps[39] and switchback for another 250m, where the track flattens out and comes to the signposted 'Walker Register' tube[40]. After leaving your comments, and having a bit of a read of other people's adventures, this walk turns right and follows the GNW arrow post[41] along the top of the ridge, through a clearing[42]. Here the walk start to lead down along the top of the ridge[43] for about 150m to come to a three-way intersection[44], marked with a couple of GNW arrow posts (just before a campsite[45], ahead).

(5km) Palm Grove Campsite intersection → Palm Grove Campsite

50 m

1 mins

-2m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the top of the ridge towards the clearing for just shy of 50m to come to the signposted 'Camping Area'[46]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

(5km) Palm Grove Campsite intersection → Ourimbah Valley Trackhead

990 m

24 mins

15m

-143m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post north-west, gently down off the side of the ridge[47] (initially keeping the campsite track down to your right). The track leads down along the side of the ridge[48] for about 150m before leading much more steeply down a series of rock steps[49] for about 200m. The track mostly flatten out just before passing a tall fig growing over a large boulder[50] (on your right). Here the track winds more gently downhill for about 150m to pass a couple cabbage palms (Livistona australis)[51], then continues to wind fairly steeply down for another 400m where the track mostly flattens out again[52]. Near the end of this 400m, the track leads through a short weedy section before heading down a short embankment[53] to a T-intersection with the dirt Ourimbah Creek Rd[54], marked with a large 'Ourimbah Valley Trackhead' sign[55].

Maps for the Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead 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.

Wyong	1:25 000 Map Series	91312N WYONG	NSW-91312N
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead

Altitude analysis for Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead

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	6 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 3.4km of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 2.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

2.6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.4km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (990m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

2.6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 2.4km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (990m) has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

2.6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 2.4km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (1km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.4km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 2.6km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

2.6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (1.4km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead walk.

Somersby Store to Greta Road

21.1 km One way, 8 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Somersby General Store and winds north, through the Jilliby State Conservation Area, and finishes at the corner of Greta Road and Cherry Lane. At just under 20km, this full day walk explores the Palm Grove, Hidden Valley and Ourimba Creek tracks,

Total climbing: 924m

Hard track

Somersby to Yarramalong via Stringy Bark Point

26.7 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts form the Somersby General Store and follows the Great North Walk north into the Jilliby State Conservation Area to Stringy Bark Point campsite. On day two, the walk continues north through the forest and around the back of some farmland to Cherry Lane, and

Total climbing: 1201m

Hard track

Somersby to the Basin Campsite

47.4 km One way, 3 Days

This three day walk starts at the Somersby General Store and follows the Great North Walk, heading north, into the the Jilliby State Conservation Area where the first nights campsite is at Stringy Bark Point. The walk continues north, out of the Conservation Area, to Yarramalong for the second night

Total climbing: 2032m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Somersby Store to Ourimbah Valley Trackhead walk.

Strickland Falls

1.7 km Return, 45 mins

This walk from the Banksia picnic area, to the Strickland Falls, includes a fantastic variety of forest scenery. The falls themselves are often just a trickle, although the scenery in the area makes the walk well worthwhile. The cliff lines and boulders around the falls are interesting and there are

Total climbing: 87m

Moderate track

Strickland Falls and Cabbage Tree loop

3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This excellent loop walk combines the Strickland Falls and Cabbage Tree loop walks. The walk starts in the dry eucalypt forest around the Banksia Picnic Area and soon descends into lush green rainforest remnants, filled with ferns and cabbage tree palms. The walk includes some great scenery along th

Total climbing: 221m

Moderate track

Cabbage Tree Trail

1.7 km Circuit, 1 Hr

A beautiful walk from the Banksia picnic area. This walk starts in the dry eucalypt forest, typical of the hilltops in the area, and descends to areas of lush forest, filled with cabbage tree palms and ferns. Some interesting boulder outcrops and the great variety of vegetation just add to the scene

Total climbing: 115m

Moderate track

Stoney Creek Trail

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

An excellent walk, spending much of its time in the shaded, rainforest-filled valleys of the Strickland State Forest. From the dry eucalypt forest around the Banksia picnic area, the walk soon descends into moist forest, filled with ferns and cabbage tree palms. You could make this a return walk by

Total climbing: 58m

Moderate track

Strickland Falls Loop Trail

1.8 km Circuit, 1 Hr

A loop walk with plenty of excellent scenery. The walk starts in the dry eucalypt forest around the Banksia Picnic Area and soon descends into lush green rainforest remnants, filled with ferns and cabbage tree palms. The walk includes some great scenery along the base of the cliff line and around th

Total climbing: 133m

Moderate track

Strickland Tour

8.1 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

A grand tour of the Strickland State Forest. This great walk covers most of the established walking tracks in Strickland and enjoys much of the excellent scenery available in the area. Plenty of time is spent in the lush green, rainforest-filled valleys, and there is some really nice boulder and cli

Total climbing: 402m

Moderate track

Arboretum Loop Trail

2.3 km Circuit, 1 Hr

A very nice walk through a mixture of native (regrowth) forest and one of Australia's oldest arboretums. The arboretum has both native and exotic trees, with the plantings dating from 1887-1924. This walk takes you along some of the rainforest-clad creeks of Strickland State Forest, before crossing

Total climbing: 45m

Moderate track

Bellbird Trail

3.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

A great walk, passing through plenty of the Strickland rainforest, and among the tall tress of the arboretum. You are likely to have the sound of Bellbirds adding to the atmosphere along parts of this walk. There are a number of picturesque creek crossings along the way, one with a small suspension

Total climbing: 89m

Moderate track

Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Forest Road

11.2 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This pleasant walk explores the rural valleys and a beautiful section of Jilliby State Conservation Area. Starting at Ourimbah Valley Trackhead you walk into Hidden valley along the dirt road, to then follow a trail beside Ourimbah Creek to Stringy Bark Point. This is a pleasant mossy area with many

Total climbing: 528m

Hard track

Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Greta Road

15 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

Hard track

Somersby Falls

426 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk starts from the Somersby Falls picnic area and follows the series of waterfalls along Floods Creek. The picnic area provides barbeques, picnic tables, toilets and ample parking. This walk could make part of a great family day out in the area. The main falls drop onto a large rock pl

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

248 Track

8.3 km Return, 3 hrs 15 mins

A nice walk through Popran National Park with good views along the way. The optional side trip to Mt Olive adds some great views and scenery. If you have a car with good ground clearance, you could drive to Ironbark picnic area and start the walk from there.

Total climbing: 255m

Moderate track