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Category: Bushwalking

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Stoney Creek Track Strickland State Forest

Boulders in a Creek

Stoney Creek Track Strickland State Forest

Getting There

Located in the Strickland State Forest, Stoney Creek Track is a great walk winding its way along Stoney Creek from the upper Banksia picnic area to the lower carpark.

Banksia Picnic Area

The track starts near the entrance to the Banksia Picnic Area, where a large car park and toilet facilities sit next to covered picnic areas. Several information boards show the various tracks in the area, along with some of the wildlife you might see along the way.

The lower carpark provides an alternate starting point, where you can walk the track uphill, before returning.

Stoney Creek Track

With a one way distance of 1.1km, or 2.2km return, this walk can be combined with other tracks to form a loop. We combined it with the Ridge to Rainforest Track, giving us a constantly changing landscape for the whole walk.

After completing the Ridge to Rainforest Track, which finishes at the lower carpark, we used the Stoney Creek Track to return to our car at the Banksia Picnic Area. The gully rainforest at the start is dark and cool, where you are surrounded by dense trees and moss covered boulders. Toward the top, the vegetation changes to cabbage tree ferns, which adds great variety to the walk.

This is an uphill track, but we didn’t find it too steep and at only 1.1km long it’s quite short. To help in the steeper spots, steps cut into rocks make the track easier. The many boulders in the creek that give it its name look amazing covered in moss.

  • Stoney Creek Creek
    Stoney Creek Creek
  • Boulders in a Creek
    Boulders in a Stoney Creek
  • Boulders in a Creek
    Boulders in a Stoney Creek
  • Stoney Creek Track Stairs
    Stoney Creek Track Stairs

What did We Think?

This was a great uphill walk, with changing vegetation along the way. Following the creek from rainforest to cabbage tree palms was fun. Although an uphill walk, it is only 1.1 km long, with opportunities to stop and admire your surroundings on the way. When combined with the Ridge to Rainforest it creates a good length walk through different forest types.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Ridge to Rainforest Track Strickland State Forest

Track Towards the Bottom the the Walk

Ridge to Rainforest Track Strickland State Forest

Getting There

Located in the Strickland State Forest, the Ridge to Rainforest Track is a great walk winding its way through the dry forest along the ridge into the gully rainforest along the creek. Mossy rocks, statuesque trees and a planted grove of Hoop Pine are featured along the track, making the walk interesting as the surrounding forest changes.

Banksia Picnic Area

The track starts near the entrance to the Banksia Picnic Area, where a large car park and toilet facilities sit next to covered picnic areas. Several information boards show the various tracks in the area, along with some of the wildlife you might see along the way.

Alternatively the track can be walked from the Stones Creek car park up to the Banksia Picnic Area. From here you are able to return to the starting point via the Stones Creek track.

Ridge to Rainforest Track

The well formed track runs downhill through the forest, which has a changing vista as it changes from dry to rain forest. Several small creeks cross the track, with each having bridges or stone culverts to aid crossing.

Descending from the ridge the ground rises on your left and consists of mossy rocks and boulders.

The track ends at the Stones Creek car park, where you can choose to return the way you came or use the Stones Creek track to return to the car park. We took the second option, so that we walked a different track on the way back. It’s a steep uphill climb but an enjoyable walk.

Alternatively, the Bellbird and Arboretum tracks start near the lower carpark if you want to extend the length of the walk.

  • Start of the Ridge to Rainforest Track
    Start of the Ridge to Rainforest Track
  • Stoney Creek Track Stairs
    Stoney Creek Track Stairs
  • Rocks and Boulders on the Forest Floor
    Rocks and Boulders on the Forest Floor
  • Stonework around a Culvert for a Creek
    Stonework around a Culvert for a Creek
  • Sunlight Through the Forest
    Sunlight Through the Forest
  • Boulders on the Side of the Track
    Boulders on the Side of the Track
  • Ridge to Rainforest Track Strickland State Forest Part of the track Descending
    Part of the track Descending
  • Ridge to Rainforest Track
    Ridge to Rainforest Track
  • Ridge to Rainforest Track Strickland State Forest Stand of Hoop Pines
    Stand of Hoop Pines
  • Ridge to Rainforest Track Strickland State Forest Track Towards the Bottom the the Walk
    Track Towards the Bottom the the Walk

What did We Think?

This was a very enjoyable walk, because of the varying vegetation and well formed track. Hiking through the while listening to the birds was very relaxing.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Whale Sculpture

Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Kamay Visitor Centre

Before setting out on the Burrawang Walk, drop into the Visitor Centre. Not only are the toilets located here, but it is full of useful information for your visit. The staff were very friendly and helpful, which made the day start on a positive note.

Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay

Weaving through the history of the area, the Burrawang Walk takes you through the eyes of the original inhabitants of the area, through to Cook’s landing in 1770 and to its ongoing impact. Starting at the Visitor Centre it was originally called the Monuments Track, because of the monuments in the area. This is an easy track, because it’s only 1.2 km long, and mostly on grass or concrete pathways.

Interpretive Signs

Interpretive signs provide an insight into Aboriginal life in the area and the impact white settlement had on them. This is great because until recently, only European heritage was commemorated here.

  • Interpretive Area Burrawand Walk
    Some of the Interpretive Signs
  • Interpretive Sign Burrawand Walk
    Interpretive Sign

Meeting Place

The Meeting Place Kamay Botany Bay National Park Burrawand Walk
The Meeting Place

Cook’s Landing Place

A large obelisk and plaque commemorating Cook’s landing place dominate one section of the shore. In 1770, Lieutenant (later Captain) Cook landed here and claimed the continent in the name of the British Crown.

  • Captain Cook's Landing
    Captain Cook’s Landing
  • Plaque at Cook's Landing
    Plaque at Cook’s Landing

Banks’ Memorial

Banks inclusion in Cook’s expedition as a scientist led to many discoveries of plants and animals unknown to Europeans. A large memorial to him sits near Cook’s memorial, which recognises his contribution to science.

Banks Memorial Burrawand Walk
Banks Memorial

Solander Memorial

An interesting memorial and the first one we saw is to Daniel Solander, a Swedish scientist who accompanied Banks on the Cook expedition. He was the first Swede and university trained scientist to set foot in Australia.

Solander’s documentation of unknown plants led to the area being named Botany Bay, although now it has a dual name, Kamay Bay in recognition of its Aboriginal heritage.

Overshadowed by Banks while also dying at the young age of 49, he did not develop the reputation he deserved.

Solander Memorial Kamay Botany Bay National Park Burrawand Walk
Solander Memorial

Bronze Sculptures

Sitting in, or on the water’s edge are three sets of bronze sculptures. These commemorate the 250th anniversary of the meeting of Aboriginal Australians and the crew of HMB Endeavour.

  • Whale Sculpture
    Whale Sculpture
  • Whale Sculpture
    Whale Sculpture
  • Whale Bone Sculpture
    Eyes of the Land and Sea
  • Whale Bone Sculpture
    Whale Bone Sculpture
  • Bronze Canoe Sculpture
    Bronze Canoe Sculpture

First European’s Grave

Located on the waterfront, is a plaque marking the grave of Forby Sutherland, the first British subject buried in Australia. Forby died of tuberculosis.

Forby Sutherland Burial
Forby Sutherland Burial

What Did We Think of Burrawang Walk?

This was a nice, easy walk with lots to see. The numerous information boards were educational, which made it even more interesting. This is a must visit if you are in Sydney, because of the number of memorials and European heritage.