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Tag: Hiking

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Wyrrabalong National Park

Fallen Trees on the Lilli Pilli Loop Track

Wyrrabalong National Park

Getting There and Parking

Located on the Central Coast Highway near Norah Head, Wyrrabalong National Park is an hours drive south of Newcastle. We parked in a small car park just past the Pelican Beach Road turn-off, which was small, but well maintained. Signs and an information board provide information about the park and its tacks.

  • Entrance Sign
    Entrance Sign

Lilli Pilli Loop Track

The day we visited was wet and overcast, but this added to the fun of the walk, making the trails very atmospheric. The Lilli Pilli Loop Trail meanders through coastal rain forest along narrow bush tracks. The tracks are often made of sand, but have been reinforced with wooden boards to prevent erosion of this fragile environment.

This is one of the few remaining intact areas of rainforest on the Central Coast, which makes it a very special place. An information board on the lake side of the track details the forest and its wildlife.

The damp conditions encouraged mushroom to grow on dead trees which let us see some beautiful ones as we walked by.

  • Typical Walking Track
    Typical Walking Track
  • Fallen Trees on the Lilli Pilli Loop Track
    Fallen Trees on the Lilli Pilli Loop Track
  • Lilli Pilli Track
    Lilli Pilli Track
  • Mushrooms Growing on a Fallen Log on the Lilli Pilli Track Wyrrabalong National Park
    Mushrooms Growing on a Fallen Log on the Lilli Pilli Track

Red Gum Loop Track

The Lilli Pilli Loop Track joins the Red Gum Loop, at this point you can either return to your car or continue on. We chose to walk the new track, because the vegetation changes to red gum forest, from the rainforest we had just walked through.

The path down to the track is steep, but reinforce with sturdy wooden sleepers, making it safe to walk down. This also prevents erosion of the sand dune, so is environmentally safe too.

The forest in this area is more open with less undergrowth, making views of Tuggerah Lake possible in places. Lookouts have been built in places where the views are best, but it was overcast during our visit, so the lake was not visible. On a clear day, the view would be great.

  • Steep Descent on the Track Reinforced With Wooden Sleepers Wyrrabalong National Park
    Steep Descent on the Track Reinforced With Wooden Sleepers
  • Lookout and Seat on the Red Gum Loop Track
    Lookout and Seat on the Red Gum Loop Track
  • Red Gum Loop Track
    Red Gum Loop Track
  • Red Gum Trees
    Red Gum Trees

What Did We Think of Wyrrabalong National Park?

Both of the loop tracks in the Wyrrabalong National Park were fun to do, because of the different vegetation. We were also pleased we did it while it was wet and damp, as this added to the fun and the environment we passed through.

  • Sign Post at the Intersection of the Tracks Wyrrabalong National Park
    Sign Post at the Intersection of the Tracks
  • Information Board Wyrrabalong National Park
    Information Board
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Arboretum and Bellbird Tracks in Strickland Forest

Stoney Creek Crossing

Strickland State Forest

Two great walks located in the Strickland State Forest are the Arboretum and Bellbird Tracks. Located on the Central Coast of NSW, less than an hour’s drive north of Sydney, south of Newcastle, or a 10-minute drive west of Gosford, Strickland State Forest is a great place to visit.

The forest is only five square kilometres but contains an impressive variety of flora and fauna species, along with extensive walking tracks. These wander through varying forest types, past waterfalls, under cabbage tree palms and along creeks.

The forest has excellent picnic facilities including an all-weather shelter, picnic tables and toilets located at the Banksia Picnic Area

  • Entry Sign to the Strickland State Forest
    Entry Sign to the Strickland State Forest

Arboretum Loop Track

Located at the end of the Strickland Forest Road, the car park for the Arboretum Loop Track is well maintained but has no facilities. You will find these at the Banksia Picnic Area, which you pass on your way in.

From the car park, walk down the trail to Stoney Creek, which has rocks laid out as steppingstones. On our visit, the creek was running high, because of rain and many rocks were under water and slippery. We took our time crossing to make sure we didn’t slip.

The trail then winds through forest, while staying close to the creek. On reaching Narara Creek, you will find a suspension bridge, which make the creek crossing easy, safe and, fun.

Continuing along the trail you will come across a sign to the Arboretum Loop. This area is great to walk through as much of it was planted over 100 years ago making the trees large and mature. Many of the tree are have signs to show their species, which adds to the interest of the walk. At two points large trees have fallen over the creek, forming natural bridges, although they are covered in moss and slippery.

  • Stoney Creek Crossing
    Stoney Creek Crossing
  • Arboretum Loop Track
    Arboretum Loop Track
  • Cabbage Tree Palms on the Arboretum Loop Track
    Cabbage Tree Palms on the Arboretum Loop Track
  • Stoney Creek From the Arboretum Loop Track
    Stoney Creek From the Arboretum Loop Track
  • Fallen Tree Over a Creek
    Fallen Tree Over a Creek
  • Fallen Tree Over a Creek
    Fallen Tree Over a Creek
  • Suspension Bridge Over Narara Creek
    Suspension Bridge Over Narara Creek

Bellbird Track

Located not far from the Arboretum Track, the Bellbird Track starts at a well-made signpost, making it easy to find. From here it winds through fern filled forest, before reaching a creek crossing. The creek was running high because of recent rain, which made the crossing difficult. Usually, the concrete steps are easy to use, but these were under water.

We found leaches on our legs after the crossing, which we quickly removed. Leaches are common in the area, particularly after rain, so be prepared for them.

  • Sign Post
    Sign Post
  • Trees and Ferns on the Bellbird Track
    Trees and Ferns on the Bellbird Track
  • Narara Creek Crossing Bellbird Track
    Narara Creek Crossing Bellbird Track
  • Bellbird Track
    Bellbird Track
  • Ferns on the Bellbird Track
    Ferns on the Bellbird Track
  • The Bellbird Track
    The Bellbird Track
  • Moss Covered Trees on the Bellbird Track
    Moss Covered Trees on the Bellbird Track

Things to be Aware Of

Falling Pinecones

Signs at the car park warn of falling pinecones in some seasons, so be aware of this.

Creek Crossings

Depending on the tracks you take, several creek crossings may be required. After heavy rain the water will be higher and the rocks in the water may be slippery when standing on them to cross the river, so be careful.

Leaches

Leaches live around the creeks and in the wet undergrowth, especially after rain when they are very active. Assume that you will be bitten by them and come prepared with salt and anti-leech sprays as well as decent boots.

What Did We Think?

Apart from the leaches and the slippery creek crossings, we had a great time. It was wet and raining, but this added to the atmosphere in the forest, with everything being wet and damp.

Posted on

Strickland State Forest is Unique and Wonderful

Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail

Strickland State Forest

Located on the Central Coast of NSW, less than an hour’s drive north of Sydney, south of Newcastle, or a 10-minute drive west of Gosford, Strickland State Forest is a great place to visit.

The forest is only five square kilometres but contains an impressive variety of flora and fauna species, along with extensive walking tracks. These wander through varying forest types, past waterfalls, under cabbage tree palms and along creeks.

The forest has excellent picnic facilities including an all-weather shelter, picnic tables and toilets.

Banksia Picnic Area

We parked at the Banksia Picnic Area, as it was close to the walk we wanted to do, as well as having toilets and picnic facilities. There is also an information board showing the walks available, which is great if you are not sure what you want to do. The walks are clearly sign posted and easy to follow.

Strickland Falls Trail

We chose the Strickland Falls Trail for this visit, because it passes through cool forest areas, full of ferns and passes a waterfall. The trail is well sign posted and generally easy to walk, although it does have steps in many places. The return trail was far easier and passed through tall eucalypts on the ridge.

Lower Trail

The trail towards the waterfall led downhill through a valley where we were surrounded by ferns and trees. On a hot day it felt nice a cool, making us appreciate it even more. The track varied from steps made of stones to flat dirt tracks. On most of the trail, we were surrounded by the plants and trees that the forest is famous for.

  • Start of the Strickland Falls Trail
    Start of the Strickland Falls Trail
  • Steps Going Uphill Strickland Falls Trail Strickland State Forest
    Steps Going Uphill
  • Strickland Falls Trail
    Strickland Falls Trail
  • Strickland Falls Trail Strickland Falls Trail
    Strickland Falls Trail
  • Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail
    Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail

Strickland Waterfall

The weather had been very dry prior to our visit, so the waterfall was little more than a trickle, but the surrounding area was wet and damp, giving it a wonderful atmosphere. Although we didn’t see the waterfall at its best, it was still a great place to stop and look around.

From here, the track leads up to the ridge and dry forest above.

  • Strickland Falls Strickland State Forest
    Strickland Falls
  • Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail
    Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail
  • Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail Strickland State Forest
    Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail

Upper Return Trail

The return trail starts with steps leading up from the waterfall, but once you have climbed to the top, most of the remaining track is flat. It passes through dry eucalypt forest, where you can also see Gymea lilies. These were in bloom when we went in spring, with their two to three metre flower stems and bright red flowers making a great display.

The return trail ends near the Banksia Picnic Area, which was near where we had parked.

  • The Return Track Strickland State Forest
    The Return Track
  • Gymea lily
    Gymea lily
  • Gymea lily
    Gymea lily

What Did We Think of the Strickland State Forest?

We loved the Strickland Falls Trail because it wandered through different forest types and was fun to walk. We will be going back to do some of the other walks in the future.