australian bush Archives - Page 6 of 6

19 October 20206 January 2021

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.

Steps Going Uphill Strickland Falls Trail Strickland State Forest — Start of 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

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

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.

22 September 202022 September 2020

Beautiful Piles Creek Loop Track

Piles Creek Loop Track

Located in Brisbane Water National Park, Piles Creek Loop Track is a grade 5 challenging walk threading through dry eucalypt forest along Piles Creek, passing waterfalls and crossing a suspension bridge. Managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the track is in good condition, but the Grade 5 rating reflects unformed paths, steep climbs and limited direction signs.

Getting There

A one-hour drive north of Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the Central Coast Highway exit, then:

Take the first left onto Wisemans Ferry Road
Then take the first left onto Old Pacific Highway
Take the first left onto Quarry Road
The picnic area, where the trail begins, is through the tunnel and straight ahead.

Be aware of the carpark’s closing time, as rangers lock the gates after hours.

Car Park

The carpark is small, and becomes full early, because the park is popular. Additional spaces are available on the road leading to the car park, although this means a longer walk. A ticket machine in the car park allows you to pay the entry fee on arrival.

Piles Creek Loop Track

Starting at the same spot as the Girrakool Loop Track, the Piles Creek track follows the creek to the south west. The walk takes you through eucalypt forest and past steep rock faces of the Piles Creek Gully. Spaced along the walk are fenced lookout, which enable to to admire the scenery in safety.

Several small creeks are crossed with bridges or walkways. In several places there are stepping stones, which are fun to use. The Rat Gully crossing uses steps cut into boulders in the creek, which need to be used with care to avoid slipping.

Although it hadn’t rained recently, several areas were muddy, including some steps, so we took things slowly to avoid slipping.

This four kilometer loop took us 3.5 hours to complete, which we really enjoyed because of the challenge and amazing scenery.

Rough Stairway on Piles Creek Loop Track

Wooden Walkway — Rough Stairway on Piles Creek Loop Track

Signage and Directions

Generally well sign posted, several signs are ambiguous, so stay alert to your location. We found the track quite well defined, where others had used it, which made finding the right direction easy.

Phil Houghton Bridge

The Phil Houghton Bridge is a metal suspension bridge that crosses Piles Creek. It is part of the Great North Walk and replaces an older bridge, with parts still visible upstream. The bridge can hold up to 8 people and feels very stable. There are great views both up and downstream half way across this bridge.

At this point, there is an option to extend the walk to the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge, by following the Hawkesbury Track. This track will take you 2.2 kilometers along Piles Creek and then Mooney Mooney Creek to the old bridge. Alternatively, should you wish to do this section, it it accessible from the Pacific Highway, which makes the overall walk shorter.

We chose to take the return trip straight away by following the track back to the Girrakool car park.

Hawkesbury Track From the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge to Phil Houghton Bridge

This is only a small section of the Hawkesbury Track at 2.2 kilometers one way, making it an easy walk taking around an hour return.

Getting There

Located on the Pacific Highway, the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge has a small area nearby where cars can park. From here we walked over the bridge to look at the creek and surrounding eucalypt forest. We then walked down a track to the creek, where the structure of the bridge can be seen.

This section of the track can also be walked from the Phil Houghton Bridge if you are doing the Piles Creek Loop Track, adding 4.4 kilometers to that walk.

Old Mooney Mooney Bridge

Old Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge on the Old Pacific Highway is a steel truss bridge built in 1930. The bridge forms part of the Pacific Highway between Calga and Kariong near Gosford. The bridge also forms part of the Great North Walk which is a popular walking trail connecting Sydney and Newcastle.

There are great views of the creek from on top and under the bridge, as well as the interesting structure of the bridge itself.

Mooney Mooney Creek — Old Mooney Mooney Bridge

The Hawkesbury Track

The track near the bridge is very easy to walk because it is flat and follows the creek. However, once it reaches Piles Creek and a marshy area, the track climbs up the gorge wall becoming steep in places. Passing through the eucalypt forest, it crosses several creeks, which have bridges are walkways over them.

The forest and views over the creek are amazing, with fern trees and mossy boulders to be found amongst the trees.

When you reach the Phil Houghton Bridge, you can continue on and complete the Piles Creek Loop Track, or return to the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge. Piles creek is a grade 5 four kilometer loop, that takes around three and a half to four hours to walk.

Hawkesbury Track — Track Down From the Pacific Highway

Hawkesbury Track Along Mooney Mooney Creek

What did We Think?

4 February 202029 March 2022

Girrakool Loop Track Brisbane Water National Park

Girrakool Loop Track

Part of the Brisbane Water National Park, the Girrakool Loop Track is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. This ensures that the park is managed well and that tracks are maintained in good condition. A small fee applies which you pay in the car park.

Getting There

A one-hour drive north of Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the Central Coast Highway exit, then:

Take the first left onto Wisemans Ferry Road
Then take the first left onto Old Pacific Highway
Take the first left onto Quarry Road
The picnic area, where the trail begins, is through the tunnel and straight ahead.

Be aware of the carpark’s closing time, as rangers lock the gates after hours.

Fungi Growing near the Girrakool Loop Track — Fungi Growing near the Track

Eucalypt on the Girrakool Loop Track — Eucalypt on the Track

Aboriginal Rock Engravings

One of the first stops on the track is a collection of Aboriginal rock engravings, which give an insight into indigenous settlement of the area. Signs warn visitors not to walk on them, while also explaining their significance.

Wildlife and Native Flowers

Wild flowers bloom in spring, so we missed them, however, we came across a bush turkey, which was the only wildlife we saw.

Waterfalls on the Girrakool Loop Track

Apart from the native forest and views, the waterfalls are the major drawcard for this walk. We though the one at Andamira Lookout was the nicest, as it was shady and quiet.

Waterfall at Andamira Lookout on the Girrakool Loop Track — Shady Waterfall at Andamira Lookout

What Did We Think

A great little walk taking about 45 minutes, passing forest and nice waterfalls. We had a great time.

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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Tag: australian bush

Strickland State Forest is Unique and Wonderful

Strickland State Forest