AdBlock Detected

It looks like you're using an ad-blocker!

Our team work realy hard to produce quality content on this website and we noticed you have ad-blocking enabled.

Tag: Strickland State Forest

Posted on

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.

Our photos are available for purchase on

Posted on

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

Posted on

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.