Ironbark and Flannel Flower Circuit
Darkinjung & Guringai Country

50 min to 1 h

2 km
circuit

↑ 87 m
↓ -87 m

Moderate track
A great circuit walk, covering two of the popular walking tracks and some of the great sights in the upper section of the Rumbalara Reserve. You will enjoy some really nice forest walking and fantastic views across various parts of Gosford and the surrounding areas. Note that the entrance gate on Dolly Ave, for the upper section of Rumbalara, is locked at 8pm each evening. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darkinjung & Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Yaruga picnic area lookout. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Free electric BBQs. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Near Yaruga picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Through the trees. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Hillside walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Grasstree by the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Bushfire scars. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Views over Gosford. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Steps for easier walking. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Track junction. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Well defined track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Meandering through the trees. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Sculpture of Matthew Flinders. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Across the Nurrunga Picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Bronze sculpture of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Walking around the Ironbark loop. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Past the facilities. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Along the Flannel Flower walk. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Powerlines overhead. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Drier forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Yaruga picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.4251386,151.3546894)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom York Street, A49
  • Turn on to Wells Street then drive for 360 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Wells Street and drive for another 700 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Wells Street and drive for another 810 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Springfield Road and drive for another 260 m
  • Turn left onto Dolly Avenue and drive for another 345 m
  • Continue onto Dolly Avenue and drive for another 1.4 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the BBQs, this walk goes across the picnic area, keeping the road to the right. The walk passes the information board, to the left, and follows the paved path toward the nearby toilet block. The walk turns left just before the toilet block and follows the 'Nurrunga Picnic Area' arrow down the paved steps and along the bush track. The walk descends gently for a while with numerous sandstone steps, then meanders around the side of the hill, for some distance. Ignoring a bush track, to the left, and another soon after, to the right, the walk continues for some distance until reaching an intersection with a management trail, with a 'Flannel Flower Track' signpost pointing back to the 'Yaruga Picnic Area'.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 55 m pass the car park (10 m on your left).
After another 40 m find the "Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna" (20 m on your left).
Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna
Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna

The reserve is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The vegetation types range from the relatively dry 'Coastal Narrabeen Ironbark Forest' to pockets of 'Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest'. Commonly seen birds include Kookaburras, Eastern Rosellas and Magpies. Rarer birds such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Swift Parrot are sometimes sighted here as well. Sugar Gliders, Brush-tailed possums, Blue-tounged lizards and Tree snakes can be seen in the reserve if you are patient and lucky enough.
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The reserve is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The vegetation types range from the relatively dry 'Coastal Narrabeen Ironbark Forest' to pockets of 'Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest'. Commonly seen birds include Kookaburras, Eastern Rosellas and Magpies. Rarer birds such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Swift Parrot are sometimes sighted here as well. Sugar Gliders, Brush-tailed possums, Blue-tounged lizards and Tree snakes can be seen in the reserve if you are patient and lucky enough.

Then come to the "Yaruga Lookout" (40 m on your left).
Then find the "Yaruga Picnic Area" (70 m on your left).
Yaruga Picnic Area
Yaruga Picnic Area

This picnic area is right beside Dolly Ave, within the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The facilities include free electric BBQs, picnic tables, toilets and garbage bins. There are information boards with details of the walking tracks and other features of the reserve. There are a couple of lookout points at the edge of the picnic area with great views out across Gosford and the surrounding areas.
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This picnic area is right beside Dolly Ave, within the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The facilities include free electric BBQs, picnic tables, toilets and garbage bins. There are information boards with details of the walking tracks and other features of the reserve. There are a couple of lookout points at the edge of the picnic area with great views out across Gosford and the surrounding areas.

Then pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
After another 210 m (Very Steep Rocky path) continue straight, to head along Flannel Flower walk.
After another 160 m continue straight, to head along Flannel Flower walk.
After another 245 m turn left.
After another 120 m find the "Flannel Flower" (10 m on your right).
Flannel Flower
Flannel Flower

Actinotus helianthi, popularly known as the Sydney flannel flower, is frequently spotted by spring-time bushwalkers in the Sydney region. Generally growing up to 50 cm, the stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like flannel in texture).
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Actinotus helianthi, popularly known as the Sydney flannel flower, is frequently spotted by spring-time bushwalkers in the Sydney region. Generally growing up to 50 cm, the stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like flannel in texture).
Turn right.
After another 25 m pass the "Statue" (140 m on your left).
After another 170 m turn left.
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 160 m pass the "Statue" (9 m on your left).
After another 50 m come to the "Nurrunga Point" (30 m on your left).
Then find the "Sculptures in Rumbalara" (10 m on your left).
Sculptures in Rumbalara
Sculptures in Rumbalara

There are four bronze figurative sculptures in the Rumbalara Reserve that were 'commissioned in the series "Salute to Famous Australians", which includes Captain Charles Sturt, Edward Eyre, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.' Matthew Flinders is the fourth in the series. They were 'commissioned by Sara Lee Kitchens (Australia) Pty Ltd and Gosford City Council for the State Bicentennial Celebrations 1987.'. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area.
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There are four bronze figurative sculptures in the Rumbalara Reserve that were 'commissioned in the series "Salute to Famous Australians", which includes Captain Charles Sturt, Edward Eyre, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.' Matthew Flinders is the fourth in the series. They were 'commissioned by Sara Lee Kitchens (Australia) Pty Ltd and Gosford City Council for the State Bicentennial Celebrations 1987.'. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area.

Then pass the "Statue" (15 m on your left).
After another 105 m pass the toilet (8 m on your right).
After another 85 m continue straight.
After another 25 m turn left.
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 25 m find the "Rumbalara Reserve" (7 m on your right).
Rumbalara Reserve
Rumbalara Reserve

Rumbalara Reserve lies just to the east of the Gosford CBD and is part of Gosford's Coastal Open Space System (COSS). There is an extensive set of well marked walking tracks within the reserve. Yaruga Picnic Area has free electric BBQs while both Yaruga and Nurrunga picnic areas have toilets, picnic tables, nearby lookouts and proximity to walking tracks. The picnic areas are accessed via Dolly Ave, Springfield, with the gate being locked at 8pm each evening. The Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, at the end of Donnison St, Gosford, is one of several good access points to the walking tracks in the lower section of the reserve.
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Rumbalara Reserve lies just to the east of the Gosford CBD and is part of Gosford's Coastal Open Space System (COSS). There is an extensive set of well marked walking tracks within the reserve. Yaruga Picnic Area has free electric BBQs while both Yaruga and Nurrunga picnic areas have toilets, picnic tables, nearby lookouts and proximity to walking tracks. The picnic areas are accessed via Dolly Ave, Springfield, with the gate being locked at 8pm each evening. The Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, at the end of Donnison St, Gosford, is one of several good access points to the walking tracks in the lower section of the reserve.
After another 140 m veer right, to head along Fire Trail.
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Fire Trail.
After another 240 m turn right.
After another 40 m turn right, to head along Rumbalara Lookout Road.
After another 85 m continue straight, to head along Rumbalara Lookout Road.
After another 2 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Ironbark and Flannel Flower Circuit


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 2 km
Time 50 min to 1 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 680 m apart with the largest gap of 1.2 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
70 m[toilet]
Toilet
1.2 km[toilet]
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Rumbalara Reserve
Rumbalara Reserve lies just to the east of the Gosford CBD and is part of Gosford's Coastal Open Space System (COSS). There is an extensive set of well marked walking tracks within the reserve. Yaruga Picnic Area has free electric BBQs while both Yaruga and Nurrunga picnic areas have toilets, picnic tables, nearby lookouts and proximity to walking tracks. The picnic areas are accessed via Dolly Ave, Springfield, with the gate being locked at 8pm each evening. The Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, at the end of Donnison St, Gosford, is one of several good access points to the walking tracks in the lower section of the reserve.
Yaruga Picnic Area
This picnic area is right beside Dolly Ave, within the Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford. The facilities include free electric BBQs, picnic tables, toilets and garbage bins. There are information boards with details of the walking tracks and other features of the reserve. There are a couple of lookout points at the edge of the picnic area with great views out across Gosford and the surrounding areas.
Flannel Flower
Actinotus helianthi, popularly known as the Sydney flannel flower, is frequently spotted by spring-time bushwalkers in the Sydney region. Generally growing up to 50 cm, the stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like flannel in texture).
Rumbalara Reserve Flora and Fauna
The reserve is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The vegetation types range from the relatively dry 'Coastal Narrabeen Ironbark Forest' to pockets of 'Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest'. Commonly seen birds include Kookaburras, Eastern Rosellas and Magpies. Rarer birds such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Swift Parrot are sometimes sighted here as well. Sugar Gliders, Brush-tailed possums, Blue-tounged lizards and Tree snakes can be seen in the reserve if you are patient and lucky enough.
Sculptures in Rumbalara
There are four bronze figurative sculptures in the Rumbalara Reserve that were 'commissioned in the series "Salute to Famous Australians", which includes Captain Charles Sturt, Edward Eyre, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.' Matthew Flinders is the fourth in the series. They were 'commissioned by Sara Lee Kitchens (Australia) Pty Ltd and Gosford City Council for the State Bicentennial Celebrations 1987.'. Smith and Flinders are the most easily reached, at the Nurrunga picnic area.
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