Visitor Reminders

• Reservesareopenbetween

sunriseandsunset.Duringatotal

firebanthereserveswillbeclosed.

• Mountainbikersarepermittedon

firetrailsandroadsonly(seemap).

• Visitorsarerequestedtostayon

tracksandtoavoiddamaging

vegetationandcausingerosion.

• Firewood,flowers,seedsand

bushrocksareprotectedandare

nottobecollectedorremoved

underanycircumstances.

• Domesticanimalsarenot

permittedonthereserves,withthe

exceptionofhorsesatKatandraon

designatedtrails.

• Mosquitoesandleechesareapart

oftheenvironment-consider

packinginsectrepellent.

• BYOdrinkingwater,hat,sunscreen

andwearappropriateclothing

andfoorwear.

• Pleasedonotlitter.

For further information

4 4325 8222 4 www.gosford.nsw.gov.au

Native VegetationSome of the vegetation communities encountered as you walk through the reserves may look similar but are able to be distinguished by certain features:

Coastal Narrabeen Moist Forest

This is common along the ridge at Rumbalara and throughout Katandra. You can recognise this community by its tall, white gum trees (Sydney Blue Gums) and ferny ground cover.

Narrabeen Coastal Blackbutt Forest

This community also has tall trees but these have dark rough bark at the base which becomes smooth further up the trunk (Blackbutt) and grasses on the ground. This type of vegetation is common along the northern ridge of Rumbalara.

Katandra Hawkesbury Woodland

You can tell when you are in this vegetation type as the trees have pink/orange trunks and gnarled branches (Smooth-Barked Apple). This community is unique to Katandra and Kincumba Mountain Reserves on the Central Coast.

Coastal Narrabeen Ironbark Forest

Occurring on the drier, more exposed ridges, you can spot this community by the multitude of trees with deeply furrowed grey bark (Grey Ironbarks). This community is also unique to the area and can be found along Graves Walk at Katandra.

Coastal Warm Temperate Rainforest

You can find this endangered vegetation type in pockets within the reserves. You will know you are in the rainforest by the low light levels, buttress tree roots, and the assortment of strangler figs, ferns

and palms.

PhotosbyBrentEvans,PhilWood,KellieNewby,RickWorthyandMarjoPätäriDesignbyMarjoPätäri

uncoverthesecretshiddenrainforestsuniquewildlifebeautifulwildflowersstunningviewsenticingbushtracks&trailsfascinatinghistoricalsitesandmore…

all within easy reach of Gosford’s centre

Rumbalara &Katandra Reserves

Geology and Physical Features

The altitude ranges from near sea level at Gosford to

208m near St. Johns Lookout and both reserves boast

dramatic cliffs and rock formations that have resulted

from erosion of the underlying sandstone.

This sandstone is comprised of two different groups,

the Hawkesbury and the Narrabeen sandstones. These

sandstones date from the Triassic Period and are

estimated to be 200-250 million years old.

The sandstone derived soils are generally considered

to be of low fertility, limiting the type of vegetation

which will grow. However the build up of organic

material in the sheltered gullies has resulted in

substantial rainforest pockets.

The man-made Seymour Pond at Katandra is located

within one of the significant rainforest pockets. It

is filled by a natural watercourse and has become a

habitat for freshwater organisms. The pond is used by

school groups to study freshwater ecology.

Wildlife

Bird life is abundant within the reserves with

kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets, eastern rosellas and

magpies commonly seen. The reserves also provide

important habitat for rarer species including glossy

black cockatoos and the swift parrot. Katandra is

particularly popular with bird watchers, and those

with a keen eye may even glimpse an owl roosting

amongst the trees.

Sugar gliders, brush-tailed possums, wallabies,

blue-tongue lizards and tree snakes may also be

encountered. The reserves provide important habitat

for these species in a largely developed landscape.

A world away in your own backyard.

RumbalaraandKatandranotonlyprovidehabitatforplantsandanimalsbutaretheretobeenjoyed. Whynotescapethehustleandbustleofeverydaylifeandcomepicnicortakeawanderthroughtherainforest?ThereservesprovideaccesstothehillsandridgesbehindGosfordsothatallvisitorsmayenjoythewonderfulnaturebasedrecreationalopportunitiesavailableincluding:

•shortandhalfdaybushwalks

•mountainbikingtrails

•picnicfacilities&freeelectricBBQs

•lookouts

•pondingplatformatSeymourPond

•RainforestWalkatSeymourPond

•Rumbalara’sbronzesculpturesofearlypioneersandexplorers

•RailwaytoRainforestWalkthatlinksthecityandtherainforest

•disabledfacilitiesareavailableinbothreservesincludingtrails,toiletsandpicnicfacilities

seemapforfurtherinformation

Opportunities

Welcome

Welcome to the natural bushland reserves of Rumbalara and Katandra.

These reserves lie close to Gosford CBD and

offer a variety of opportunities to discover and

enjoy beautiful vegetation, native wildlife,

interesting geology and sites of cultural and

historical significance.

Rumbalara and Katandra are part of Gosford’s Coastal

Open Space System (COSS).

COSS is a system of natural reserves managed

by Gosford City Council that is important for the

conservation of native plant and animal life in the

eastern part of the city.

Historical / Cultural Significance

Rumbalara is thought to be an Aboriginal word

for “rainbow”, or an expression of something

picturesque and romantic. Whereas Katandra is said

to mean “song of birds”.

Prior to colonisation the greater Gosford area

was reported to be inhabited by the Guringai and

Darkinjung Aboriginal groups. These people relied

heavily on the sea and estuaries for their food. During

the winter months it is thought they moved inland for

food such as possum, kangaroo and birds. This may

have included Rumbalara and Katandra.

In the early 1900’s the Gosford area, including parts

of Katandra and Rumbalara, were partially cleared

for farming, timber and quarrying. Some evidence

of these activities remains. In the 1970’s these areas

were designated as public reserves, and Council

continues to acquire land for the COSS.

Recreational