Brisbane Water Aboriginal cultural tour

Brisbane Water National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

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Overview

These school holidays, join an Aboriginal ranger on a family friendly guided tour in Brisbane Water National Park. Hear cultural stories as you walk along Doyles walking track, near Patonga.

When

2024: Friday 4 October 2024.

2025: Friday 17 January, Thursday 24 April, Monday 14 July and Friday 10 October 2025.

Tour time: 10am to 12pm

Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Grade
Easy. Suitable for adults and children 5 years and over. It’s a 3km walk, with uneven, rough ground and steps.
Price

Adult $15 per person. Child (5 to 16 years) $10 per person. Family $40 for 2 adults and 2 children.

Meeting point
Carpark at the end of Warrah Trig Road, near Warrah lookout.
What to
bring
Sturdy shoes, insect repellent, hat, drinking water, snacks
Bookings
Bookings essential as tour numbers are limited. Phone 1300 072 757 for more information or book online.
Book now

Gain a unique insight into the wisdom of the world’s oldest living culture as you explore Brisbane Water National Park, led by an Aboriginal ranger. Starting at Warrah lookout, you’ll go on a guided walk and discover the amazing variety of plants that Aboriginal people used for food, shelter and medicinal purposes.

Aboriginal culture is very much alive today in NSW national parks. Aboriginal people have always and will always have a deep connection with the landscape. Everything in the landscape has significance, including the land, waterways, plants and animals. This history will forever be an integral part of this landscape. 

Please wear enclosed shoes and bring insect repellent, hat and sunscreen, and bring drinking water and snacks.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/brisbane-water-aboriginal-cultural-tour/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Image of: NSW National Parks logo
  • NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service

Park info

  • in Brisbane Water National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Two picnic areas in this park – Girrakool picnic area and Somersby Falls picnic area – are closed in the evening. They are open 7am to 8pm during daylight savings and 7am to 6pm at other times.

    Other areas of Brisbane Water National Park will be open at all times, however may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day. The park has pay machines that accept both card and coins, or you can pay via the Park'nPay app.

    Other fees:

    You will need a permit to hold a wedding or undertake commercial photography within the park.

    Buy annual pass (//pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/).
See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Brisbane Water Aboriginal cultural tour.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    From Umina Beach:

    • Take Patonga Drive
    • About 2.5kms past Pearl Beach Road, turn left into Warrah Trig Road
    • The carpark is at the end of the road and the Doyles walking track starts at the carpark

    Road quality

    • Unsealed roads

    Vehicle access

    • 2WD vehicles

    Parking

    Parking is available at Warrah lookout at the end of Warrah Trig Road.

    Maps and downloads

    Accessibility

    Disability access level - no wheelchair access

    Learn more

    Brisbane Water Aboriginal cultural tour is in Brisbane Water National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    A haven for wildlife

    Powerful owl. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Brisbane Water National Park is home to an incredible 270 native animal species. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and bird life such as the threatened spotted tailed quoll, the rare glossy black cockatoo and powerful owl. You might be lucky enough to share a picnic at Girrakool picnic area with a few wallabies who love this peaceful place.

    • Brisbane Water Aboriginal cultural tour These school holidays, join an Aboriginal ranger on a family friendly guided tour in Brisbane Water National Park. Hear cultural stories as you walk along Doyles walking track, near Patonga.
    • Girrakool loop track A lovely way to finish a barbecue, the Girrakool loop track is a short and easy walk through bushland, featuring an Aboriginal rock engraving site and scenic waterfalls.
    • Somersby Falls picnic area A great place to picnic on the Central Coast, Somersby Falls picnic area is wheelchair accessible and offers barbecues and picnic tables in a lush rainforest setting, with waterfalls and a walking track.
    • Somersby Falls walking track Somersby Falls walking track in Brisbane Water National Park runs through rainforest to the bottom of Somersby Falls. It starts at Somersby Falls picnic area, a popular Central Coast rest stop near Gosford.
    • The Earth’s environment Join The Earth's environment Geography excursion for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) at Brisbane Water National Park, near Gosford. Students will discover how NSW National Parks safeguards over 10 per cent of land in NSW.
    • Tommos loop and Rocky Ponds cycling loop Mountain biking enthusiasts will enjoy the challenging Tommos loop and Rocky Ponds cycling loop, a 20km bushland ride taking in scenic Central Coast views.
    Show more

    A wonderland of wildflowers

    Red spider flower in Brisbane Water National Park. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Located 12km from Gosford, the park covers 12,000ha of rugged sandstone country, and boarders the Hawkesbury river, which feeds cascading waterfalls. The landscape is gorgeous all year round, especially from late winter to early spring when it comes alive with colourful wildflowers.

    • Brisbane Water Aboriginal cultural tour These school holidays, join an Aboriginal ranger on a family friendly guided tour in Brisbane Water National Park. Hear cultural stories as you walk along Doyles walking track, near Patonga.
    • Warrah lookout Warrah lookout, offering scenic views of Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River, is just a short walk from the carpark. It’s a great place to see Waratahs in season.

    Ancient landscapes

    Aboriginal rock carving, Girrakool Loop track, Brisbane Water National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

    Aboriginal people in the area have a long association with the landscape of Brisbane Water National Park and much evidence of this remains today in the form of rock engravings, foreshore middens and rock paintings. The flat, exposed areas of Hawkesbury sandstone within the park provide an ideal 'canvas' for Aboriginal artists, and there are hundreds of rock engraving sites throughout the park. Aboriginal sites on Hawkesbury sandstone have a distinctive style of engraving which is unique in Australia. The Bulgandry Aboriginal engraving site at Kariong is an excellent example of rock art within the park and is easily accessible.

    • Aboriginal culture Bring your students to this unique excursion in Brisbane Water National Park, near Gosford. They’ll experience the park through the eyes of an Aboriginal person on this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) Aboriginal culture Geography excursion.
    • Brisbane Water Aboriginal cultural tour These school holidays, join an Aboriginal ranger on a family friendly guided tour in Brisbane Water National Park. Hear cultural stories as you walk along Doyles walking track, near Patonga.
    • Girrakool loop track A lovely way to finish a barbecue, the Girrakool loop track is a short and easy walk through bushland, featuring an Aboriginal rock engraving site and scenic waterfalls.
    • Somersby Falls picnic area A great place to picnic on the Central Coast, Somersby Falls picnic area is wheelchair accessible and offers barbecues and picnic tables in a lush rainforest setting, with waterfalls and a walking track.
    • Somersby Falls walking track Somersby Falls walking track in Brisbane Water National Park runs through rainforest to the bottom of Somersby Falls. It starts at Somersby Falls picnic area, a popular Central Coast rest stop near Gosford.
    • The Earth’s environment Join The Earth's environment Geography excursion for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) at Brisbane Water National Park, near Gosford. Students will discover how NSW National Parks safeguards over 10 per cent of land in NSW.
    Show more

    Stretch your legs

    Warrah lookout, Brisbane Water National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

    Brisbane Water National Park offers great ways to get amongst nature. Why not hop on your mountain bike and get your adrenalin pumping along the Tommos loop and Rocky Ponds cycling route? Or you can wear out your walking shoes along the Girrakool loop walking track. For the more energetic, the park is a hikers delight. Longer treks range from an hour or two to overnight on sections of the Great North walk, which passes through the park on its way from Sydney to Newcastle.

    • Girrakool picnic area A great spot for a family picnic, Girrakool picnic area has barbecues, lots of green space to run around and a scenic walking track that features Aboriginal engravings.
    • Great North walk - Brisbane Water National Park You’ll find the Wondabyne to Patonga and Patonga to Pearl Beach parts of the iconic Great North walk in Brisbane Water National Park. Take a short walk or overnight hike.

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Five pelicans stand at the beach shore in Bundjalung National Park as the sun rises. Photo: Nick Cubbin © DPE

      Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

      The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.

    • Koala. Photo: Lucy Morrell

      Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

      One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.

    • A juvenile platypus saved by National Parks and Wildlife staff. Photo: M Bannerman/OEH

      Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

      One of the most fascinating and unusual Australian animals, the duck-billed platypus, along with the echidna, are the only known monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in existence. The platypus is generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern NSW and east and west of the Great Dividing Range.

    Plants

    • A red triangle slug on the trunk of a scribbly gum tree in Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Elinor Sheargold/OEH

      Scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma)

      Easily identifiable Australian native plants, scribbly gum trees are found throughout NSW coastal plains and hills in the Sydney region. The most distinctive features of this eucalypt are the ‘scribbles’ made by moth larva as it tunnels between the layers of bark.

    • Close up photo of a waratah flower, Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Simone Cottrell/OEH.

      Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

      The beautiful waratah is not only the NSW floral emblem, it's also one of the best-known Australian native plants. This iconic Australian bush flower can be found on sandstone ridges around Sydney, in nearby mountain ranges and on the NSW South Coast. The waratah has a vibrant crimson flowerhead, measuring up to 15cm across, and blossoms in spring.

    Environments in this park

    Education resources (1)

    School excursions (2)