By Geoff Whale, author of Northern Illawarra Beachwalks (buy the booklet at bcw.grwpub.info)

Need to know

Distance 2.5km to 4km, climb 80m
Difficulty Easy to Moderate
Summary Magnificent temperate rainforest walk, mostly flat, extending an historic route.
Hazards Bike riders; leeches when wet
Transport Park in Foothills Rd, Austinmer, or take the steep Asquith Rd from Austinmer Station. Adds 2km and doubles the climb.

From the eastern end of Foothills Road walk diagonally up the 4wd track to the common trackhead [1] for the Gibson and Sublime Point tracks (SP is currently closed). Start climbing through a rainforest cathedral with cabbage palms and abundant echoing birdlife. Although steep, the path is firm with new sandstone steps courtesy of NPWS.

After 200m turn left at the sign [2]. The track narrows and flattens out. Cross a couple of small streams (with care), and the more substantial Flanagans Creek, which eventually flows into north Thirroul Beach.

Soon after pass a rusty sign on the right marking the lower end of the permanently closed Bulli Lookout Track, then work your way around a muddy patch to a large clearing [3]. You’ll emerge here on the return leg. Beyond the clearing you come to a junction [4] (1.3km) where the official Gibson Track becomes a management trail. Options are A: follow Gibson down and exit at Foothills Rd (total walk 2.5km), or B (3km): walk down to [8], turn left to loop back up to the clearing [3] and return. Best of all is C (4km): take the right-hand fork, part of an unofficial track network where you may encounter mountain bikers. Just be aware of your surroundings at all times and be prepared to share the path.

After another minor creek crossing the track veers right and uphill, emerging at a power line management track [5]. Find the footpad heading slightly left (not the wide powerline route, that’s unsafe). Again in the forest you cross yet another creek, then soon after reach a junction left [6]. This path descends through open forest, parallels the creek (now a deep gully) and narrows. At the lower end turn left at a wider and weedier track [7]. Cross the power line, turn left at the main fire trail, and head uphill past the Gibson Track gate to the 4-way junction [8].

You could veer left up the official Gibson, but narrow paths on forest slopes are more inviting. Scramble up past the large tree ahead to pick up a minor footpad that ends at the clearing [3]. Turn right, skirt the clearing to rejoin and retrace the main route.

About the writer

Geoff Whale migrated from Sydney to Bulli in 2021. Semi-retired from academic and IT professional positions at UNSW, Geoff is a keen walker (bush- and beach-), and author of Family Bushwalks in the Snowy Mountains, in print since 2003. His focus is on custom mapping, using his own software tools and open-source base maps. Geoff is the author of Northern Illawarra Beachwalks (buy the booklet at bcw.grwpub.info).