Summary

Enjoy the upper slopes of the Strathbogie Ranges while gently climbing Ruoaks Rd. Then dive into the steep gully of the cascading North Creek, deep in the unspoiled Strathbogie Forest

Description

Find yourself in a heavily forested, steep, moist gully surrounded by towering Manna, Candlebark and Peppermint Gums. Walk amongst house sized boulders.

Observe ferny glades and abundant seasonal wildflowers - all to the sweet sounds of cascading water, wind in the trees and birdsong. This is a place you can easily fall in love with.

Getting there:
Ruoaks is off the beaten track. Low slung 2WD may struggle. 4WD is recommended.

Options:
Both start and finish at the small Ruoaks campground.

Easy: for a beautiful mountain forest walk guarded by massive granite and overlooking the cascading North Creek deep in its gully, simply follow Ruoaks Rd south and up as far as you are comfortable going, then return. The road gradient is suitable for easy walking.

Intermediate: the walk mapped above follows the same road up along the gully side to a gentler slope you can descend along to the bottom. Once there enjoy transiting the lush forest floor of a creek-side flat before meeting the fern laden, sandy bottomed creek. Follow this back up the gully to the campground. For intermediate level walkers, you are best to skirt the cascades, masses of huge boulders and small rocky ravines of the waterway by moving above and parallel along the slopes. There are tracks along the way where people have walked before you, but they can be ephemeral.

Dropping in to explore features of the waterway that appeal to you as you go is also worthwhile. It is truly fascinating. The masses of massive boulders stacked and spilled across the gully floor are remarkable in their own right, and the cascades, waterfalls, twists and turns of the creek itself are a joy – until they disappear! For one section the water goes underground. If you can find the points of entry and egress you will have done well. If you can find the rocky window to the underground rush in between, you will have done exceptionally well!

Amenities:
Camping
Car parking
Picnic table x 1
Fire pit x 1
Alternative routes
Flora and fauna habitat

Cautions:
Cliff faces
Rock faces
Loose rocks
Open water
Steep climbs
Soft shoulders
Rocks may fall
Limbs may fall
Embankments
Uneven ground
No potable water
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Snakes may be active
Tracks may not be clear
Beware of vehicle traffic
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Be mindful to keep within the State Forest
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant hiking

Restrictions:
Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times
Take rubbish with you
No rubbish dumping
Do not remove soil or rock
No theft of forest produce
Native flora & fauna are protected
Camp site minimum 20m from water
Do not remove timber from standing trees
Fires only in places provided
Closed days of total fire ban
Drivers/riders must: use formed roads only, be licenced

2477 Views

Points of Interest

1. Ruoaks Campground

A small, but recently upgraded campground alongside the new North Creek bridge includes new fire pit and picnic table. There is room for a few cars and campers.

2. View from Ruoaks Rd heading south

As you walk up the road the gully deepens and the boulders gather for some picturesque waterway scenery.

3. An abundance of seasonal wildflowers

Spring sees a diversity of wildflowers and orchids such as these Twining Fringe-lilies.

4. Descend into the gully

1.1km up the road the slope into the gully eases. Walk down to a forested creekside flat. Enjoy the walk through the forest to the sandy bedded creek before beginning your return path upstream.

5. Many ferns

the moist air of this sheltered riparian gully supports many ferns, including large areas of Maidenhair.

6. A sandy bedded creek

Your first encounter with the creek sees a peaceful, sandy bedded waterway making its way quietly through the forest. It doesn't stay this way.

7. The lower cascades

The pretty, sandy bedded and smooth running creek becomes increasingly tumultuous as you ascend the gully.

8. Window to the underworld

One minute the water is there and flowing, the next the water course is dry. There is no indication where the water flows, unless you can find the window to the underworld.

9. Fungi

Just as prolific as wildflowers, just as beautiful in their own special way, there is always interesting fungi to be found, like this Rainbow Fungus.

10. Rocky overhangs and caves

Looking for some respite from your clambering? Maybe the sun is getting a bit hot or rain has started? Time for a rest? There is no shortage of shelter in the form of rocky overhangs and caves.

11. Water reappears

There are massive boulders everywhere along this stretch. With a bit of careful looking you might be able to locate the point at which the water surfaces again.

12. The longest drop

This small and isolated gorge sees the highest fall amongst the granite. It is fed by a long rapid cascade above.

13. Lomandra Island

This pretty mat rush crowned and fern tipped island is enclosed by this bend in the creek and another waterway on the opposite side.

14. Another sandy stretch

Pretty as a picture, this length of sandy bedded creek meanders through the forest not far below the campground.

15. Some water appears to disappear

An interesting feature of this particular waterway are the rock holes that draw water without an obvious point of drainage. It appears there is more than one section of underground flow.

Features

Picnic spot

Seating available

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river