Ku-ring-gai’s Last Subtropical Forest
Browns Field and Twin Creeks Reserve
Approx. 4km | 1 Hours | Moderate (one steep section)
Probably just one for the locals as I am not sure it is worth travelling to far for, but a nice little walk none the less, this loop track contains the only section of Sub-tropical forest still to be found in the Ku-ring-gai district.
At the bottom of Campbell Drive in Wahroonga is a sports field called Browns field and off the back of this grassy field is an interesting short walk. The first section of the track follows the creek along the back of residential properties and is quite overgrown, not so much that you can’t see where to go, but you are brushing up against vegetation and will end up quite wet if it has been raining.
The track crosses the creek and heads to the left, up through ferns and Blackbutts. This section is a loop and you will end up back here to cross the creek back to the playing field. The track is not sign-posted and I had to pull out my phone a couple of times to check that we were going the right way.
Eventually you hit Mitchell Crescent Reserve and if you head to your right over the grass you will see a fire trail. This fire trail takes you through Twin Creeks Reserve and across to Howson Oval. Turn right on Howson Avenue and a few meters down the road is a playground with a walking track heading back up the other side of the oval.
Several hundred meters along this path through Eucalypt forest, is a track to the right which is quite steep and leads downhill towards the creek crossing, if you wanted to avoid this steep section you could keep going and you will end up back on the fire trail and then retrace your steps back the way you came. This would add a little length to the walk but would make it easier.
Head back to Browns Field along the track you started on but when you reach the fork in the road take the track to the right. This little diversion is well worth while, as is probably the prettiest section of the walk, through a little pocket of rainforest, crossing the creek a couple of times before returning you to your starting point.
