Exploring Karawatha Forest with Children
Karawatha Forest is a nature lover’s delight and a fantastic family playground.
Explorers can conquer trails, climb rocks, admire views and splash in muddy puddles… What more is there to say?
Environmental Significance
The Rocks Track is an adventurous yet achievable bushwalk for families. The 2.5km circuit travels through the bushland to an amazing display of huge granite outcrops and a great lookout. There are several spots for quiet reflection or admiring the view. Take the opportunity to relax while the children explore the setting, climbing up and over the rocks. The placement of these structures form a maze-like quest and create multiple micro-caves.
There are some moderately steep steps on the other side – walk the circuit in a clockwise direction to ensure that you walk downhill for this section. The best access for this track is via the Ironbark Circuit, next to the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre (Acacia Road, Karawatha).
Younger children and reluctant bushwalkers can easily complete the 1km Melaleuca Circuit. The dirt trail winds through eucalypt forest and overlooks freshwater lagoons. Children will especially enjoy a section of boardwalk that crosses over the water.
The track is relatively flat, the only incline is a group of gently tapering steps, framed into the earth. The circuit takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Interested in something a little more adventurous? Visit the highest point in the reserve via the Curtisii Trail (my personal favourite). This track winds through dry eucalypt forest and ascends a series of rocky outcrops and high ridgelines. The enormity of these boulders will amaze you! This vantage point provides stunning views across the bushland and the surrounding regions.
The Curtisii Trail is graded as “difficult” due to some steep and rocky sections near the peak and a lack of safety barriers (the boulders are extremely large with sheer drop-offs in some sections). Despite this rating, the majority of the walk requires only average fitness levels. Good walking shoes are a must if you plan to explore the rocky outcrops!
Finally, every visitor to Karawatha Forest “must see” the old quarry. Please note that this location is fenced and swimming is prohibited. My suggestion is to combine a visit to this landmark with another bushwalking adventure.
Nature Playground
Forget about swings and slides – this place is all about climbing, digging, building, splashing and more! Children can enjoy a water feature with a sandy creek bed and a rocky pool that collects shallow water.
There are boardwalk style paths, tree stumps for balancing and tree-like structures for climbing and investigating. Finally, two large logs allow children to climb, walk along and enjoy a better view of the overall play area.
Extend your child’s love of nature by visiting the on-site Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre.
Discovery Centre
The Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre is a purpose-built educational facility with interactive activities. Specifically, Children will learn about the fauna / flora and specific habitats found within the bushland reserve.
Hands-on Displays
Activities include interactive wall displays, floor projections, sculptural forest and artistic installations, art activity table and indoor scavenger hunt. Of particular interest are two virtual reality experiences – one giving allowing users to experience a bird’s eye-view of the forest; the other a audio visual experience room, casting the forest throughout a 24 hour period.
The discovery centre is free entry, open 9am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday.
Amenities
The two main picnic areas are accessed via the Illaweena Street and Acacia Road entrances. They offer gazebos, toilets, BBQs and parking.
Accessibility
The Acacia Road entrance offers handicapped parking and multi-access toilet facilities. There are several concrete walking paths that allow for users of prams or wheelchairs to travel between facilities.
The Ironwood Circuit is considered to be accessible by all users, however there are sections with inclines and rough concrete surfaces.
What's On?
Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre hosts a variety of community programs, including Bush Kindy, guided hikes, wildlife presentations and activity information sessions. Most of these are low cost or free of charge.
