Ferntree Gully

Ferntree Gully

Ferntree Gully is one of those places that doesn’t need a big summit or sweeping views to impress. Its magic lies in the detail — the green hush of the gorge, the cool air, and the sense that you’ve wandered into a remnant of ancient forest. Whether you’re in the area for the weekend or making a detour on a road trip, this little gully is well worth the stop.

Quick Details

Length: 3km

Elevation: 70m

Grade: Easy to Moderate

Best season: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Suitable for kids: Yes

Starting the Trail

The walk begins just a short drive from Rylstone, at the Ferntree Gully Picnic Area — complete with toilets, tables, and a little clearing perfect for a pre- or post-hike snack. There’s a map board at the start of the walk that shows the loop in both directions. I walked clockwise, descending into the gully first and climbing out via the dry bush trail, but it works either way.

A well-marked track leaves the picnic area and heads down into the gully. All the junctions along the trail are clearly marked and signposted, so this is a great track for families or anyone still building their hiking confidence. As the track reaches the final descent to the gully floor, stone walls rise on either side of the trail and the air becomes noticeably cooler.

The first section is fairly narrow between the walls — a few trees and ferns scattered throughout. I was on my own for this visit and had the entire hike to myself. The air was quiet, but not in an unsettling way — I actually found it comforting. The only sounds were distant bird calls and the crunch of my own footsteps.

Fungi After the Rain

There’s been some rain recently, and places like Ferntree Gully are perfect for finding fungi. Once I saw one, I started spotting them everywhere — each one unique and different from the last.

That’s one of the things I liked most about this trail — the gentle reminder that the beauty of nature isn’t always about the big stuff. It’s also about the small things we normally ignore. The wet moss covered stones, the way the light filters through fern fronds, fungi growing amongst fallen branches, and fig trees and vines twisted and knotted together.

I found myself slowing down rather than rushing through — taking time to appreciate the “smalls” of the trail that I might otherwise only glance at.

Back to the Trail

The walls open up again to a wider clearing. Here there’s a large collection of Port Jackson fig trees growing up the side of the wall — looking more like a jungle in a tropical rainforest than a short hike in the Central West.

The Boardwalk

The next junction gives you the option of taking a short out-and-back detour along the boardwalk. It’s brief, and a few planks are missing in one spot, but it’s well worth the side trip. Here, the trail winds beneath a canopy of trees and hanging vines, ending at a small bench amongst the tree ferns.

Back to the Trail

Head back to the junction and turn left to continue along the circuit, following the large stone wall on your right. This area is more open — don’t forget to look up and catch glimpses of the tops of the stone walls through the canopy above.

You’ll soon reach a spot where the trail is covered in mossy stones. A side trail heads up to the right, blocked by a small fallen tree — so a little careful navigating is needed here, but it’s nothing too difficult. The last section has a bit more debris over the track, but it’s still beautiful.

You’ll pass through one last narrow constriction between the walls, but it’s very short before the trail opens up again at the end of the gully. Here you’ll need to scramble over some fallen stones — they’re fairly solid underfoot. Keep an eye out to your right for an old staircase leading out of the gully into drier bushland.

To the Lookouts

The staircase winds up the hill. It’s not overly steep or long, and you’ll soon find yourself at another junction. Either way will lead you back to the picnic area, but the track to the right also takes you past a couple of lookouts. I took the track to the right.

This track runs along the edge of the very walls I was walking beneath just a few minutes earlier. I didn’t have high hopes for the lookouts — but I was wrong. The first is the Ted Daniels Lookout, where a viewing platform sits just a few metres from the track. Stepping out onto the platform, my jaw dropped at the scene in front of me.

While the walk through the gully had been all about appreciating the smalls of nature, the upper track was about the bigs — a wide, expansive view over the gully with sandstone pagodas peeking through the trees like the ruins of a crumbling city reclaimed by nature.

The second lookout, Norm King Lookout, is accessed via a short but steep descent. This one sits more or less directly above the boardwalk and offers sweeping views across tree-covered hills in the distance. The orange sandstone walls seemed to glow in the late afternoon light. 

Finishing the Trail

After leaving the second lookout, the trail continues through the bush. There are a couple of staircases to climb, but nothing too challenging. Soon you’ll arrive back at the junction where the loop began — turn left and you’ll be back at the car park in just a few minutes.

Getting There

Rylstone is around a three-hour drive northwest of Sydney. The Ferntree Gully Reserve is about 20 minutes from Rylstone, just off Bylong Valley Way. If travelling from Rylstone, turn right onto Ferntree Gully Road approximately 17.3km out of town.

Ferntree Gully Road is unsealed but 2WD accessible, and was in good condition at the time of writing. Be aware that it’s narrow and winds through the bush, so visibility can be limited — take it slow. There’s plenty of parking at the picnic area.

Tips and Tricks

This is a great hike for little adventurers.

Recent warm and wet weather is a great time to find fungi along the track but it can make sections of the trail slippery. 

Bring a picnic lunch — the picnic area is lovely, and with so much to enjoy on this short, easy walk, you might find yourself wanting to stay a while.