12 Tidal River – Lilly Pilly Gully – Mt Bishop – Tidal River (2024)

Photo 12-12-2023, 9 14 03 am Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk 2

NB. The following information was current at the time of the event

Distance:  11.8 Km   |  Duration:  Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 3   |  Rating:  3   |  Style:  Circuit   |  Map

About the Walk

Overview

Starting from Tidal River, at the footbridge, this walk includes the Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk, an ascent of Mt Bishop, before returning to Tidal River. There are stunning views of Tidal River and the surrounding mountain ranges and beaches.

The Walk in Detail

Starting from Tidal River, at the footbridge, this walk includes the Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk, an ascent of Mt Bishop, before returning to Tidal River. There are stunning views of Tidal River and the surrounding mountain ranges and beaches. A sharp eye may even spot an eel in the mountain streams, as they flow through the Lilly Pilly Gully.

The first challenge is the steady climb up to the Lilly Pilly Gully carpark, on a well-formed track. Not too hard! You will notice evidence of environmental burns and land clearing, as the land managers strive to remove Coastal Tea Tree to allow local eucalypts to reclaim their traditional dominance.

You must cross the main road to reach the Lilly Pilly Gully carpark – be careful!

From the carpark it is an easy stroll to the start of the Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk. This lush area of interlinking water courses and wetland vegetation is a delight. Start the Lilly Pilly Gully walk going anti-clockwise, taking the right-hand path from the carpark, and enjoy the walk for the next 4.2 Km.

This track has quite a few information signs giving details about bushfires and how they affect the local ecosystem, types of local birds (eg. the Powerful Owl), fungi, types of trees, and many flowers. One of the signs lists 32 species of birds to look for, so, keep your eyes open!

The Nature Walk includes a wet-land area, with running water, seem from a boardwalk. There are more signs here, explaining about the lives of small tree climbing crustaceans, climbing fish, and the communities of plants and animals in this section of warm temperate rainforest. It would be easy to spend more than an hour here - it is a really beautiful and interesting place.

There you will find a track junction, with a track off on the right signposted ‘Mt Bishop’. Take this track, and commence a long steady climb up another well-maintained track to Mt Bishop. The climb is not hard, but demands a good level of fitness. The 2.2 Km climb is eventually rewarded by stunning views from the summit.

The return down to the Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk is easy, and after a further 1.5 Km, you finish the Nature Walk at the Lilly Pilly Gully carpark.

Again, cross the main road (with care) and, after 200 m, at the track junction, take the left-hand trail back to Tidal River.

Getting There

Walk Precautions

Additional Information