Forest Island to Calala

Forest Island to Calala is a 5.3-mile out-and-back (8.6 km round trip) along Lady Carrington Drive, from its southern gate to Calala clearing beside the Hacking River. Allow about 3.5 hours. The route follows a broad formed dirt road through forest, with undulating ground, one short steeper rise after Bola Creek and several creek crossings. You return the way you came. Stay on Lady Carrington Drive at the early Forest Path and Walumarra junctions; the signed Palona Cave spur is optional and is not part of this mapped route.

Some route descriptions give a longer 10.3 km return, but do not explain which extra sections are included. This entry follows the direct drive to Calala and back; check the route and signs before adding side tracks.

The first junctions lead to Forest Path and Walumarra Track, separate walks around Forest Island. Farther along, Lady Carrington Drive crosses Bola Creek; a short climb follows, then the broad track undulates through forest. The signed Palona Cave track branches off separately. Continue on the main drive, crossing Palona Brook and Burunda Brook, to reach Calala.

Calala is a shaded grassy clearing beside the Hacking River, with a picnic table. A narrow informal path leads down to a sandy edge of the river. The clearing is the destination, so leave time for a pause before walking back to the gate.

Lady Carrington Drive opened in 1886 as a scenic carriage road between Audley and the park’s southern section. Its wide, unsealed surface still makes a steady walk, but it is shared with cyclists and remains a management track. Around Forest Island, tall eucalypts and casuarinas rise over cabbage tree palms and ferns; Gymea lilies flower in winter. The changing forest and river-side clearing are the walk’s main rewards, rather than a single lookout.