Cumberland State Forest Walk

A highly flexible forest walk offering a dedicated sensory trail for younger sections, open trail exploration for older youth, and a completely different experience between daytime weekend visits and pitch-black after-hours night walks.

📍 Location 🌳 Outdoor
📐 Space Large space
⏱ Setup 5 min
🎯 Play time 100 min
👥 Group size 6–30 players
🎒 Age group Joeys, Cubs, Scouts
Cumberland State Forest Walk

Equipment Required

Compass Map First_aid Backpacks Water Torch Sturdy closed-toe walking shoes Jacket/warm layers (the forest canopy traps the cold at night)

How to Play

  • The Meeting Point (Day vs. Night):

    • Weekends / Day: Drive inside the main gates and park/meet at the Shepherds Picnic Area.

    • After Hours / Night: The main vehicle gates will be locked. Park the cars safely along Oratava Avenue (opposite 72), West Pennant Hills and meet at the pedestrian entry.

  • The After-Hours Buffer: If visiting at night when the gates are shut, factor in a 10-minute walk from the street just to reach the main trailheads, and another 10 minutes to walk back out at the end.

  • Option A – The Sensory Trail (Joeys & Cubs): Follow the flat, accessible Sensory Trail. This is perfect for daytime or early evening visits, allowing younger youth to touch, smell, and listen to the forest environment.

  • Option B – Night Exploration (Cubs & Scouts): Navigate the deeper walking tracks under the heavy forest canopy. It gets incredibly dark due to the dense trees and lack of surrounding streetlights, making it an excellent exercise for torch-light navigation.

  • The Return: Gather at the designated picnic area or track entrance for a final headcount before heading back to the cars.

Variations & Adaptations

Bonus Activity: The TreeTops Adventure Park is located directly inside this forest. If you are planning a major daytime weekend event for the Scout section, look into booking a high-ropes session to combine with the bushwalk.

Leader Tips

Pre-Explore is Essential: Because there is a web of intersecting tracks, Leaders must explore the trails beforehand during daylight to familiarize themselves with the layout. Getting Turned Around: If navigating at night without being deeply familiar, it is easy to get mildly lost. Don't panic—the forest is contained, and almost all paths eventually lead back to a main fire trail or exit point. Keep the group together. Scout Autonomy: For older Scouts, this forest is an excellent, safe environment to hand them a map and let them lead the navigation on their own ahead of the Leaders.

Scout Skills & Values

Physical Activity Nature / Outdoors Navigation Bushcraft / Survival
← Back to Library 🖨 Print this activity
/by