Nimbin is on the doorstep of several magnificent World Heritage National Parks offering easy access to walking trails, waterfalls that cascade into clear mountain pools and breathtaking lookouts. Ancient rainforests shroud the hills, ridges and valleys of the Nightcap and Border Ranges National Parks.
Border Ranges National Park
|
Border Ranges National Park is a large area of wilderness that protects untouched rainforest and unique plants and animals connected to the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. There are spectacular views, tall forests, waterfalls, gorges and pristine rainforest walks. Explore the abundant wonders of the rainforest hidden throughout this rare haven. The amazing view from The Pinnacle Lookout is a highlight of any visit to the park. Looking out from the caldera with the lush Tweed Valley over 100m below, and views over Wollumbin across to the ocean and beyond, is to experience one of Australia’s most breathtaking natural wonders.
|
|
There are walking trails to suit all levels. Try the short Palm Valley loop walk through subtropical rainforest or take the more difficult Booyong walk that leaves from Sheepstation Creek campground. You’re bound to find a beautiful spot for a picnic or barbecue lunch. Photographers will love capturing billowing waterfalls, views of Wollumbin-Mount Warning and lush rainforest plants.
Getting there
38 km west of Murwillumbah off the Kyogle Road via Barkers Vale or 28kms north of Kyogle off the Summerland Way.
Highlights
> bar mountain circuit
> border loop walk
> brindle creek picnic area
Getting there
38 km west of Murwillumbah off the Kyogle Road via Barkers Vale or 28kms north of Kyogle off the Summerland Way.
Highlights
> bar mountain circuit
> border loop walk
> brindle creek picnic area
Bundjalung National Park
If you enjoy holidaying on the water, you’ll love Bundjalung’s combination of river, beach and freshwater lagoons. This north coast park stretches north from Iluka to Evans Head with the Pacific Ocean as its eastern boundary. Spend a day canoeing along Evans River or Jerusalem Creek, mountain biking the Macaulays Lead or Serendipity fire trail, or walking along Ten Mile Beach. There are also boat launching facilities, snorkelling on the shallow reefs and fishing.
Getting there
50 km south of Ballina. Turn off the Pacific Highway onto Iluka Road.
Highlights
> Canoe Evans River paddle route
> Esk River paddle route
> Iluka Bluff lookout
> Jerusalem Creek Paddle route
> Jerusalem Creek walk
Getting there
50 km south of Ballina. Turn off the Pacific Highway onto Iluka Road.
Highlights
> Canoe Evans River paddle route
> Esk River paddle route
> Iluka Bluff lookout
> Jerusalem Creek Paddle route
> Jerusalem Creek walk
Rocky Creek Dam
There are four beautiful walks that you can do from the Picnic Area at Rocky Creek Dam. Each walk has been designed to experience different aspects of the Rainforest Reserve which is managed by Rous Water.
Short walk
Big Scrub Loop or the Scrub Turkey Walk
(6km, 1.5 -2 hours return, moderate)
Starting off Gibbergunyah Range Road, visitors can stroll amongst some of the best examples of remnant rainforest in NSW. See large figs, abundant birdlife and crystal clear creeks.
Rocky Creek Dam Walk
(2km one way, 45 mins, moderate)
Begin at Rocky Creek Dam picnic area. Walk through regenerating rainforest on the dam’s shores into large untouched forest before emerging through flooded gum plantation at Gibbergunyah Range Road. Retrace your steps to the Rocky Creek Dam picnic area.
Short walk
Big Scrub Loop or the Scrub Turkey Walk
(6km, 1.5 -2 hours return, moderate)
Starting off Gibbergunyah Range Road, visitors can stroll amongst some of the best examples of remnant rainforest in NSW. See large figs, abundant birdlife and crystal clear creeks.
Rocky Creek Dam Walk
(2km one way, 45 mins, moderate)
Begin at Rocky Creek Dam picnic area. Walk through regenerating rainforest on the dam’s shores into large untouched forest before emerging through flooded gum plantation at Gibbergunyah Range Road. Retrace your steps to the Rocky Creek Dam picnic area.
Mebbin National Park
“The last time we were here, we lay on our backs under a large eucalyptus tree listening to a pair of beautiful black cockatoos chattering in the branches above us.”
Near Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, Mebbin National Park is a paradise for nature-lovers. It’s a significant nature conservation area, which protects an important part of the Tweed landscape while also serving as a vital habitat link between the World Heritage areas of Wollumbin and Border Ranges national parks. A large portion of the park is dry eucalypt forest, with some rainforest and a small section of old growth forest.
Explore the park’s lush environment by following Byrrill Creek walking track through sub-tropical rainforest and fig trees. Or, enjoy mountain biking or horseback riding along the trails that wind under towering eucalyptus trees.
Along your way, be sure to keep your eyes open for glimpses of some of the park’s rare, threatened species, such as large owls, lace monitor lizards, glossy black-cockatoos, and red-legged pademelons. The endangered giant barred frog is rarely seen, but may be heard calling out across the park on hot summer nights.
Getting there
From Murwillumbah take the Kyogle Road through Uki, then turn right into Byrrill Creek Road. From Byrrill Creek Road turn left into Mebbin Forest Road which leads to the park boundary (about 1 kilometre), and a further kilometre into Cutters Camp. Take Brays Creek Road south from Tyalgum and turn left into Byrrill Creek Road. Keep going until you reach Mebbin Forest Road, which will take you 1 kilometre to the park boundary and another kilometre into Cutters Camp campground and picnic area.
Road quality: unpaved sections
Highlight
> Byrill Creek walking track
Near Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, Mebbin National Park is a paradise for nature-lovers. It’s a significant nature conservation area, which protects an important part of the Tweed landscape while also serving as a vital habitat link between the World Heritage areas of Wollumbin and Border Ranges national parks. A large portion of the park is dry eucalypt forest, with some rainforest and a small section of old growth forest.
Explore the park’s lush environment by following Byrrill Creek walking track through sub-tropical rainforest and fig trees. Or, enjoy mountain biking or horseback riding along the trails that wind under towering eucalyptus trees.
Along your way, be sure to keep your eyes open for glimpses of some of the park’s rare, threatened species, such as large owls, lace monitor lizards, glossy black-cockatoos, and red-legged pademelons. The endangered giant barred frog is rarely seen, but may be heard calling out across the park on hot summer nights.
Getting there
From Murwillumbah take the Kyogle Road through Uki, then turn right into Byrrill Creek Road. From Byrrill Creek Road turn left into Mebbin Forest Road which leads to the park boundary (about 1 kilometre), and a further kilometre into Cutters Camp. Take Brays Creek Road south from Tyalgum and turn left into Byrrill Creek Road. Keep going until you reach Mebbin Forest Road, which will take you 1 kilometre to the park boundary and another kilometre into Cutters Camp campground and picnic area.
Road quality: unpaved sections
Highlight
> Byrill Creek walking track
Nightcap National Park
“Walking in the rainforests of Nightcap National Park is like entering a timeless landscape – it’s an unforgettable place.”
Nightcap National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, is a dramatically beautiful park full of ancient rainforests, magical waterways and spectacular views. The lush rainforest provides a home for the newly discovered nightcap oak as well as a number of threatened animal species, including Albert’s lyrebird and Fleay’s barred frog which takes shelter under leaf litter and makes an ‘ok-okok-ok-ok’ after rain.
With easy access from Nimbin, you can enjoy a picnic, bushwalk, waterfalls and crystal clear creeks and enjoy incredible views of the 20 million year-old Wollumbin shield volcano.
Getting there
35kms west of Lismore and 25km from Nimbin.
Highlights
Minyon Grass picnic area – nestled in the shade of trees with a magic view of the falls
Protesters falls walk – an easy walk through lush rainforest that kids will love
Terania Creek picnic area – a family friendly area with barbecues and lots of birds and goannas
Minyon falls lookout - on a clear day there are views to the ocean
Nightcap National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, is a dramatically beautiful park full of ancient rainforests, magical waterways and spectacular views. The lush rainforest provides a home for the newly discovered nightcap oak as well as a number of threatened animal species, including Albert’s lyrebird and Fleay’s barred frog which takes shelter under leaf litter and makes an ‘ok-okok-ok-ok’ after rain.
With easy access from Nimbin, you can enjoy a picnic, bushwalk, waterfalls and crystal clear creeks and enjoy incredible views of the 20 million year-old Wollumbin shield volcano.
Getting there
35kms west of Lismore and 25km from Nimbin.
Highlights
Minyon Grass picnic area – nestled in the shade of trees with a magic view of the falls
Protesters falls walk – an easy walk through lush rainforest that kids will love
Terania Creek picnic area – a family friendly area with barbecues and lots of birds and goannas
Minyon falls lookout - on a clear day there are views to the ocean
Wollumbin National Park
“Wollumbin is just a beautiful place to be, with the view of an ancient volcano surrounded by Gondwana-age rainforest.”
The ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Wollumbin National Park are reminiscent of a time when rainforests covered much of Australia. The area is one of Australia’s biodiversity hotspots with abundant flora and fauna, including the rare and endangered Albert’s Lyrebird. Dual named Wollumbin-Mount Warning is the central plug of a huge, extinct shield-shaped volcano. Wollumbin is the Aboriginal name and Captain Cook named it Mount Warning in 1770 to warn mariners of offshore reefs. 20 million years of heavy rainfall has shaped the area, also known as ‘The Green Cauldron’. Walk through the rainforest to appreciate the bountiful wildlife. Under Bundjalung lore, only chosen people can climb Wollumbin. As a sign of respect to their Ancestors, Bundjalung people ask that you choose not to climb.
Wollumbin, which dramatically rises from World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park – formerly known as Mount Warning National Park – to a height of 1,157m above sea level, is a remnant central vent of an ancient volcano. This spectacular feature can be viewed from a range of vantage points in the surrounding massive crater (caldera), including Cudgen Nature Reserve, Border Ranges National Park and Nightcap National Park, Cape Byron lighthouse and various settlements.
Explore this exquisite Gondwana Rainforest of Australia – rich in plant, bird and animal life – by taking a short walk on Lyrebird track. Hike this winding path under towering palms listening out for the calls of whipbirds, noisy pitta and, of course, lyrebirds. Enjoy a picnic beside Breakfast Creek or at Korrumbyn picnic area.
Getting there
96kms north west of Lismore
Highlights
> Lyrebird track
The ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Wollumbin National Park are reminiscent of a time when rainforests covered much of Australia. The area is one of Australia’s biodiversity hotspots with abundant flora and fauna, including the rare and endangered Albert’s Lyrebird. Dual named Wollumbin-Mount Warning is the central plug of a huge, extinct shield-shaped volcano. Wollumbin is the Aboriginal name and Captain Cook named it Mount Warning in 1770 to warn mariners of offshore reefs. 20 million years of heavy rainfall has shaped the area, also known as ‘The Green Cauldron’. Walk through the rainforest to appreciate the bountiful wildlife. Under Bundjalung lore, only chosen people can climb Wollumbin. As a sign of respect to their Ancestors, Bundjalung people ask that you choose not to climb.
Wollumbin, which dramatically rises from World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park – formerly known as Mount Warning National Park – to a height of 1,157m above sea level, is a remnant central vent of an ancient volcano. This spectacular feature can be viewed from a range of vantage points in the surrounding massive crater (caldera), including Cudgen Nature Reserve, Border Ranges National Park and Nightcap National Park, Cape Byron lighthouse and various settlements.
Explore this exquisite Gondwana Rainforest of Australia – rich in plant, bird and animal life – by taking a short walk on Lyrebird track. Hike this winding path under towering palms listening out for the calls of whipbirds, noisy pitta and, of course, lyrebirds. Enjoy a picnic beside Breakfast Creek or at Korrumbyn picnic area.
Getting there
96kms north west of Lismore
Highlights
> Lyrebird track