National Parks
The NSW North Coast is a nature lover’s playground, blessed with an abundance of national parks and nature reserves to explore.
We are extremely privileged in this area to be home to the ancient Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (which spread across NSW and South East Queensland). These are a globally recognised world heritage listed site, right up there with some of the world’s most significant natural and cultural spots.
The Gondwanas are the most extensive subtropical rainforests in the world and also contain warm temperate and cool temperate Antarctic beech rainforest. The ancient greenery harbours many many different plant and animal species, existing unchanged today just as they were thousands of years ago.
Go camping, stay a while in cabins and lodges, or visit just for a day to go bushwalking. Discover rivers and waterfalls, lakes and hidden valleys. Lose yourself in dense rainforest, climb mountains, drop down ravines….find spectacular viewing spots from high vantage points.
There is so much to do. As a quick guide, we’ve listed just some of the parks of the region which we believe are worth visiting (some well-known and some off the beaten track!). So go out there and get exploring, hiking boots optional…
Broken Head Nature Reserve
A short drive south of Byron Bay is Broken Head. It’s a stunning coastal reserve with the rainforest literally meeting the sea. Here you’ll find secluded beaches offering a spectacular place to relax and get away from it all. Pack up the car and head out of town for a day. Bring beach towels and enjoy a surfside picnic away from the crowds. Lie on the golden sands, surf, swim and relax.
Map of facilities.
If you'd prefer to stay out of Byron Bay itself and closer to the quieter beaches here, there is a range of accommodation options at Suffolk Park. So you're still close enough to easily hop into town should you wish to.
Border Ranges National Park
Head to the spectacular Pinnacle lookout for views of ancient volcanic Mt Warning and right out to the coast over the Great Escarpment. This park is part of the World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests and is co-managed with the indigenous the Githabul people.
There are walking trails, picnic areas with BBQs and freshwater streams. You can camp here at the Forest Tops or Sheep Stations Creek campgrounds. ($5 per night for adults and $3 for children).
This park sits on a volcanic crater escarpment and is really popular with photographers who come to capture the spectacular views of cliffs and waterfalls. It is particularly pleasant in the wetter season and late summer, when the rainforest glistens and the creeks and streams are full.
The park is a popular spot for abseilers too (expert knowlegdge required).
Fee?
Users of the park are required to pay an annual pass or daily vehicle entry fee of $7 also required.
Call the Kyogle office of Environment NSW for further information on +61 (02) 6632 0000
Bongil Bongil National Park
On the Coffs Coast, the Bongil Bongil National Park is a seaside gem. Lying just south of the beach village of Sawtell, you’ll find beautiful rugged beaches, estuaries, rainforest and wetlands. A great spot for picnicking, walking and boating.
There are excellent swimming spots along the coast, and the creeks are great for paddling out in a canoe and getting up close to the local birdlife.
For more info on other parks within the Coffs Coast area, please view the Coffs Coast Parks Guide.
Nightcap National Park
Another park that showcases the mystical World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests. This park is popular for bird watching and car touring (drive with care on the unsealed roads!). You can camp at the peaceful Rummery Campground within the Whian Whian Conservation area ($10 a night for adults, $5 for children). From here it’s a gentle walk along Boggy Creek past little pools to the Minyon Falls and their 100 metre drop. On clear days from the Falls lookout you can even see the ocean.
There are lots of tracks for walkers of varying grade difficulty. One option (allowing just 45 minutes each way) is to wind your way through the ancient rainforest and gorgeous Bangalow palms to see the Protestor Falls. Views are lovely but be aware that as enticing as it may be, you can’t swim here as the waters are home to the endangered Fleay's barred frog.
Those up for a challenge can take the hard grade Historic Nightcap Track. It’s 16 kilometres of terrain and you’ll need to allow yourself a good 12 hours.
There are a variety of tours you can take from Byron Bay to explore this ancient place, with the reassurance that you’re being guided by an expert.
Arakoon National Park
Here overlooking the ocean you’ll find the picturesque Trial Bay Gaol, built as a prison in 1886. Surrounded by lovely beaches, there aren’t too many prisons built in such a beautiful setting. Trial Bay Gaol was also used in World War 1 as an internment camp, so has quite a history. Today as you explore the ruin you can visit the museum, open daily. There are picnic, camping areas and caravan sites in the immediate vicinity so you can enjoy a true beach break holiday in the area.
Arakoon is a pleasant spot to go diving or snorkelling and there is also good beach and rock fishing in the area.
Little Bay is a scenic beach with picnic areas, between two granite cliffs. For a holiday away from it all you can rent Little Bay Cottage and wake up in the heart of this coastal wonderland.
Just a half day walk and you’ll find yourself crossing into the Hat Head National Park.
The sweeping beaches of Hat Head are popular for surfing and a visit to the historic Smoky Cape lighthouse is a must. Guided tours of the lighthouse are available.
For an authentic experience the Smoky Cape lighthouse keepers cottages can even be rented for overnight stays. There’s a BnB cottage which has just been tastefully refurbished.
Note: The self catering cottages which sleep up to 6 people are closed until the 1 September 2011 for a complete renovation. They are currently being refurbished to mirror the original 1888 layout but to a contemporary standard. When they reopen they’ll feature historical and modern lighthouse focused artworks and will be energy efficient.
Or you can get back to nature and go camping here too.
This park is also known for its beautiful wild flower displays and wetlands. It’s also where you’ll find one of the biggest sand dune systems in New South Wales. A very scenic part of the NSW North Coast.
Fees?
In this park, vehicle entry fees are $7 per vehicle per day. The park has coin-operated 'pay and display' machines requiring the correct change.
New England National Park
Right on the edge of the Great Escarpment, this park is one in which to experience the majestic beauty of the ancient Gondwana Rainforests. The Point Lookout viewing platform is easily accessible (with a 100 metre paved track from the carpark, suitable for wheelchairs) and has sweeping vistas right out to the coast. If you want a spectacular rainforest sunrise then this is the place. You can see morning mist blanketing the expanse (sometimes snow), and a dramatic and ever changing landscape depending on the season.
There are a variety of different tracks from short strolls through to rugged adventures. You can kayak, camp… and you don’t have to rough it too much, with a couple of national park lodges you can stay at too. For more info see the New England National Park’s Guide.
Yuraygir Coastal Walk
This is a new four day walk on the spectacular and undeveloped Coffs Coast, that stretches from Angourie in the north to adjoining the Solitary Islands Marine Park at the southern end.
It’s a 65km one-way signposted journey (marked by coastal emu footprints) along magnificent sea scapes and lakes systems, with a backdrop of forests, estuaries and wetlands. You’ll enjoy stunning views out to sea from cliffs and headlines and you’ll discover splendid beaches that are completely isolated. From May through to November you are bound to spot migrating humpback whales off the coast.
Environment NSW suggest (and we agree!) that you take the walk from north to south, as then you’ll have the sun at your back. You can choose to tackle the whole thing, or just take on one of the shorter legs on any given day. There are National park camping and caravan facilities or you might wish to stay and dine in any of the tourist villages at either end of your route.
For great accommodation rates, from Coffs Harbour up to Angourie and Yamba, here at mydestination.com we can help you find something to suit.
For more information on this walk and the Yuraygir National Park, view their brochure.
Fees?
In this park, vehicle entry fees are $7 per vehicle per day. The park has coin-operated 'pay and display' machines requiring the correct change.
Sea Acres National Park
The Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is just 4km south of central Port Macquarie and showcases one of the largest remaining coastal sections of rainforest in NSW. It hosts a 1.3 km long coastal boardwalk (wheelchair accessible), where the serenity and coolness of the subtropical rainforest is matched with the sounds of the surf.
Stroll at your own leisurely pace or take a guided tour. The centre itself offers activities, a café, unique gift store and an unforgettable day out.
The Park is open 9am to 4:30pm every day except Christmas Day.
Fees?
Entry to the Boardwalk costs $8 for adults and $4 for children (for a family (it’s $18). Pension/seniors card cost is $7
Barrington Tops National Park
The inland Barrington Tops National Park is a true Australian wilderness and an extremely popular centre for bushwalkers. There is a fantastic network of tracks for all comfort levels and offering varying durations.
At its lower reaches you’ll find pockets of World Heritage listed sub tropical rainforests. The park climbs to a plateau and reaches over 1500m and its subalpine woodland can be covered in snow in winter months.
There are 9 different camp grounds to choose from within the park .
Hunter Wetlands National Park
This is a new national park just 9km from the Newcastle CBD. One for the bird lovers, the Hunter Wetlands (incorporating the Kooragang and Hexham Swamp Nature Reserves and covering parts of the Stockton Sandspit and Ash Island) is the largest single estuary wetland reserve in the state. With bird watching vantage points and viewing platforms along a mangrove lined boardwalk, it offers a unique Australian nature experience.
The park is of significant importance for the conservation of migrating shore birds and provides refuge for a number of species including local ducks, the freckled duck, the pink-eared duck, the Australian pelican, the glossy ibis, herons and a variety of other waterbirds.
Guided Aboriginal Discovery tours can be taken and generally cost $10 for adults and $8 for children. Fun and informative, they change throughout the year but can include Bush Art (painting in the bush way, where you get to keep your own unique creation!) and Bush Food (where you’ll learn all about the local bush tucker traditionally eaten by the Awabakal people of the area).
This is by no means an exhaustive list and there are numerous other parks on the NSW North Coast which are well worth a visit. The above list is to give you some ideas.
For a full list of National Parks in NSW and a comprehensive guide of the facilities available, please visit Environment NSW’s National Parks pages. Make sure you check the official park pages or contact the local office for safety information and park openings before you go (sometimes restrictions may be in place due to fire risk, flooding or temperamental weather conditions!)
