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State Forests
In addition to our excellent National Parks, Coffs Coast is also lucky to have numerous very accessible State Forests.
They are ideal for bushwalking, mountain biking, motorbike/trail bike riding and 4WD tours and adventures.
Exploring our forests will give you great opportunities to get away from the hustle and bustle, surround yourself with Coffs Coast's diverse vegetation and encounter some of our native wildlife.
Step out in our forests and listen to the bird calls while admiring the tall mixed eucalypt and rainforest vegetation of our region.
If you’re a bit of an adventurer, you’ll have fun exploring our State Forests. There are no visitor facilities; you’ll have to bring your own refreshments and always be mindful of other users of the forest tracks, including motorised vehicles and possible logging trucks.
Those who are unfamiliar with the area should get a good forest map (available from Forests NSW) or topographic map (available from news agencies), as you’ll find little in the way of signage in these forests.
Starting in Coffs Coast’s north, forests to explore between Woolgoolga, Glenreagh, Coramba and Coffs Harbour are:
- Wedding Bells State Forest
- Conglomerate State Forest
- Lower Bucca State Forest
- Orara East State Forest
Further inland, west of Orara Way between Glenreagh and Coramba, you’ll find these forests:
- Bagawa State Forest
- Nana Creek State Forest
- Orara West State Forest (northern section)
Moving further south, between Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Urunga, the following forests are waiting to be explored:
- Boambee State Forest
- Orara West State Forest (southern section)
- Tuckers Nob State Forest
- Pine Creek State Forest
Things to see and do
- Bushwalking: Although there are no sign-posted walking trails, you can plan your own bush walk using the many access roads, fire trails and other tracks throughout our State Forests if you have a good map. Bring plenty of water and a mobile phone, only use existing tracks, let someone know where you’ll be going if you’re planning a long or remote walk and watch out for bikes and motorised vehicles using the forest trails.
- Mountain biking: The trails in our State Forests are excellent for mountain biking. It’s a good idea to contact a local bike shop or bicycle club for inside information on popular forest tracks.
- Four-wheel driving: Go out in your 4WD, following the unsealed roads and fire trails criss-crossing their way throughout our State Forests (only use existing roads and trails). Stop at the prettiest spot, spread out a blanket and enjoy the picnic you brought. All the normal road rules apply to driving in State Forests. Please drive carefully and watch out for bushwalkers, cyclists, timber trucks and native animals that may be sharing your track.
Getting There
Easiest access to the northern forests is via Sherwood Creek Road (from Arrawarra or Glenreagh), Sherwood/Gentle Annie/Woolgoolga Creek Roads (from Woolgoolga or Glenreagh), Bucca Road (from Moonee Beach or Nana Glen), Central Bucca Road (from Coffs Harbour) and East Bank Road (from Coramba).
Best access to the forests west of Orara Way is via Coldwater Creek Road (from Nana Glen) and Eastern Dorrigo Way (from Coramba).
You can access the southern forests via South Boambee & Perkins Roads (from Boambee/Toormina/Sawtell), Fridays Creek & South Island Loop Roads (from Upper Orara), Gleniffer & Crossmaglen Roads (from Bonville), Gleniffer, Promised Land & Hydes Creek Roads (from Bellingen) and Valery Road (from Raleigh).
Enquiries
For further information about Coffs Coast’s State Forests, contact Forests NSW on (02) 6652 0111 or the Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 070. For general information about recreation in State Forests and visitor guidelines, visit the Forests NSW website
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