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Yarriabini National Park
This National Park features Mount Yarrahapinni, a prominent coastal mountain about 10km south-east of Macksville and about 75km south of Coffs Harbour. The name Yarriabini is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘koala rolling’. Many protected Aboriginal sites within the park reflect its significance to the local Gumbaynggir and Dunghutti people.
Pines Picnic Area is a lovely spot with free gas barbecues and sheltered tables (bring your own drinking water). Prepare and enjoy your lunch between impressive stands of hoop pine and flooded gum.
A unique sculpture made by local Aboriginal artists and Elders highlights the area’s spiritual value.
There’s a short walking trail through shady rainforest so you can go for a stroll before or after your picnic or barbecue.
Go for a pleasant, easy drive through the park along Rosewood Road (from Warrell Creek) and Way Way Creek Road (off Scotts Head Road), and see bangalow palm-lined creeks and some giant white-barked flooded gums along the way. A long history of careful forestry management in the area has promoted a patchwork of forest ages with natural regeneration.
Tower Road, off Rosewood Road, leads to the spectacular lookout point near the summit of Mt Yarrahapinni (498m), where you have excellent views of the surrounding area. There’s also a picnic area there and a display with information about the park.
While in the park, keep an eye out for Yarriabini’s native wildlife. Among the animals commonly encountered here are swamp wallabies, grey kangaroos and lace monitors. Birds that call Yarriabini home include square-tailed kites, rainforest pigeons, wompoo fruit doves and glossy black cockatoos.
Things to see and do
- Forest drive: Take the self-guided 30km round trip through the park and explore the blackbutt forests and riverside rainforests on Way Way Creek.
- Lookout: Drive the steep, winding 4km Tower Road up to the spectacular lookout on Mt Yarrahapinni and enjoy the excellent views stretching from Crescent Head to Coffs Harbour and inland to the Great Divide.
- Picnic/BBQ: Take a break at The Pines Picnic Area, bordered by tall plantations of native hoop pines planted in the 1930s.
- Rainforest stroll: From The Pines Picnic Area, take the short Way Way Creek Forest Walk. Look up into the rainforest canopy to see ferns, lianas and orchids.
Getting There
Turn east off the Pacific Highway 7km south of Macksville at the Yarrahapinni sign in Donnellyville. Follow signs through the forest along Rosewood Road, Way Way Creek Road then back to Scotts Head Road.
Enquiries
For further information, contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service – Coffs Coast Area Office on (02) 6652 0900 or visit: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
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