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Dorrigo National Park
This World Heritage listed national park is an area of exceptional natural beauty and is one of Australia's most accessible rainforests. Dorrigo National Park, which attracts visitors from around the world, has an abundance of wildlife that you can experience up close.
The park encompasses 11,732 hectares of the Great Escarpment of the Dorrigo Plateau and is located an hour's drive west of Coffs Harbour.
Dorrigo National Park provides all visitors, even those who are less mobile or wheelchair-bound, the opportunity to experience and appreciate the unique rainforest environment.
The Rainforest Centre has a gift shop and a very educational and interesting interpretation centre. From here you can take a stroll on the popular Skywalk, which takes you over the top of the rainforest canopy. It provides magnificent views over the rainforest down to the Bellinger Valley and as far as the Pacific Ocean on clear days.
Several walking tracks will take you along and even right underneath waterfalls, and through glades where you can walk with the wildlife. The subtropical rainforest, supported by fertile basaltic soil can be seen at its best on the 2.5hr Wonga Walk, which starts and ends at the Rainforest Centre or The Glade picnic area.
Besides the 5.8 or 6.6km Wonga Walk, you can do the short Walk with the Birds boardwalk (200m return), the Lyrebird Link Track (800m return) and the Satinbird Stroll (600m circuit), all close to the Rainforest Centre. The Walk with the Birds boardwalk snakes high through the rainforest canopy and brings you close up to the birds.
Four other walks can be found around the Never Never Picnic Area, 10km from the Rainforest Centre. They are the Rosewood Creek Track (5.5km/2hrs), the steep Red Cedar Falls Track (2.2km return/2hrs), the Casuarina Falls Circuit (4.8km return/2hrs) and the Blackbutt Track (6.4km one way/3hrs).
There are two picnic areas to choose from, or you can enjoy a leisurely lunch, all-day breakfast or a great coffee or milkshake and homemade cakes and other goodies at the Canopy Café next to the Rainforest shop.
Things to see and do
- Bushwalking: more than half a dozen walking tracks to choose from, ranging from 200m to 6.6km (details above).
- Waterfalls: the Wonga Walk takes you very closely past Crystal Shower Falls and Tristania Falls.
- Bird watching: With over 120 species recorded, the entire National Park is great for bird watchers, but the Walk with the Birds boardwalk with information panels is excellent.
- Skywalk: walk to the end of the Skywalk over the treetops for great views down over the valley.
- Wildlife encounters: Among the wildlife that’s often seen here are brush turkeys, lyrebirds, green catbirds, small red-necked pademelons, lace monitors, and ringtailed and brushtailed possums (in the evening).
- Interpretive display: learn about the national park’s flora and fauna in the intriguing education area at the Rainforest Centre.
- Shop & information centre: The National Parks & Wildlife Services information centre and shop is open from 9am to 4.30pm daily for brochures, advice, books, DVDs, gifts and souvenirs.
- Canopy Café: Located at the Rainforest Centre, this beautifully situated café is open for breakfast, lunch, coffee and snacks from 9am to 4.30pm daily.
- Discovery Tours: National Parks & Wildlife Services run fun and educational walks, talks and tours during school holidays.
Getting There
Access to Dorrigo National Park is via Dome Road off the Waterfall Way, a few kilometres east of Dorrigo (one hour from Coffs Harbour).
The park is open from 5am to 10pm every day. Car parking, picnic tables and toilets are available at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, The Glade Picnic Area (1km from there) and the Never Never Picnic Area (10km further along Dome Road).
Details maps and information brochures are available from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre.
Enquiries
For further information, contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service - Dorrigo Plateau Area Office on (02) 6657 2309 or visit: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
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