From the imposing spire of Mount Warning, to the broad sweeping beaches of the coastal national parks, the national parks of the Northern Rivers area offer visitors an exciting and rewarding experience. The World Heritage listing of many of these parks is testimony to their significance as places of great natural and cultural value.
 

Mt Warning National Park

15 minutes drive from Murwillumbah is Mount Warning, set like a gem in the circle of caldera rim rainforests. The pointed spire of the mountain is the plug of a volcano that once poured out lava from Mt Tambourine in the north to Lismore in the south. Westward it extended to Kyogle and its eastern remnants occur as reefs at Point Danger.

Mount Warning is visited by about 100,000 people a year. Many of these attempt the rugged climb to the summit. A reasonable degree of fitness and a determined attitude is all that is required to reach the peak. The 4.4 km climb from Breakfast Creek winds through ever changing rainforest communities eventually reaching viewing platforms at the summit. The return walk takes about five hours, with a steep rock scramble at the top.

The 360 degree views from the summit make the journey worthwhile. To the west, stretch the ridges of the Border Ranges while to the east the Gold Coast and Byron Bay are visible on a clear day.

Border Ranges National Park

The spectacular Border Ranges National Park can be easily experienced on the 64 kilometre Tweed Range Scenic Drive. Picnic areas, shelter sheds and great views are available at Bar Mountain, Blackbutts Lookout and Antarctic Beech Picnic Area. Campsites are available at Sheepstation Creek and Forest Tops. There are a variety of walks in the park, from 100 metre strolls to 10 kilometre hikes. One of the most unforgettable is the Brindle Creek walk which meanders along the creek beneath a towering canopy of rainforest and past several waterfalls to emerge at the Antarctic Beech picnic area.
 

Coastal Parks

There are a number of nature reserves and National Parks along the north coast.

Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, on the northern side of the Brunswick River offers the magical combination of beach, estuary and littoral rainforest. It is the ideal location for a bushwalk, swim, a spot of river fishing or a picnic.

Tyagarah Nature Reserve offers eight kilometres of secluded and unspoilt beach backed by coastal heath. This is the perfect place for a quiet walk or a spot of birdwatching.

Bundjalung National Park: If you want to camp beside the beach, basic campsites are provided at Bundjalung National Park, south of Evans Head. This National Park offers unspoilt beaches protected by dramatic headlands, plus uniquely Australian heath vegetation and pristine river systems.

Park use fees apply to Border Ranges National Park, Mebbin National Park, Tyagarah Nature Reserve, Bundjalung National Park.

Aboriginal Culture

An Aboriginal bora ground and sacred site is situated in the heart of the coastal village of Lennox Head. The Bundjalong people, whose lands make up this area, once utilised the abundant resources of plants and animals.

One of the two bora rings originally on the site remains and the earthen mound defining it is clearly visible. The bora ground is tangible evidence of the rich aboriginal culture and was used for ceremonial purposes and as a male initiation site. It remains a significant sacred site for the Bundjalung people. It is located in Gibbon Street off the Lennox Head to Byron Bay Road.

Discover more

To learn more about our natural heritage join a National Parks Discovery tour, held every school holiday period. Activities include guided bushwalks, spotlighting tours to learn about our unique nocturnal wildlife and canoeing on some of the many tranquil waterways in the region. 

For more information on Discovery and the National Parks of the far north coast contact the Northern Rivers Regional office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service  on  Ph 66270200. 

Alternatively, call into the World Heritage Rainforest Centre in Murwillumbah where informative displays and a movie will help you understand the natural and cultural significance of the area. From the imposing spire of Mount Warning, to the broad sweeping beaches of the coastal national parks, the national parks of the Northern Rivers area offer visitors an exciting and rewarding experience. The World Heritage  listing of many of these parks is testimony to their significance as places of great natural and cultural value.