Waterfall Way Drive
New England Highlands

Dorrigo National Park, The World Heritage Gondwana rainforest is a highlight of today’s exploration. Consider that the Rainforest was a victim of the 2019 December bushfires therefore check before departing what is open. Our visits are important as every visit contributes to the welfare of the National Parks. Dorrigo has a well equipped Rainforest Centre where brochures and up to date information can be found. The balance of the day is exploring Dorrigo National Park. There are information panels throughout the park as well as toilet facilities near the visitor centre.Start your exploration of the park with a short stroll on the elevated Skywalk Lookout for a sweeping view of valleys, gorges and hills through to Bellinger Valley and the distant coast. A great photo moment especially in the dawn or sunset. The Skywalk Lookout is adjacent to the Rainforest Information Centre.

Travel Pack. Dorrigo National Park brochure

Gondwana rainforest lookout views

Crystal Showers Falls loop track, Dorrigo Park

Walk to Crystal Shower Falls loop track, distance 3.5km, grade 2. This is a special place where your walk takes you behind the waterfall, into a rock cavern. You will view curtains of water in a spectacular display. Once you reach the falls, a suspension bridge leads to a short side track that will take you behind the waterfall into a rocky cavern. The Crystal Shower Falls walk is a combined track with the Satinbird stroll.

Lyrebird link walk is 0.8km grade 2 starting from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. The walkway takes you to the heart of Gondwana rainforest. The enormous stinging trees, birds nest ferns and lawyer cane palms are reaching into the canopy for essential light. This walk has information panels describing flora and fauna.

NOTE

You could be intrigued by Gondwana rainforest and decide to extend your time in Dorrigo National Park or perhaps New England National Park there are numerous walks, tracks and, of course more waterfalls.

Cathedral Rock autumn mist granite tors

Misty Creek lookout is an instagram favourite due to the height of the lookout and the sense that you are on top of the world (or perched on a rock). The walk is a 50m easy stroll from the carpark. The car park is located close to the Chaelundi campground. Wildlife is known to frequent the area, rock wallabies and look up for the enigmatic wedge-tailed eagle and other birds of prey.

Duration ½ hour.

Cathedral Rock National Park granite outcrops

Cathedral Rock National Park is where you have the option to climb the rigorous Woolpack Rocks at Cathedral Rock National Park. The name of the park aptly describes the weathered granite rocks which are a hallmark of the area. The granites are ancient, over 270 million years old with weathered exposed granite tors. The rocks are seemingly stacked and perched one on top of another providing a dramatic effect.

While it is a great photo opportunity take care not to climb stacked rocks as their stability is questionable. There is the grade 5 walk, Woolpack Rock. It is a challenging walk, starting near Barokee campground. The walk offers panoramic views across the New England Tablelands from the summit.

Duration – to be determined by visitor.

Travel Pack. Cathedral Rock National Park brochure

Walking tracks surrounded by blue gums, Dorrigo National Park

The park brochure describes the Warrigal walking track an easy loop family walk. It is a great spring and early summer walk with flowering heath plants, creek crossings providing a sense of adventure and the granite rocks. Starting at Native Dog campground, the track is mostly level, making it an ideal family walk. For bird watchers there is an opportunity to catch sight or hear native birds such as New Holland, white-cheeked, honeyeaters and wattlebirds taking advantage of the heath’s flowers full of nectar.

Your footfall will perhaps cause the birds to rise from their heath nectar snacks. Patience and silence will encourage the birds to continue to sip and feed.

Your discovery of New England National Park starts at the Point Lookout, an easy wheelchair accessible flat 200m walk to an elevated lookout point. Information plaques narrate the story of human occupation, Aboriginal cultural heritage and the history of the flora and fauna. Look below you at the sweeping valleys of the Park and consider a walk in the forest below. Walks commence from the carpark.

There are facilities such as picnic tables, toilets and BBQ areas close to the carpark. Perhaps you are going to spend your afternoon simply absorbing the scent and sound of the forest or indulge in a vigorous tramp. For the experienced tramper to consider is the New England wilderness hike 2-3 days. The choice is yours. Consult park conditions before heading out on your walk.
Travel Pack. New England National Park brochure

Walking track, New England, National Park, NSW

Macquarie Pass National Park @scottyd.1970

Walks include Cascades walking track 5.4km, grade 4. It is not a track for everyone due to its steep descents and climbs. Cascades, the name says it all, beautiful streams, cascading water wrapped in the green swathe of rainforest bright moss, liverworts and light dappled ferns. This is a contrast to the rock outcrop of Wrights lookout.

New England National Park @mel.k.campbell

The name of the next walk Eagles Nest walking track sums up the stunning views that are the reward for completing the 2.2km loop,  grade 3 track. The grade reflects the descent and ascent that is required. The park’s brochure accurately describes this special walk as “Climb back up to the escarpment near Banksia Point and return to Point lookout through the snow gum woodland. Look out for the brilliantly coloured crimson rosellas as you wander through the forest. In spring, you’ll be treated to the beauty of snow gum woodland carpeted with snowgrass tussocks and colourful wildflowers. Finish with the breathtaking views from Point lookout, knowing what incredible natural wonders lie …below.”

Walking tracks Oxley Wild Rivers Park, NSW

Walks suitable for families and those whose fitness levels are compromised.

Apsley Gorge Rim walking track  is a 1 km loop Gorge Rim Walking Track. At the Falls Lookout there is a 52 metre steel stairway which leads down to an observation deck where there are excellent views of the deep gorge and the falls which drop 309 m in two stages. To consider for families is Tia Falls walk offers the easiest and best views of beautiful Tia Falls and Tia Gorge. It’s a short and easy walk, so a good one for walking with children. Tia Falls walk starts from Tia Falls lookout and picnic area, a good place to enjoy a picnic before or after your walk.

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park

Oxley Walk is a 90 minute walk that crosses the impressive Suspension Bridge and continues around the Apsley River to the north side of the gorge. It offers excellent views of the main falls and the lower falls from four lookout platforms.

Homestead in Armidale @nationaltrustnsw

Consult our Armidale travel guide: what to see for inspiration.

Langford House is a grand Edwardian Mansion, located one kilometre south of Walcha on Thunderbolts Way. Guided tours are available with the owners, by prior arrangement only. A tour takes around an hour. Construction of William Fletcher’s “Langford” mansion commenced in May 1903 and was completed in October 1904. Langford is a grand two story building constructed of locally produced red brick, featuring 22 rooms and a five story central tower overlooking the circular entrance driveway and extensive surrounding gardens.

For enquiries about Langford at Walcha, please send e-mail to enquiries@langfordatwalcha.com.au.

Walcha Road, New South Wales @jayson_sharman_photography

Dunbogan Boatshed @instagramofkelly

Dunbogan Boatshed: Home (1940’s) and still going strong is on The Boulevarde. The boatshed offers a one stop service for all things fish and fishing. You can have a coffee and even fish from the outdoor decks. Additionally hires kayaks and tinnies. Dunbogan is your stop for the night. The white weatherboard boatshed is perched over the Camden Haven with a ringside view of the majestic 500 metre tall North Brother mountain. It is a special treat for visitors to feed the fish from the deck. The cafe sells fish food as well as lends buckets and spades for children to explore the sandy beach, exposed at low tide beneath the cafe.

@dunboganboatshed

A scenic showstopper for your Waterfall Way road trip. A local holiday spot with its numerous camping grounds. Let’s get you inspired and check out our weekend away in Camden Haven for what to see and do in the area.