Byron Bay

Byron Bay is special in that not only do we have a wonderful coastline and magnificent beaches, but the hinterland surrounding the area is stunning. In the hinterland you will find towering waterfalls, beautful rivers and state & national parks with views to take your breath away.

The Byron Bay hinterland is blessed with a remarkably hospitable climate, warm rains nourishes the countryside and the crisp inland mornings of winter bring just enough chill to define the seasons. The mild subtropical climate yields a rich harvest of amazing farm produce in the spectacular volcanic terrain.

Experience the breathtaking majesty of a rainforest or marvel at the view from the top of one of the many ridges that extend their way across this area. Take a 4WD trek into a mountain wilderness or a leisurely stroll through a towering palm forest.

Stunning natural beauty abounds in the hinterland areas - you can choose between Minyon Falls, Rocky Creek Dam, Whian Whian State Forest, The Nightcap Ranges national Park, Border Ranges National Park and Wollumbin (Mt Warning). The Mount Warning National Park is actually World Heritage Listed. Wollumbin (the Bundjalung name for Mt Warning) is one of the largest calderas in the Southern Hemisphere - the remnant central plug to an ancient volcano. Eroded now to half of it's original height, The 1100 meter high peak looms impressively over both the Byron and Tweed Shires. Though tours are taken to the summit of Wollumbin, the local Bundjalung Elders request that you respect their sacred place and do not climb it.

There are many villages in the Byron Bay Hinterland worthy of a visit. Many of them still retain an old world charm that seems to have been taken from most towns and villages in Australia today . One of these is Bangalow (Bundjalung for "Graceful Palm"). Bangalow is situated 15 minutes South along the Pacific Hwy. Settled originally in the late 19th Century, it lies in the (once) epicenter of the local dairy industry. In fact this area was one of the most productive dairy areas in the State at one time. Much of it's original charm has been retained and now contains some beautful shops full of varied treasures from around the world , including antique rugs, buddhist paraphenalia and craft shops. Bangalow is also famous its Billy Cart Derby which is held each year in May. Markets are also held at the show grounds on the 4th Sunday of every month.

Clunes is actually a gealic word meaning 'pleasant place'. Clunes (roughly 25 mintues from Byron on the way to Lismore) was also once a staging post for the fledgling local dairy industry.

Dunoon - the Macadamia capital of Australia - is about 35 minutes from Byron Bay. Dunoon can be reached by turning North at Clunes, and provides some beautiful scenery along the way.

Home to Pogel's Wood Cafe and various famous musicians (shhh - it's a secret!), Federal is a small town containing a village store - come service station - come bottleshop and a tennis court (of course!). Federal is a great place to stock up on your way to visiting some of the National Parks.

Just 20 minutes north west of Byron is "The Biggest Little Town in Australia" . Mullumbimby is nestled beneath the incredibly beautiful Mt Chincogan (which is actually privately owned). As you turn off the old highway and head towards Mullumbimby, you will proceed up a hill - to be greeted by the seemingly perfectly proportioned Mt Chincogan. Whilst not a very high 'mountain' (if at all you can call it a mountain), it is sure to impress with the suddenness of it's appearance as you reach the high point of the road. 'Mullum' (as it is known to locals) is perhaps best known now as the home town of Petria Thomas - Olympic Gold medallist and inspiration to many. The town pool is now named after her! Mullum is well worth a visit, and supports a number of pubs, restaurants and licensed sporting clubs.

Nestled between Clunes and Lismore, Eltham is worth a visit to spend some time in the Eltham Pub. A beautiful old world pub located just over the road from the tennis courts.

Billinudgel (25minutes north of Byron Bay) is also worth a visit, if just to visit the hotel there too. 'The Nudge' is another classic old world pub that looks as though it hasn't chnage din a hundred years, although the owners have extended out the back, it works well, and the music on offer is often world class. Phil Emmanuel is a regular artist - one of the top guitarists in the world. Oh, there's also a tennis court next door (what is it about this area and pubs and tennis courts?!).

Rosebank is located in the hearty of the Byron Shire Hinterland. A drive through this area is well worth it, as some of the best views in the area can be had here. The Rosebank Store is another little general store come cafe come service station that delights in it's quaintness. Rosebank is a perfect supply stop on your way to Whian Whian and Minyon Falls.

The Channon is another beautiful little town that comes alive once a month when the local market comes to town. Held on the 2nd Sunday of each month, visiting The Channon Market is a great way to spend a day. The Channon is also the starting point for a visit to the magnificent Protestors Falls.



Nightcap National Park

The lush World Heritage-listed rainforest of Nightcap National Park was preserved by a determined group of conservationists. The Mt Nardi and Minyon Falls areas are easily available by car and offer breathtaking views.

Aboriginal heritage

The park is base for the Bundjalung nation, particularly the Widjabul people, and there are many sacred sites of cultural significance in the area.

The land and waterways, and the plants and animals that live in them, feature in all facets of Aboriginal culture - including recreational, ceremonial, spiritual and as a main source of food and medicine. They are associated with dreaming stories and cultural learning that is still passed on today. We work with local Aboriginal communities to protect this rich heritage. To find out more about Aboriginal heritage in the park, you can get in touch with the local Aboriginal community. Contact the park office for more details.

History in the park

A flying fox and shelter on the Googarna Track was used to lower logs 500 meters to the Kunghur mill during the 1940s and 1950s. The park also incorporates the Nightcap Track and Nightcap Range telegraph line, both constructed in the 1870s as the first communication links between the Richmond and Tweed valleys. Gracie's Track is a remnant section of hand-built stone pathway reputed to be constructed in the 1880s.

Camping and hiking

You can camp at Rummery Park, in nearby Whian Whian State Conservation Area.

Nightcap National Park is 35 km north of Lismore. Road access is from one of four roads from the Richmond Valley in the south. Whian Whian Forest Drive (unsealed) is off the Lismore - Mullumbimby road. The Mount Burrel and Mount Neville areas can be accessed by foot only via the Mount Nardi and Terania Creek access routes.
Road quality: unpaved sections

Nightcap National Park can be accessed by five separate public roads from the south of the park. All are dirt with the exception of the access to Mt Nardi.
Road quality: unpaved sections

Protestors Falls:
1.4 km, 45 minutes, easy This easy walk winds its way through bangalow palms to the base of Protestors Falls at Terania Creek Picnic Area. Swimming is not permitted in the area as it is home to the endangered Fleay's bared frog.

Big Scrub Loop:
1.5 km, 45 minutes, medium difficulty Starting off Gibbergunyah Range Road, you can stroll among some of the best examples of remnant rainforest in NSW. See large figs, abundant bird life and crystal clear creeks.

Mt Matheson Loop:
3 km, 1.5 hours, medium difficulty Originating at Mt Nardi, the Mt Matheson Loop heads out through the lush rainforest encircling Mt Matheson. Drier vegetation communities are found near the cliff edges. The Pholis Gap and Historic Nightcap tracks split off from this walk.

Pholis Gap:
4 km, 1.5 hours, medium difficulty. The track was named after Athol Pholi who was killed by a tree fall while working in the area. Beginning at Mt Nardi the track meanders through rainforest for a kilometer before splitting off the Mt Matheson Loop and descending towards the escarpment edge. Drier vegetation dominated by grass trees and New England Black Butt typify the walk to Pholis Gap, which offers views of Mt Warning and surrounding valleys.

Goorgana Track:
7 km, 10 hours, difficult. You'll need to be experienced in the use of map and compass for this walk. Taking up where the Pholis Gap track finishes, the track skirts westwards along the ridge line, taking in the majority of high points in the Nightcap Range. Remnants of the Kunghur flying fox are found at the end of this walk.

Minyon Loop:
7.5 km, 4.5 hours, difficult. Beginning at either Minyon Grass or Minyon Falls picnic area, this walk takes you through changing vegetation to the base of the falls and along the escarpment edge. If you want to walk only to the base of Minyon falls, the walk begins at Minyon Grass and is a 4 kilometer return walk taking around 2 hours. Both walks have steep climbs out of the valley floor.

Historic Nightcap Track:
16 km, 1.5 days, difficult. Passing through both Nightcap National Park and Whian Whian State Forest this walk can be started at either Mt Nardi or Rummery Park. The track overlaps parts of the original trail used by travellers and postal workers between Lismore and Murwillumbah in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Bush camping is permitted on this walk but you'll need to use a portable stove and carry out your own rubbish.

Touring by Car

Whian Whian Scenic Drive (30 km):

Traversing Nightcap National Park and Whian Whian State Forest this 30 kilometer drive takes you through varied vegetation and spectacular scenery. The drive is a narrow dirt road suitable for two-wheel drives in dry weather. Tree stumps along the drive demonstrate changes in timber getting techniques over the last century. The drive goes past towering flooded gums, sub tropical and warm temperate rainforest and Black Butt plantations.

Other features include Peates Mountain Lookout and Rummery Park. Please remember the road is shared with other users including walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

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Border Ranges National Park

This is a World Heritage rainforest park on the rim of a vast, ancient volcano. Pinnacle Lookout offers views of Mt Warning, the escarpment and all the way to the coast. The park is a haven to native fauna such as Alberts lyrebird and the pouched frog.

Things you need to know

How to get there:
From Lismore head north-west to Kyogle (48 kilometers) and then to Wiangaree.
Road quality: paved

From Murwillumbah follow the Kyogle road west to Lillian Rock, which is a locality not a town. At Lillian Rock turn right onto Creegan Road. From here the park is signposted.
Road quality: unpaved sections

From Queensland follow the Mount Lindsay Highway to Rathdowney. Follow the Lions Road east to the Richmond Gap and the central sections of the park where you'll find the Border Loop lookout and picnic area.

To reach the Sheepstation Camping Area and the eastern half of the park, keep following the Lions Road until you reach Simes Road. Turn left and follow the signs.

The Lions Road is not suitable for caravans and buses.
Road quality: unpaved sections

From Kyogle follow the Summerland Way north for 15 kilometers to Wiangaree then turn right onto the Lynchs Creek Road. The park is signposted from here.
Road quality: unpaved sections

If you're driving into the park, you will need to purchase a vehicle day pass. This costs $7.

Climate:
The park's climate is coastal sub-tropical. December through April is warm and wet with daytime temperatures ranging from about 25 to 30°C and humidity levels above 70 per cent. Most of the year's rain falls at this time.

Best times to visit:
From May to November it's usually cooler and drier but some winters have more rain. It can be very cold from May to July, down to 2°C. The park's climate makes it good to visit at any time of year, however the clear air and lower humidity levels from April to July give the best views from the lookouts. The wetter months are often the best for viewing the park's wildlife and spectacular waterfalls.

Camping:
Sheepstation Creek Camping Area (40 sites)
Location: At the western edge of the park.
Getting there: The campground is just off the Tweed Range Scenic Drive. Access roads and campsites beyond the camping area are not suitable for caravans, and caravans and buses must not enter the park via the eastern or Lillian Rock entry. The route includes unpaved roads, suitable for standard 2WD cars.
Campsites are suitable for: caravans; camper trailers; camping beside your vehicle.
Facilities: Drinking water, pit/composting toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues, firewood supplied
Things to do: The Rosewood Loop, Palm Forest Loop and Booyong Walking Track system start here.
Fees: $3.00 per adult per night, $2.00 per child per night. Annual pass or daily vehicle entry fee of $7 also required.

Forest Tops Camping Area (10 sites)
Location: In the middle of the park.
Getting there: The campground is just off the Tweed Range Scenic Drive, 10 kilometers from the western edge of the park. The route includes unpaved roads, suitable for standard 2WD cars.
Campsites are suitable for: people who are happy to walk a short distance from car to tent.
Facilities: Drinking water, pit/composting toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues, firewood supplied
Things to do: The Booyong walking track starts here.
Fees: $3.00 per adult per night, $2.00 per child per night. Annual pass or daily vehicle entry fee of $7 also required.

Backpacking camping.
In this park, you can carry your camping equipment into areas not reached by car. You usually won't be able to rely on facilities like toilets or fireplaces, and you'll need to take drinking water and a fuel stove with you. Camping in remote bushland is an amazing experience - please don't leave anything behind that would stop others from enjoying it.

Vehicle-based bush camping is not permitted. Backpack camping is not permitted within 200 m of any public road or walking track or at any of the lookouts or picnic areas.

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