The National Parks of the Tweed Volcano Region
"they took all the trees and put them in a tree museum"*
Natural History
Natural History Index
CERRA World Heritage
Information Network
Related Links:
Hint: use your right mouse button to open a new window to external sites.
- Nightcap Oak, A New Rainforest Tree Species
- Rare Mouse Found in the Border Ranges National Park
- NSW
National Parks Orienteering, rogaining & geocaching policy
Rainforest © David Palmer
When visiting our national parks and reserves please minimise your environmental impact by following these guidelines. If you use a tour operator or guide service, check to see if they observe the Ecotourism Operators Code of Practice.
Arakwal National Park
Stretching south along Tallow Beach from Cape Byron for nearly two kilometers, the creation of this 183-hectare coastal park is the result of the first indigenous land use agreement in Australia.
The area provides habitat for significant flora and fauna species, including wintering sites for nomadic and migratory birds and flying foxes and is also home to the Cibum Margil Swamp, a declared coastal wetland. Also highly significant to local indigenous people for thousands of years, it contains important Aboriginal mythological and burial sites and campsites.
Old four wheel drive tracks parallel the beach, and informal sand tracks for people on foot, meander through the coastal heath, which comes alive in Spring with native birds and animals feasting from a myriad native shrubs, bushes and grasses, in bloom.
The Arakwal Aboriginal people are the acknowledged custodians of the Byron Bay area and retain a strong role and interest in the maintenance, protection and management of Aboriginal cultural values.
BORDER RANGES NATIONAL PARK (30,508 ha)
Easy access is a feature of this spectacular World Heritage area. The 64km Tweed Range Scenic Drive can be reached via the Wiangaree turn off on the Summerland Way, or the Barkers Vale turn off on the Murwillumbah - Kyogle Road.
Day use picnic areas, shelter sheds and spectacular views are available at Bar Mountain, Blackbutts Lookout and Antarctic Beech Picnic areas. A large camping area is provided at Sheepstation Creek, with a smaller one at Forest Tops. Both areas provide water, shelter sheds, firewood and composting toilets.
There are a variety of walks in the park, from 50 metre strolls to 10 kilometre hikes, most starting from day picnic or camping areas.
BROADWATER NATIONAL PARK (3,737 ha)
Covering 3800 hectares and located between the villages of Evans Head and Broadwater on the Pacific Highway, Broadwater National Park preserves one of the most outstanding areas of coastal heathland in New South Wales, where in Spring, wildflowers explode in a kaleidoscope of colours. The park is home to paperbarks, bush pea, bush orchids, black sheoaks, roughbarked apple, red and yellow Christmas bells, swamp lily and brilliant flowering banksias.
For the bird watcher, the three kilometre return walk at Salty Lagoon is worthwhile. Picnic facilities are provided at Broadwater Beach and at the Broadwater Lookout area, where a high vantage point offers an uninterrupted view over a mosaic of heathland communities reaching all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Entrance is via a sealed road from the Pacific Highway at Broadwater or Woodburn.
BUNDJALUNG NATIONAL PARK (17,699 ha)
Located between the coastal villages of Evans Head and Iluka, Bundjalung National Park offers something for everybody - kilometres of unspoilt beaches, spectacular coastal heathland and one of the most pristine coastal river systems in New south Wales. The fishing is good too!
Modern camping and caravan facilities, including hot showers and a kiosk, are available at Woody Head. Bookings, especially during school holidays, are essential - ring (02) 666 6134 to secure a site. Elsewhere, 50 low key campsites are provided at the Black Rocks Rest Area in the centre of the park, just turn off south of Woodburn on the Pacific Highway.
Picnic areas for day visitors are provided at Shark Bay, Frasers Bluff and Back Beach. Gumma Garra picnic area, located adjacent to the fishing village of Evans Head, offer further opportunities for bushwalking, fishing or just spending a relaxing day with the family.
FLEAY'S WILDLIFE CENTRE
Observe native wildlife displayed in natural habitats. See crocodiles, cassowaries and brolgas from boardwalks in rainforest, wetlands and eucalypt forest, bordered by mangroves. Special "Hands-on" area in "Nature's Playground" for children. Admission fee, open daily, kiosk on site. Access from Gold Coast and Pacific Highway. (Or take the scenic rim route from the Tweed Valley via Tomewin and Tallebudgera Valley). Enquiries: Qld NPWS (07) 5576 2411.
LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK (20,200 ha)
Home of the largest preserved sub-tropical rainforest in Australia, this World Heritage declared park covers over 20,000 hectares, and features many natural wonders with its breathtaking views into deep valleys and cascading waterfalls over sheer mountain cliffs.
There are 170 species of rainforest plants and 38 varieties of animals, many found only in this part of Australia. For the keen bushwalker, there is over 160 kilometres of graded walking tracks (trails), with easy access to many places of interest. (Courtesy of David Sharpe, Mountain Trek Adventures.)
Subtropical rainforest, magnificent views, waterfalls and colourful wildlife make this park one of the most popular in southern Queensland for day visits and camping. Extensive walking track systems lead to many points of interest. Private lodges and kiosks are located at Green Mountains (O'Rielly's Guesthouse) and Binna Burra.
Green Mountains has a picnic area where you can meet the wildlife if you are patient. Campsites, $3.85 per person, are often full during weekends and holidays, so book well ahead. Bring fuel stoves only and enough petrol for your return journey. Access via Canungra. Enquiries: Q. NPWS phone (07) 5544 0634 from 1pm to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
Binna Burra is located in the east of Lamington. Walking tracks weave through a diverse range of open forest and rainforest. Picnic facilities afford spectacular views of the coast and hinterland. Access via Beechmont from Nerang or Canungra. Visit the Binna Burra Information Centre. Private camp ground. Enquiries: Q NPWS phone (07) 5533 3584.
MOUNT JERUSALEM NATIONAL PARK
Strictly limited access to this area which is rich in conservation values. This park contains areas of unique coral lichen and a number of nationally listed rare and endangered plants, as well as a rich diversity of tree dwelling animal and bird species.
MOUNT WARNING NATIONAL PARK (2,380 ha)
Named by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770, as a warning to seafarers of the numerous treacherous reefs along the coast, to the Bundjalung people for many miles around, the mountain is called Wollumbin, and remains an important sacred site*.
An 8.8km round trip walk leads from Breakfast Creek parking area and winds through ever-changing rainforest communities to eventually reach viewing platforms atop the summit.
The walk is, on average, a five hour trip with the last section being very steep. There are no facilities on the summit - camping and fires are not permitted here or in any other area of the park.
For those less inclined to attempt the climb, the Lyre Bird Walk is a 500 metre stroll from the parking area to an elevated viewing platform looking out over the rainforest and Breakfast Creek. An information board on the park is situated near the stairs at the start of the summit walking track.
Korrumbyn Creek Picnic Area is located about 1.5kms down the road from the commencement of the walking track. Access to the park is signposted from the Pacific Highway via Murwillumbah and Uki.
NIGHTCAP NATIONAL PARK (4,945 ha)
Located on the southern flanks of the Mt. Warning shield volcano, Nightcap National Park is a bushwalkers paradise.
A focal point for visitors is the Terania Creek picnic area which includes a short 1.4km return walk to the breathtaking and spectacular Protesters Falls. A variety of other walks also start from the Mount Nardi picnic area, reached via a sealed road from the colourful village of Nimbin.
Electric BBQ's are also provided at Mount Nardi. Please note that swimming is no longer permitted in the pool below the Protestors Falls, due to the negative impact of sunscreens and insect repellents on native inhabitants!
RICHMOND RANGE NATIONAL PARK
Formerly a NSW State Forest, Richmond Range National Park is located 40 km west of Casino and Kyogle. This park has an astounding diversity of flora and fauna including many rare and endangered species.
It includes the World Heritage listed Cambridge Plateau, which is part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia (CERRA). Camping and picnicing facilities include picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and limited tank water. There are 3 walking tracks of up to 6 km, so great bushwalking, birdwatching and related activities are the go here!
SPRINGBROOK NATIONAL PARK (2,620 ha)
Springbrook National Park consists of three distinct sections: Springbrook Plateau, Natural Bridge and Mt Cougal. Each with their own features and charms, access is a half hour drive from the Gold Coast or 45-60 minutes via Murwillumbah and Chillingham.
Springbrook Plateau section: Waterfalls cascade over the spectacular cliffs in this section. Lookouts offer scenic views of mountains, canyons and coastline, with "Best of All" lookout being the most spectacular, offering stunning views over the Tweed Valley and Mount Warning, to the south. Extensive walking tracks lead through open forest and rainforest. Picnic areas are available. Camping is available at "The Settlement", a new camping area opened on 1st May 2006, with bookings required. Access via the Springbrook - Mudgeeraba Rd from Pacific Highway at Mudgeeraba and Springbrook-Nerang Rd from Nerang, and from Springbrook-Nerang Rd via Numinbah, Murwillumbah and Chillingham in the Tweed Valley. Enquiries: Q NPWS Ranger in Charge, Phone Contact Centre: 13 13 04.
Natural Bridge section: Water and time have formed this unusual geological feature in the dense rainforest. Day picnic facilities, with coin operated electric BBQ's and public toilets are available, but no camping is permitted. Access is via the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road.
A circular walking track leads you through the rainforest and along a creek bank. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the "Natural Bridge" formation, where a waterfall plunges through the roof of a cave into a beautiful sun-dappled rainforest grotto, which is home to glow-worms, bats and other denizens of the dark.
Please note: smoking in the cave and touching the walls is not permitted, as this can disturb the fauna and damage their local environment. You can enjoy the natural delights of the cave by allowing yourself 5 to 10 minutes of quietly standing, as your eyes and ears adjust to the surroundings, and you become aware of the sights, sounds and scents, which are around you.
Swimming in the grotto, whilst not prohibited, is strongly discouraged, for safety and environmental reasons. If you do choose to swim, remove any sunscreen and insect repellent before entering the water, as these chemicals can be damaging to native water dwelling species. (Remember to re-apply afterward!)
Mt Cougal section: While most of the section is untracked and mountainous, a day picnic area at "Cougal Cascades" provides car parking, picnic tables, public toilets and a sealed walking track suitable for wheelchair access. Further along the track, wooden stairs and a gravel track lead to a rock pool where swimming is permitted, and past rock slides to the restored remains of an old sawmill dating from 1914. Access via Currumbin Valley (Gold Coast) and Tomewin (Murwillumbah) only.
Cabins, cottages and chalet style accommodations are available on properties close to the various sections of this popular and accessible park.
TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Tamborine Mountain is the northern most point of what once was a large shield volcano centred on Mount Warning, active over 23 million years ago. Really a plateau, Tamborine Mountain National Park is in fact made up of nine national parks, including Queensland's first national park, Witches Falls, declared in 1908.
The plateau is a world of subtropical, eucalypt and cycad rainforests featuring an abundance of easy walks and magnificent views to the Gold Coast in the east, and the national parks of the Scenic Rim to the west. (Courtesy of David Sharpe, Mountain Trek Adventures.)
TOONUMBAR NATIONAL PARK
At 5750 hectares Toonumbar contains two World Heritage listed rainforests; the Murray Scrub and the Dome Mountain Forest which are part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia (CERRA).
Located 35 km west of Kyogle, this park is mostly undeveloped, however facilities are provided for camping and picnicking. Car touring and bushwalking give access to pristine rainforest comprising booyong, figs, flame trees, hoop pine, rosewood and over 400 species of flowering plants. Keep a sharp lookout for tiger quolls and Coxen's fig parrot.
TWEED HEADS HISTORIC SITE (MINJUNGBAL) (8ha)
Covering eight hectares, the site preserves an Aboriginal Bora Ground, with a walking track leading to a mangrove boardwalk along the Tweed River. The Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre with Aboriginal museum and gift shop is open seven days a week, with a nominal admission fee for adults and children. Concessions are available for students and pensioners.
The centre provides picnic tables, electric barbecues and toilets for its visitors. Reach the centre by turning into Kirkwood Road off Minjungbal Drive (the old Pacific Highway) at South Tweed Heads. For further information telephone (07) 5524 2109.
