This information has been sourced from the National Parks & Wildlife Services, for
full details and more Parks & Reserves visit the Northern Rivers section of the National Parks and Wildlife's website www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
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Arakwal National Park
Highlights: This recreation area stands on the most easterly point of the
Australian mainland, Cape Byron, and extends south along Tallow Beach. It is
a great spot for watching turtles, dolphins and humpback whales on their
annual migration.
Activities: A spectacular clifftop walking track offers panoramic views of
the ocean and north coast hinterland. Wind your way along the tracks through
diverse coastal plant communities, including rainforest that stretches right
down to the beach sands. At Cape Byron Lighthouse you can take a tour (phone
6685 8565 for bookings) and even stay the night in the lighthouse keeper’s
quarters (bookings essential, phone 6685 6552).
Access: 2 km east of Byron Bay along Lighthouse Road. Vehicle entry fee of
$4 to the Cape Byron Lighthouse precinct.
Local NPWS contact: Byron Bay, 6685 8565
::: Brunswick Heads
Nature Reserve
204 ha
Highlights: This reserve offers the magical combination of beach, estuary
and coastal rainforest.
Activities: The park is the ideal location for bushwalking, swimming,
picnicking or a spot of river fishing. A short walk from the carpark takes
in the rare coastal rainforest and opens onto the breakwall on the north
bank of the Brunswick River. Return to the carpark is along the Brunswick
River, which gives a sense of the tranquillity and history of the reserve.
Access: 20 km north of Byron Bay at Brunswick Heads, just off the Pacific
Highway.
Local NPWS contact: Alstonville, 6627 0200
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Mount Warning National Park
2379 ha
Highlights: Mount Warning, the heart of this World Heritage-listed park, is
the remnant central plug of an ancient volcano. At 1100 metres it has been
eroded down to half its original height.
Activities: There is a fantastic walk to the mountain’s summit through
rainforest communities, with a challenging final rock scramble rewarding you
with 360-degree views of the bowl-shaped Tweed Valley. Car-based and caravan
camping is available at the privately run caravan park on the main access
road.
Access: 12 km south-west of Murwillumbah off Kyogle Road.
Local NPWS contact: Murwillumbah, 6672 6360
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Nightcap National Park
8080 ha
Highlights: The lush World Heritage rainforests of this park were saved from
logging by a determined group of conservationists, meaning you can enjoy the
park’s forest ecosystems, containing significant populations of threatened
plants and animals.
Activities: Minyon Falls, with its picnic area and awesome 100 metre
waterfall, provides a great start to the 30 km Whian Whian Forest Drive
(unsealed). This scenic route takes in areas of the park and the nearby
state forest. Journey to the lush rainforests of Terania Creek (unsealed
roads) with its picnic area and shaded 1.4 km return walk to the
breathtaking Protestors Falls. Swimming is not permitted at this spot. No
fires are permitted in the park; portable fuel stoves only.
Access: 35 km north of Lismore. Whian Whian Forest Drive (unsealed) is off
the Lismore-Mullumbimby road.
Local NPWS contact: Alstonville, 6627 0200
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Tyagarah
Nature Reserve
763 ha
Highlights: Visitors to this reserve can expect 8 km of secluded and unspoilt
beach backed by coastal heath.
Activities: This is the perfect place for a quiet walk, picnic or spot of
birdwatching or fishing. Picnic facilities are provided at the beach, and there
is a walking track on the old mining track that leads from Grays Lane to the
northern boundary of the reserve. Camping is not permitted.
Access: 10 km north of Byron Bay along Grays Lane (unsealed sections) off the
Pacific Highway. Vehicle entry fee of $6.
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