Melbourne to Noosa Roadtrip: Dorrigo National Park
While driving between Nambucca Heads and Yamba, we stopped at Dorrigo National Park. This is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Area. From the National Park Website:
The rainforests in Dorrigo National Park are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, the most extensive strip of diverse rainforest anywhere on earth. The World Heritage Area is a direct window into the past and the future, providing a link to the ancient pre-human world and a stunning and irreplaceable record of life on our planet.
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/dorrigo-national-park/learn-more
First, we took in the view from the Skywalk. There are many walks in the National Park, but we decided on the Wonga Walk, a 6.6km circuit from the visitor’s centre. The walk is heavily shaded through the rainforest. Strangler figs, ferns, lichen and fungi occupy every possible space.
The walk passes Tristania Falls and Crystal Falls. The latter allows you to walk behind the curtain of water. There is also a suspension bridge that affords an excellent view.
As we walked we could hear plenty of birds in the forest, but except for the bush turkeys, catching a glimpse of them was more challenging. We did see many small birds flitting along the path, especially Pale-yellow Robins. Towards the end of the walk on the named Lyrebird Link track, we saw a Superb Lyrebird. It didn’t have the spectacular tale of the males, so it was either a female or an immature male. I’m not that skilled to be able to say which.
8 Comments
Elisabeth
That’s so cool that you were able to go BEHIND the waterfall. I’ve never done that before, but it sounds fascinating and such an interesting perspective. At Niagara Falls in Canada you can take tours that lead you through tunnels behind the falls and I’d like to do it someday.
Melissa
Yes that sounds like it would be an experience.
Jenny
This looks INCREDIBLE. I love the description of the park from the website. And regarding Elisabeth’s comment above- when I was a kid we went on a family vacation to Niagara Falls, and I do remember going behind the waterfall!
Melissa
Hopefully one day I will get to Niagara Falls and I will try to do that. It sounds amazing, I can’t imagine what it would feel like with such massive falls. These were more peaceful and pretty.
J
Oh, what a beautiful park! It is so arid here in California, we don’t have a lot of lush forests like that. I mean, there are some, but they are definitely a trek. I guess I need to make more of an effort in that area. Your pictures are truly lovely!
Melissa
These were definately a trek (1423km drive from our home) but so beautiful. We do have some beautiful bushland within our city though and there are cool, temperate rainforests on the outskirts of Melbourne in the Dandenong Ranges that are 50min drive from us. I love getting out into the bush or forest when I can.
San
What a lucious green park with the waterfalls. I love the bird pictures, so cute!
Melissa
Yes, the rainforest is really beautiful through there. THe highway through the area is nicknamed the Waterfall Way.